mtn drew

So I'm new to mtn biking and just want to ask if a cycling shorts is a must have? Thanks

pdlamb

Cycling shorts aren't required to ride any kind of bicycle.

The longer your rides, though, the more you may come to appreciate them.

prj71

Depends if you like chaffing on your butt or not.

Google is always just a few clicks away...

https://gearjunkie.com/biking/what-a...-how-to-choose

PeteHski

Not a must-have, but generally a pretty good idea. Good cycling shorts have a few features that make them ideal for cycling. Things like the fit and cut, pocket positioning, liners, sweat wicking properties, hard wearing etc.
But be aware that there are people around here who go out of their way to avoid any form of cycling attire.

Iride01 

The more serious and hard that you ride, the more you'll find that the stuff made specifically for cycling is the better stuff to use.

If you don't ride a lot, or don't push the envelope of your fitness level, then you might not need specific cycling clothes.

mtn drew

Thanks for the replies guys. I asked that same question about cycling shoes and was hesitant to buy one. I just recently got a RC brand shoes because it was on sale a couple weeks ago and after 3 rides, I really like wearing them and they have some protection on the toes compared to my converse shoes. Right now I am ok with wearing cotton shorts. I just feel a bit out when I ride with a group and they all wear "proper" cycling attire....

KerryIrons

In my youth I did a 5400 mile tour wearing cutoff jeans and tighty whities. So no, you don't need cycling shorts. That said, I never ride without them for the past 40+ years. You figure it out.

wolfchild

The only advice I can give you is to go out for a couple of rides and find out for yourself if you need cycling shorts or not. Don't take other peoples word for it...Go out and experiment with different types of clothing and soon you will learn what works for your needs and what doesn't.

wolfchild

Ok so it's not about comfort and function, it's more about peer pressure to fit in and look like everybody else...Me personally I have offended many cyclists because I failed to wear a proper cycling outfit"...but I don't care what others think...It's my time on a bike and I can wear whatever i want.

rumrunn6

my go-to combo begins w/ Zoot brand trishorts. I use them in place of underwear or some other liner. I tried separate liners & shorts that came w/ liners but didn't like them

then on top, for the world to see, I use Zoic brand mountain bike shorts (I buy the models w/o the liner). they offer features & benefits non cycling shorts don't provide, such as fit, pockets & quick drying

Kedosto

Split the difference and wear liner shorts under whatever regular shorts (or pants) you normally wear. You’ll get all of the benefits of a cycling specific pair of shorts without compromising your style.

Some people spend lots of money to make a fashion statement as a cyclist. Others try to avoid the “super hero” look. You do you.

CAT7RDR

In the past few months I now wear lightweight MTB shorts over a pair of Black Bibshorts.
I like the extra side pockets and sunblock above the knees.

I do not know if I will continue this in the hot summer months but I preferred this over wearing tights or thermal knicker bibshorts.
Less restriction and more comfy.

Find what works for your needs and do not skimp on contact points.

Rolla

Delusions of recalcitrance. I somehow doubt it's the clothes that offend.

msu2001la

Bike shorts have some significant advantages in terms of comfort. For MTB, I prefer to wear liner style shorts with looser fitting shorts on top. Most others I MTB with will do the same, but some don't like the two-layer setup and will just wear regular road shorts. Up top I see people wearing all kinds of stuff from tight aero road jerseys to flappy t-shirts.

mstateglfr 

How you perceive reality has been shown to be wildly off base more times than anyone here can count. You really think you offend cyclists because you dont wear what they expect you to wear? Why do you think your clothing choice is so important to others?
When I played basketball, I wore basketball shoes because they felt good when doing the activity. When I snorkeled, I wore flippers because they helped when doing the activity. When I golfed I wore golf shoes because they planted me better than running shoes and the firm toe box felt better. I could go on and on.

Point is- nobody goes for a run in ski boots and nobody climbs mountains in flipflops. These things dont exist because of peer pressure, they exist because they have been found to be the best item for the job for most people. Your insecurity is separate for all that.

msu2001la

Shoes for MTB are definitely a personal preference. I know many riders that use platform pedals for MTB (with flat bottom sturdy shoes like the RC's you mention). The alternative would be clipless pedals, which some people love for MTB and some hate. I'm in the love category and wear SPD shoes for all my trail riding. Some of this depends on riding style and how frequently you're taking your feet off the pedals, but there's no right answer here.

As far as worrying about fitting in, MTB is pretty low key compared to roadie culture - I doubt anyone else out on the trail really cares what you're wearing.

rumrunn6

Paul Barnard

Typically when I see a sentence opened with a superfluous "Ok so" I know that what follows will scarcely be worth the read, and your post didn't disappoint.

I cannot comfortably ride more than 5 miles without padded shorts. It's a pressure rather than a chafing issue for me.

PeteHski

I actually wear mtb cycling shorts pretty much all the time, both on and off the bike. I have a pair of these that are the most comfortable, super lightweight shorts I've ever owned. Expensive for shorts, but I wear them daily and they don't seem to show any wear or tear. The material they use is amazing. I have the separate very lightly padded liners too, but obviously only wear those on the bike. They are so much more comfortable than my generic everyday cotton shorts that I've pretty much abandoned them all in favour of just wearing these!

https://7mesh.com/farside-shorts

70sSanO

I have a couple pairs of mtb shorts with a separate padded liner that I wore for a few years. I’m currently wearing nylon cargo shorts I got at Kohl’s without any padded liner. By currently I mean as I post this because they are the same shorts I normally wear.

I used to wear a loose fitting low key jersey mt biking but I have some polyester T’s that work well.

I wear lycra shorts and a cycling jersey when I ride my road bike; unless I ride with someone who just wears regular shorts.

John

Koyote

If you're new to the activity, you might consider that the people in your group, who probably have more riding experience, have chosen "proper" cycling attire for a reason.

Rolla

I usually wear a chamois liner under Kuhl shorts, and a non-cotton T-shirt. Most of the guys I ride with don't wear cycling attire either, and those who do don't care one way or another.

Like with most sartorial matters, it really comes down to the shoes.

SpeedyBlueBiker

For mtn biking I like wearing bike shorts because they are more comfortable. If it's cooler outside I just wear shorts over a pair of roadie shorts. In warmer weather I'll wear baggy mtb shorts that have a padded seat in them. I just find it more comfortable that way with a padded seat.

Steel Charlie

You'll only have to mash the cajones a couple times to figure out why those funny looking shorts are used by so many people

Kapusta

Not required, but everyone I know who has been riding for long ends up getting cycling shorts or at least a chamois liner to wear under something else

I really like the Patagonia Endless Ride liners and the Zioc Ether shell.