Best Spinning Shorts For Women in 2022
By Fitnosia Team: Updated in 2022
The best indoor cycling shorts for women need to be comfortable, breathable, and durable. This review of the top indoor cycling shorts for women will help you to identify what to look out for when investing in your next pair of padded cycling shorts for spinning. Cycling shorts are a great way to help you stay comfortable while riding on the small seats found on many indoor cycling bikes.
Although a comfortable seat will go a long way in helping to keep you motivated to train on your exercise bike, cycling shorts give you an added layer of protection. Thanks to their padding, they are designed to reduce aches, pains, and numbness that you sometimes feel while training on your spin bike. It can be hard to stay motivated, especially when you are new, your body is just getting used to cycling, and every time you sit on the seat, you are in pain. The best indoor cycling shorts below will help you cycle more and achieve your desired fitness goals. At the end of the article, there is also a helpful buyers guide that will help you make an informed decision about which indoor cycling shorts are best for you.
Best Spinning Shorts For Women Compared
| Number | Name | Materials | Layers | Padding | Mesh | Pocket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PEARL IZUMI Elite Pursuit | Spandex | 2D | Foam | No | No |
| 2 | BALEAF Womens Bike Shorts | Nylon & Spandex | 3D | Gel | No | No |
| 3 | Beroy Womens Bike Shorts | Polyester & Spandex | 3D | Gel | Yes | No |
| 4 | Santic Women’s Cycling Shorts | Polyamide | 4D | Gel | No | No |
| 5 | NOOYME Womens Bike Shorts | Polyamide & Spandex | 3D | Gel | No | No |
| 6 | XGC Women’s Cycling Shorts | Nylon & Spandex | 4D | Foam | Yes | No |
| 7 | 4ucycling Bike Pants | Nylon & Spandex | 3D | Foam | Yes | No |
| 8 | Terry Women’s Fixie Shorts | Nylon & Spandex | 3D | Foam | No | Yes |
| 9 | NICEWIN Womens Bike Shorts | Nylon & Spandex | 3D | Gel | No | Yes |
Editor’s Best Spinning Shorts For Women Choice!
Baleaf With Side Pocket
Editor’s Choice- Side Pockets & Affordable Price
- 3D Gel Padding and Breathable Panels
- Many Great Colours Available
Top 10 Indoor Cycling Shorts For Women:
Table of Contents
PEARL IZUMI Women’s Elite Pursuit Indoor Cycling Shorts
To kick off the list of the best indoor cycling shorts for women, we have a premium pair of padded shorts worn by the pros. The PEARL IZUMI Women’s Elite Pursuit Shorts are comfortable, durable, and very high quality. All this does come with a hefty price tag.
The Nylon and Lycra blend material is soft to the touch while still being stretchy and durable. It is also incredibly breathable thanks to the fabric’s composition and provides superior cooling compared to budget padded shorts made of similar materials.
They come with an extra-wide waistband that sits high on your hips and helps to keep the shorts in place, in addition to keeping your tummy tucked in. An excellent feature for cyclists that like to train in an aggressive hunched over position. The padding comes from a very high quality 3 layered chamois and foam cushion. It is ergonomically designed to reduce chafing and give you protection where you need it most.
Conclusion
These are the best indoor cycling shorts for women that are used to spending hours on their exercise bike. The design and build is geared towards experienced cyclists that need a pair of padded shorts to keep up with their rigorous training schedule. They have some great features that make them perfect for indoor cycling, but the cost will push them out of most people’s price range.
Pros
- Incredibly comfortable for experienced cyclists
- Very breathable fabric and padding
Cons
- Expensive and not very comfortable for beginners
BALEAF Womens Indoor Biking Shorts with 3D Gel Padded
The BALEAF Women’s Bike Shorts are a very comfortable and affordable pair of indoor cycling shorts. Making them an excellent pair of comfortable multi-layer padded shorts for spinning class.
The 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex material is both comfortable and durable. In addition to being effective at wicking away moisture and keeping you cool during your spin sessions. The extra-wide elastic waistband is perfect at keeping the shorts high on your hips and not letting them roll down mid-ride.
The padding comes from an intricate layering system of both foam and gel. These are ergonomically designed to give you maximum comfort where chafing and aches typically occur. The layering system also helps to promote breathability and moisture management.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for your first pair of padded cycling shorts or need an upgrade, these are great value for money. They have everything you need to stay comfortable while on your exercise bike. The 9” long inseam is also great for anyone that would prefer to keep the majority of their upper leg covered while working out.
Pros
- Comfortable and breathable padding
- Ergonomic fit for women
Cons
- The stitching is not as durable as more expensive spin bike shorts
Beroy Womens Indoor Cycling Shorts with 3D Gel Padding
The Beroy Women’s Bike Shorts come in a wide range of colors so that you can match your shorts to your indoor cycling shoes and jersey. They have features that make them perfect for indoor cycling.
The 80% Polyester, 20% Spandex combination makes the fabric stretchy and incredible at wicking away moisture. In addition, they also have large mesh panels on the thigh. This is what makes them one of the best bike shorts for indoor cycling. These mesh panels allow your legs to breathe freely and cool you down.
The padding comes from the 3 layers of foam that are ergonomically designed to fit your body and ensure long term comfort while on the exercise bike. This layering system also helps to improve air circulation and moisture-wicking.
Conclusion
It is hard to find anything negative about these indoor cycling shorts. They have been made to fit women’s bodies perfectly, come with comfortable padding, and are incredibly breathable thanks to the addition of mesh panels on the legs. The only thing missing is a wide waistband, but the elastic waistband that comes with these shorts keeps them in place nicely.
Pros
- Mesh panels for extra breathability
- Comfortable padding
- Available in a wide range of colors
Cons
- Not as durable as Nylon based cycling shorts
Santic Women’s Indoor Cycling Exercise Padded Shorts
If you want a pair of padded cycling shorts that are a bit shorter on your legs, then check out the Santic Women’s Cycling Shorts. They come with all the protection that you need while sitting on an exercise bike for hours on end, in addition to being comfortable on shorter rides.
The padding comes from a layered cushion that prioritizes support on the areas that are likely to take the most battering during your spin class. It is comfortable, molds to your body, and dries super fast.
The material is a Nylon/spandex blend, providing outstanding durability, moisture-wicking, and stretchiness. The shorter inseam is kept in place thanks to silicon leg bands, stopping the shorts from riding up any further.
Conclusion
Santic makes some lovely cycling apparel, and their women’s padded shorts for indoor cycling are no different. They come in a wide range of colors and designs, so if you are looking for some short padded cycling shorts to help you enjoy spin class, look no further.
Pros
- Comfortable material and padding
- Ergonomically designed to sit (and stay) high up on your hips
Cons
- Not everyone is comfortable with short shorts
NOOYME Womens Padded Shorts for Indoor Cycling
The Nooyme padded bike shorts for women are very affordable and surprisingly durable for their price. You also get to choose from a wide range of designs and styles. For beginners, these are the perfect indoor cycling shorts.
The fabric is 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex. They are soft to the touch, durable, and effectively wick away moisture during more demanding spin sessions. They do not sit as high on your hips as other women’s padded indoor cycling shorts, but the elastic waistband does keep them in place. Not a problem if you are wearing a cycling top that has an elongated back.
The padding is super light and breathable. It uses a combination of gel padding and foam to provide added comfort where you need it most. With a limited amount of panels, you reduce the risk of wear and tear, resulting in holes all over your shorts.
Conclusion
The inseam ranges from 7.7” to 8.5”, making them an excellent mid to long length pair of padded indoor cycling shorts. Thanks to their high-quality finish and flat seams, these are a durable and comfortable pair of cycling shorts that will be sure to make your spinning sessions more enjoyable.
Pros
- Comfortable ergonomic design
- Soft to the touch and effective at wicking away moisture
Cons
- The waistband does not sit very high
XGC Women’s Indoor Cycling Bike Shorts with 4D Padding
The XGC Women’s Cycling Shorts Bike Shorts are highly breathable, have comfortable padding, and a high waist fit with a wide waistband. The breathability of the materials and design sets these padded spinning shorts for women apart from the competition.
The Nylon/Spandex fabric works great to wick away moisture and keep you cool. However, the best part of these shorts is the large mesh sections on the legs. This material is porous and allows for good air circulation, improving these padded cycling short’s breathability.
The 4D high-density padding is provided by 4 layers of foam and is one of the thickest padding you can get on indoor cycling shorts. Somehow they have still managed to make the pad breathable, so it does not just absorb water and get uncomfortable. That said, not everyone will find such thick padding comfortable, especially on shorter and more intense training sessions.
Conclusion
Overall these are some of the best women’s padded shorts for indoor cycling. Thanks to their ergonomic design, they sit high on your waist, have extra thick padding, and provide increased breathability from the mesh panels.
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable
- Ergonomic design and high waistband
- Available in a wide range of colors to suit your style
Cons
- The extra-thick padding is very comfortable for beginners, but if you are used to thinner padding, you may find these shorts a bit too cushioned
4ucycling Women 3D Padded Spinning Bike Short
If you are looking for some pants that are a little longer and go beyond your knees, check out these ¾ length cycling tights. They offer the same generous padding you have come to expect from the best spinning shorts for women but are a little more discreet and cover more of your leg.
The material is a Nylon/Spandex blend. This maximizes comfort by ensuring that your legs can still breathe. These tights are elasticated but do not feel restrictive even though they cover your knee joint that will continuously be moving while you are on your exercise bike.
Although these are longer than most padded spin bike shorts, they are still very comfortable. The high waist design ensures that they stay in position throughout your workout. The seams and panels are sewn to ensure a perfect fit and reduce irritation.
Conclusion
These padded cycling tights for women are a great addition to your indoor cycling wardrobe. Despite their increased length, you do not find yourself overheating while wearing them, thanks to the perfect blend of fabrics used to make them.
Pros
- Extra-long to go beyond the knee
- Comfortable padding, so you do not have to wear padded shorts, with a pair of tights above
Cons
- The extra-long design does not suit everyone
Terry Women’s Fixie Studio Cycling Exercise Shorts
The Terry Women’s cycling shorts are a different take on the classic indoor cycling shorts. Rather than being skin tight, they are baggy. However, unlike regular shorts, they still have a padding sewn in for protection on the bike.
The high waist design and baggy legs on these shorts make them very comfortable. They are perfect for you if you feel that tight cycling shorts are uncomfortable or restrictive. These shorts are also a lot less revealing and allow you to retain some modesty if you go to the gym for spin sessions.
The Nylon/Spandex fabric gives these shorts a soft, stretchy, and quality feel. In addition to the legs being open, you get plenty of airflow to help keep you cool during your workout. The foam padding on these shorts is not as comprehensive as the other padded spinning shorts for women on this list, but they are far from uncomfortable.
Conclusion
Although they may not meet your stereotype of what padded cycling shorts look like, they are high quality and will improve your comfort while riding your exercise bike. For anyone looking for top-quality Italian made padded cycling shorts, then these are worth the investment. Just be mindful that because the padding is not as thick as other shorts, you may want to also invest in a spin bike seat cover for optimal comfort.
Pros
- Relaxed fit
- Italian made and high-quality finish
Cons
- The padding is smaller than on traditional padded cycling shorts
NICEWIN Womens 3D Padded Out and Indoor Bike Shorts
Are you fed up with leaving things behind after your spin session? These NICEWIN Women’s 3D Padded Bike Shorts come with three discreet pockets to allow you to carry valuables with you around the gym. In addition, they also have extensive padding, making them very comfortable for women with wider hips.
Layers of foam provide the extra-wide padding. The foam is thickest where you need it most. The Nicewin padding is very absorbent and incredible at wicking away moisture, helping you to stay comfortable longer during more intense spinning sessions.
The Nylon/Spandex is comfortable and stretchy. It also provides you with two pockets, one on each leg. Both plenty big enough for the latest smartphones. Also, they have a zipper pocket at the back, perfect for small keys used on your locker at the gym.
Conclusion
As if the high-quality finish, incredible breathability, and impeccable comfort were not enough, these padded cycling shorts will also help to keep your valuables close by. The wide high waistband keeps everything in place (even when your pockets are full), with the silicon leg straps preventing the shorts from rolling up mid-ride.
Pros
- Super useful three pockets
- Comfortable extra-wide padding
Cons
- Wide padding does not suit everyone
A Buyer’s Guide To Best Spinning Shorts For Women
When looking for the best indoor cycling shorts for women, a few things are essential. You need to make sure that they are comfortable. The comfort levels provided by spin bike shorts differ greatly based on their design, level of padding, stitching quality, and seams. You also need to double-check the reviews and questions asked by previous sellers. All of the best spin bike shorts for women on this list are very popular. The likelihood is that someone similar to yourself has bought a pair of these shorts in the past.
Women’s comfortable shorts for indoor cycling
You must buy women-specific cycling shorts. Do not be tempted to go for a cheaper option or a different design if advertised for men. The best indoor cycling shorts for women are ergonomically designed to fit the female frame. They will have a higher waist. This helps to keep the shorts in position and reduces the risk of the shorts rolling down below your hips. The padding is also specifically designed for the female anatomy. Even the best men’s spinning shorts will not be as comfortable as those made specifically for women.
In addition to checking the existing reviews and previous buyers’ questions, make sure that you also look at any size guides on the product listing. A lot of these padded indoor cycling shorts are made in China. The reality is that their sizing often comes out a bit smaller than cycling apparel made in the US. If you are still unsure, take an educated guess and double-check the sellers return policy, most sellers will happily allow you to exchange your purchase if you are not 100% satisfied.
Breathability
There is a reason that breathability came up in all the above reviews of the best indoor cycling shorts for women. Cycling indoors is very different from being on the open road. You do not have the wind to help cool your body down. So you must find a pair of padded cycling shorts for indoor cycling that allows your body to breathe. Generally, the best synthetic material blend is Nylon and spandex/lycra. They both have properties that make for the perfect pair of spin bike shorts. The Nylon is durable and effective at wicking away moisture, while the spandex allows the shorts to be stretchy while also being able to spring back to their original shape after use.
The breathability of the padding is also super important. Not only will it promote airflow, but a good quality layered padding system will also absorb and expel moisture. This is especially important for longer or more intense training sessions. Obviously, any gel padding will not be very good at keeping you cool or dry. This is one reason that it is always paired with several layers of foam.
3D or 4D padding
One final thing to note is the 3D and 4D advertising for the padding on cycling shorts. This is meant to represent how comfortable and anatomically versatile the padding is. For example, 4D provides more protection and will be more suited for cyclists looking to spend 3 hours or longer on their exercise bike in relative comfort. Do not get too fixated by this number, as sometimes the 4D padding is too much and results in chafing on shorter rides or ill-fitting cycling shorts. That said, this grading system is an easy way to compare the padding used in the best indoor cycling shorts for women.
The Final Verdict
There is a wide range of padded cycling shorts for indoor cycling. However, the best indoor cycling shorts for women are the XGC Women’s Cycling Shorts. They have taken the top spot thanks to their superior breathability, ergonomic design, and 4D padding. Thanks to their mesh panels and multilayered foam padding, they are the most comfortable indoor cycling shorts for long and shorter rides.
