Advice needed on new bike shorts

[Realgone]

I just got some not so cheap padded shorts in the mail and I would like to be sure of the fit before I use then. They are a women's Garneau that was awarded something like the best women's short for around $100. I wanted something shorter so I can raise my tan line and the shorts I have had for four years now are wearing out. I have a Terry short short in a medium, but they're just too tight, especially at the thighs. I love the material of these new shorts and ordered a large. I wear a size six, but have found a couple of brands to run small and since the Terry medium was too small I went with a large on the new shorts. I tried them on and the thighs fit perfect, not too tight. The waist area is not tight at all, could be a little tighter, but doesn't really fit loosely. The padding feels a little wide in the crotch and that is what I am concerned about. Overall, the shorts fit well and I am thinking maybe the padding feels wide because they have not been broken in. Should I send these back? What do you guys think?

[lph]

I would want shorts that feel a bit compressive when new. IME padding gets looser, bunches up and folds with age. On the other hand, I have wide seat bones, so I'm always looking for shorts that do have wide padding in the back, but that's relative to the size of the shorts. I also don't usually have trouble with shorts fitting around the thigh, but I can see that that could be pretty bad.

[Savra]

I have a pair of large Terry Shorts and currently wear a 14. I can't imagine them fitting you if you wear a size 6. They would be way too large. They should be very snug since they are essentially tights. There should be no extra room anywhere.

[OakLeaf]

There's always some expensive trial and error, but one thing you can do is to sit on your bike with the shorts on (underwear underneath if you want to be able to return them). That will give you a better idea of how the chamois will fit the saddle and your body on a real ride.

My experience with the LG Neo Power shorts is that even though the chamois looks large and thick, on a ride it doesn't cause me trouble at all. I've got wide sitbones and a narrow front, so a chamois that's too bulky in front is a big problem for me. I know it's probably not the same chamois as you're asking about, though.

[Realgone]

Here is a link to the shorts.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...LAID=859291352

I love the way these fit and the material is awesome. I can't say yet how they will feel on a ride, but these shorts do get good reviews. I think I may plan a trip to Seattle, they have a performance bike shop there and I could try on the medium and if that feels better, I can exchange than. I just tried these on again this morning and they feel perfectly snug accept for the waist area and the chamois feels wide or maybe is just noticeable because it is still really stiff. I am a small person but I do have an athletic or voluptuous build, or large thighs and butt. I also plan on losing a few pounds I am a tight size six now and last fall in was a loose size six, son that is something to consider.

[jessmarimba]

Just a random tidbit (unrelated to the shorts fit) - if you want to have less distinct tan lines, you can always flip the grippers on your shorts over so they're an inch or so shorter. I have one pair that the grippers drive me nuts, so I started doing that and noticed that I no longer have a distinct "bike shorts line" as a result.