Looking for everyday shorts that I can just jump on the bike and go. Hoping for a gusseted crouch, so no seams where my backside, etc touch the saddle. I'm pretty sure that North Face, Columbia, REI make them, but hoping for something a little cheaper. Nylon or similar would also be a preference.

Any ideas?

You could try the Musa shorts from Rivendell. https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/ab1.htm

I like my Prana Mojo shorts

I ride most days in a pair of Lee cargo shorts I bought from Kohl's for 20 bucks.

I likemy REI MTB shorts without the liner that came with them. I use a couple different things under, sometimes regualr lined bike shorts or thin lined trishorts. when I'm doing a casual ride liek with the family during camping trips on the cape I'll use these shorts with regular boxers. they have great ziped pockets, are loose fitting, shed water, stain resistant as far as I can tell, can take abeeting, always look good meaning don't seem to wrinkle, etc. they are kinda like these but I bought mine a couple years ago somaybe they updated them. anyway maybe when I'm home I'll edit witht he exact model

https://www.rei.com/product/797306/zo...ke-shorts-mens

Look in 2nd hand shops, you can get trainers altered to be shorts..
and someone's home business ["alterations" in window anywhere?]
can turn the leg material into a cargo pocket.

Jersey Knits move better in the bike than woven fabrics.

I got some bike shorts which were mixed, stretch panels
across the back and inside leg.

I like the J&G products -they have what they call a 'patrol short' and also 'patrol pants' - the pants have zip off legs to turn them into shorts. More info here



Mark

The other ones I use are Endura mountain bike shorts without the liner.

OP did say cheaper than Columbia. I have 3 pair of those MUSA shorts and really like them. I got them when he had an older model on sale a while back. They are better than Columbia, or at least the Columbia shorts I have.

J&G do make good stuff, and it's also made in the U.S.A. I haven't tried their shorts yet.

Lots of cargo shorts at Goodwill.

the automated reply from this forum reminded me to look at my MTB shorts and write the brand which is Zoic. I bought them at REI a few years ago so when I looked for them on their web site I came up with the following link. They are the same with a small difference in that my zipped side pockets are behind the black stripe, so these are probably the right shorts just with an updated design

https://www.rei.com/product/797306/zo...ke-shorts-mens

BTW I'm wearing them right now having my morning coffee. they are probably my most comfortable and versatile shorts.

also, if you didn't read my earlier reply above about them, these came with a liner that I don't use, when cycling with them I use 3 other options - see earlier reply for details

you might try Dickies

Nylon golf shorts at Target are cheap and comfy and the lack of gussets hasn't bothered me.