Many people new to buying cycling shorts often wonder if there is a huge difference between cycling shorts made for road biking and those designed for mountain biking. We’ve listed shorts that are pretty standard and versatile for both, with some shorts even made for triathlon races.
There is usually a few differences, however, between road biking and mountain bike shorts. Mountain biking shorts are usually baggier in fitting and made with multiple layers. The inner area of mountain biking shorts typically fit tighter, with the outside part of the shorts hanging with a baggier look.
Also, many different types of mountain biking shorts have a removable chamois liner, making it easier to clean the liners and change them out. Also, mountain biking shorts tend to be made to be strong and durable, since you risk chances of tumbling down a hill if you fall off your bike. Even if you don’t fall, you’re more likely to rub up against hanging branches and other things as you move, meaning these shorts need to be made to prevent abrasions.
Mountain biking shorts still tend to work well for road cycling as well, but since they are designed to be sturdier, they do typically cost more. So, it’s really up to you if you need to invest more in a pair of cycling shorts made for mountain biking if you know you probably only want to ride on the roads.
However, if you know you’ll be mountain biking more often, or plan on combining road cycling and mountain biking, then you’ll probably want to invest more in some sturdier mountain biking shorts. Really, the choice is up to you as the cyclist, but you need to think about how you plan to ride and whether or not you need the extra features mountain biking shorts offer.