Need to find padded plus-size shorts for spinning class

Hello,

I just signed up for my first spinning class, and really need to get some plus-size padded shorts to help me make it through the class without the pain from using the hard bike seat.

The instructor suggested getting a padded bike seat that slips over the hard seat, which I did do. That helped a bit, but my butt still needs more protection from that hard spinning seat.

I just returned the two Terry T-Short Plus items (sizes 2X and 3X) that I had ordered before the class started. I had been wearing size 22 jeans from Liz Claiborne all winter long, but was just recently able to get back into some size 20 pants from two summers ago (I wore size 24 pants last summer). That's why I ordered the two sizes, not knowing which one would fit better.

But what made me return both of them was the padding which was way too stiff and I also think too thick. If it hadn't been for the stiff/thick padding, I would probably have kept the size 2X from Terry.

I'm now debating what other shorts to try instead. I've considered the following brands and sizes:

-- Junonia --> Performance QuikWik Padded Bike Short in size 1 or 2
-- Aero Tech Designs --> Top Shelf Pro Bike Short in size XX-Large
-- Aero Tech Designs --> Plus Pro Bike Short in size 2XL or 3XL
-- Aero Tech Designs --> Classis Bike Short in size 2XL or 3XL

Does anybody use any of the above styles? Or are there other brands/models/sizes I should consider trying?

What I'm using right now is my regular workout shorts with my regular workout leggings on top of them (that's what I use for my Pilates class and for many of the other cardio routines as well as the circuit weight machines).

-- Thanks,
Mary

I use the AeroTech Designs Top Shelf short. They are really well designed, long lasting shorts. I've put a BUNCH of miles on mine on both the bike and the trainer. They've held up better than some much more expensive shorts.

The padding is thick in places, but has other areas that are thinner. To me they don't feel diaper-like. Either way, I haven't noticed any stiffness in the shorts.

I would definitely recommend them.

The only problem I've run into with AeroTech (and this may have changed since I ordered my shorts) is that their customer service is very slow. But they do eventually come through.

Mary,
Have you tried Terry's "Spinnaker" capris? I have them. They are made for spinning and have thin soft chamois pads. They also come in sizes up to XXL:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail.html?item_no=1822

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

Mary,
Have you tried Terry's "Spinnaker" capris? I have them. They are made for spinning and have thin soft chamois pads. They also come in sizes up to XXL:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail.html?item_no=1822

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Lisa,

Thanks for your suggestion; unfortunately those only come up to a size 18, which at this point would be way too small for me. Maybe someday, but not now :(

one other piece of advice -- I'm not sure which Terry chamois the T-Short plus has, but I recently bought a pair of Terry Bella shorts and I was a bit surprised at the bulk of the chamois when I tried the shorts on. However, I liked the fit enough to keep, and after the first wash the chamois is great. I've had this happen with PI chamois (never sure what the plural is? chamoii? :) ) too, stiff at first but soften up nicely after a few washes.

I like the shorts from Junonia and wear them all the time. I prefer them to the Terry myself, because the padding seems to conform better to the shape of my body. But you might not like it since the padding is actually thicker and stiffer than the terry. The sizes run a bit to the generous side. I wear a 1 but the chart says I should wear larger. In any case it is more important to pay attention to the hip measurement than the waist (since the waist is stretchyenough to forgive the difference and you really want the padded part to be pretty snug down there.

Hi Mary,

I just bought a pair of Mt. Borah baggy shorts that you might like - they have a liner with full chamois and then a baggy outer layer. TE carries them up to 3X and they run large - I wear a 16W in Liz Claiborne pants and was able to wear the XL in these shorts. They don't make a 1X so the jump between XL and 2X is pretty big.

LL Bean has some padded baggy bike shorts. I bought them when I first started riding but the legs are short and bother me when I'm riding.

My favorite bike shorts are tight road shorts and they're Boure.

The Boure people are really nice to work with. If you decide to try those, you might try a 1X.