In this article I’m going to focus on some of the best women’s loose fit mountain bike shorts.
Form fitting cycling shorts are great, but it’s difficult to find the right size. And especially if you’re wearing knee pads, you want them covered with material that still looks flattering enough.
Loose fit mountain bike shorts encompass functionality of not hindering you in any of your riding positions, while remaining fashionable and comfortable on longer rides. They don’t restrict movement, have easy access to pockets, which are usually plentiful enough.
And some women simply feel uncomfortable in tight-fitting lycra or form-fitting MTB shorts, especially when riding with others. But when it comes to really great women’s loose fit mountain bike shorts, some stand tall above the others. And it’s in this list I tried to compile some of the very best the market has to offer.
Club Ride Eden Shorts w. 2 Hour Chamois
With a 7 inch inseam the Club Ride Eden Shorts w. 2 Hour Chamois is a great option for women who like shorter shorts. There really aren’t that many short MTB shorts, let alone those with a padded liner. Another benefit of this length is you save your tan lines.
Considering its length, these shorts aren’t your best option for downhill riding. They simply don’t offer enough coverage over knee pads and obviously protect you less than longer shorts would.
But with as many as 5 pockets and loops for a belt, they are highly versatile shorts for both normal, bikepacking, and trail riding. And they come in a variety of colors to choose from. And as with all MTB shorts, they have a velcro-adjustable waist.
They come with a 2-hour padded liner. Since they are not at the upper pricing level, it ensures that buying these shorts is money well spent. The liner can be removed separately, so you can wash it.
The shorts, made from a lightweight polyester 4-way stretch fabric, ensures cycling is easy without any clinging. And it has a water-resistant finish as well, should you be surprised by a quick rain shower.
All these characteristics make the Club Ride Eden the best and most versatile short shorts.
- Shorter than usual, versatile
- No knee coverage
Fox Ranger Shorts w. Liner
Fox is one of the most popular brands when it comes to MTB shorts and the Fox Ranger Shorts w. Liner is an all-round solid solution.
The shorts offer you a flattering look that doesn’t scream MTB shorts right out of the gate, but offer an amazing fit due to their TruMotion® stretch ripstop fabric. It’s a mix of polyester and spandex with a water repellant finish and above-average stretch characteristics. The finish also ensures dust and dirt is easier to remove.
2 large zip pockets sit on each side, below the waist adjusters. Unlike many other models, these use a side cinch rather than velcro and can be nicely tucked away inside the waistband. It looks nicer and never accidentally loosens.
The dual-density chamois is incredibly comfortable, even after hours in the saddle. And in no way does the stretchy and soft liner draws your attention in a negative way. The fact that Fox added this liner in an already great package provides tremendous value making this one of the best trail riding shorts you can slip into.
- Great allrounder, great fit, very comfortable
- None
Fox Ranger Shorts
The Fox Ranger Shorts are the non-lined version. Just as good for those women who rather choose their own chamois than the one that comes with the shorts.
- Great allrounder, great fit, very comfortable
- No liner
Fox Flexair Lite Shorts w. Liner
The Fox Flexair Lite Shorts offer the same padded liner as the Ranger shorts in a more minimal package.
It has 2 more traditionally oriented zip pockets in the same TruMotion® stretch ripstop fabric, which is water, dust and dirt repellant.
The 12 inch inseam length offers enough protection and coverage to get over your knee pads. They are laser-perforated for increased airflow. This makes them a great hot-weather option, but less ideal for chillier conditions.
The waist can be ratcheted in the front to ensure an optimal snug fit.
The Flexair combines all of the great characteristics of Fox’s tried-and-true Ranger shorts and combines it with excellent cooling properties, to make this the ultimate companion for hot summer trail riding.
- Great for summer, comfortable fit
- None
Fox Flexair Lite Shorts
The Fox Flexair Lite Shorts are the non-lined version if you already have your preferred chamois at the ready.
- Great for summer, comfortable fit
- No liner
Fox Defend Shorts
The Fox Defend Shorts are one of the longest MTB shorts apart from the occasional capri.
At 14.5 inches, there’s ample material even for really long-legged women, ensuring your knee pads are always covered. The excess material also means that if you do fall, possible abrasive injuries are lessened. And we all know how terribly painful sliding across unforgiving trails can be. And if you don’t, these shorts will certainly help you minimize the risk of such an injury.
The shorts are made of tough polyester and the overall fit and design, apart from its length, is quite similar to the Fox Flexair. With laser-perforated holes in strategic places for ventilation and the same ratchet mechanism for a tight and snug fit.
The same water resistant material, that also sheds dirt and dust is also used, making for a durable, long-lasting short that’ll last you a long time.
- Very long inseam, durable
- None
Fox W Ranger Short Purple Camo
The Fox W Ranger Short is the female counterpart to the men’s Ranger short. That means it has the same qualities as those MTB shorts as well.
If you’re looking for an authentic-looking camo short, you’ll be disappointed. Fox decided that women would prefer purplish camo above your standard green.
For the rest it offers the same durable Ripstop fabric, which has the benefit of being water resistant. The same 2 hand pockets, and single zip pocket on the left hand side.
In terms of size, pick your normal size or one size smaller, so you don’t have excess material from your waist adjusters accidentally getting loose.
The stretchy material of the shorts with a 12 inch inseam prevents chafing and sit loose and high, giving room for possible knee pads.
And the liner with chamois provides comfort and a good value-for-money should you not have one.
- Great allrounder, great fit, very comfortable
- None
Gore C5 Women All Mountain Shorts
The Gore C5 Women All Mountain Shorts are lengthy MTB shorts designed for a number of disciplines. They are at home at downhill, enduro, and trail riding, making them a versatile option.
It’s length covers knee pads and adds protection in the case of a crash. And the stretchy high-quality polyamide fabric makes for a durable short, that’s water repellant in the right places as well.
Each leg offers a zipper to widen its width and increase airflow should you desire it. It also ensures the shorts move out of the way and increase movement for trickier downhill sections. The part that slides over the knee or pads has a different more slick fabric to make this movement easier and prevent the fabric from catching on your pads.
The shorts have huge ventilated areas that stand out and make for a distinctive design, especially when choosing a color other than black. It means they are a great hot weather option, despite their length. Donning a pair of these shorts shows you mean business and are ready for some arduous trail riding. Though this design may not be for everyone.
The shorts have two deep pockets and one zip pocket below the left one. The velcro waist adjuster sits flat. But I found there’s hardly any room between the adjuster and its exit point, making them return when loosening is not as easy as you might like.
Gore Wear is known for their high-quality designs, and these MTB shorts are no exception.
- Long inseam, versatile, durable, distinctive design
- None
POC W's Essential Enduro Shorts
The POC W’s Essential Enduro Shorts are everything female mountain bikers should want for comfortable, loose-fit MTB shorts.
Unlike other brands Swedish POC uses Nylon fabric in these shorts, which is extremely durable. It has received a DWR treatment which ensures they are water repellant as well. Nylon itself is quick drying. With the proper care these shorts could last you a lifetime.
They are one of the longer MTB shorts and part of the comfort of these shorts resides in the fact that they have pre-curved knee areas. In combination with the length it means they fit exceptionally well over your knee pads and look great.
Like any other shorts they have waist adjusters. In this case, it’s achieved with the help of two velcro straps. The baggy feel of these shorts mean they’ll fit almost all body types, including women with bigger thighs.
- Very comfortable, loose-fit, extremely durable
- Pricey
Troy Lee Designs Mischief Shorts w. Liner
The Troy Lee Designs Mischief Shorts w. Liner is a black-only allround option that feels at home on long enduro rides as shorter trail rides.
Significantly more expensive than the comparable Fox Ranger shorts, they are made of Blue Sign Certified 4-way stretch woven fabric, which means that the brand has taken care to ensure these shorts were made as sustainable as possible.
It has 3 zip pockets. 2 for your hands to slide into and 1 located on your quad, a place usually reserved for your phone.
The length is more than adequate to comfortably cover your knee pads, and the UPF 30+ material offers enough stretch and room for you to move without any chafing whatsoever.
Both the fit of the shorts as the comfort of the removable liner were sublime, and if not for the price, these MTB shorts would sit very high indeed on my list of the very best allround shorts you can buy.
- Sustainable fabric, high-quality liner, premium allrounder
- Pricey
Troy Lee Designs Mischief Shorts
The Troy Lee Designs Mischief Shorts are the non-lined version.
- Sustainable fabric, high-quality liner, premium allrounder
- Pricey
Zoic Navaeh Shorts
The Zoic Navaeh Short is an affordable, lightweight MTB short for women without a padded liner.
It’s made from water resistant recycled polyester and, as with other Zoic shorts, features a lot of pockets. 4 zipped ones in total. They offer a very comfortable fit for basically every riding position. This makes them great MTB shorts for less-aggressive riders who prefer a more upright position and cross-country and light trail riding.
The 11.5 inch inseam falls just below the knee of a female of average height. This might make them a tad too short for use with knee pads, further emphasizing its intended use.
Not everyone wants to roar down a hill like their life depends on it. And Zoic caters to female riders with flattering, well-fitting, and well-designed MTB shorts that are friendly to your wallet.
- Affordable, many pockets
- No liner
Specifications women's loose fit mountain bike shorts
Name | Sex | Inseam | Liner | Material | Pockets | Water resistance | adjustable_waist | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Club Ride Eden Shorts w. 2 Hour Chamois | women | 7 inch | yes | lightweight stretch woven fabric | 3 hand pockets, 2 zip pockets | water resistant | velcro | |
Fox Ranger Shorts w. Liner | women | 12 inch | Women’s Fox Aire Multi-D | TruMotion® stretch ripstop fabric | 2 zip pockets | DWR water resistant | side cinch | |
Fox Ranger Shorts | women | 12 inch | no | TruMotion® stretch ripstop fabric | 2 zip pockets | DWR water resistant | side cinch | |
Fox Flexair Lite Shorts w. Liner | women | 12 inch | dual density chamois | TruMotion® stretch ripstop fabric | 2 zip pockets | DWR water resistant | ratchet | |
Fox Flexair Lite Shorts | women | 12 inch | no | TruMotion® stretch ripstop fabric | 2 zip pockets | DWR water resistant | ratchet | |
Fox Defend Shorts | women | 14.5 inch | no | TruMotion® stretch ripstop fabric | 2 zip pockets | DWR water resistant | ratchet | |
Fox W Ranger Short Purple Camo | women | 12 inch | dual-density chamois | TruMotion® stretch ripstop fabric | 2 zip pocket | DWR water resistant | side cinch | |
Gore C5 Women All Mountain Shorts | women | no | Polyamide stretch fabric | 2 hand pockets, 1 zip pocket | water resistant | velcro | ||
POC W’s Essential Enduro Shorts | women | no | ||||||
Troy Lee Designs Mischief Shorts w. Liner | women | 12 inch | yes | 3 zip pocket | water resistant | velcro | ||
Troy Lee Designs Mischief Shorts | women | 12 inch | no | 3 zip pocket | water resistant | velcro | ||
Zoic Navaeh Shorts | women | 11.5 inch | no | VersaLight lightweight stretch fabric |
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