I never expected to see a Recumbent Try-On Haul. But if somebody can talk about pants for almost half an hour and still keep things interesting, it’s Matt Galat.
The well-known recumbent YouTuber and long-distance traveler has spent enough time sitting in recumbent trikes in enough different places and conditions to know that choosing the right riding shorts or pants isn’t quite as simple as it sounds. In his video, Matt takes us through his surprisingly long journey toward finding what he considers some of the best options currently available to recumbent trike riders in the United States.
And yes, there is quite a lot to talk about. What matters is how the shorts behave when you are sitting in a recumbent position for hours. Comfort, stretch, waist design, fabric, length and the tendency of the garment to slide down can all make a difference. Then there is another important consideration for touring riders: sooner or later you have to get out of the trike.
That means your perfect riding shorts should ideally also work when you walk into a restaurant, visit a museum, go sightseeing or spend the evening exploring a town.
Matt goes through his experiences and preferences in the video, so if you are looking for the best shorts or pants for riding a recumbent trike, it is well worth watching the whole thing. Just don’t stop when the video ends. Go to the Youtube directly because in the discussion underneath it is also interesting, with other recumbent riders sharing what works for them.
One recurring suggestion from women is yoga pants. They offer the stretch and close fit that can work very well on a recumbent while avoiding the integrated padding found in conventional cycling shorts.
Since Matt also mentions the blue shorts he thinks look cool on me, I should probably add my own two cents to the discussion.
Those blue shorts are actually Simond Vertika 3/4 stretchy climbing pants from Decathlon. They were designed for climbing rather than cycling, but that is precisely the point. The stretchy construction, freedom of movement and some pockets make them surprisingly suitable for riding a recumbent. Unfortunately for American riders, this particular model is not readily available in the U.S.
Another option I use is the REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants. They are relatively short on me, but that actually turns out to be an advantage on the trike. Because there is less material to move around, they do not seem to slide down as much while I am riding.
My final pick is a style borrowed from running: 2-in-1 running shorts combining conventional loose-fitting outer shorts with a close-fitting compression liner underneath.
The compression liner works well while riding a recumbent. Wearing compression shorts alone, however, might feel a little out of place when you get off the trike and walk into a restaurant or when you do some sightseeing. The loose outer layer solves that problem. The Janji 2-in-1 Multi Shorts 7″ are an example of the general style I mean, although the pair I personally use is a bit longer and from another brand. The major drawback is usually the lack of useful pockets. So I use them as lightweight backup pants.
That’s it from my side. Enjoy Matt’s video! And if you want to chat with Matt in person, he’ll be at Recumbent Cycle-Con this weekend, September 19–20, 2026, in Xenia, Ohio.
