Hi all,
I need some padded shorts to wear on an upcoming mountain bike ride at which everyone else will NOT be in the type of tight roadie spandex that my cycling wardrobe currently consists of. Preferably something that wears like a roadie short on the inside but has a baggy/loose nylon exterior.
Money isn't really an object here, I just want to know what everyone thinks the best pair of shorts I can get is.
Thanks for your help!

Surf shorts /board shorts over the tight padded shorts is what I wear . They are light weight, many are flexible (have some stretch), have little friction on your saddle. durable, and offer great wind protection if its cold. And IMO they look cool.

I don't follow the herd I go my own way,
I wear Pearl Izumi Elite In-R-Cool 'Cut' Shorts ,,,

Yeah they are spandex and look like roadie shorts but they don't hang up on the seat as I am in and out of the saddle constantly.
And they don't make noise rubbing away, they move with me.

If you gotta go baggy try 3/4 length, they are longer and will be less likely to hang up.
Good regular mtb shorts, I liked my Bontager's and Fox shorts are good..
Definitely get shorts that have a removable liner, then you can wear your road kit underneath, your most likely going to want the padding..

Yeah from your post OP,,,If I was there I'd prolly be the only one in spandex but mountain biking has made me so good looking I carry mace to fend off the women so the guys would just be jealous

Go here biker, for the best:::::::::::
https://www.troyleedesigns.com/

The Skyline Shorts are top shelf....

Royal Racing.

I've had a pair of Esquire for a few seasons and they are my go-to hot weather shorts. They are thin but don't rip, and they have vents you can zip open or shut. 2015 also adds a waterproof pocket for your phone - my 2013 model don't have that.

Apparently the Stage is a new short for 2015 that has similar features and a slightly lower price. Probably the material is a little heavier and cheaper.

They both have adjustable waist which is a really nice feature, just about must-have, in a baggy outer short.

got an REI near you? they have some good looking MTB shorts. I have a favorite pair but I don't use the liner it came with. I use my favorite cycling shorts under them.

Really too bad Royal dropped the Signature short - - that's always been my go-to trail riding recommendation; it looks like the Stage has taken its place though. Esquire is VERY similar but adds the stretch yoke in the back and is missing the two extra zip pockets of the Signature and Stage.

I guess that I am too cheap to purchase mtb specific ones. I wear my road shorts under regular shorts.

That works perfectly fine except in the heat of summer it's a formula for Swamp Ass™.

It'll be tempting to ride with just the lycra road shorts, which is also fine, until the first time you go down on a hip or thigh and the lycra shreds...

REI and REI.com clearance are two of my favorite shops. If you can wait for delivery, REI.com/outlet has 2012 to 2014 overstock for up to 70% off. Great stuff. I like Pearl Iz, Zoic and even the Novara names.

You can wear some bike shorts under any set of cargo shorts works. If you have a backpack or camelback, change out for your favorite undies at the end of the ride and save the world from Swamp Ass. That sounds nasty!

I tried that,, saw no point in the extra weight or friction of baggies or my hiking shorts over my spandex, hated the shorts legs rubbing sounds and feel..

From the waist down I like tight, waist up loose and airy ...

Stop already. The "swamp ass" vision that you put in my head has me really psyched out. I'm getting a pair of mtb shorts to avoid getting a case of that. I don't even know what it is but it scares me anyway.

I usually wear a padded liner under Columbia hiking shorts.

Joking aside, it's SUPER hot to wear lycra road shorts under cargo shorts in the summer. Liners work OK, but cargo shorts still don't really breathe like a decent pair of MTB shorts.

It's a good investment.