Cycling trousers, commuter shorts and liner shorts

What sets cycling trousers apart from ordinary trousers

Sitting on the saddle, your pelvis tilts forward and your knees rise and fall thousands of times per journey. Cycling trousers take this into account. The stretch fabric follows your movement without pulling at the knees, which are pre-shaped on models such as the Gonso Adventure or the Löffler Alaska. The waistband rises at the back to cover your lower back when you lean forward, as on the VAUDE Qimsa Softshell II. The leg cuffs tighten to stay clear of the chain, and reflective details make you visible at dusk. Water-repellent fabrics shed a passing shower.

Shorts, three-quarter shorts or zip-off trousers?

Zip-off trousers switch from long to short when you detach the lower legs: the Gonso Portland, the Ruth for women or the Adventure adapt in this way to a cool morning followed by a warm afternoon. Three-quarter shorts, such as Endura's Hummvee 3/4, protect your knees without making you too hot. Finally, urban shorts look like casual shorts but often hide a removable liner, like Löffler's CSL models. Baggy MTB shorts, such as the Northwave Bomb and Escape, also suit daily commuting.

Padded liner shorts: useful in town?

For a ten-minute journey, no; for an hour in the saddle or a weekend ride, yes. Liner shorts carry a padded chamois that relieves pressure points and prevents chafing from seams. Several brands attach them inside the shorts or trousers: Clickfast fasteners from Endura, a press-stud liner with a Relax Gel Comfort pad from Gonso, a Comfort Elastic pad from Löffler. They are worn directly against the skin, without underwear, and washed after every ride. Liner shorts sold on their own slip under any pair of trousers.

Cycling trousers for winter and the shoulder seasons

When the temperature drops, softshell trousers block the wind without the bulk of waterproof trousers. The VAUDE Qimsa Softshell II, windproof thanks to a membrane, protects the seat and inner legs from damp; the Löffler Alaska, with a brushed lining, closes its leg zips with a flap against draughts. For harder efforts, leggings and tights, such as the Craft SubZ bib tights or the Dare 2B 3/4, are worn on their own or under shorts.

Completing your city outfit

For heavy rain, switch to waterproof trousers. Cycling trainers and sneakers go with city trousers, jackets and down jackets cover your upper body, and cycling accessories complete the outfit. Everything is gathered in urban cycling gear.

Which brands of cycling trousers and shorts?

Gonso, a German brand from the Swabian Jura, has many convertible models: the Portland, with six pockets and reflective elements, and the Ruth for women switch from long to short with a zip and hide a removable liner.

Endura designed the Hummvee with London couriers before it took to the trails: shorts or three-quarter shorts in ripstop nylon, plenty of pockets and a Clickfast liner that clips inside.

Northwave, founded in Montebelluna, offers the Bomb and Escape shorts, including versions with a built-in liner, and the Bomb trousers.

Protest, a Dutch brand founded by snowboarders, adds colourful dresses, tunics and shorts to wear around town.

Löffler fits its CSL shorts with a removable liner with a Comfort Elastic pad, and offers the Alaska, windproof and water-repellent winter trousers.

VAUDE offers the Qimsa Softshell II for women, with a waistband that rises at the back and adjustable leg cuffs, made from polyester from recycled bottles.

Cycling trousers and shorts on sale

End-of-line trousers and shorts end up in our city clothing clearance, and new pieces in new arrivals. The summer sales arrive in shorts season, the winter sales in softshell season.

Frequently asked questions

Can you cycle in jeans?

For a short journey, yes. Over time, cotton denim absorbs sweat and rain, dries slowly and chafes at the crotch. Stretch, water-repellent cycling trousers keep the look of city trousers without these drawbacks.

Should you wear underwear under padded liner shorts?

No: the padded chamois is designed to be worn directly against the skin. Underwear would add seams and folds that cause chafing.

How do you stop your trouser leg getting caught in the chain?

Choose a model with leg cuffs adjustable by Velcro or drawcord, or tighten your right leg with a reflective trouser band. A chain guard solves the problem at the source.

Which size should you choose for cycling trousers?

Take your usual size, then check it sitting down: the waistband should not slip down at the back, nor the fabric pull at the knees. Models with a Velcro-adjustable waist, like the Gonso Adventure, can be adjusted more precisely.

Do water-repellent trousers replace waterproof trousers?

No: a water-repellent treatment makes a passing shower bead off, but lets water through in continuous rain. Keep waterproof trousers in your pannier for days of bad weather.