Chamois Proportions

[yellow]

I'm reposting this as it got lost in another thread. And I'm curious if anyone knows anything about it:


Which brings to mind a question that I've pondered for some time but never asked: Does anyone know if the chamois (chamoises??) are generally the same size in all short sizes or if they are "adjusted" for the sizes??

[yellow]

Bump.

OK, are you all ignoring this or does anyone know?

Susan, do you have any idea?

[Steph_in_TX]

I can't say for sure, but I did notice last night that my Shebeest's have the size stamped on the chamois. Logic would say that they wouldn't bother if they didn't put different sized chamois in the shorts, wouldn't you think?

[nuthatch]

So weird you asked this - I was thinking today about how the tights I had on were a bit to narrow across the sit-bones and wondering if there were different sizes or it was just "one size fits all." Unfortunately, I bet the larger chamois come in larger shorts/tights and I don't need the shorts to be larger. It would be nice to know the dimensions before you buy a pair of shorts.

[sydney_b]

I do know that i like my PI ultrasensors better than the newer microsensors. The latter seem to have tried to cut out any extraneaous padding and nearly missed my seatbones. Although, maybe it's a size change issue. I don't know, but when I find the perfect pair, I'm going to buy a million of them.

/s

[Susan Otcenas]

The short answer is that it depends on the brand.

Shebeest DOES size their chamois. One size in the XS & S, another in the M, L & XL (I'm 99% certain that's right, although the M might have the smaller size, not the larger...) But just about everyone else uses pretty much one size in all their shorts.

We find this is a particular problem for some XS & S size women. For women who really dislike longer chamois (because they come up too far in the front & back) I usually recommend Sugoi shorts. Sugoi's chamois are shorter front to back than just about all our brands AND they're nicely shaped. A lot of the women here in the office are big SUgoi fans, especially the RS Flex shorts and the Evolutions.

Terry is now using the same chamois as Shebeest in some of their T-shorts (Terry calls it the "Flex" chamois, SHhbeest the "Shelastic"), now that Shebeest's exclusivity on that chamois has expired. But I don't know if Terry is using both size of chamois, or just one. I could look into it if anyone is interested.

Susan

[SadieKate]

Susan,

Yellow's spring migration to California started this morning. I'll try to remember to ask her when she arrives in a couple days.

Thanks for following up on this.

Sarah

[DeniseGoldberg]

The short answer is that it depends on the brand.

...We find this is a particular problem for some XS & S size women. For women who really dislike longer chamois (because they come up too far in the front & back) I usually recommend Sugoi shorts.
Well, I'm unhappy that I need to use your advice for buying new shorts - but I am happy that the advice is here! I've been wearing PI Ultrasensor shorts for years (except for the year or two when they changed the design so that the front of the shorts dipped down so low I thought they were going to fall off). I just received a pair of the 2006 Ultrasensor shorts, and they are on their way back to you because the (change in the) chamois just doesn't work for me - way too big, and stiff (doesn't seem to bend, just sticks out)!

It sounds like the Sugoi's are worth a try for me - I hope, hope, hope that they fit!

--- Denise

[nuthatch]

I know this is heresy, but what are anyone's thoughts on wearing men's shorts? Does the width in the front just wad up on you? I'm trying to get the back part wider than most women's shorts and it looks like men's chamois are wider there.

[SadieKate]

I just received a pair of the 2006 Ultrasensor shorts, and they are on their way back to you because the (change in) chamois just doesn't work for me - way too big, and stiff (doesn't seem to bend, just sticks out)! --- DeniseSo, it wasn't just perception! I tried on a pair of tights with the chamois and thought the same thing! I've been a big Ultrasensor fan for years also, but that chamois was horrible.

[DeniseGoldberg]

So, it wasn't just perception! I tried on a pair of tights with the chamois and thought the same thing! I've been a big Ultrasensor fan for years also, but that chamois was horrible.

I hate to say it, but I'm (also) glad to hear that it wasn't just me. I just don't understand why vendors change designs that work well. Moving Comfort did that a number of years ago - I used to wear their sports bras exclusively, but after that design change I switched to Champion. Since I buy so much online, I really prefer to have a known brand & product that I can safely purchase. I hope that finding new shorts that work is not a long search...

--- Denise

[yellow]

Thanks, Susan. I knew you'd have some wisdom on the subject!

I "discovered" the Sugoi shorts last year and they are definitely my favorite right now (which is why I now want some Sugoi knickers). The chamois is a perfect fit. So it sounds like, based on the info you provided, that I should go ahead and stick with Sugoi for now for long rides. I've tried on the Shebeest stuff many a time but it just doesn't seem to fit me quite right. And the only Terry shorts I have are in the racer skort; I do like their Ultimate chamois, but only for shorter rides.

I have some older PI Ultrasensors that I like well enough and I have worn them in at least one C, I think. But I like the Sugoi better. They just fit me nicely.

[Brandi]

I know this is heresy, but what are anyone's thoughts on wearing men's shorts? Does the width in the front just wad up on you? I'm trying to get the back part wider than most women's shorts and it looks like men's chamois are wider there.
My dh handed down a brand new pair of mens Trek he got for pretty cheap, he said they just didn't feel that good to him. So I figured what the heck I would try them. They are one of my favorite pairs of shorts now. I have very muscular legs (don't want to say fat) My husband is 6 inches taller then but we both have the same thighs and almost the same inseam. I guess that's good for me i can wear some of he's stuff except the pants have to be taken up and there tends to be to much room in the hips. Well anyway, they worked for me. I also have a pair of performance men's fleece lined tights I really like. They are a bit to long but no big.
Oh the chamois is wider in the butt so it cover's my sit bones nicely!

[Dianyla]

I'm thrilled with the Sugoi Evolution Shorty shorts. I seem to have a fairly short straddle and most shorts come up too high in front and cut into my digestion. I'm not thrilled with the bib idea either, the only one I tried on that was boobage compatible was the Assos but the pricetag was obscene! :eek:

The Evo shorts are much lower in the front, when I'm standing they come up to about 2.5" below my navel/natural waist. So, they do feel slightly like they're falling down when I'm standing up straight, but on the bike they're perfect. And the matte fabric is nice. :)

[Sparky]

A couple years ago I tried sugoi evolution shorts. The thread they used to stitch in the chamois was coarse & uncomfortable. Have they changed that??