Top Cycling Short Brands for Maximum Comfort and Style

Cycling enthusiasts know the importance of a quality pair of cycling shorts, as they provide comfort, reduce friction, and enhance overall performance. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a casual rider, finding the right brand can significantly impact your cycling experience. From innovative fabric technology to ergonomic design, top brands consistently push the boundaries to cater to cyclists' needs. To discover the best brands that prioritize both style and functionality in cycling shorts, check out our detailed list below.

Illustration of cycling shorts

Best brands of cycling shorts in 2025

Assos

Assos is renowned as one of the leading producers of high-quality cycling shorts, particularly favored for their comfort, performance, and durability. Based in Switzerland, Assos has been a staple in the cycling apparel market, especially in Europe, where it holds a significant share. The brand is known for its innovative designs and materials, such as those used in their cycling bib shorts, which are highly demanded globally. Assos, along with other brands like Adidas and Gore Wear, contributes to the strong manufacturing industry in Europe, which is expected to drive the cycling wear market to reach USD 11.22 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2024 to 2031.

Castelli

Castelli Cycling is renowned as one of the top producers of cycling shorts, offering a blend of comfort, performance, and durability. Their men's cycling shorts are designed for all levels of riders, from professionals to beginners, and are made with soft, elastic materials to ensure maximum comfort and dryness in any conditions. In October 2024, Castelli Cycling generated a revenue of $1,887,907, with an average order value (AOV) of $250-$275 and a conversion rate of 1.00-1.50%. The brand's focus on innovative product advancements and high-quality materials has contributed to its strong market presence. Castelli's cycling shorts are a must-have for serious riders looking to optimize their cycling experience. For more details, check out the variety of cycling shorts offered by Castelli.

Rapha

Rapha is renowned as one of the top producers of cycling shorts, known for their high-quality, comfortable, and stylish apparel. In 2023, despite a 7% decline in overall sales, Rapha maintained its strong reputation, with revenues totaling 110 million pounds ($139.7 million). The brand's Rapha Cycling Club, with over 18,000 members, underscores its commitment to the cycling community. Rapha's products, including cycling shorts, are designed for optimal performance and comfort, making them a favorite among professional and amateur cyclists alike. The company's online presence is robust, with a conversion rate of 3.00-3.50% and an average order value of $275-$300.

Pearl Izumi

Pearl Izumi is a renowned brand in the cycling apparel market, known for its high-quality cycling shorts and bib shorts that offer premium materials, advanced chamois technology, and aerodynamic designs for optimal comfort and performance. The brand, which started in the 1950s, is part of the global cycling apparel market dominated by brands like Adidas and Nike, with the top three manufacturers accounting for about 30% of the market share. Pearl Izumi's products feature innovative technologies such as PRO Transfer and SELECT Transfer fabrics for moisture management and thermoregulation, making them suitable for various riding styles and conditions. The brand also prioritizes sustainability by using recycled materials. With a strong presence in the US and European markets, Pearl Izumi continues to be a favorite among road cyclists and gravel adventurers.

Specialized

Specialized, a renowned brand in the cycling industry, is esteemed for producing high-quality cycling shorts that cater to the evolving demands of cyclists. As part of the broader cycling apparel market, which is expected to grow from $4.63 billion in 2024 to $7.98 billion by 2034 with a CAGR of 5.6%, Specialized continues to innovate with cutting-edge designs and advanced materials. The global cycling shorts market, specifically, is projected to reach $1,526.1 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2022. Specialized's commitment to performance-enhancing features and comfort has made it a favorite among professional and recreational cyclists alike. Their products are available through various sales channels, including specialty stores and online retailers.

Giordana

Giordana is renowned as one of the top producers of cycling shorts, known for their premium materials and decades of expertise in manufacturing high-quality cycling apparel. Their products, such as the FR-C Pro Short, feature advanced technologies like Body Clone fit and 220-gram Lycra fabric, ensuring a compressive and supportive fit. Giordana's commitment to quality and sustainability is reflected in their production process, which is centralized in Italy to maintain consistency and adhere to strict EU sustainable practices. The brand's attention to detail, including features like anti-abrasion seat panels and Aloe Vera infused chamois, enhances comfort and performance. Giordana's products have garnered positive feedback for their fit and comfort, making them a favorite among cyclists.

Gore Wear

Gore Wear is renowned as one of the top producers of cycling shorts, known for their high-quality materials, smart designs, and comfortable features. Their Spinshift Cargo Bib Shorts, for example, stand out with four built-in pockets and loose-weave shoulder straps that don't dig in, making them ideal for long rides. Gore Wear's products have consistently delivered on quality and comfort over the past 16 years, with improvements in fit consistency across models and seasons. The brand is part of the strong cycling culture in Europe, particularly in Germany, where it is headquartered and contributes to the region's dominant 38.7% market share in the global cycling wear market. Gore Wear's cycling kits are favored for their premium materials and features, such as seamless leg openings with silicone grippers, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit.

Endura

Endura, a renowned British cycling clothing brand, is acclaimed for its high-quality cycling shorts, despite recent financial challenges. The brand, part of the Pentland Group, has experienced a significant pre-tax loss of £14.1 million in the 13 months to February 2024, largely due to a reduction in sales in the UK region following the pandemic-induced growth. However, Endura remains committed to its growth plans, particularly in key markets like the US, UK, and Germany, and is focusing on mountain biking and gravel cycling. The brand's products are characterized by their anatomical fit, moisture-transferring fabrics, and comfortable padding, making them a favorite among cyclists. Endura's parent company, Pentland, has assured support to help the brand meet its liabilities over the next 12 months.

Santini

Santini is renowned as one of the top producers of cycling shorts, offering a range of high-performance products such as the SleekPlus, Tono, RACER, and CORE 2.0 models, which are designed with advanced fabrics like Thunderbike Power and New Monica, providing optimal comfort, breathability, and muscle support. These shorts feature innovative designs, including aerodynamic cuts, minimal seams, and advanced chamois technology like the C3 and NAT chamois for maximum shock protection. Santini's products are favored by cyclists for their lightweight, breathable, and compressive properties, contributing to the growth of the cycling wear market, which is expected to reach USD 11.22 billion by 2031 with a CAGR of 5.4% from 2024 to 2031.

Louis Garneau

Louis Garneau Sports, founded in 1983, is renowned for its high-quality cycling clothing and equipment, particularly its cycling shorts, which are praised for their comfort, performance, and durability. The brand's Optimum 2 Shorts, for example, feature four-way-stretch materials, breathable Power Mesh technology, and a compressive cuff to prevent chafing, making them ideal for recreational and serious cyclists alike. With a UPF rating of 50 and reflective trim for visibility, these shorts are designed to meet the needs of athletes. Louis Garneau Sports, now acquired by Lole Brands, continues to innovate and offer top-tier products, solidifying its position in the global sportswear market. The brand's expertise has been recognized for over four decades, making it a trusted name among cycling enthusiasts.