If you only want to buy one piece of clothing specifically for cycling, then buy a good pair of cycling shorts! If necessary, you can do without all other functional clothing, apart from a bicycle helmet of course. The reason for this is obvious: You are riding forward, but your body is treading water while cycling. For hours at a time. Uniformly. Over and over again. In almost no other sport do you perform absolutely the same movement patterns for hours on end. When your clothes chafe while cycling, they chafe in the same place over and over and over again. Most clothing has internal seams, and this can be fatal on a long bike ride.
To put it bluntly, your backside will get sore. Without bike shorts, the tour becomes a goaltour, whether you're on a mountain bike, a road bike, a gravel bike or a touring bike! The solution is actually quite simple: buy yourself a pair of bike pants.
In the further overview you find some clues to the individual trousers variants:
Why should I buy a specific pair of cycling pants?
If you only want to buy one piece of clothing specifically for cycling, buy a good pair of cycling pants! You can do without all other functional clothing if necessary, apart from a bicycle helmet of course. The reason for this is obvious: You are riding forward, but your body is treading water while cycling. For hours at a time. Uniformly. Over and over again. In almost no other sport do you perform absolutely the same movement patterns for hours on end. When your clothes chafe while cycling, they chafe in the same place over and over and over again. Most clothing has internal seams, and this can be fatal on a long bike ride.
To put it bluntly, your backside will get sore. Without bike shorts, the tour becomes a goaltour, whether you're on a mountain bike, a road bike, a gravel bike or a touring bike! The solution is actually quite simple: Buy yourself a pair of bike pants.
Are bike shorts the same for men and women?
Let's clear up this basic question right up front, shall we: no, they are not. There are cycling shorts for women and cycling shorts for men, the reason being er...anatomical. While other cycling clothing can be mixed and matched to suit your taste, you should buy women's cycling shorts and men's cycling shorts for men because the shorts need to fit well. If they wrinkle, the best bike pants are of no use, then it chafes in the saddle. Also the seat pad of the cycling shorts are adapted for women and men.
You'll find BMO long and short cycling shorts for both genders in many sizes and fits. It's especially important that you pick cycling clothes in the right size, because only then will they fit comfortably. As they are sorted into the common clothing sizes, you can quickly find the right pants using our filter function.
By the way, you can also motivate your offspring with cool bike clothes for kids for the next tour.
The benefits of bike pants
You need enough freedom of movement, so bike clothing stretches so it can adapt to your movements and doesn't constrict or even cut off. The fabric is also nice smooth so it won't give you an unwanted peel. To avoid friction in the seat area, especially on bike shorts, the seams are narrow and flat or right on the outside of the bike shorts. This keeps them from chafing and prevents sore spots.
Bike shorts, like all sportswear, are mostly made of synthetic fibers. These fabrics are not only breathable, they also wick moisture to the outside, where it can dry away, your skin feels dry and you don't cool down. Fibers like Lycra, spandex or microfibers can also be washed often and still not lose their shape and colors. There are also fiber blends that have anti-odor properties, an interesting alternative for group bike rides. Long cycling shorts for winter training often have a wool content, because wool is still unsurpassed in terms of thermal insulation.
The friction at points is not only a problem for the skin, however; the fabric of everyday clothing is also quickly overwhelmed here. Fabrics used to make thin bike shorts or long, warm bike pants are particularly resistant to abrasion, while mountain bike pants are also especially tear-resistant.
Bike shorts with seat pad or without?
The sportier the bike, the less padding the saddle brings, the riding comfort must then deliver the bike pants. For this reason, many bike shorts have a pad sewn into them. These pads are made of different materials, there are made of foam, but also with a gel insert. The biker shorts with gel pad are of course especially comfortable and just right for multi-day bike tours or your weekend in the alpine bike park.
To make sure you always arrive properly dressed, there are biker shorts for all bike disciplines with a padded rear. You can buy tight-fitting bib shorts with pad for your road bike rides. There are casual bike shorts for mountain bikers with padding. But touring cyclists also benefit from bike shorts with built-in padding. A padded underpants is a great alternative to bike shorts with seat padding.
Long bike shorts or short bike shorts?
In our latitudes there are plenty of different weather conditions. We have for the cold season not only long bike shorts, but also long johns and leg warmers that will keep your legs nice and warm while you pedal. You can even order these pants with either a thermal layer or a windproof membrane. For spring and autumn the onion look is always a good idea. Combine leg warmers, long johns and bike shorts to a unique outfit with feel-good guarantee! When it gets dark early in autumn and winter, bike shorts with reflective elements are especially easy to see.
For your bike trips in summer short pants are best suited, especially if they are made of thin, breathable fabric. The exception here is mountain bikers who like to scrub through the terrain. The closer you get to nature, the more important it is to have a protective layer between you and thorns, branches, gravel or rocks. You can see what we're getting at: on the MTB, tear-proof pants that also protect your knees and shins are really important! By the way, our offers include both long cycling shorts and bike shorts for men and women.
The weather is not good for you.
You don't care about the weather at all, even pouring rain can't keep you from a bike tour? No problem, there are rain pants for that to keep your legs dry.
Which pants are best for MTB, road biking or trekking?
Trousers for cycling come in masses. Here, we explain which ones you need, because their features and, above all, their look differ significantly depending on the cycling discipline.
Bib shorts or road cycling shorts
Bib shorts or the classic cycling shorts are cut close-fitting and have an anatomically shaped inner pad sewn into the crotch. The fabrics used are functional full-elastic Lycra and synthetic fibre materials. The cycling shorts not only protect the buttocks and perineal area, but also give the body a slim and sporty appearance. This serves, among other things also by tight cycling jerseys, the optimization of air resistance, as it is also common in the clothing for the road bike.
These cycling shorts are also very popular with many mountain bikers, trekking cyclists or XC racers. Low weight, fast drying and elastic materials are the arguments for the sporty rider here. The classic cycling shorts are available with and without straps. Both have advantages and disadvantages: Road bike shorts with straps have no pinching elastic in the abdominal area, the straps also make them sit absolutely slip-free. Bike shorts without straps look less like dungarees, but they have to be held in place with a tight waistband. Especially on long tours you should not do without such trousers. In combination with an ergonomic saddle you will get a very comfortable fit on your saddle.
Enduro bike shorts
With a really cool look and good ventilation you are always well dressed! Even with an untrained figure you are perfectly equipped for all bike and MTB adventures. As shorts, they are cut slightly longer and thus suitable for wearing knee pads. As the shorts generally slide upwards when pedalling, the overlapping knee areas can better fit over the protectors. Mountain bikers with a more downward-oriented riding style will therefore find longer leg sections very suitable. However, personal preference also plays a big role here. These bike pants also often have a number of features. Pockets with zippers are just as natural as ventilation holes or vents. Often, additional functions are added, so that some manufacturers sew in, for example, glasses cleaning cloths or integrate small eyelets for attaching the keys.
All mountain and cross country shorts
They are cut a little tighter. Lighter stretch materials make these very comfortable against the skin and even better ventilated. These somewhat lighter pants made of elastic synthetic fibers are just as interesting for recreational bikers and cross country riders as for All Mountain Tourers when crossing the Alps and simply everyone who sits in the saddle for a long time and does not want to start sweating so quickly. Whether on long sweaty climbs with the MTB, in the city or on long trekking trips, you will have a lot of fun with a high-quality bike shorts and the wide range of use. Again, of course, there are numerous pockets, ventilation options and additional features.
Freeride shorts
Freeride shorts are much sturdier and feature more abrasion protection due to the stronger materials. Because these slightly heavier-duty bike leggings are usually worn with protectors during extreme mountain biking, such as downhill and freeride, they have zippered vents for regulating accumulated heat. The outer fabrics are made of abrasion-resistant nylon and polyester fabrics, and for the necessary stretchiness of the shorts, cut sections of elastic fabrics are also sewn into the bending zones, such as the buttocks and thighs. The focus of the Freeride shorts is on body protection and compatibility with a safety jacket and protector pants. Of course, the freeride shorts can also be worn without protectors and for leisure.
Downhill pants
Downhill pants usually do without pockets and additional features. The main focus is on robustness and so these pants are made of extremely strong and stable fabrics. In high-wear areas, additional layers are sewn in to provide even more protection in the event of a fall, while also extending the life of the shorts.
Find your new bike shorts in our online shop
That was a lot of information - but now you're sure to find the perfect road bike shorts or your new favorite mountain bike shorts. Just browse the bike shorts and other bike apparel, and put together a new bike outfit. We're always stocked with mountain bike apparel from all the top brands like FOX, Leatt, Place Fear or Oneal . If you prefer aerodynamic, our road cycling shorts from Endura, Assos, Giro or Sportful are perfect for you. Or just check out our Sale where you can pick up some real bargains.
