Mountain Biking - "Mountain Bike" Shorts or regular Cycling shorts?

Do you wear the dedicated "Mountain Bike" shorts that look like regular cargoes? Or does anyone just wear regular padded cycling shorts under a pair of athletic shorts or cargoes? Opinions?

I wear cycling specific MTB shorts. The nylon construction of a quality short will, literally, save your ass in a crash. I have a pair of Zoic Ether shorts, and the Specialized BG Comp mountain shorts from a couple of years ago. Both have been great, and completely worth the cost.

Ditto on the mtb shorts. I actually use the ones that go even below the knee if you can find them.

I have a pair of baggies from Nashbar, not my favorite shorts, tend to hang up on my saddle and/or move around while I'm riding.

I wear regular lycra riding shorts under a pair of board shorts. The MTB specific shorts never seem to hold the padding in the right place. A better pair with a liner short that is not attached might be better, but I already have lots of road shorts to use.

mtb dedicated shorts here also! Fox sargeant have worked very good to me....

I'm having a hard time finding "mountain bike" shorts I like that fit right and pad right. I have plenty of breathable light workout shorts, so was thinking of just getting nice padded cycling shorts cheap and wearing them under the others. Just didn't know how well taht would work.

Tried the baggie shorts thing a few years back and it just doesn't work on trail rides. Shorts kept getting hung up on the saddle when shifting my weight around due to trail type and conditions. So I just ride the usual road shorts with zero problems.

I have a pair of baggies from Nashbar, not my favorite shorts, tend to hang up on my saddle and/or move around while I'm riding.


Tried the baggie shorts thing a few years back and it just doesn't work on trail rides. Shorts kept getting hung up on the saddle when shifting my weight around due to trail type and conditions. So I just ride the usual road shorts with zero problems.

That is why I use the longer ones.

Carhartt painter's bibs cut off knicker-length.

That is why I use the longer ones.

For me it isn't the legs that get caught, but the crotch. I've had a lot of near misses from the shorts grabbing on the saddle. That being said, I still ride with "MTB shorts" 75% of the time.

Man up, who needs padding? :) I don't any padded shorts. Then again I ride mostly road on a Brooks B17, but never got around to buying padded for MTB either.

I wear cycling specific MTB shorts. The nylon construction of a quality short will, literally, save your ass in a crash. I have a pair of Zoic Ether shorts, and the Specialized BG Comp mountain shorts from a couple of years ago. Both have been great, and completely worth the cost.

I also really like the Zoics.

Longer rides are more comfortable in regular lycras.

Do you wear the dedicated "Mountain Bike" shorts that look like regular cargoes? Or does anyone just wear regular padded cycling shorts under a pair of athletic shorts or cargoes? Opinions?

ummm... i wear quality, regular cycling bib shorts. i do not wear shorts over them??
mx

I wear normal cycling bib shorts. I have a pair of padded baggies, and they aren't as comfy and the short part can catch on the seat. Also the outer shorts are a pretty effective (sadly) drag chute when I'm going ~30mph.

I do two types of mountain biking.
1. The kind where I'm hovering around anaerobic threshold, maximizing speed, focusing on breathing and recovery on the descents. Normal bike shorts.
2. Urban assault, rage against the machine, jumps, spills, reckless, angry and youthful. I-don't-care-if-I'm-wearing-something-totally-unsuited-for-riding type rides. Cargos.
It's all about how one presents oneself.