i'm in the market for a pair of shorts for my commute. I like something cycling specific but not lycra - don't need to show the boys to everyone at work. that usually pushes me toward the mountain bike side of things. I have some cutter tech knickerbockers which i like a lot, although they stink rather quickly compared to my other clothes. I also have a pair of more typical mtn bike shorts with chamois which i wear when its hot outside.

what are your favorite commuting shorts?

I have Canari shorts that have a lycra inner and a nylon outer. They look kind of like cargo pants but with fewer pockets. They're worrking pretty good for me and I'll probably get more.

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Most cycling-specific clothing is made from synthetic materials that do smell bad when they get sweaty. For that reason, I like to wear cotton shirts on top instead of cycling jerseys.

I am partial to Fox Mtn. Bike shorts. Lot's of choices and comfortable to wear.

I've got the Cutter knicks, too. I like the fit, but I don't like the way they're pilling up in the frictiony spots.

Last week, I bought a pair of nylon/cotton Cloudveil (very good quality) 'long shorts' from Marshall's discount clothing for <$20. I rode 60 wet, rainy miles in them on Sunday and 11 to work today and I'm thinking I like them a lot.

Mesh pockets, zipper thigh pocket, knee coverage, fast drying, and comfy over undies or bike shorts (or nothing at all!!).
Also they're dark gray so 'Brooks Butt' is minimized. I'm gonna shop around for another pair.

I buy cheap stuff from love2pedal.com - I've only ever had cheap shorts so I probably don't know what I'm missing, but my current set of 3 shorts was bought for $20 each from them, and I've been wearing them in rotation daily for about 4 years now. I'm about to order some more, looks like I may be paying $30 this time, and I'm thinking about throwing some baggies into the mix.

I either wear a pair of mtn shorts, or my road shorts with some hiking shorts over them

I used to be a runner so I have lots of running shorts. They work great for me. They are loose so don't get them too long.

The mountain bike shorts are probably the way to go. One thing I would stay away from is the ones with a gel pad, as the gel doesn't breathe. I have a couple pairs of the Novara Metro Gel Double shorts and the pad area gets really sweaty and gross, but the rest of the shorts area breathes great. I just picked up a pair of the Pearl Izumi Select Versa Bike shorts this weekend on sale that I am hoping to try this week. The pad is not gel, so they should breathe a little better. One other point is make sure they have at least some elastic in the waist - some of the MTB shorts come with a belt thing and no elastic, and they don't stay up very well :0.

No cycling specific shorts for me yet. Winter I wear cargo shorts over base layer tights (no padding). Other seasons, I wear mesh athletic shorts, cargoes, or in the worst heat of summer, I often wear swim trunks. Sounds weird, I know, but the inner mesh lining holds the boys in place pretty well while allowing things to air out nicely as I ride. Also a plus is that I can easily wash the swim trunks with me in the shower and get a lot of days out of them before having to throw in the washing machine. Best of all, you can get em on sale for like $5 or $10.

I may get some chamoised lycra shorts/liners one of these days, but they'll either be the MTB variety or I'll be wearing them under some athletic shorts...

I have found some pants at EMS that zip off to create shorts. I wear my bike shorts underneath until I get to work and change the underroos. The pants are pretty sporty and synthetic so they work well. It is great because this time of year I need pants in the morning and shorts in the evening. That and the pants are "dressy" enough for me to wear the whole day at work. In the evening I change back into the bike shorts before I leave and put the other pants/shorts over those. It also allows me better control over the weather. Yesterday evening it was just a little to chilly to wear shorts on the way home so I was already prepared.

Zip off pants are great, I wear compression shorts under mine. I wore mine in this morning.

I have been rotating between a pair of MEC Samurai mtb shorts for a few seasons so they have been washed about 400 times each each and seen 1000's and thousands of miles... they still look new.

With leather saddles liner shorts are usually not needed but will use these for longer rides and lesser saddles.

Regular polyester sports shorts work for me. It's airy, wicks well and comfortable for my commute. I use them for other activities too.

I wear good ole bibs. Let em look, they drove and stopped at McD's to get fatter.

I wear lycra bike shorts under regular shorts. sometimes I fold up the front of each leg an inch to avoid the rubbing friction. nothing ever stinks cuz I wash daily. I also stock work clothes separate from cycling clothes. I'll ride home in what I wear at work but I won't wear at work what I cycle with in the morning.

I really really wanted to find mountain bike shorts that I would ride my road bike with, but couldn't find anything as comfortable. I finally had to give up and carry a pair of shorts with me on my bike and I throw them on when I get to work, before I walk through the building.

I wear these under my regular shorts. They work great for my 24 mile daily round trip.

I wear the Zoic Vim shorts. They are khaki and have elastic waist and cargo pockets. They also come with a mesh brief w/ gel padded seat , but I cut that out at the securing loops so that I can wear the shorts without the liner.
Zoic makes some other shorts you might want to check out: www.zoic.com

I have a 25 mile round trip and I take my roadie when I commute so I prefer my padded lycra/spandex plum smugglers. Let all who witness my entry to the building gape in awe at my Davidesque physique.

They're like




Actually I get in early so there might only be a couple of people in the building and I use my Ninja skills to sneak out the back so as not to parade in front of the receptionist when I leave in the afternoon.