The Best Bike Shorts

Road Biking: Gore Orzon Shorts

With their sleek, efficient design, Gore's Orzon shorts ($120 as of March 2010) are a solid choice for road cyclists. The form-fitting spandex and lycra shorts are sleek and aerodynamic, and the eight-panel construction provides riders with a custom-fit feeling. In a five-star review, BikeRadar.com called the Orzons "fabulously comfortable and sleek shorts," noting their banded leg grippers, eight-panel design, and the tough, moisture-wicking chamois pad.

Mountain Biking: Mavic Stratos Shorts

With a semi-loose fit and made up of tough, lightweight material, Mavic's Stratos shorts ($120) can go wherever a mountain biker can. A removable seamless inner short provides comfort without overheating the rider, and the micro-perforations allow heat to escape and keep riders cool on the trail. BikeRadar's Mike Kesteven gave the Stratos a perfect five-star rating, saying that they "look cool, feel cool and are outstandingly comfy," noting it's wicking ability and toughness, saying that they survived months of riding and several crashes "totally unscathed."

Casual Riding: Fox Sergeant Shorts

Fox's Sergeant mountain biking shorts ($115) look just as good off the bike as they do on it. For commuters who don't want to walk through a grocery store in spandex, the Sergeant is a great option with its loose fit and contemporary styling. Snap-closure cargo pockets keep your stuff secure, and the inner chamois pad will keep you comfortable in the saddle. Calling them the "coolest, comfiest shorts around," Mountain Biking UK hailed the Sergeant's velcro adjustable waist and ventilated chamois, and "super-soft" material.