I’ll let you in on a little secret: Until recently, I was a bike shorts virgin. I observed the trend from afar last spring and summer, skeptical whether they’d actually flatter my 5’0” frame and runner’s thighs. But a week ago, I bit the bullet and finally got myself a pair.
“What inspired the change of heart?” you ask. Two things. First, my quarantine bottoms of choice—sweats and leggings—were begging for a summer-friendly alternative. More importantly, Everlane was launching its first pair of bike shorts and considering the massive hype around its Perform Legging, I was tempted to give the newest arrival a try.
As you might guess, the Perform Bike Short is essentially an abbreviated version of Everlane’s original legging design. Available in black or copper, each pair is made from the same 58 percent recycled nylon material and delivers the same lightweight compression and sweat wicking abilities that fans of the leggings love.
They also have an extra-high waist that sucks you in but doesn’t leave you feeling constricted. And, much to my relief, these bike shorts don’t cut off my thighs at an awkward point or make my legs look like sausages. The eight inch inseam hits just below mid-thigh, about two inches above my knee and the minimal seams make for a flattering fit, without any bulges.
Just note that when you first get these shorts, you’ll probably want to throw them in the wash ASAP. When mine arrived they had a strong, plastic-y odor that didn’t exactly make me want to wear them. But after a quick trip through the washing machine the scent was (thankfully) gone without a trace.
Since getting my black pair, I’ve barely taken them off. Whether I’m sitting at my WFH setup sending out emails or in the backyard moving through a Zoom yoga flow, they’ve consistently kept me cool, comfortable and sweat stain-free. Oh, and they look pretty effortlessly chic on errand runs when paired with one of my tie dye sweatshirts, too.
But perhaps the best feature of these bike shorts? Their $38 price point. Most comparable styles I’ve seen retail for upwards of $55, so they’re a total steal. So, go ahead, buy a few pairs before they sell out.