Backcountry Empire Bike Short - Women's for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

My favorite shorts for any style of riding. I wear a size 4 and the small fits great. The adjustable waist tabs let you dial in your fit and the shorts have the perfect amount of stretch. Durable, functional (with 2 side zip pockets), super comfy and they look great. I have both the 2019 and 2020 versions. Highly recommend. Thanks Backcountry.

I am 5'7, 135# and wear between size 4-6 pant sizes. I don't have a super athletic lower half, but I hated the idea of wearing something too tight while cycling - In form fitting athletic clothing I usually order medium because I don't like to feel the material hugging me all over. I first ordered a medium and wore it on about 10 rides before being convinced that the small would be OK. The medium bunched up just barely around my middle and felt bulkier than I wanted. I then ordered the small. The small fits best and still allows for a custom fit with the side adjustments. The shorts are made of snag-resistant, stretchy material that moves well while riding - I never have to adjust. I live in Western NC and even on the hot and humid days I don't feel like these are too warm. Side pocket fits my Goodr sunnies and my 6S iPhone, but I don't think they will fit a much bigger phone. The silicone grip on the waist band works well to keep it from moving around at all. Taking the medium to our local second-hand gear store! Great pair of shorts, totally recommend! Pictured is the size small in Olive.

I got these for my girlfriend and they are perfect. The fit is great, and the zippered thigh pocket is perfect for car keys and phone. The zipper closure makes sure that they are not lost on the trail. I would highly recommend these as great MTB shorts.

**I was given this product by Backcountry, but this review is my personal opinion.** I used the Backcountry Empire Bike Shorts on all my single track mountain bike excursions. I live in Park City so I have access to world class mountain bike trails in my very own backyard, which means I bike nearly every single day. I have worn these shorts in a variety of conditions including windy, sunny, rainy, hot, and cold weather. In the heat, these shorts were extremely breathable due to the lazer-cut ventilation holes. On windy and rainy days the DWR finish allowed for protection from the elements. I even wore the Backcountry Empire shorts while biking the OG Park City IMBA Epic loop, which was 36 miles long, gained 4,500 ft in elevation, and lasted 5.5 hours. These shorts were incredibly comfortable to be worn for such a long ride lasting nearly all day. They withstood 36 miles of biking through scattered rain and tree branches/bushes on the side of the trail. The DWR finish allowed for precipitation to be repelled and dry quickly after the storm and the durable fabric and construction withstood the abrasive nature of the trail. The shorts also held up perfectly after every single wash and after air drying. I am 5’10” and 150lbs and the Women’s Medium fit perfectly! I struggle to find shorts that fit my smaller waist and larger, athletic thighs, but these shorts were just right! They were slightly roomy in the waist, but that was easily adjusted with the hook and loop tabs. They come up high on the waist, providing a comfortable/flattering fit and a silicone gripper that keeps the shorts from falling down. I also loved the zippered cargo pockets, which I use for easy access to snacks and chapstick while riding. I have nothing negative to say about these shorts! Good job Backcountry!

Need more colors! I always have to size up for mtb shorts to a large because my quads/booty and these were no different. They were still a little snug in the butt but the waist was so nice compared to other brands. I still had to cinch a little bit but not much. The zip pockets are in a great place for my phone. I have already wrecked in them and they held up nicely. I usually am a size 8/10 in Prana/Marmot and a medium in The North Face. I could probably wear an XL in these if I didn't fear the waist would be too loose.

I love everything about these shorts except for the fit. I’m 5’7” 127lbs and I usually wear a 25-26 in pants or a size 2. I’m almost always a size small unless something runs particularly large and these shorts are comically large in the waist. The legs seem fine and I expect them to be a little baggy but I have to cinch the waist so much that there’s a lot of excess fabric bunched up. I would exchange for an XS if it were available. I’m hoping to take these into a seamstress that can take the waist in. Other than that, it’s a really great short! I love the fabric and the color. The zipper pockets on the side are my favorite feature!

These shorts seem very good to me, the fabric is elastic and fresh, but they run large, according to the size chart I would be size Small, but they were too big for me, even adjusting the waist with the straps they look large. If you are a small and slim person go with the XS.

Like several other reviewers, I've tried and returned countless pairs of shorts. The waist is always too big, and the thighs are usually too small. After 8 or so pairs, I was ready to throw my hands up and just don Lycra. Enter the Empire shorts. The fit on these is spot on for those of us with powerful thighs. The waist is tapered nicely, and the velcro adjust is designed to neatly tuck the extra fabric in - no more funky folds of fabric sticking out at the waist. The material is lightweight, stretchy, and water resistant, and as a bonus it does not show sweat. I love these shorts so much that I picked up a second pair, and they are the only baggies I ride in. These hit me just above the knee and work pretty well with longer knee pads. I've had a decent crash or two in these and they have held up great. My only complaint with these is they do stretch out by the end of a ride - the waist loosens up and they gap a bit. Not a huge deal since the back has the gripper material, but a bit inconvenient for those of us that put a few rides on a pair of baggies between washes.

I ordered a small (I normally wear a small in biking shorts) and these were HUGE. The material is very nice and are a good length so I returned them for an xs.

These are my all time favorite bike shorts! They are so comfortable and the length is PERFECT! I love the velcro on the hip so that I can adjust it to be the perfect fit. I can't say enough good things about these shorts!

I love these shorts. They are super easy to move in and never catch my seat. The adjustable waist is excellent. I bought a small which fit me perfectly, but also loose enough to fit padded shorts underneath. Roomy in the best ways without feeling like I'm wearing baggy shorts. Great vents to keep from overheating. The pockets are big and in good places, but I keep everything in my handlebar bag so I keep them empty on the trail. Zero complaints.

Since getting into mountain biking, I have searched for the perfect short that is comfortable, functional, and flattering. This is it! I found myself reaching for these every ride last summer, even if they were dirty. Fabric is stretchy and forgiving, but feels thick and sturdy. I have taken some spills and they hold up. Great pocket placement and length, they seem to look cute on slender and more athletic body types. If you are looking for high quality bike shorts that aren’t frumpy, give these a shot! Now we need more color options since I have both already...

I love these shorts! They have a rubber texture along the waistline that helps keep them where they should be. I also like that the velcro is on the outside. I hate when the velcro is on the inside because it is so uncomfortable. The vents are great! It is also great for a cell phone. I hate putting my phone in the front pocket while I ride because it just gets too tight. The side pocket/vents get it out of the way and is supper comfortable. The front clasp is also well designed. I don't like when the pants are being held together by a draw string, velcro, or a button because I feel like it is either going to fall off, or is digging into my stomach. Backcountry combined using velco and a button and it is very comfortable and secure. From an appearance standpoint, they are amazing! Most shorts get baggy on the butt and just don't look great all around. These fit very well while still being practical. I get complements all the time when I wear these on how cute they are. So... Well done!

The reviews on these are accurate. The good: fabric is awesome and stretchy. Not too heavy. The length is good for knee pads, even being a bit in the tall side. And pockets..always happy to have pockets that are functional The not great: I have narrow waist but “powerful thighs and booty”, so I had to tighten the waist adjusters but the thighs were too fitted for comfortable pedaling for any distance. If you are shooed differently than my description...these shorts are the real deal for you!

There's nothing worse than shorts that squeeze your thighs around the leg holes, gape at the waist, and twist around/generally look unflattering while you're riding or - more importantly - enjoying aprés. I have a smaller waist with wide hips and athletic thighs, so it's hard for me to find a good fit with bike shorts. Enter the Empire Short. They fit perfectly all around and the fabric is a perfect combination of stretch and sturdiness. I especially appreciate that they have a higher waist, which is both flattering and functional, and good pockets. The side zip pockets are good for vents on a hot ride or for slipping your phone into. Adjustable waist straps are low-profile, don't cause bunching, easy to adjust, and stay in place. I've been riding in these all season and they are my new favorite short - highly recommend!

I ordered about 9 pairs of shorts this summer in search of the perfect MTB shorts and I finally found them! They are so comfortable and flattering. I have struggled in the past to find the right length and fit for my legs. Not too baggy but aren’t tight and don’t ride up my legs. The length was great on me but I lent them to a friend who is 6” taller than me and they worked great on her too, she loved them and is ordering a pair. Plus you can’t beat the adorable tiny goat printed by the hem! I’ll be ordering another pair- please make more colors! Also, great customer service!

These shorts are amazing! I have two pairs now and are always the first ones I pull out when getting ready for a ride. They are light and breathable, but still feel durable that if you take a spill they wont get beat up. The venting/pockets on the side and lazer-cuts on the bottom of the short make sure you don't overheat when it gets toasty on the trail. Overall, my favorite spec of the shorts are the grip dots that line the waist band -- they make sure the shorts stay in place while you are flying down the trail. As for sizing, I will say for me these shorts ran slightly large...I am almost always a size XS (which I bought), but I found that the waist here a little big. Not a total deal breaker for me since you do have the ability to tighten the waist a with the adjustable velcro tabs -- once I made the adjustment I found they fit perfectly! I highly recommend these shorts!

Love the fit of these shorts. They are true to size, fit well and really comfortable for mountain biking. The length is perfect and the adjustable fit waist is really nice.

You guys finally got it right. I lost count of how many shorts I ordered last season and emailed my gearhead saying I hate to return but it’s like they forget we have powerful quads?? 5’7”, 165ish, and very happy with the size large cut. XL might be more comfortable with a liner for longer rides but 20ish mile days so far with the little liner they’re hunky dory and make fine normal every day shorts if you’re into that cut.