Best kids cycle shorts – PE, play and all types of cycling
Whether your child is an avid cyclist or simply in need of some something comfortable to wear for PE, the best kids cycle shorts are going to be comfortable, stretchy, and not break the bank!
They come in two different kinds: padded and unpadded.
Padded shorts are specifically designed to provide comfort, support, and protection during long rides on the road or trail.
We've found that having a pair of "proper" cycling shorts also made our kids really excited about getting dressed up and ready to go out for a ride.
Unpadded shorts are perfect for PE: stretchy, comfortable and breathable.
While padded shorts will mostly come in black, unpadded shorts can be found in lots of different colours and patterns, so they can have a bit of fun with it.
Read on for our roundup of the best kids cycle shorts, for bike rides, play and PE.
Finding the best kids cycle shorts using this guide
This guide begins with some quick picks - where to buy the best kids cycle shorts right now in the UK, perfect if you're after a fast recommendation.
Then, we'll move onto our lists of the best kids cycling shorts with pads and best kids cycle shorts for PE, so you can explore the full range.
And finally, if you want some in-depth guidance, our complete buying advice section gives you all the detail you need to choose with confidence.

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Quick picks: where to buy the best kids cycle shorts
Rather than going through a long list of individual brands, we've collated our pick of the best places to buy your kids cycle shorts from, to save you a bit of time.
For padded cycling shorts:
- Little Pro - Best for young children aged 2 years and over – specialist retailer selling only kids cycling clothing
- Decathlon - Best for entry-level products for ages 8 plus. Their B’Twin range is excellent value
- Tredz - Particularly good for youth mountain biking shorts
For non-padded PE shorts:
All the major supermarkets are a good place to start, as they offer well-priced multipacks:
- Decathlon - Also do PE wear and we think it's the best quality at an affordable price.
- Sainsburys - Affordable multipacks in the TU clothing range, available in a wide choice of sizes.
- Asda - Good value George schoolwear basics, often sold in packs of two or more.
Best kids Lycra cycling shorts
Lycra cycling shorts are designed to provide lots of additional padding in the saddle area, helping to prevent soreness and chaffing.
They are designed to be comfortable and supportive with the ultra-stretchy lycra material allowing full freedom of movement whilst cycling.
Lyra cycling shorts tend to be tight fitting (although sometimes little legs can end up with them looking more baggy). If they fit tightly this provides upper leg support, which can help when riding long distances.
Adults tend to wear this style of short on road bikes, but we found our boys just wanted to get dressed up where ever we were riding and look like a "proper" cyclist (they'd been watching a lot of road cycling on the TV and this translated to riding around the park for them!)
They also used to put them under thermal leggings in the winter to provide additional comfort beneath the warm layer, saving us having to buy winter specific cycling bottoms.
B’Twin 100/500
Brand: B'twin
Price: £6.99/£17.99
Age: 7-14 years
Colours: Black/lime yellow
Btwin offer a budget and premium range of kids cycling shorts, the Btwin 100 and Btwin 500.
The Btwin 100 shorts are suitable for bike rides of approximately an hour making them good for occasional riding as they are really reasonably priced for an entry level short.
The Btwin 500 kids cycling shorts are designed for longer rides on road or mountain bikes. The shorts feature a flat seam and foam pads, providing more comfort on all terrains.
We recommend paying that bit more for the additional comfort if you're planning on doing quite a bit of cycling this summer.
Altura Airstream
Brand: Altura
Price: £19.99
Age: 5-6, 7-9, 10-12 years
Colours: Black
The Altura Youth Airstream fitted shorts are designed for younger riders looking for comfort and practicality.
The shorts feature a comfortable memory foam pad/insert and the stretch fabric uses Altura Dry technology to keep moisture away from the skin. This means your child should be dry and comfortable while riding in warmer conditions.
There's also reflective trim for improved visibility in low-light conditions.
Best kids mountain bike shorts
Mountain biking shorts are designed to provide protection as well as comfort in the saddle.
They are made of a tougher, more abrasion-resistant fabric than lycra shorts, and are typically longer in length to provide better coverage and protection against branches, rocks, and other hazards encountered on the trail.
Junior sized MTB shorts may have pockets for storing small items like snacks, and may also be worn with a detachable liner with a chamois for added comfort during longer rides.
Some mountain biking shorts have adjustable waistbands or ventilation features to help regulate body temperature and prevent overheating.
Because mountain biking shorts prioritise functionality and protection over aerodynamics and speed they tend to be more versatile and easier to wear off the bike.
My youngest would wear his favourite mountain bike shorts all the time regardless of whether we were actually riding our bikes!
MTB Works Trail Ready Padded Shorts
Brand: MTB Works
Price: £44.99
Age: 2-14 years
Colours: Black
The MTB Works Trail Ready Padded Shorts are a great all-rounder for young cyclists and are very durable.
The shorts are designed for not only downhill and exciting trail action, but also the easier days riding on the flat.
They're breathable, with mesh lining for comfort, zipped front pockets, and they also feature adjustable waist ties for comfortable wear.
Ti-Go Padded Shorts
Brand: Ti-Go
Price: £34.95
Age: 2-12 years
Colours: Black
The Ti-Go Padded kids MTB shorts were created for children to have max comfort while cycling.
The shorts feature a 'GO-SHOCK' chamois pad which is great for handling the bumps of the trails, and they're fitted with an inner short with silicone leg grippers for ease of motion whilst cycling.
Aimed at kids aged 2-12 years, the Ti-Go padded shorts bring adult quality to kids MTB shorts.
Rockrider 500
Brand: Rockrider
Price: £17.99
Age: 8, 10, 12, 14 years
Colours: Black/Red
The Rockrider 500 kids cycling shorts stretch to fit, and feature extra padding making riding extra comfortable whilst on the uneven mountain biking trails.
The mesh fabric helps keep moisture away from the skin, keeping your child dry.
An overall great choice if you're looking for both style and comfort as a young rider.
Best kids padded under shorts
Padded under shorts are a great way of making any pair of your child's regular shorts, skirts or trousers much more comfortable for cycling.
They're also used in combination with mountain biking over shorts that don't have padding in them.
Under shorts also allow you to swap out the padded bit of the kit for hygiene reasons - very useful and cost effective if you're going on an extended trip and want to limit the amount you're washing/carrying.
Endura Padded Boxer Shorts
Brand: Endura
Price: £14.99
Age: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 years
Colours: Black
The Endura Padded kids boxer shorts provide a comfortable underlayer featuring strategically positioned ribs which provide additional stretch and comfort while riding.
The boxer shorts have a fast-wicking antibacterial finish keeping your child dry all day long.
Best kids cycling bib shorts
Bib shorts are the preferred short of choice for pro-racers. They're Lycra shorts with shoulder straps which means they don't have a waist band.
This allows a tighter fit and there's no issues with bunching of fabric or skin showing when you're bent low over the handlebars.
The main issue for children who want to wear cycling bib shorts is how to cope with going to the toilet.
It's slightly easier for boys if they can master the "pull-down-up-and-over" technique for having a quick wee - we recommend trying this many times at home before risking it during a ride.
But even they will have to work out how to undress for anything more substantial. This can get chilly quickly on a cool day, and can be rather exposing if your child needs to take a quick stop behind a hedge.
Shred XS Cyclocross Shorts
Brand: Shred XS
Price: £24.99
Age: 4-14 years
Colours: Black/Red
The Shred XC kids bib shorts are designed to fit kids of a slimmer build, and are made from a compressed lycra material providing comfort and flexibility.
They are breathable and quick drying, with a POWERBAND compression feature that stops the shorts from riding up whilst cycling.
The XC kids shorts also feature seamless chamois foam padding and breathable mesh. The shorts can be worn on their own or as an underlayer under downhill and Enduro shorts.
B'twin Bib Shorts 900
Brand: B'twin
Price: £34.99
Age: 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 years
Colours: Black
B'twin 900 Bib Shorts have the same quality as adult shorts, but in kids sizing!
These cycling shorts have been designed for longer bike rides, with a pad for extra comfort, and breathable fabric.
The stretchy chest straps guarantee a great fit for your child.
BORA hansgrohe bib shorts
Brand: BORA Hansgrohe
Price: £35.00
Age: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 years
Colours: Black/Green
The BORA Hansgrohe kids bib shorts are the same design as the BORA Hansgrohe official team race kit but designed and sized specifically for kids aged 4 to 13 years old.
A great option to inspire future racers!
Best kids non-padded cycle shorts for PE
Non-padded cycle shorts are a versatile option that work just as well for school PE lessons as they do for everyday bike rides. Unlike padded shorts, they don’t have a built-in p, which makes them more practical for running around the sports hall, playing football, or doing other activities alongside cycling.
Made from lightweight, stretchy fabric, non-padded shorts give your child freedom of movement and help wick away sweat to keep them cool and comfortable. They’re usually close-fitting, which means they won’t flap around or get in the way, and many styles are also designed to dry quickly — handy when your child has to change straight after a PE lesson.
Another benefit is their flexibility: these shorts can double up for running, general sports practice, or even as a base layer under looser clothing. Some also feature reflective details, which adds an extra safety element if your child is cycling home from school on darker evenings.
If your child isn’t riding long distances and doesn’t need the extra cushioning of a padded short, non-padded cycle shorts are a simple, cost-effective choice that keep them comfortable, active and ready for whatever PE throws at them.
Decathlon PE shorts
Price: from £3.00
Age: 3-16 years
Colours: Multiple options
Decathlon is our biggest recommendation, as they're not only a retailer of kids PE clothes, but they're sports specialists.
So you know their huge range of classic school PE shorts (from the fitted elasticated type to more loose football-style shorts) will be lightweight, breathable, and designed for comfort and ease of movement in a variety of sports.
Most options are quick drying, practical for everyday wear, and available in simple colours to meet school uniform requirements.
Sainsburys PE shorts
Brand: TU
Price: £3.00
Age: 3-16 years
Colours: Black
Sainsbury’s TU clothing range offers well-priced PE shorts in single packs or multipacks, typically covering ages 4–14 years.
They are made from soft, stretchy polyester for comfort, with styles including both elasticated waists and drawstring options.
Designed for versatility, these shorts are equally suited to PE lessons, after-school clubs, and general active play.
Asda PE shorts
Price: NOW £4.00 (Was £8.00)
Age: 3-14 years
Colours: Multi
Asda’s George schoolwear range provides budget-friendly PE shorts in twin and multipack options, usually spanning sizes 4–14 years.
The shorts are made from durable, easy-care fabric that is machine washable and quick to dry.
With elasticated waistbands for a secure fit, they’re designed to withstand the demands of school sports while keeping kids comfortable and active.
Does your child need cycle shorts?
Having the right kit can make all the difference to how much your child enjoys cycling. Cycle shorts are designed to improve comfort and performance, but there are different types depending on how your child will be riding.
Non-Padded - Kids PE Shorts
For everyday cycling and school PE lessons, non-padded cycling shorts are a practical option. They’re lightweight, flexible and designed to wick away sweat, making them ideal for energetic activity both on and off the bike. Many styles are multipurpose, so your child can wear them for cycling, running, or general sports, and some feature reflective trim for extra visibility if they’re riding in low light.
Padded - Kids Cycling Shorts
If your child is starting to ride longer distances, padded cycling shorts are worth considering. The built-in chamois helps protect against soreness, chafing and bruising that can come from spending more time in the saddle. They’re particularly useful if your child has ever complained about a sore bum after a ride. Mountain bike shorts often come with a padded liner too, plus extra leg protection for trail riding.
Whichever type you choose, having a pair of cycle shorts can boost comfort, prevent niggles that might put them off riding, and even give them the confidence to push themselves harder – especially if they’re wearing gear that looks like what their cycling heroes use.
Comments
Just a reminder decathlon sizing is tiny! My youngest was wearing age 8 when he was 4. Even my very small for age eldest has to size up in decathlon.
Thanks for the reminder Jo!