Best Indoor Cycling Shorts For Men In Canada – Top Picks
Make your spinning sessions more comfortable with one of the best indoor cycling shorts for men
Indoor cycling is hands down one of the best exercises you can do for your personal fitness. It improves heart health, respiratory strength, and muscle tone. While many indoor cycles are equipped with cushioned seats or you can even add a spin bike gel seat cover yourself, most regular cyclists will agree that you need something more, otherwise you end up sore and failing to reach the potential you could have. This is why a good pair of comfortable shorts for indoor cycling is so important. Spinning shorts with padding will provide the added comfort you need to save yourself from the pain of an intense cycling session.
Often when men are looking for spin bike shorts with padding, they are tempted to purchase one or two and end there. While this is fine for those who workout only once or twice a week, those who have a more regular routine will want to invest in multiple pairs. As most cyclists know, these shorts should be worn directly on the skin, which leads to a lot of sweat and wear. You’ll want to have multiples so that you’re not needing to wash the same pair over and over, causing it to lose its elasticity quicker. This makes it so it doesn’t stay contoured to your legs as well and can cause the padding to shift, making your workout harder and less effective.
However, no one wants to buy multiple pairs of shorts that don’t work well. To find the best spinning shorts for men in Canada, we’ve reviewed shorts for exercise spin bike use and compiled a list to make the search easier for you. We’ve looked at materials, padding types, stitching strength, and panel designs to find the best options for the most comfortable indoor cycling experience. And if you are a woman who also enjoys spinning, we have a separate list with the best indoor cycling shorts you can find in Canada for women.
Best Spinning Shorts For Men In Canada
NICEWIN Men’s Indoor Cycling Shorts
NICEWIN comes in first on our list of the top shorts for spin bike workout. Something cyclists everywhere struggle with is finding a place to put your valuables. The NICEWIN Men’s Cycling Shorts have solved that issue with a zippered pocket on the back below the waist. This way you can be sure things like cash or cards will stay put. There are also two pockets on either side for larger items like cell phones, so you never need to overstuff your pockets.
They’re made from a four-way stretch material to prevent them from losing their shape and flat stitching for ultimate comfort. They also have silicone around the inside of the leg openings to keep them from rolling up like some cycling shorts have the habit of doing. The padding is a combination of gel and high-density foam, giving wearers the vibration reduction abilities of the gel with the long lasting cushion of the foam. It also pulls moisture into the material quicker and dispels it to reduce that unpleasant ‘wet spot’ sensation, and the padded chamois is designed to allow airflow in order to keep wearers cool and dry for those longer workouts. They come in small to 2XL, fitting waists from 30 inches to 43 inches.
Pros:
- There are 3 pockets, one is zippered
- The padding is gel and foam
- Great moisture wicking
Cons:
- There are only two color options, black and grey
- The compression style may feel tight on those with thicker legs
Baleaf Men’s Padded Spin Bike Shorts
These shorts come in a wide size range which is great for those who are larger in size accommodating waists sizes from 30 inches to 46 inches. Baleaf boasts that their cycling shorts designer is an avid cyclist and therefore has a better understanding of what makes for a comfortable exercise experience, and we would agree that these were comfortable shorts for indoor cycling with their four-way stretch nylon material. We easily found them to be one of the best indoor cycling shorts for men in Canada Another nice touch were the color choices. Most compression style cycling shorts tend to be mostly black with color accents as options. However, the Baleaf shorts were entirely one color with three options to choose from; black, blue, and grey.
The padding is molded in order to have an ergonomic design and curve against the wearer’s body to prevent any unpleasant gapping that might cause moisture, friction, and hot spots. However, we did find it to be a bit thinner than we would prefer for longer workouts. The gel padding reduces vibrations and the flat seams are strong to last. Like the NICEWIN Men’s Cycling Shorts, the Baleaf Men’s Cycling Shorts have gripping leg openings to keep them in place. There are two large pockets on the sides to keep those necessary items secure and close by. The material does loosen up more than other compression style shorts and if we had a heavier item in a pocket we noticed it stretched more than is preferable.
Pros:
- Two side pockets
- Designed by someone who knows what to focus on
- Solid color design for classier appearance
Cons:
- Material stretches too much
- Padding could be thicker
Sportneer Men’s Shorts For Spinning
With a 12 panel design, the Sportneer Men’s Cycling Shorts do a great job of hugging your thighs snuggly to reduce the shorts from shifting. In order to maintain that ergonomic hug around the wearer’s legs, they don’t have pockets to secure your belongings. We also found the sizing to be a little smaller than expected and some of the stitching wasn’t as strong as the NICEWIN Men’s Cycling Shorts.
The high density foam keeps wearers comfortable throughout longer workouts and are multi-layer padded shorts for spinning class in order to stay breathable and wick the moisture away from your skin. The padding wasn’t as thick as some but held up well. They come in multiple sizes to fit waists 31 inches to 44 inches and are made from 82% Polyamide and 18% spandex. The material also offers a UPF 50+ to protect skin against sun damage.
Pros:
- Multiple layers of padding12-panel design
- Breathable material with sun protection
Cons:
- Padding could be thicker
- No pockets
Sponeed Men’s Spin Bike Shorts
We liked the design of the Sponeed Men’s Cycling Shorts panels and how well they wrapped around the lower thigh. The design is flashier than our other entries on this list with red details on the side panels, but they do come in gray and white for those who don’t want the brighter color. While the style options were nice, we did wish that more of the seams were reinforced so that we could be sure these will last with lots of stretching.
While the gel padding does flatten a little more than we preferred during those longer workouts, it has great airflow to prevent them from getting hot. Just like the Sportneer Men’s Cycling Shorts, these don’t have pockets, but the 80% polyester and 20% spandex was comfortable and breathable spinning shorts. The Sponeed Men’s Cycling Shorts do have the silicone band around the inside of the leg openings to keep them from rolling or riding up too much, but the band was thick and strange feeling for us. These have a decent size range of a 28-inch waist to a 42.5-inch waist.
Pros:
- A brighter color option
- Panel design fits snuggly around the thigh
- Great breathability
Cons:
- Uncertain stitching
- Silicone leg grips were uncomfortable
Santic Men’s Shorts For Spinning Exercise
While we were happy the Sponeed Men’s Cycling Shorts had a brighter color option, the Santic Men’s Cycling Shorts will certainly appeal to those who like to have variety. These padded spinning shorts for men in Canada come in the most color options out of all the spin bike shorts on our list, ranging from varying shades of red to blue to yellow, with options on which accents are colored. There are more subtle options like grey as well.
They also come in the widest range of sizes, made to fit a waist from 25 inches to 44 inches. While the 82% nylon and 18% spandex material seems strong and was comfortable enough, the sizing is a little odd. They didn’t seem to be high enough in the back. The padding breathed well, but if you’re the type who likes long workouts you may find it’s not dense enough.
Pros:
- Widest range of color options
- Widest range of size options
- Strong feeling material
Cons:
- Too low in the back
- Padding could be denser
Souke Sports Men’s Indoor Cycling Shorts
The Souke Sports Men’s Cycling Shorts has an impressive 14-panel design to offer the most skintight fit possible and the padding has 6 layers of high density foam to give the wearer the best moisture wicking and cushion possible. The wide waistband is thick and we found that it hugs the waist comfortably and will stay in place well on those with thicker middles. The thick stretchy band around the leg openings were very comfortable for keeping them in place, and while the 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex material was comfortable and thin to allow breathability, we did worry that they may be too thin to reliably last for long term use.
Souke Sports does offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, showing that they are confident in their product and the quality behind it. These will fit sizes from a waist of 26 inches to 38 inches, making them smaller than many of our options, but we did like how size-specific their chart was. It showed thigh measurements as well as the usual waist, inseam, and leg band.
Pros:
- Detailed sizing chart to get the perfect fit
- 14-panel design
- Satisfaction guarantee
Cons:
- Material may be too thin
- Sizes don’t go as large
Ceroti Indoor Cycling Shorts For Men
The Ceroti Men’s Cycling Shorts are designed to sit higher on the waist than our other entries, making these great for those who may be softer around the middle and want to avoid the bulge that some indoor cycling shorts with padding cause. While many are completely or even more comfortable with this style, it doesn’t appeal to everyone. These also come in the largest sizing on our list, fitting a waist from 29 inches to 51 inches.
The simpler panel design has a mesh material hug around the entire thigh which is great for breathability. However, this does mean that might not fit as closely to everyone’s shape the same way and may allow room for friction. We also found the seams to be thicker and therefore more likely to cause rubbing during longer workouts. Because these fit higher, it’s important to pay attention to the chest size measurements as well.
Pros:
- High waist design reduces bulge
- Sizes fit up to 51-inch waist
- Larger mesh sections for airflow
Cons:
- The high waist may not appeal to some wearers
- Won’t fit as contoured to the body as other options
NICEWIN Men’s Shorts For Spin Bike
This is the second NICEWIN entry on our list. These have the same moisture pulling and dispersal materials, the same silicone particle leg bands, and the same great 3 pocket design as our top choice. However, the cushion wasn’t as thick and these didn’t hug the whole thigh in the same way. Somewhere along the line, NICEWIN seems to have changed their panel design just slightly, and that shift in design made all the difference.
These are still great shorts that are made with reinforced stitching and breathable and comfortable materials, but they didn’t have that extra level of comfort that our top entry had. These come in sizes to fit waists from 30 inches to 43 inches and seem to fit true to size.
Pros:
- There are 3 pockets, one is zippered
- The padding is gel and foam
- Great moisture wicking
Cons:
- The only style is solid black
- The padding is thinner
Santic Indoor Cycling Men’s Shorts
While our main focus for this list is cycling shorts, a large benefit of the Santic Cycling Men’s Shorts is that they have pants options as well. If you like these and how they perform and fit, but need something for colder weather, you can get the longer option and still have the same feel and comfort.
The padding is a bit minimal, but comfortable and seems like a good density for longer workouts. One of the biggest drawbacks that we found was they seemed to be made for shorter wearers. The low waist wasn’t the most comfortable for those with a wider middle and the legs were a tad short. Another reason we think Santic has smaller riders in mind is the size chart shows that they fit a 26-inch waist to only a 36.3-inch waist. This is definitely a smaller size range than our other options. Not all of the seams are reinforced and the material feels thin, though this does allow for increased breathability.
Pros:
- Pants options as well for colder temperatures
- Good density padding
- Breathable material
Cons:
- Small size range, with the largest waist size being only 36.3 inches
- The waist sits too low
WOSAWE Men’s Shorts For Spin Bike
While all of our other options have the typical skintight design that most cycling shorts do, the WOSAWE Men’s Cycling Shorts are far more relaxed looking, fitting in more with casual shorts. This style will appeal to those who don’t have changing options or who may not like the slim and contouring appearance of most cycling shorts. They have an inside mesh design to offer airflow and comfort for cycling workouts, with gel padding to give support and cushion for performance.
The WOSAWE Men’s Cycling Shorts also has two pockets that are positioned like regular pants pockets. Unfortunately, this may allow belongings to shift in the way for some wearers while cycling. These shorts also have a simple elastic waistband with a drawstring to get the right fit. Because these are not the fitted style of shorts, the padding can shift so they’re best for those who don’t lift off their spin bike seat a lot. They’ll fit waists 32 inches to 48 inches.
Pros:
- Looser and more casual appearance
- These have two pockets
- Has a mesh layer to allow airflow
Cons:
- They do not fit snuggly and padding can shift
- Pocket placement isn’t designed with cycling motion in mind
Buying Guide
One thing to always consider when looking for cycling shorts is that while knowing the waist and hip measurements are important, it’s equally important to know the inseam length. It may seem like a lesser detail when looking at shorts, however, this can alter how the panel design contours to your legs. Also, if the shorts are too high on your thigh, you’ll find the leg openings digging in or sliding up more than you’ll want them to, causing decreased blood flow and performance.
The padding is what makes the difference between cycling shorts and just compression shorts. Just like any other type of cushion you use for function, the material the padding is made from can make a difference in your workout comfort. Gel padded shorts for spin bike exercise has great vibration reduction and high density foam usually doesn’t compress as much and breathes more. Some shorts offer a mixture of the two, while others put their focus on designing one of those materials to be as functional as possible. This falls to preference and which one fits your needs the most.
When buying shorts, especially compression style shorts, the key is to pay attention to the sizing charts. Clothing is made all over the world, and different localities will size things differently. You have to be willing to measure yourself and find the fit that you need. You may wear a medium normally, but some clothing made in countries where the average person is a smaller size will not think of medium that same way you do. You need to pay attention and never assume.
While our main focus for this list is on indoor cycling, there will be times when you need to keep belongings close to you while you workout. This may only be a membership card or your car key, or this could be some credit cards, cash, and a phone. If your shorts don’t have pockets, this could present a problem. Not all gyms have reliable lockers, and many have policies that your belongings are your responsibility. Keeping these important items on your person may be the safest and best option. If that’s the case, you’ll need to decide if you want pockets to make this easier or if you need to find an alternate solution.
Final Verdict
The NICEWIN Men’s Cycling Shorts came out on top for our picks of the best padded bike shorts for spinning for its comfort and fit, as well as the quality of the padding. We found them breathable and the panel design ergonomically snug. The appearance was stylish while still being understated, and they felt like they would last for a while with consistent and heavy use. While we found them to be the best, all of the shorts on our list have their benefits and many were close contenders for their placement on our list. For someone whose main focus is that tight fit that forms to their body easily, the Souke Sports Men’s Cycling Shorts may be the better option with its 14-panel design. Even though it’s the last on our list, the WOSAWE Men’s Cycling Shorts may be the best option for someone who often needs to wear their shorts outside of the gym and they want a more casual look.
For someone who needs to stay on a tight budget, the Sportneer Men’s Cycling Shorts could be what they’re looking for as they’re the least expensive on our list. If you want a variety of colors or plan on purchasing several, the Santic Men’s Cycling Shorts would be a great choice with its wide range of style options. Indoor cycling is a great workout and trains the entire body. In order to get the best out of your workout, you need to have the best indoor cycling shorts to fit your needs. Knowing the options out there and how they differ from each other gives beginners a better grasp of what to look for and gives more experienced cyclists a greater ability to make informed purchases.