Whether you are new to the world of mountain bikes or a veteran in this department, you always want to make sure that you have everything in your arsenal to make the experience more pleasing and efficient. And that is precisely where mountain bike shorts come into play.

These shorts are designed to offer you the ultimate comfort during long rides and rough terrains. They are also made with breathable fabric to ensure a sweat-free riding experience. That being said, not all mountain bike shorts are created equal. Keeping that in mind, let us check out the main types of cycling shorts to find the one that resonates with our preferences and needs the most.

What are the main types of cycling shorts?

Mountain bike shorts

Road bike shorts are specially designed to offer you maximum freedom of movement while cycling. Unless you are only going a mile or two to commute, these shorts are a must-have. They also feature padding in the saddle area, making long-distance rides more comfortable.

Road bike shorts are also a very popular option amongst beginners for their thick padding for cushioning.

Bib shorts

No list of the best men’s MTB shorts will be complete without welcoming bib shorts to the party. Unlike the typical mountain bike shorts for men, where shorts are held in place with the waist elastic, bib shorts do the job by using suspenders.

If you are a veteran mountain biker, then this is the one for you. The bib shorts are designed for the harshest of rides and help you breeze through long rides with ease.

Convertible pants

Breathable convertible pants are the best if you plan on going for a hike. These pants act as a double for everyday wear and office wear. And when you plan on hopping on your bike, you can simply use the zipper to transform it into breathable and comfortable shorts and enjoy your bike ride at its peak potential.

These are highly recommended if you plan on taking your mountain bike for your everyday commute.

Do padded mountain bike shorts make a difference?

For most cyclists out there, comfort is the key. Even after all the physical benefits cycling bring to the table, it can very easily be a taxing job on your body. It is especially tough on body parts that come in contact with the bike.

However, tackling these unfortunate effects can be easier than you might think. And the answer to this problem is nothing other than the padded mountain bike shorts.  The pressure you may face from the cycle saddle can be greatly absorbed by the padding. The elevated protection you get for your sit bone and crotch from the padding makes a massive difference in your rides.

Another massive problem that many fellow cyclists face is chaffing due to friction. If you are wearing a short that has minimal seams and strategically placed Padding, it can help you avoid any form of possible skin irritation as well.

Why should you wear men’s Mtb shorts?

Back in the 1930s, cyclists, even in the competition, used to wear regular clothing. Wool was the most popular material they would wear only because everyone else was doing it. But we can now imagine how uncomfortable it will be to wear wool for cycling, even for 5 to 10 miles. These clothes will cause friction on the thighs and make the whole experience not worth winning the competition.

After cyclists realize how horrible the experience can actually be, they begin to slowly transition into sewing leather into the contact points of the shorts. These made the ride better than before but still was not enough to make much of a difference when it comes to friction.

Thankfully now we have men’s MTB shorts. These shorts are specially designed to take care of all the worry out of your riding experience and offer you the support you need to ride for miles. Here are some of the noteworthy benefits that padded mountain bike shorts bring to the table.

Click to view Cycorld padded mountain bike shorts

Help with pressure points.

MTB shorts easily removes the pressure points from the saddle, which are often the most common cause of chafing and skin irritation. The shorts are crafted, so they are not too tight to make you feel uncomfortable while also being not baggy to create more friction.

Enhanced vibration control

Mountain bikes are made to conquer rough terrains and bumpy roads with ease. But do you know what isn’t? YOUR BODY.

That is why the vibration waves your body goes through can be very taxing and detrimental if you are doing this for a long time. This is precisely where Padded Mountain Bike Shorts come into play. The padding on the shorts significantly decreases the vibration and dampens the power of the vibration. This ensures a smoother ride without any injury or short-term pain.

Moisture control for longer rides

If there is anything more annoying than having your body ache after a long ride, then it will be sweating. Regular shorts either hold onto the sweat within the fabric or do not allow the sweat to come out of your body. This can result in a very uncomfortable cycling experience and causes various types of rash and skin problems long-term.

A good mountain bike shorts mens is made with microfiber that not only makes the ride more comfortable but also wicks moisture away from your body and allows it to evaporate right away.

Minimizing air resistance

This benefit is solely for maximum performance. During any ride against the wind current, it can sometimes take double or triple the effort to move forward. And this can be significantly minimized if you are wearing aerodynamic clothing.

MTB shorts for men are designed to have minimal air resistance, making them the perfect go-to for greater efficiency and better performance. 

Are all-mountain bike shorts padded?

The simple answer to the question is, no, not all mountain bike shorts are padded. Padding is provided for better vibration control and damping, making the ride more enjoyable and less taxing on the body. That being said, some expert cyclists prefer to have no padding on the shorts in order to have better body-to-cycle contact.

This allows them to have slightly better control of the mountain bikes when they are in a competition. So, the choice is totally up to the cyclist themselves. They can either opt for a padded mountain bike short or simply go with a padding free aerodynamic short for their specific needs.

Buyers guide on finding the best mountain bike shorts for men 

With so many options on the market, looking for the best mountain bike shorts for men can become tricky. Keeping that in mind, we have come to you with a comprehensive buying guide to help you make a knowledgeable decision on your next purchase.

Here are some of the crucial things that you should look for in good-quality men’s MTB shorts.

Fabric

Good quality shorts will be made with some form of elastane, nylon, and polyester mix. When purchasing, make sure the fabric contains around 10 percent elastane. This will offer sufficient stretch to the shorts and protect you against chafing.

CUT

When you purchase an MTB bike short, make sure you go with a length that you feel comfortable wearing. Fashion comes and goes, and the hem lengths change as well.

The length of your cut mostly depends on personal preference. But an essential thing to remember is that if your MTB shorts do not extend to your knee, make sure to wear a knee pad while cycling.

Ventilation

The act of cycling goes hand in hand with sweating. It is one of the best forms of cardio that will inevitably make your body sweat. So make sure to invest in shorts that are designed to offer you either better ventilation or better moisture control.

Final thoughts

That ends our today’s discussion on Padded Mountain bikes short and whether or not they make a difference in your riding experience. If you found our guide helpful or if you have anything to add, make sure to let us know in the comment section below.

Also, check out cycorldpro for the affordable and highest quality padded mountain bike shorts. Stay tuned for more updates.