In February, we spread the news about the latest and greatest bike bottom innovations we rolled out for Spring ’24. But at Terry, it’s not out with the old when we introduce the new. To claim we make the best bike shorts for women requires us to offer a variety of options, each uniquely suited for different riding types, abilities, and bodies. The common goal is helping you achieve optimal performance while feeling and looking your best. While our wheels are always turning, researching and developing the next best thing, here’s a roundup of what’s tried-and-true for a reason.
And if you missed all the great NEWs, here’s a Guide To The New Bottoms at Terry.
Best Bike Shorts For Recreational & Everyday Riding
Breakaway Bike Shorts
Available in Black or Charcoal, and made in the USA, our highly rated Breakaway Short features sculpted paneling, a minimally compressive and buttery-soft nylon/spandex fabric and features no use of elastic in waist or leg bands. The editors at Bicycling Magazine said it best when they awarded the Breakaway Editors’ Choice: “Our testers raved about the unobtrusive chamois, pajama-soft fabric, and nonbinding waist and leg openings, which stayed in place without pulling or squeezing our legs as we pedaled. “
Due to this fabulous fan-favorite bottom’s breakaway success, we offer it in a few variations including hi-rise, hi viz, 3/4 length and full length options.
Bike Bermuda Shorts
A runaway hit when we introduced it and now available in a spectrum of colorways, the world’s first Bike Bermuda combines all the best things about Bermuda shorts (high rise, long length, leg pocket and grip-free hem) with all the best things about our Breakaway Shorts (silky fabric, sculpted panels, Fleet Air Chamois). If you want a truly comfortable short for everyday cycling, look no further. Shop the Bermuda Short in Navy, Black, Emerald or Garnet. Or take your on-bike style up another level and go for the NEW Bermuda LTD in a fabulous embossed fabric we sourced from France.
Best High Compression Performance Shorts
Bella Bike Short
The Bella has earned its place on the podium and sets the standard by which all women’s performance cycling shorts are judged. Universally loved for its style, fit and all-day comfort, the Bella has all the best features, from our Flex Air Chamois to the ideal level of compression for muscle support and recovery when pursuing longer distances. Choose Bella if you want the absolute best bike short made for women, ride frequently and aggressively, and like to support products made in the USA. Shop the Bella Bike Short in two inseam lengths 8.5 inch or 5 inch.
Power Bike Shorts
A classic in the making, the Power Bike Short has more compression than our other bike shorts and is slightly longer (10 inch inseam) so it supports the entire hamstring and quadricep muscles. It also has a wide v-front waistband designed to provide additional core support. The fit is tighter but the result is enhanced support and reduced muscle fatigue. The Power Short is also outfitted with UPF 50+ protection, a deep pocket on the right leg and soft, laser-cut leg bands that hold securely without digging or pinching. Made in the USA, it comes with our Flex Air Chamois with soft wing construction for the ideal balance of padding and ventilation. If you ride hard and long, and demand more, these are for you. Shop the Power Short
Euro Bike Short
Another tenacious 10-inch short, the Euro is the climber’s choice for muscle compression and the endurance rider’s choice for all-day comfort. If you’re serious about either, this the one’s for you. Made in the USA from a sublime French nylon compression fabric with a satiny matte finish and equipped with our renowned Flex Air Chamois, the Euro is a cycling short that feels and looks as good as it performs.
Best For Distance, Bike Touring and Multi-Day Rides
Touring Short
Equipped with an impressive feature package that’s ideally suited to multi-day bike travels, our Touring Shorts are available in 3 lengths (5 inch, 8 inch, 10 inch) and in Plus sizes (9 inch). Its tri-blended fabric was developed to keep you dry, comfortable and supported all day and the dedicated Flex Air Touring chamois is one of the most padded that we offer. Updated to include a smartphone-friendly pocket, our Touring Shorts are some of the best selling, most loved collections of shorts and the one we recommend to riders of all levels and sizes who want to go the distance. Shop the Touring Short collection.
Grand Touring Short
If you’re a serious rider who spends a lot of time in the saddle, goes on tours, likes gravel or simply wants the best, our Grand Touring Short is a phenomenal choice. A step up from the original Touring Shorts, it’s filled with performance features like strategically placed touring pockets, our Flex Air Tour chamois and is made of Polartec’s tri-blended Powerstretch fabric that has a slightly higher degree of compression, dries super quickly and fits beautifully. Designed with all-day comfort in mind, the waistband is elastic free and bonded to reduce seaming against your front waist. The leg bands, too, are designed without a high degree of restriction, instead using stitchless hypoallergenic gripper tape on the inside of the leg hem to keep things gently in place. Shop the Grand Touring Short and its 3/4 length sister, the Grand Touring Knicker.
Long Haul Short
Our goal with the Long Haul was to design a lightweight, USA-made, performance-level short that would be up for the challenge of centuries, high heat situations, international bike touring and gravel riding. So, we started from the inside out and gave it a new Flex Air Max Chamois with an additional dual-density layer of padding to add another level of comfort without bulk. A combination of high compression fabrics reduces muscle fatigue while the lightness of the overall short makes them incredibly comfortable, even in the most sultry conditions. Added bonuses include its nicely integrated smartphone pocket, minimally constructed front waist panels and laser-cut leg openings that are held in place with a stitch-less, silicone-free gripper that provides a friction-free riding experience. Shop the Long Haul
Wayfarer Shorts
For two-wheeled wanderers craving a pop of color, we created the Wayfarer Shorts. Their beauty is also more than skin deep; not only do we make it in the USA, we use the ultimate French, next-to-skin performance fabric with a gorgeous satin matte finish and high spandex content for a compression fit. We built it to be the kind of short you can comfortably ride in all day with no worries so it has a wide waistband with a higher rise, deep side pockets, and our Flex Air Chamois. Shop all Wayfarer Shorts, available in your choice of colorway and two inseam lengths—11 inch for full thigh coverage or 7 inch for higher tan lines and shorter riders.
Also available: Wayfarer Tight & Wayfarer Capri
Best Value Bike Shorts
Actif Shorts
We’re not the only ones who find the Actif to be the best fitting, best equipped, best value in a woman’s bike short under $60 – Bicycling magazine named it a ‘Value of the Month’. Although the price may be low, the Actif cuts no corners on comfort and provides you with an excellent fit, our seamless and lightly padded Comfort chamois, a host of features and two colorways, Black and Charcoal.
Shop the Actif Short and its 3/4 length sister, the Actif Knicker
Fixie Shorts
A best seller made of a beautifully heathered Italian performance fabric, the Fixie Short is something totally different. The best value you’ll find in a baggy bottom, it sports a wide, elastic-free waistband, figure flattering panels and loose, tapered legs that resemble normal shorts, not typical cycling shorts. It’s lightweight, packed with 3 pockets and utilizes our seamless and compact Slite chamois.
Best Leg Band Innovations
Easy Rider Shorts
The use of a sensuous performance fabric with a matte-sueded texture and the total removal of a leg band defines the Easy Rider bike short. Completely focused on comfort, it features a super wide waistband, our Fleet Air chamois, a moderately compressive fit and raw-cut legs so you can wear it comfortably for rides of most any duration. Shop the Easy Rider Short and NEW Easy Rider Capri
Chill Shorts
Our sleek and highly compressive Chill Shorts are simply constructed but technically ingenious. They use the latest in fabric technologies to allow for a seamless integration of silicone against the thigh so that your shorts won’t ride up. The result? No bulge, no pinch, no sausage effect. Outfitted with our thinner and highly ventilating Flex Air Lite chamois and available in 3 lengths (5 inch, 7 inch, 9 inch) it’s a great summer performance short for serious riders seeking serious relief from classically constructed leg bands. Shop the Chill Series
Best High Rise Bike Shorts
Hi Rise Holster Short
A best seller revered by all sorts of riders from roadies to mountain bikers, the Holster sparked the high rise revolution at Terry. Made from a moderately compressive performance fabric and available in sizes XS-3X, it’s super comfortable and engineered with deep, stretchy, perforated pockets at both sides for quick, convenient access to essentials. Its ultra-wide, contoured, and extra-high waistband aids in supporting your core and keeping you covered while in the bike position while its Flex Air chamois gives it the potential to go all-day, whether on road, gravel or somewhere entirely off the beaten path.
Shop the Hi Rise Holster Short and Hi Rise Holster Capri.
Breakaway Hi-Rise Short
Introduced in 2023 and quickly rising through the ranks, the Breakaway Hi-Rise gives you all the goodness of our original best-selling Breakaway but with a higher rise and wider waistband that extends its torso coverage another 2 inches. In addition, it uses a more compressive fabric so you’ll notice a slightly tighter fit than other Breakaways for boosted muscle support, but the same soft feel. Like the original, the Breakaway Hi-Rise is equipped with sculpted paneling, super comfortable self-fabric leg bands and our premium Fleet Air chamois. Shop the Breakaway Hi-Rise Short
Best For Turning Anything Into Bikewear
Want to turn your streetwear into bikewear and back again with ease? Look no further than our Liner lineup. With off-road riding, commuting and E-bikes on the rise, padded bike liners are an ideal and versatile approach to turning any bottom, no matter your riding style, into a bike bottom—skirts and dresses, too!
Check out this Brief Guide on our blog that helps you navigate the Bike Liners offered at Terry and shop them all, here.
Best Baggys
Metro Short
The Metro Short fits like a city short, but delivers enough flexibility and features for serious riding. Including: stretch gussets at the side of waist that aid in on-bike position, a full-length crotch gusset for full freedom of movement and better seam placement in key zones, 4 strategically placed pockets and a lightweight, recycled fabric with a water-resistant finish. It comes with our Universal Liner that can be removed once you shift out of bike mode and its functional snap front and belt loops help it blend right into your everyday wardrobe. And for those who truly want to wear it every day, we make it in an array of fits and lengths, including Solo options that are sold without the Universal Liner.
Vista Short
Fit doesn’t get any better than this very inviting and trail-oriented short. It has pull-on styling with a wide stretch waistband, similar to that of a yoga pant, that comfortably accommodates a wide variety of body types. It comes paired with our Cyclo Brief 2.0, a minimalist liner outfitted with a reticulated foam chamois that won’t snag if you’re climbing in and out of the saddle. It’s made from a unique stretch-twill fabric and features printed chainlink paneling and a printed hem lining that can be flipped up to shorten its 10 inch inseam by 1.25 inches. We’ve also added 3 streamlined pockets and a faux-fly front to give you even more to love. Shop the Vista Bike Short and the Vista BTK with added coverage for more trail protection and cooler temps.
Rover Short
Our goal with the Rover Short was to provide women with a longer length, 2-piece short/padded liner combination that can be easily pulled on and comfortably worn on or off the bike. After testing it out on Italian bike tours as well as on the singletrack of Montana, dare we say, we nailed it. Made of a recycled stretch woven polyester, the Rover has an easy-fit, printed mesh waistband, and 2 front zippered pockets that secure essentials. Its impressive 13 inch inseam provides excellent coverage and doesn’t inhibit mobility thanks to the diamond gusseting through the crotch. The Rover comes ready to ride with our padded Universal Liner that can swiftly be removed to transition from gravel to travel. Shop the Rover Short
Best Printed & Performance Oriented Shorts
Soleil Bike Short
A firm favorite for its UPF 50+ protection, electric prints and overall comfort, the Soleil Short has been refreshed for 2024 and is ready to go wild. Every Spring, we take our best Soleil jersey prints and turn them into the smartphone-friendly twin mesh pockets that adorn this short. In addition to being made of a sun protective fabric, you’ll find that the Soleil has just the right amount of compression and the perfect level of padding and ventilation for a full day of fun on the bike. Shop the Soleil Short and coordinating Soleil Jerseys in three vibrant prints.
Peloton LTD Short
For those who prefer a more subtle approach that still catches the eyes of fellow cyclists and motorists, meet the Peloton. It’s a best-in-class value in a woman’s bike short with a high visibility printed leg band that commands attention when in motion and corresponds with select tops in our Spring ’24 collection. Fully featured and made in the USA, this powerhouse has it all going on from sculpted panels with flatteringly curved side seams to laser-cut leg bands to our ventilating and low-bulk Fleet Air chamois. Shop the Peloton
And that’s just the highlight reel! For the best and broadest selection of bike shorts built for women—with every style of rider, body type and ability level in mind—head to terrybicyles.com
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