How do your shorts fit?

[Zen]

i began this intending to ask if anyone actually wears their shorts like this:

I'm still curious.
Having my shorts waist that low would drive me nutz.
pay no attention to the size chart, I couldn't crop it out



But while looking for shorts, I came upon this article about shorts -
http://www.bicycleapparel.com/short.html

From the article:

"The purpose of a bike pad is to wick moisture and to prevent chafing. It is not designed to be a "cushion"..."Since Every "body" is different, and since the type of riding that you do affects your seating position on the bike, it is very important for each individual to consider pad construction... thickness, wicking properties, and breathability when selecting the bike short that is best for them. If you think that you need some additional "padding", you may want to consider putting the padding on your seat, rather than in your short. There are seat covers that are designed specifically to add "extra padding" to the seat. But remember... more "padding" does not always mean more comfort."

Discuss (And don't forget to answer the original Question)

[Wahine]

I do. I find it more comfortable, especially when I'm aero because the band doesn't end up in my belly roll. The trick is to make sure that they're still cut high enough in the back, don't want any bum cleavage showing.

[IFjane]

Ok, the old f*rt weighing in on this. I have one pair of shorts like you have pictured. I bought them online and wished from the first day that I hadn't. They are now my "trainer shorts". I wore them today and they bugged the heck outa me. I hate that my belly feels like it's gonna creep out of the top!

I have several other pairs of shorts - PI, Terry, Castelli, Nike. They are all good though if I had to order them I would put the Nike last, then probably the Terry, then the PI. Not sure where to put the Castelli - they happen to be my only pair of knickers so I use them a lot but I am not crazy about the padding.

Regarding extra padding in the saddle - NO!!! I just bought a new, less-padded saddle because of problems with too much padding. Love it! Of course, I haven't tested it on a century yet so stay tuned...

[OakLeaf]

I'm so short-waisted, shorts that look like that on the model would probably come up to my bra line.

I prefer less/no padding, like a Polarfleece type chamois. But given the choice if I had to have padding, then put in the shorts, absolutely and NOT on the saddle!

[Zen]

Sign me up for the old f@rt club. If I wore my shorts like that it would not be pretty...

[KnottedYet]

I ride a saddle with no padding, and shorts with no chamois (or a very thin one).

My belly needs to be held in the loving arms of my shorts, so I like a higher waistband. (and my darn buns are so.... substantial that I really need something that comes up quite high in the back to keep them fully contained.)

[crazycanuck]

Zen, I have some Ground Effect shorts that i'm pondering selling. If you are interested, i'm happy to send them off for you to try.

Perhaps they'll suit your search?

Throw me a PM or a thought..

[Starfish]

I don't own any shorts cut that low, but I have been thinking about ordering some. Sometimes I get really sick of the band being so high, and I will just roll it down, or shove it down, so it isn't up in my belly.

As for padding, I agree that I don't like the chamois to act as padding...more just sweat absorbtion. I have a somewhat hard saddle, though not completely rock hard.

I had some awful gel shorts once that were horrible.

[Eden]

For those who don't like a waist band chafing or rubbing, but are a bit hesitant to get shorts that low - try bibs. They are basically held up by suspenders so no waist elastic to rub or roll, but high enough that you aren't exposing back or belly. The con is that if you need a "nature break" you have to take your shirt off too.

I don't have a lot of choice in my shorts style as I wear team shorts. I would prefer some that are cut a bit higher in the front. This years, though they are low cut in the front, are nice and generous in the back thankfully (last years were low rise all around can you say sunburn on your back - who needs a tramp stamp when you can have a lovely sunburned crescent.... like I was going to remember to put lotion there every time.) If I had my choice I'd wear my shorts a little higher. I'm long from crotch to belly button so low rise tend to be uncomfortably low for me...

[Crankin]

My shorts are not quite that low, but they are right below my belly button, or maybe about 1/4 the way up. I like the lower shorts, with a very flat front, just like my pants. I like shorts to have LOTS of lycra and be on the longish side. The length is not an issue, since I am short and regular length fits me longer.
As for the chamois, I like the contour ones. They are thick in some places, not others. What I don't like are wide chamois. Feels like a diaper and chafes.
All my shorts are Terry Bellas and I have one pair of Sheebeest that are a bit shorter, but have a similar chamois.
I would never ride on a gel/padded seat or wear shorts more padded than the ones I have.

[SouthernBelle]

I'm on the long-waisted side. Therefore I don't usually find shorts cut too low. But I do find them cut too high and I feel like they are pushing up under my ribs and squishing my innards.

[Mr. SR500]

One Word - Assos!

Just converted Mrs. over via a Chirstmas present. She is also very picky, but liked the non-elastic waist band in the front.

[Starfish]

Terry also has a short without the elastic in front, and I would MUCH rather support Georgina Terry and the kind of women's cycling images, support and advertising she does than Assos.

http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail.html?item_no=1835

ETA: Also made in the US.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't like high front waists on my biking shorts and tights- they seem to cut right into my stomach while I ride. If they are below my belly button they don't do that and feel fine.

[ehirsch83]

I 2nd Eden with the bibs.
My favorite are made by LG b/c they have little snaps in the front and velco in the back, so you can undo the suspenders and not have to take off your jersey if you need to go

http://www.louisgarneau.com/catalogs...=ENG&website=2