anyone wear men's shorts??????

[surgtech1956]

I need to buy some cycling apparel - plus size. Does anyone wear men's shorts? Are they do-able? Maybe I'm cheap, but some of the prices seem really expensive or is it not a good thing to buy cheap shorts?????

[teigyr]

I've done it before. I think it depends on what type of distance you're doing and how long you'll be on the bike. When I first started riding, I bought mens shorts not knowing the difference. I also bought Performance shorts because I couldn't afford better. I did centuries and distance on both. While I could ride on either now, it is MUCH better with good womens specific shorts

What you could do is get less expensive shorts to use on short ride days then get better ones on longer days?

As someone who has always adapted to what I had, I noticed a HUGE difference when I got decent womens shorts. No contest.

[margo49]

As someone who has always adapted to what I had, I noticed a HUGE difference when I got decent womens shorts. No contest.

The poor should always buy quality!
You don't have to buy everything immediately.
Most important is shorts and gloves.
Tops you can make do with all sorts as long as it's sporty-material (wicking,etc). Shoes ditto as long as they have stiff soles.

[Offthegrid]

Surgtech, I have always ridden in men's shorts, but the chamois wasn't shaped specifically for a man because they were in the $40-$50 price range. Most of the women's XL wouldn't come anywhere close to fitting me.

A month or two ago, I bought a pair of Hincapie shorts from TE -- an XXL women's and they do fit OK. (I don't see them there now, but you could call to ask.)

Now that I've lost weight and can squeeze into size 14s, I think there may be some women's shorts that I could wear. I'm going to be looking into getting a high-quality pair of women's shorts soon.

[Resi]

Surgtech,

I agree, the cycling shorts are expencive, to have the latest and greatest well this is up to you... I have PI-, Hincapie, Shebeest, Giordana and Performancebike shorts... I use the Performancebike shorts also for long rides (over 100 miles ) and they are fine for me, just to mention cheap shorts ... generally it all comes down to find the right pair, it does not alsways have to be the most expensive brands, what makes it expensive is to find and try out the ones you like, and when you finally find them, ha... they change the chamois or whatever... so you have to experiment a little ... I have to mention, cycling close for woman has come a long way... I hope it gets even better.

Good luck!

Resi

[roguedog]

surgetech, not sure what your budget is but a few women on the board have purchased from ground effects and they really like the fit.

since they're a new zealand company it might take a while but looks like overall you might be getting a decent short for a decent price.

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/

[RoadRaven]

Exclusively

I get what is in sales, the cheapest I can - and that, sadly, is never women's shorts.

But I have no issue with men's shorts - if you have a hunt through this Apparel forum, you'll find a couple of long discussions on womens/mens shoprts, and on the differences between brands and gender-specific shorts

[spazzdog]

I used to wear men's med PI's... now that I'm smaller I wear women's PI Sugars in med... or maybe they're sm's, I don't remember.

At any rate, the men's worked out fine for me back then, but I have a "boy" build... no curves to speak of. The chamois wasn't an issue then. It may just depend on the shorts.

spazz

[surgtech1956]

Thanks everyone. My next issue is: lycra biking shorts for the 'big girl'. I don't know if I really want to wear lycra. What about the mtn shorts that are a little baggy?