Biker shorts have become a summer staple in almost everyone’s wardrobe. One of their biggest advantages is that they are designed to be incredibly easy and comfortable. Whether you wear them to exercise, under dresses or in your best attempt to emulate the model-off-duty look, the compressive shorts are the soft and supportive basic you’ll want to have on hand. Think of them as the warm weather counterpart to your favorite pair of leggings.
Transitioning from being something people only wore during their workouts or pandemic-era at-home outfits to the status they have risen to today is a natural reflection of how our style in culture has evolved. Jordan Stolch, personal stylist at MiKADO Personal Styling, emphasizes this, sharing that “stylized athleisure began to surge, eventually carrying over into ‘out-in-public’ outfits, as we all ushered in this new era of effortless, practical style. Bike shorts then solidified their spot in our closets, as they revealed their ability to lend themselves to an abundance of chic and stylish outfits.”
How to style biker shorts
Stolch says that biker shorts “lend themselves to infinite styling potential. They can be dressed up, dressed down — taking you from a workout to shopping trips with girlfriends, a patio brunch to weekend summer walks. Their versatility is truly endless.” Celebrity fashion stylist Mickey Freeman notes that the “form-fitting nature and durable fabric of biker shorts makes the sometimes daunting task of dressing an outfit up or down, by accessorizing or layering them with other garments, very simple.” Plus, they’ll keep you cool when temps rise: “Biker shorts tend to possess a healthy amount of breathability that is ideal for the warmer months ahead,” Freeman adds.
If you’re in need of some outfit inspo, Freeman suggests utilizing other garments and accessories to play with shape and proportion. “It is also a great idea to use another article of clothing to juxtapose what the original purpose for the garment was intended for,” Freeman says, explaining that you could contrast the sporty style of biker shorts with a trend-forward choice of footwear like a luxurious pair of cowboy boots.
For an easy summer look you can replicate, Stolch proposes opting for biker shorts that come as part of a cute summer matching set and then layering an unstructured button-down over the top. “Elevate the look with simple gold jewelry and your go-to sandals to complete the ensemble,” she says.
The stylists encourage stocking up on several pairs for different purposes. For example, you may want a shorter, lighter pair for wearing under skirts and dresses, and a longer, high-quality pair for dressing up with a shirt and blazer. When shopping for a new pair, Freeman recommends taking the overall thickness into consideration, saying that “a good pair of biker shorts should most definitely have a reasonable amount of thickness to the fabric. Doing so will minimize the risk of tears or runs, which increase when worn with accessories that are used to enhance the overall look.” Stolch echoes that sentiment, and advises taking all of the elements of bike shorts into account, including the level of compression, inseam and rise length and if they have pockets or not. Essentially, think of the occasions that you’re planning to wear them for and how compatible they will be.
Read on for 18 of our favorite biker shorts you can plan to wear on repeat this summer.
Editors’ favorite biker shorts
Editorial director Chelsea Stone has multiple pairs of these comfy biker shorts. Available in 6-inch and 8-inch inseam options, they're lightweight and great as an anti-chafe layer under your summer layers.
Colorfulkoala makes some of our favorite leggings, and we love its biker shorts too. Soft and budget-friendly, these biker shorts are all you can ask for. They come in over 30 colors and patterns, making it easy to plan your next outfit around one of these pairs.
Associate testing writer Carolina Gazal loves this 7-inch pair from Aerie, which features a cute crossover waistband. The material is light and sweat-wicking, so it can take you from the tennis courts to your hot girl walk.
Finished with a green metallic print, these 5-inch biker shorts have plenty of compression to keep you comfortable during your workouts. Associate editor Lindsey Smith has this exact pair and recommends Love Her's whole line of biker shorts.
Best biker shorts
Compared by reviewers to popular brands like Lululemon and VS Sport, these customer-favored shorts are perfect for your next workout or off-duty day. Reviews praise the quality of the fabric and the lack of rolling up or down. They have a 6-inch inseam and come in sizes XXS to XL.
“I love Zella bike shorts, which is Nordstrom’s brand,” says Kristina Zias, a style expert living in Los Angeles. “They’re so thick and they have pockets!” The style comes in standard sizing as well as plus sizes going up to 4X.
This pair of biker shorts comes in three lengths — 3, 5 and 8 inches — for ultimate versatility. With over 60,300 5-star reviews alone, these are sure to become a regular player in your wardrobe.
From 2-inch micro shorts to an 8-inch option, these favorite Lululemon biker shorts come in four lengths total. Made for performance but so comfortable you'll want to wear them every day, these stretchy shorts are a pick you can't go wrong with.
A fan-favorite brand among fitness enthusiasts and fashion girls, these classic high-waist shorts from Alo are super smooth and flattering no matter what your plans are. Plus, the white color is a great option for adding some coverage under your breezy summer dresses.
These shorts promise to be warm weather-friendly, claiming to “beat the heat.” Perfect for your next summer fit, pair them with one of the matching set options to complete the look.
With over 14 colors, these bike shorts are perfect for your next yoga class and the brunch with your friends that immediately follows.
With moisture-wicking fabric and a solid level of compression, these are a great option for a staple black pair. (Although, they do come in a cute sage green too!)
With more than 6,000 5-star ratings, it’s no wonder why these are one of Amazon’s bestselling pairs of biker shorts. The high-waist and tummy-control panels are some of the main features of this style, with one reviewer saying that they are “perfect for walking in warmer weather.”
The quality of the fabric is the main selling point of these bike shorts. Made with 75% recycled materials, the BlissBlend performance knit fabric makes these shorts super soft, stretchy and sustainable. Plus, they come in sizes XXS to XXL.
These longer biker shorts from Nike are perfect if you’re looking for a bit more length and coverage. Reach for this retro-inspired style when it’s a bit too hot for leggings but you want the same vibe and comfortable fit.
One reviewer says the material is “perfect” on these shorts, and she can wear them for hiking, cardio or lifting weights. These bike shorts are shape-hugging and described as “peachy-soft.” Love that.
Featuring a double-layered waistband and four-way stretch, these bike shorts are ideal for low-impact workouts or just lounging around the house.
You’ve probably seen this brand on your For You Page at some point, and there’s no secret as to why. This super-popular, TikTok-famous brand offers these comfy biker shorts in a variety of patterns and an inclusive size range.