Gravel trousers in premium selection

Gravel cycling shorts differ from road shorts mainly in the pad and robustness. On gravel, there are impacts from below that do not occur on tarmac, and rides usually last longer.

Pad and fabric

The pad absorbs impacts instead of only being optimised for a low riding position. For the material, the trend is towards slightly firmer fabrics that better withstand abrasion from the saddle and vegetation.

Two designs are common. Classic bib shorts fit tight and are hardly visible under the jersey. Bike shorts with inner shorts combine the same pad with looser outer shorts with pockets, which is more practical on long days with stops.

On multi-day tours, a second pair is worth it so that one can dry overnight.

Look for a pad with few seams. This also applies to bike shorts with inner shorts; every additional seam in the seat area is noticeable on rough surfaces.