The best men's bike shorts

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As anyone who spends a lot of time on their bike will tell you, it's vitally important to make sure your rear end is comfortable while riding — and that starts with the kind of shorts you choose to wear. Of course, you don't have to wear special shorts just to pedal a bicycle but the more time you spend on your bike, the more important short selection becomes.

How to shop for bike shorts

Whether you prefer road or mountain biking, or just like to cruise around your neighborhood, the most vital considerations when choosing bike shorts are its breathability and flexibility. Shorts manufactured out of a fabric that won't accommodate your pedal stroke can easily cause discomfort, may tear your shorts, and just don't make riding a pleasurable experience.

Your shorts should also be fast-drying and breathable since moist fabric rubbing against your skin can cause chafing or even tinea cruris, otherwise known as jock itch. It's smart to pay attention to the seams, too. Riding in shorts with bulky seams can feel like sitting on a pencil, so if you're riding a lot, you either want flat seams or none at all.

If you're spending way more time in the saddle than you are out of it, you'll want to consider bike shorts with a pad in the crotch, which is called a chamois. Shorts with chamois are specifically designed to be worn without underwear, which eliminates a potential source of chafing and irritation. They're also more comfortable when riding bikes equipped with plastic racing saddles.

Even a reinforced crotch goes a long way toward your level of comfort because if you ride in casual clothing, this is generally the first place to fail.

Consider your riding style

There are plenty of styles of bike shorts on the market but in order to find the right pair, you need to first think of the riding you plan on doing. To help, we've field-tested a group of stand-out shorts across a variety of categories. Those categories (and relative riding styles) are:

• Active lifestyle: A typical day might involve riding five miles to the park, hiking with friends, then hopping back on the bike and heading out for drinks before riding home. You want comfort both on and off the bike, and you want to look good no matter what.
• Urban cycling: You live in a city and ride everywhere. You're on and off your bike all day and want something durable that can hold up to that pace.
• Trail riding: You're riding your bike primarily for fitness or recreation, and you're spending most of your time on multi-use paths or dirt trails as opposed to an urban environment. You need extra padding in the crotch but you also want pockets and a little modesty for when you stop for coffee or to admire the view.
• Road riding: Not only do you ride for fitness but you're chasing speed and going for distance. Off-the-bike looks aren't a consideration for you and you don't need any pockets, either, because you carry your keys and phone in a cycling jersey or handlebar bag.
• Speed and endurance cycling: You ride a road bike or a gravel bike and like to go on long, speed-filled rides. You need a no-compromise, all-riding, all-the-time wardrobe. The bike is the only thing that matters.

With those in mind, we've found the best bike shorts to fit any lifestyle or ride preference.

Here are the best bike shorts for men:

• Best bike shorts for active lifestyle: Duer No Sweat Short
• Best bike shorts for urban cycling: Chrome Folsom
• Best bike shorts for trail riding: REI Co-Op Link Double Bike Shorts
• Best bike shorts for fitness and road riding: Pearl Izumi Attack Short