First ride with padded shorts

[Pan Dulce]

Today was my first ride ever wearing padded shorts - wow!! I bought Shebeest S-Pro's and my butt felt like I was riding on a cloud! Well, pretty close anyway. I can't believe I ever rode without.

I'm not sure if the legs are tight enough.. I mean, there's no wrinkles or anything like that, but I don't know if there's enough compression. I'd think, get a size down, but the waist is perfect/if not a little tight. I think if I got a size down, there'd be an unpleasant sausage effect around my middle.

Yay for padded shorts!! My butt loves you!

[Vanderkitten]

There is a new craze in cycling and athletics revolving around the notion of compression in garments. There are actually companies who make "compression" garments and pros who "swear by them". But, the fact of the matter is, any garment that is form fitting like a bike short is going to offer you ample "compression" for your muscles. Buying a smaller short will REDUCE blood flow, which will lead to less oxygen available for your hard-working muscles to perform optimally.

A smaller short can also hinder your performance by restricting movement or range of motion in your legs, particularly when pedaling through the top of your stroke. If you have to overcome resistance from the bike, and from your garments, you are in a lose-lose situation.

The most important thing a bike short can do is keep the chamois in the correct spot relative to your anatomy. :p

[colby]

+1 what Vanderkitten says - the most important thing in your shorts is that the chamois feels right, and you'd probably know if it didn't. Riding on a cloud sounds good to me!! :)

[Medianox]

I just got my first pair of padded shorts and, like you, I can't believe what a difference it makes!
I snagged a new, unworn pair (tags still on) of REI shorts from ebay for about 15.00 last week and wow! I love them.:)
Happy riding!

[leathela]

I agree--you should wear whatever is most comfortable on you. Don't worry too much about the 'compression' aspect. I find that compression gear has never truly optimized my performance.

I recently ordered the Hincapie Metric Short and tested it out last week. I really like it! I wore it on a 50-mile ride (with one long stretch with cobblestones) and was very comfortable.

http://www.hincapie.com/products/womenswear/shorts/?product=RSH-MEWS09&type=1

[Andrea]

If you think THOSE are awesome, wait until you try bib shorts!!

[Mad Kate]

I wear a pair of Pearl Izumi Quest bike shorts. Although it is pricey, the Chamois provides padding in the key sensitive area, so is worth it.

[graceomalley]

Today was my first ride ever wearing padded shorts - wow!! I bought Shebeest S-Pro's and my butt felt like I was riding on a cloud! Well, pretty close anyway. I can't believe I ever rode without.

I'm not sure if the legs are tight enough.. I mean, there's no wrinkles or anything like that, but I don't know if there's enough compression. I'd think, get a size down, but the waist is perfect/if not a little tight. I think if I got a size down, there'd be an unpleasant sausage effect around my middle.

Yay for padded shorts!! My butt loves you!

+1 for the Shebeest S-Pros. Great fit -- for me, the best fitting shorts I tried. Sheebest, I thank you; also my butt thanks you, my ability to ride longer and harder thanks you...