Comparing 3 TE distance shorts/fit

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have been going through my own biking shorts mini-saga. Up to now, I have worn capris with chamois in the warm weather. But I wanted to get some long distance shorts with really good longdistance designed chamois to wear for longer rides this year (60+miles multiday rides). First time I've ever bought actual biking SHORTS.

I wanted to try 3 different brands from TE. I got the LouisGarneau Airstream, the SheBeest Ultra D, and the ExteOndo Sann short. (Someone had recommended the EO chamois for distance riding last year)
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=18035
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=26104
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=25749
Because I take size medium in both Shebeest and LG capri/knickers, I ordered the 3 shorts in medium. However, wanting to be safe and knowing I'd be returning some anyway, I also ordered all three in Large as well. Good thing.

They arrived, and I started trying on the Larges. RATS. All three fit ok in waist and butt and thighs, maybe a tad snug....except the legbands. All three had tight legbands that not only looked awful on me, but felt too tight as well, like tournequets. I looked like a tied up sausage. Gross! Ok look, NOBODY would consider me overwieght. But I no longer have willow-slender thighs like a 20 year old girl. I have a bit of padding, and a bit of "normal" cellulite. Oh, the IRONY!!!- I'm thinking most 20 year olds probably couldn't afford to buy such expensive shorts anyway!!

So here I was, wearing size medium knickers in these same brands, and having to order size XL shorts! What's up with that? Anyway, there was no other way....I ordered the 3 shorts all over again but in XL. I've never had to order XL of anything in my life, and I haven't gained any weight. sigh...They came this morning.

I liked all three shorts well enough. They all fit me just fine, the sausage effect was markedly less- and I could live with the minor indents that there were.

The LG Airstream had a high-tec impressive looking chamois. The legs were long enough, which I like. But the multiple ridges and holes in the gel-like chamois presented some odd looking subtle ridges when seen from the back if you hit just the wrong lighting angle (Hey what are those weird little lumps on that lady's butt??). Of course, anyone looking THAT close gets what they deserve, and you couldn't notice it except under close scrutiny...but my vanity triumphed this time. They also had the snuggest of the 3 legbands. So, into the "nope" pile.

The ExteOndo Sann were nice shorts (I got the black with blue panels). They were the softest and stretchiest and comfiest material overall, like bathing suit material- very easy to slide into, and VERY comfortable. But the chamois didn't seem quite as major built as the the other two, and that was my goal here. I also worried about possibly snagging the material too easily. The length was a bit shorter too when I was wearing them, which didn't excite me. Into the "nope" pile.

The Shebeest Ultra D won out. They were the least tight in the legband, only indenting my inner thigh just a little, yet they felt very strong and supportive everywhere else. The material was good, the lines and seams were graceful, and the chamois seemed really super quality... no chamois bumps or ridges on the outside, and likely to be great for long distance. The legs were a bit longer too, which was comfortable (and perhaps contributed to why the legbands were less tight).

Sorry I can't review all three from actually riding in them (unless they give me free samples, hint hint!)- but I will update the Ultra D shorts review later when I do some long rides in them. Gotta wait for warm weather now.

I think if you are young and/or have firm slim thighs, you probably don't need to worry about the legband issue as much as I had to deal with it. I'm not sure why they make the legbands so snug and grippy and heavy duty- sheesh, I'd rather have the legs ride up a half inch once in a while, than have tied sausage legs! My pear shape is sometimes a disadvantage when buying clothes.

[mimitabby]

make sure Susan Otcenas gets to read this(maybe PM her?)

[Bikingmomof3]

Great review Lisa! Thanks.

[Veronica]

Lisa I wonder if part of the leg band discomfort is from just never having worn bike shorts before. I'm pretty certain my legs are bigger around than yours and I have a medium pair of the LGs.

V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa I wonder if part of the leg band discomfort is from just never having worn bike shorts before. I'm pretty certain my legs are bigger around than yours and I have a medium pair of the LGs.

V.

Hmmm...I'd be interested in comparing thighs! We are the same height, right? 5'5"? I weigh 138.
Here are my thigh circumfrences, standing position, with a cloth tape measure:
Right below crotch: 26"
Three inches below crotch: 24"
Halfway between knee and crotch: 21"
Right above the top of the kneecap: 17 1/2"

The other possibility is that I do still have a layer of fat under my skin on my thighs, which is easily dented in by the elastic, whereas I am SURE you have much bigger thigh muscles than I and less fat, based on your biking mileage. You probably DO have bigger, but more solid, muscley thighs. Muscles are firmer and don't get dented in as easily as fat, so your legbands probably wouldn't sink in as much as mine. Hopefully I'll lose another little layer of padding this season, and add to my leg muscles further, and hopefully that will chase the remaining sausage effect away for good!

[Veronica]

My measurements are just about the same as yours. I'm nearly 5'5" and weigh 158 right now. 150 - 152 is my preferred weight.

V.

[maillotpois]

Wow. This comes at an opportune time. I was just casually browsing TE's shorts selection this morning to see what was available.

Right now my favorite shorts are my Assos and my Sheebeest Elites. The Assos are shorter, and I generally only wear them when it's a bit warmer than it has been. I was eyeing those Ultra Ds, which seem to be similar to the Elites, but maybe more stitching. Hmm. I may give those a try.

Interesting on the sizing. I'm about 5'8" and 175 (should be 165 - 170 ) and I wear a L in everything but the Assos. In general, I think capris may be more slimming, as they smooth everything out. So if you're just trying cycling shorts for the first time that may have been the "issue" with why they didn't seem right. I have the same issue, consistently, with leg warmers.

[Grog]

Thanks for the reviews Lisa!

I'm also puzzled about the sizing. Remember that bike shorts should be as small as possible, the smallest you can twist yourself into. Otherwise they might move around and the chamois won't be playing its role as it should. I know it can feel weird. But if the only problem with the M and L was the leg-gripper/sausage effect, but the other parts felt fine... I'd be wary of sending you out with a pair of XL!!

[Bikingmomof3]

My first pair of bike shorts I purchased I ordered a size larger (M), worrying about the band size around my thighs. These were my first ever bike shorts and I did not know better. For whatever reason the next time I ordered I bought a size S (my usual size) and I could not believe the difference. I had no idea how much the chamois moved around in the larger shorts until I had the "snugger" fitting shorts. I still prefer capris, they look better on my short, stubby legs.

[alforfun]

Wow Lisa--I have a hard time understanding how someone 138 pounds needs an XL. Maybe there are some shorts out there with less tight legs?? I am 5'8", the same size as Sara, and also wear a size L in everything. I have tried on XL, and of course they fit too, but the chamois does move too much. Maybe Team Estrogen can help you with suggestions on shorts...they helped me with the "help the hips fit but the waist is toooo big" thing. Too bad they don't make shorts that smooooth out the big butt, big hips, big thigh thing....which is me! I would pay big money for those!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks for the reviews Lisa!

I'm also puzzled about the sizing. Remember that bike shorts should be as small as possible, the smallest you can twist yourself into. Otherwise they might move around and the chamois won't be playing its role as it should. I know it can feel weird. But if the only problem with the M and L was the leg-gripper/sausage effect, but the other parts felt fine... I'd be wary of sending you out with a pair of XL!!

No, there's no way I could have fit in to the mediums at all. I could fit into the large, but they were too snug to be comfortable and the legbands felt tight. I like my size medium chamois capris (SB & LG) and they are snug but not overly so, and the chamois stay put for me nicely. The 3 XL shorts all felt like they fit me better, and are still snug, but comfortably so. They are not going to be moving around, don't worry! The XL shorts fit me the same as my medium capris, strangely enough. I guess shorts tend to be less forgiving.

It's true, I am not used to having aggressive elastic around the middle of my thighs! Hopefully I'll get firmer thighs and less "insulation" by the end of this season. I know I lost over 20 lbs of fat and gained some decent leg muscles last year, my first year of biking.

I forgot to mention that my 2 orders arrived in record time from TE...as usual.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wow Lisa--I have a hard time understanding how someone 138 pounds needs an XL. Maybe there are some shorts out there with less tight legs?? I am 5'8", the same size as Sara, and also wear a size L in everything. I have tried on XL, and of course they fit too, but the chamois does move too much. Maybe Team Estrogen can help you with suggestions on shorts...they helped me with the "help the hips fit but the waist is toooo big" thing. Too bad they don't make shorts that smooooth out the big butt, big hips, big thigh thing....which is me! I would pay big money for those!

Well I am pear shaped, that might account for it- my shoulders, head, boobs(A cup), waist, etc are all pretty small...but then I have wide hips. Waist 31", hips 42". Even the Brooks B17S women's width saddle is a bit too narrow for me, though I ride it. Believe me, the XL shorts are just right, the L were too tight.
The XL SB Ultra D shorts feel good, and nice and snug and supportive all over, but not cutting into me. Nothing is going to shift around down there!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Too bad they don't make shorts that smooooth out the big butt, big hips, big thigh thing....which is me! I would pay big money for those!

I think they call them capris....

[alforfun]

Well, Lisa, this could be difficult....I bought two capris last fall, but only one pair of shorts (very cheap). I know I need another pair of shorts, but maybe shopping for these is gonna be tougher than I thought.....glad things worked out for you. I am definitely gonna order shorts in both L and XL to try out.... Thank God TE is lovely about returning stuff.....

[KnottedYet]

Lisa - you and I have almost the same waist/hip measurements. I ride a Brooks B67 and wear M in Ibex biking capris and L in Terry biking skorts. (Those two things are my favorite biking clothes.)

Mind you, I haven't worn a "M" in ANYTHING on my butt in decades, so I think Ibex runs large in their biking stuff.

I have a pair of Hind shorts with leg bands that actually gap and flop around while the waist and hips are comfy. Maybe look at some Hinds if you need to scout out other shorts?