Cycling Shorts

Cycling shorts (also known as bike shorts, bicycling shorts or knicks) are short, skin-tight legwear designed to improve comfort and efficiency while cycling. They:

• reduce wind resistance, increasing aerodynamic efficiency;
• protect the skin against the repetitive friction of the legs against the bicycle seat or frame;
• provide support to the male anatomy analogously to a jock strap;
• draw sweat away from the skin to prevent chafing and rashes, and to cool the rider down through the process of evaporation;
• compress the legs, which can help combat muscular fatigue; and
• reduce the weight of a rider's clothing (compared to wearing denim, gym shorts or baggy shorts).
• improve comfort during long rides with extra padding in the seat area

Historically, cycling shorts were made of knit black wool, which hides oil and grease stains, with a chamois leather patch inside the shorts in the crotch area, which reduces chafing from the bicycle saddle. Modern cycling shorts are often made of spandex (Lycra) with a synthetic chamois lining and are produced in a variety of shapes and styles to suit the needs of different riders. For example, the patterns used for the chamois on women's cycling shorts tend to be quite different from those used for men's. The hem of each leg is usually lined with elastic and/or silicone that clings to the skin, keeping it in a fixed position.

Cycling shorts are designed to be worn alone with no undergarments, or as an undergarment. Shorts made from several panels (or cuts of fabric) fit better, but cost more.

Short-legged elastic tights commonly worn as street wear, under school uniform skirts or for gymnastics and ballet practice, are sometimes also referred to as bike shorts, but they are typically simpler and lighter garments than those worn by cyclists and generally lack the chamois or faux-chamois lining. These shorts are also used for football, rugby and various other sports, underneath 'normal' shorts for warmth.