Lycra Vs. Mountain Bike Shorts — You Already Know Where I Stand

Lycra versus mountain bike shorts. The hotly debated topic of bikers. Or maybe it’s not that much of a debate so much as it’s a preference. Shredly wrote a post called, “Why do mountain bikers wear baggy shorts?” I read it because, well, I wanted to know. I wear lycra. I’ve tried wearing baggies but they feel weird, uncomfortable, and like I’m going to catch them on a branch or on someone’s handlebars.

I thought maybe Shredly would offer some insight into why baggies are so much better. And sure, they listed okay points, but it felt like they were really scraping the bottom of the barrel for reasons to invest in some cargo-looking shorts. After reading through their post, I still wasn’t convinced.

Now, I don’t have anything wrong with Shredly. I think what they sell looks cool, but I’m not getting baggies any time soon and here’s why I’ll stick to my lycra.

Baggy shorts give more coverage but…

This is maybe the one point I’ll have to agree with them on. Baggies give you more coverage when you’re out riding. Lycra is strong, but wearing shorts on top of lycra is going to help save your skin should you crash or brush up against bushes, branches, cactuses, or an angry middle-aged male you’re passing on the trail.