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I tried everyday bike shorts from Aerie and Everlane, and the best pair is worth the extra $8

I tried everyday bike shorts from Aerie and Everlane, and the best pair is worth the extra $8
I compared Aerie bike shorts to a pair from Everlane.Celia Fernandez/Insider
  • I had been wearing the Aerie Real Wrap Bike Short ($29.95) around the house for months until Everlane launched its own $38 pair in June.
  • The Aerie bike shorts are comfortable, but I don't like to wear them outside of the house because they ride up.
  • In my opinion, it's worth it to spend a bit more money on the Everlane Perform Bike Shorts. They fit well, don't ride up, and even come with a pocket for holding cards.

I purchased the Aerie Real Me Wrap Bike Shorts ($29.95) late last year and have been wearing them around my apartment ever since.

I purchased the Aerie Real Me Wrap Bike Shorts ($29.95) late last year and have been wearing them around my apartment ever since.
I tried the Aerie Real Me Wrap Bike Shorts for the first time in December.      Celia Fernandez/Insider

I must admit that when the bike shorts trend started rising in 2019, I wasn't a fan. I have bigger thighs and a butt that I typically don't like to draw more attention to, and the idea of wearing a pair of shorts that would accentuate both of those things turned me off.

But my thoughts on the trend changed when I got my hands on the $30 Aerie Real Me Wrap Bike Shorts, which were sold out at the time of writing. According to the product description, the Aerie bike short was designed with a "four-way stretch, light support, and a V waistband with crossover details for a more flattering fit."

I'm a big fan of the high waist and V-shaped design of the Aerie bike shorts.

I
The V-shaped waistband is one of my favorite details of the Aerie bike shorts.      Celia Fernandez/Insider

At first glance, the waistband might not seem like much, but the design feature is actually extremely slimming and doesn't feel too tight around my stomach. The extra fabric on the sides also provide even more coverage.

I absolutely love wearing these shorts to lounge around; they are super comfortable and provide a decent amount of coverage. However, the shorts also tend to ride up, which is why I always avoid wearing them outside of the house. I know the fact that they ride up around my thighs would annoy me while I'm running errands or out on a bike ride.

I love my Aerie bike shorts, but I also wanted a pair I would feel comfortable enough to wear outside of my house. When I heard Everlane was launching the Perform Bike Short ($38) in June, I decided to give them a try.

I love my Aerie bike shorts, but I also wanted a pair I would feel comfortable enough to wear outside of my house. When I heard Everlane was launching the Perform Bike Short ($38) in June, I decided to give them a try.
In June, Everlane announced it was launching bike shorts inspired by its popular leggings.      Everlane

In June, Everlane launched the $38 Perform Bike Short, a cut-off version of its best-selling leggings.

According to the product description, the Perform Bike Short features "an extra-high waist, minimal seams, an inside pocket, and lightweight compression with technical sweat-wicking properties."

For months now, I have been searching for the perfect bike shorts that won't ride up long enough for me to feel comfortable wearing them out and about — and I had high hopes for the Everlane pair.

I had never ordered anything from Everlane before, so the first thing I did was check the size guide.

I had never ordered anything from Everlane before, so the first thing I did was check the size guide.
Since I fall between a 16 and 18, I decided to order the bike shorts in an XXL.      Everlane

Everlane has been around since 2010, and it took me 10 years to finally buy something from the Meghan Markle-approved company.

Since I was new to the brand, I looked over the size guide to figure out what I should order. When it comes to bottoms, I usually wear between a 16 and 18, so I decided on an a XXL in the bike shorts. I thought it would be better to have them fit a bit large rather than be too tight.

A few minutes after completing my purchase, I got a confirmation email that my order had been placed.

A few minutes after completing my purchase, I got a confirmation email that my order had been placed.
I used a discount code to purchase the shorts.      Celia Fernandez/Insider

Since it was my first time ordering from Everlane, I signed up for emails so I could get free shipping and a 10% discount on my order.

My final total came out to $34.20.

Less than 24 hours later, I received an email letting me know that my Everlane bike shorts had shipped.

Less than 24 hours later, I received an email letting me know that my Everlane bike shorts had shipped.
The next day, I got an email that the Everlane bike shorts had been shipped.      Celia Fernandez/Insider

Since I chose economy shipping, I was fully expecting to wait four to seven business days to receive my order. That's why I was pleasantly surprised when I got an email letting me know that my item had shipped the very next day.

Two days after getting the shipping notification, the shorts arrived at my apartment in a sleek, recyclable envelope.

Two days after getting the shipping notification, the shorts arrived at my apartment in a sleek, recyclable envelope.
My package arrived two days later.      Celia Fernandez/Insider

If you've read other reviews of mine, you know that I am a sucker for brands that use minimal packaging to ship their items.

The Everlane bike shorts came in a cardboard envelope that was thin enough to be folded up and placed in my recycling bin.

I was really impressed to see that the only thing inside the envelope was my item wrapped in a bag made from recycled plastic.

I was really impressed to see that the only thing inside the envelope was my item wrapped in a bag made from recycled plastic.
I liked that the shorts came in a recyclable bag.      Celia Fernandez/Insider

The bag featured a message explaining that it was made from recycled plastic. The envelope also didn't come with an extra paper receipt or excess materials, which I loved.

The Everlane shorts were snug when I first put them on, but in a good way. They suck you in but are also stretchy and comfortable.

The Everlane shorts were snug when I first put them on, but in a good way. They suck you in but are also stretchy and comfortable.
The Everlane shorts are longer than my pair from Aerie.      Celia Fernandez/Insider

I have to admit that I was skeptical about these bike shorts because I didn't want to fall for the Everlane hype, but they blew me out of the water.

Thanks to the lightweight compression, the shorts hug your figure without feeling too tight. They're also super high-waisted, so I would feel comfortable wearing a crop top or a sports bra with these shorts because I wouldn't be showing off my stomach.

The best part? The shorts didn't ride up while I was walking. The first day I tried them on, I forgot I was wearing them when I took my dog for a walk. I was outside for about 30 minutes and not once did I find myself pulling them down.

What really sold me was discovering that the Everlane shorts have a small pocket, which is something that my Aerie pair lacks.

What really sold me was discovering that the Everlane shorts have a small pocket, which is something that my Aerie pair lacks.
The Everlane shorts have a pocket that can fit a few cards.      Celia Fernandez/Insider

As if learning that they don't ride up wasn't enough, realizing that the Everlane shorts have a pocket was what really convinced me that these are a better than my Aerie bottoms.

I have a pair of Calvin Klein leggings that also have a pocket, but it's so small that I can only fit my AirPods and keys. The pocket on these bike shorts is big enough to fit multiple cards, keys, headphones, and any small essentials you might need if you don't feel like carrying a purse or wallet.

I wouldn't hesitate to add the Perform Bike Short to my Everlane cart again if I needed another pair.

I wouldn
The Everlane shorts are worth the extra $8.      Celia Fernandez/Insider

The Aerie bike shorts are comfortable to lounge around the house in and I love the amount coverage I get from the V-shaped waistband, but the snug fit, length, and pocket design of the Everlane pair makes them a clear winner in my book.

There is an $8 difference in price between the two, but in my opinion, the Everlane shorts are worth the extra cost if you want a pair that won't ride up.

At the time of writing, the Everlane bike shorts were not available to ship until September, but they are worth the wait.

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