looking for knickers suggestions

[Becky]

There's been quite a few "knickers appreciation" threads, and I've devoured them all. But I have more questions....

I have a pair of Terry Bella knickers that I really like. In particular, I like the chamois- not too thick, not too sculpted, stretchy, very comfy IMO. I am looking for a pair of knickers made of slightly heavier fabric, something thermal, for those cooler days when the Bellas aren't enough.

Any suggestions for something warmer with a nice thin chamois? I'm considering the Ground Effect Witches Britches (but have read mixed chamois reviews), the Boure Elite or Elite Thermo (expensive- they'd better be good!), or the Ibex El Fito (expensive, and mixed chamois reviews, but wool- yummy!). I was disappointed to find that Sugoi's new chamois rivals PI for diaper-ness, so no MidZero knickers for me.

What say you, wise knicker-lovin' ladies of TE? Anyone try any of these recently? Many thanks in advance!

[KathiCville]

Becky....

I just ordered Ibex's El Fitos from TE using the 20% off coupon earlier this week. (Early Christmas present to myself, LOL!) Assuming they fit ;)....and as soon as I have an excuse to wear them :) (dip in temp)....I'll report back once I've tried them out.

On the lighter-weight side, last summer I bought Shebeest's Shindigger, which hits just below the knee and doesn't have elastic at the bottoms. LOVE them! I ended up buying 3 pairs when I found them on sale. Very comfortable, chamois fits nicely, no weird tan line. Light enough for hot weather, but warm enough for cool days, too. I've been wearing them quite comfortably on recent rides when temps have dipped to low 50s, plus a serious wind chill. I like the Shindigger much better than standard cycling shorts, including Shebeest's Triple S shorts.

[VeloVT]

Consider the more expensive Shebeest knicker (don't recall the name -- but it's the one with the "shelastic" chamois, not the one with the "hourglass" chamois). The fabric isn't super heavy (not fleeced inside), but it's midweight dryline that is more thermal than the Bella fabric (I have Bella shorts). Also, the shelastic chamois is almost identical to the Terry flex air chamois.

I have a pair of older Sugoi knickers with a funny microsuede chamois that are fleeced lightly and very wind resistant. They are cut very nicely and are quite warm. In general I've been very impressed with everything I've ever gotten from Sugoi, so I'd take a look at whatever knicker they're offering this season too.

I saw a guy wearing Ibex knickers last weekend. It was funny, I was running on the bike path and he rode by in the opposite direction, yet in that short time I noticed both his pretty Seven and the fact that he was wearing Ibex knickers! Personally, I can't do wool, but I can say that the Ibex knickers are very attractive.

[Becky]

Thanks for the suggestions, ladies!

I snapped up a pair of Castelli Trilly Due knickers from TE with my 20% coupon. It sounded like their chamois is on the thinner side, and I really like the other Castelli stuff I have (no shorts though), so we'll see. They should be here today! If those don't work, the Ibex will be next on the list.....

As an aside, I love that TE has detailed chamois info for their products- no other site does this! I'd love to see actual measurements too....thickness, width, length.

[VeloVT]

Hi Becky,
do those have the Kiss chamois (I think they do...).

It is on the thin side but it's very, very comfortable (in my opinion at least). I have a couple of shorts with this chamois and I really like it.

[Biciclista]

another El Fito wearer. light chamois, warm.

[Becky]

Hi Becky,
do those have the Kiss chamois (I think they do...).

It is on the thin side but it's very, very comfortable (in my opinion at least). I have a couple of shorts with this chamois and I really like it.

Yep, they do. Never tried the Kiss chamois before, but I've read that it's thinner, so that makes it a good possibility for me.

[KathiCville]

Becky........I thought I'd report back about the Ibex El Fito knickers I received from TE Saturday afternoon, juuussst in time for the cold front that moved in overnight. Wore them this morning for a 15-mile jaunt in high 30s, plus gusty winds. LOVE them! Comfortable, perfectly warm, great fit. I really like the 3/4 length, too! And the chamois is so comfortable that I 'forgot' about it during the whole ride---These will definitely be my #1 choice for winter riding, except in really frigid temps. Then I'll opt for the full-length Ibex tights that I nabbed last winter for a great price at a ski shop. The only downside to that pair is no chamois. But I probably wouldn't opt for a long ride in super-low temps anyway, so the lack of padding won't be an issue.

[jobob]

Thanks for the review!

[malkin]

I still don't like the chamois in the El Fito knickers, but I haven't ripped it out yet, because wearing smartwool undies keeps the chamois surface away from my skin. Easy, and less dangerous than hacking away at it with my seam ripper.