It’s time for the Black Bike shorts roundup you’ve been waiting for! My usual shopping approach is simple: see something, buy it, love it, write about it. But when it comes to black bike shorts, the market is flooded with options – different fabrics, cuts, lengths, and prices from every brand imaginable. Choosing just one to buy felt impossible. That’s why I decided to go all-in and create a full try-on ~experience~ for you.
After weeks of testing and trying on countless pairs, I’ve narrowed down around 14 popular options to what I truly believe are the best black bike shorts available. But before we dive into the recommendations, there are a few important things to consider.
Firstly, you’ll see that I’m recommending more than just one pair. Through this process, I realized that everyone looks for something different in their ideal black bike shorts. Are you after compression? Or perhaps smoothing – because those are definitely not the same thing! Is softness your priority? Do you need black bike shorts for intense, sweaty workouts, or are you looking for something for everyday casual wear? Pockets or no pockets? (Personally, I’m team no pockets.) Or, most likely, you’re seeking a combination of several of these features.
Black bike shorts also come in a huge variety of lengths, and your preference is entirely personal. Initially, I thought shorter lengths wouldn’t suit me. While I didn’t test anything too short, I was surprised by how much I actually liked some of the shorter pairs! It’s also worth noting that most bike shorts tend to ride up a little as you move. So, make sure you choose a pair you’ll still feel comfortable in if they become slightly shorter during wear. Ultimately, your height, body type, typical outfits (will you be wearing them with a sports bra, tank top, t-shirt, or oversized sweatshirt?), and comfort level will all play a role in your perfect black bike shorts choice. You might even surprise yourself after trying a few different styles. Hence, this comprehensive range of recommendations!
So, there are my preliminary thoughts. With these points in mind, let’s get to the best black bike shorts I found:
Top Picks for Black Bike Shorts
My Everyday Favorite: TNA Life Cheeky Shorts ($38)
Image of TNA Life Cheeky Black Bike Shorts
Looking for high-waisted black bike shorts? Softness is a must? Need a waistband that’s compressive but not restrictive? These TNA Life Cheeky shorts from Aritzia tick all the boxes – big time! With a sleek design free of unnecessary logos or seams (mostly – the logo is on the back, which is far less noticeable than some brands, cough, cough Alo), these black bike shorts are simple, flattering, and incredibly well-priced compared to many athletic brands. They hold up beautifully during HIIT and sweaty workouts, while still being comfortable enough to lounge around the house in (I’m actually wearing them right now!).
Aritzia has what feels like 85,000 bike shorts options, but trust me on these – they are the best all-around black bike shorts. (I even complimented a stranger on her flattering bike shorts the other day, and guess what? They were this exact pair!). I personally prefer a 7-inch inseam (for reference, I’m around 5’5”), but they offer every length imaginable. On me, the 7-inch length is still short enough to wear with oversized sweatshirts, but not too long when paired with a sports bra or a cropped tee (like this favorite of mine). These black bike shorts are true to size – I wear a small.
The Gold Standard: Lululemon Aligns ($64)
Image of Lululemon Align Black Bike Shorts
These black bike shorts have been the GOLD STANDARD for years, and I was genuinely surprised by how much I love them. The Lululemon Aligns are incredibly soft and comfortable, yet still compressive and flattering. From the moment I tried them on, I wanted to keep them on all day. They provide compression in both the thighs and the waistband, holding you in without digging or requiring a struggle to pull them up.
The only potential downside is that they aren’t designed for super sweaty activities. However, if you enjoy yoga, pilates, walking, or are simply looking for comfortable black bike shorts for casual wear, you’ve found the perfect pair! I initially tried the 6-inch length, but if I were buying again, I’d opt for the 8-inch and take advantage of Lululemon’s free hemming service. They offer free hemming on all their gear, new or old, with no tags or receipts needed, so you can customize the length to your exact preference. Note that the 8-inch length is often not available in stores, so ordering online and then hemming in-store is recommended if you want this customized length. Sizing wise, I typically wear a size 4 in Lululemon and the same size fit perfectly in these black bike shorts.
The Softest of the Soft: TNA Butter Cheeky Shorts ($38)
Image of TNA Butter Cheeky Black Bike Shorts
If ultimate softness is your priority, the TNA Butter Cheeky black bike shorts are a must-try. They are exceptionally comfortable for relaxing at home, running errands, or even light workouts (I wouldn’t recommend them for spin or HIIT, but definitely for lower-intensity activities). They offer some smoothing in the legs, though I found the waist compression to be less significant compared to other pairs. For a better balance of compression and softness, the Lululemons are superior, but at $38, these black bike shorts are considerably more budget-friendly.
If you are solely focused on the softest possible shorts, I also highly recommend the Splits59 Airweight Shorts ($68). These are incredibly thin and lightweight black bike shorts (I consider inseams of 6 inches or less to be “shorties”). They are a bit pricier but truly divine in terms of softness. I wore a small in both the TNA Butter and Splits59 shorts.
High-Waisted Compression Champion: Beyond Yoga Keep Pace Biker Short ($66)
Image of Beyond Yoga Keep Pace Black Bike Short
This is a truly excellent pair of black bike shorts. The Beyond Yoga Keep Pace shorts are incredibly flattering and offer impressive compression in both the waist and legs. They are made from Beyond Yoga’s signature super-soft Spacedye fabric and come in several lengths to suit your preference (links here for the longer and shorter versions). If you want a HIGH waist and black bike shorts that provide support and hold you in while still being soft and comfortable, these are the perfect choice.
My only minor issue was that the very high waistband tended to roll down slightly when bending over. However, at 5’5” with a shorter torso, this might be specific to my body type! Ultimately, these black bike shorts are very flattering and could be a great option for anyone who feels unsure about bike shorts being flattering on their body. One thing to note: Spacedye fabric has a slightly heathered look, almost like burnout jersey. It’s less noticeable in darker colors, but if you prefer a solid, flat black, you might not love the texture. Despite this, these black bike shorts still made my top three. They run true to size, and I wore a small.
Best Print Option: Onzie Leopard Shorts ($58)
Image of Onzie Leopard Print Bike Shorts
Okay, I know this roundup is about black bike shorts, but I’ve owned these Onzie Leopard print shorts for a while and had to include them. If you are considering a print, these leopard bike shorts work seamlessly with black and white workout gear and are surprisingly flattering (which is not always easy to find in prints!). Plus, they are undeniably fun! The material is more moisture-wicking than many of the other pairs, and they have held up well through numerous washes and workouts. I wear a size S/M.
Black Bike Shorts That Didn’t Quite Make the Cut
Now, for some popular black bike shorts that weren’t my personal favorites, but might still be right for you:
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Alo 7” Biker Short ($58): I expected to like these more than I did, which is often how I feel about Alo products in general (with the exception of these amazing sports bras). Pros: they offer good compression and feel suitable for sweatier workouts compared to softer pairs, and the cut is reasonably flattering. However, I really wish Alo would place their logo on the back waistband like most other brands. The prominent logo on the front thigh, especially in lighter colors, makes these black bike shorts less sleek and flattering compared to other options.
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BALEAF Biker Shorts ($20): These are the most popular bike shorts on Amazon, so I had to test them. They have pockets (…seriously, what are you actually going to put in bike short pockets?), and a lot of seams, which I didn’t find particularly flattering. They are a decent budget option, but I’d recommend spending a little more for the TNA pairs from Aritzia instead for better quality and style in black bike shorts.
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Lululemon Wunder Unders 8” ($64): To me, these feel like true “biker” bike shorts, in the athletic sense. They are VERY compressive, and the bottom seam is quite tight on the thighs, which I don’t find flattering, but it does mean they will stay put no matter what, and so will the waistband. They are reasonably soft, but overall, these feel like black bike shorts designed for serious athletes. And I’ve never been accused of being that hardcore.
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Girlfriend Collective ($48): I’ve received many recommendations for this brand over the years, and I understand the appeal – they are sustainable and size-inclusive, which is fantastic. However, these black bike shorts just weren’t for me. They have numerous seams and lines that don’t contribute to a sleek or flattering look. I also didn’t find the waistband as smoothing as other pairs, despite the compression in the legs.
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Free People Good Karma Bike Shorts ($58): These are SUPER tight, and not in a good way. They arrive looking like they’re sized for a toddler. They are very difficult to pull on – you practically have to jump into them – and I found the bottom seams to be uncomfortably tight across my thighs, creating a “sausage” effect. If you like the Good Karma fabric, I’d suggest their leggings instead, but I still prefer other brands for athletic wear that performs well and is comfortable in black bike shorts.
And there you have it – the best black bike shorts, and some that didn’t quite make the cut. Hopefully, this guide helps you find your perfect pair!
What do you think of this roundup format? And what should I try next? I’m already considering workout onesies and/or a deep dive into expensive sweatpants?? Let me know what you’d like to see (and don’t worry, Super Shitter Christie Z’s request for good sticky boobs is coming soon – we take care of our paying subscribers!).
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Priyanka
