Cycling Shorts--Does gender really matter?

I was wondering if getting female specific shorts really matters or can I use men's padded shorts? The deal is, I really don't want to have to pay more for a much smaller selection of womens plus size padde shorts!! I'm like right on the line of the plus size. Some extra larges fit, but most don't. So normally I can just find some men's in a large or exlarge. Plus, I noticed that a lot of the shorts for plus size women are like $10.00 more a pair. Is there that much more fabric being used for my butt? And if so, why don't they charge differently for all sizes?

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Originally Posted by jessica47201

Plus, I noticed that a lot of the shorts for plus size women are like $10.00 more a pair. Is there that much more fabric being used for my butt? And if so, why don't they charge differently for all sizes?

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I wish I could answer your main question - the outcome of which I will actually find interesting...but I can speak to the pricing issue:

It usually has to do with manufacturing quantities. There is fixed set up time in each product. So, if you spend $1,000 in time to set up and produce 1,000 units, then the set up costs are $1/unit. BUT, if you spend that same set up time for a product that you only produce 100 units of, then your set up costs increase to $10/unit. It's not the fabric, it's the time.

I wear both men's and women's cycling shorts and have never noticed a difference. But definitely try them on, regardless of gender. The variations in styling from one brand to the next mean I've got a drawer of shorts ranging from medium to extra-large that all fit similarly.


(Wow, that's a clumsy sentence. I need some caffeine.)

Call TE. They are VERY helpful - if you give them your measurements, they can probably find a pair of shorts to fit you.

It's like anything else - mass produced clothing is made to fit a standard set of proportions. So just as there are women who fit better on non-WSD bikes, there'll be women who fit better in men's clothing. If tight men's jeans fit you better than women's, then it's likely that men's cycling shorts will fit you better than women's, too. If your hips are very rounded and/or much bigger than your waist, then men's clothing probably won't fit you well. If your femurs are shorter in proportion to the circumference of your hips, then men's shorts may be very long and/or baggy at the leg opening.

The one thing that cycling shorts have different from street clothes is the chamois. Men's sit bones tend to be narrower than women's, so the chamois in men's shorts is narrower in back. If you have wider sit bones, make sure the chamois is wide enough to pad them. As far as the shape of the chamois up front, that's really individual. Molded chamois tend to generally reflect the contours of male and female genitalia, but I have no idea whether that's just marketing or whether it really helps.

I started a thread with a very similar question a few months back, it may be of interest to you: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=28228

Thank you very much for the link to your thread. I just bought a pair of mens shorts and so far they are working fine for me. I'm actually pretty happy with this since I can probably find more options now. Thanks again!!!

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Originally Posted by jessica47201

I was wondering if getting female specific shorts really matters or can I use men's padded shorts?

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I guess it depends on how you like your shorts - it's very subjective, like saddles. I use both women's and men's depending on the model, and most often bibs. I'd say try several and then pick the ones you like best.

Until the past couple of years, most of my female customers rode in mens shorts. Recently, most companies have started offering multi dimensional chamois in both womens and mens... and those are gender specific. With that said, I had a womens indoor class this winter and offered short specials for them... the first round they all purchased womens shorts and the second round they all purchased mens shorts. The clear winner was the mens shorts! Most of the womens shorts are still hanging in the shop.Personally I have always worn mens shorts. The womens shorts that I have (which are several brands) fit me in the legs(I have big legs) and are TOO big in the waist, although the mens fit great! It seems rather odd to me, but it is reality at least for me. I wanted to give womens shorts another chance this season, so I bought more and offered more to my class... however like I've been doing for many years.. I'm back to the mens.

I have some of both- just a matter of finding whatever fits you and your tush well. Seems like the men have more options in chamois, but we have more option in styles- just a matter of finding a balance you can live with.