Best Shorts for Apple Shape

Buttery-soft biker short with a high-rise waistband. 5-inch inseam, four-way stretch.

Watch out: Quality inconsistency between product lines. Membership model creates friction. Less premium finish and feel compared to higher price-point brands.

Castelli entry-level women cycling short. KISS Air2 chamois, elastic-free leg gripper, UPF 50.

Watch out: Sizing is notoriously difficult. No utility outside cycling. Not suitable for pear or plus shapes without significant sizing up.

Relaxed-fit training short with elasticated waist and side pockets. Lightweight woven fabric.

Watch out: Less forgiving than Sweaty Betty for pear shapes at the hip. Techfit range runs quite firm — size up if you prefer medium compression.

Lightweight woven running shorts with liner brief. 3-inch inseam, side splits.

Watch out: Waistband rolling for pear shapes who size up for hip room. Hip and thigh pull in woven ranges for anyone with hips above 40". Not recommended for apple shapes in the Adapt range.

Biker-style short with a wide waistband and 5-inch inseam. Available in Original and Curve Fit.

Watch out: Original Fit waistband rolls for pear shapes who size for their hips. Expensive relative to quality compared to Sweaty Betty. US-influenced sizing runs narrow for UK women.

Lightweight training short with inner brief. Four-way stretch recycled fabric, side pockets.

Watch out: Can feel loose and uncontoured on straight or athletic shapes. 7/8 length runs long for petite women — the biker short avoids this entirely.

Lightweight running short with built-in liner brief. Anti-odour HeatGear fabric, 3-inch inseam.

Watch out: Less fashion-forward aesthetic than UK-native brands. Rush range runs quite firm — size up if you prefer moderate compression over maximum.

Castelli's top women's cycling short. KISS3 chamois, Progetto X2 Air seat, Lycra Freedom fabric for unrestricted movement. Trusted by WorldTour athletes.

Watch out: Sizing is notoriously difficult. No utility outside cycling. Not suitable for pear or plus shapes without significant sizing up.

PNS's most refined cycling short. Custom Italian Sitip fabric, women-specific chamois, and a minimalist waistband that doesn't dig in. Exceptional fit for pear and hourglass shapes.

Watch out: Very narrow cut. Not suitable for pear or curvy shapes. Extremely expensive. Designed for performance cycling, not general activewear.

Assos's benchmark women's cycling shorts. The TRAIL chamois is engineered specifically for female anatomy. 6-panel construction, laser-cut leg grippers. Built for 4-6 hour rides.

Watch out: Very narrow cut across the board. Extremely expensive. Sizing is unforgiving. No value outside dedicated cycling.

Versatile trail and gravel cycling shorts. Looser cut with a built-in liner — wear over bibs or on their own. Durable DWR coating for light rain.

Watch out: Not appropriate for activities other than cycling. Sizing inconsistency between ranges. Premium price.

Rapha's entry-level road cycling shorts. 4-way stretch fabric, 8-panel construction, and a medium-density chamois designed for women. Ideal for rides up to 3 hours.

Watch out: Not appropriate for activities other than cycling. Sizing inconsistency between ranges. Premium price.