the best shorts

[Mags...]

Here in Australia we're heading into winter and I recently bought the Shebeest Tech Tight with chamois. I've never seen the Shebeest brand here in Australia, nor seen it advertised in Australian magazines etc. I don't know why because they are fantastic, so comfortable. I'm going to buy the Shebeest SSS short for summer because it has the same very comfortable chamois.

[RoadRaven]

Well... having discussed this thread with the males in my house... we are all curious as to how women's specific shorts will vary THAT much in the cut and shape of them - and on research here, the women I have asked either wear mens shorts or dont know if they have womens specific shorts at all...

So, I have asked for a womens' specific pair of shorts to go in the shopping cart next time a sale comes on, 'cause I am really curious as to how women specific can be such a huge difference in comfort... particularly when I have read the many threads about uncomfortable shorts posted here at TE, and all the ones I have had (which are 'mens' ) have been fine...

[crazycanuck]

I borrowed an old pair of ian's ground effect shorts last week and loved them...mine are nice too but they were comfy. I thought it was quite funny to have discovered them after years of having them...and really i couldn't tell the diff.

I'm with roadraven, why not be a rebellious shopper & if they fit, they fit..plus not going with the main brands???

c

[salsabike]

On Denise Goldberg's recommendation, I tried Boure and that's all I wear now. Their Pro chamois is smooth, not bunchy, and is by far the most comfortable and trouble-free one I have found. I find a lot of the other chamois, including Shebeest, to be too thick and bunchy.

[RoadRaven]

I'm with roadraven, why not be a rebellious shopper & if they fit, they fit..plus not going with the main brands???
c

Phew... anopther rebel... wanna come hide in a fox-hole with me til the next sales are on

[arnaew]

I was using the Terry T Short with the longer leg and was quite happy with them - no chafing or bunching on long rides (100km). So I ordered another pair pus some winter tights as we're going into winter here. THEY ARE APPALLING! Sorry, I know I shouldn't shout, but they changed the chamois to something called Flex, and it's the most abrasive thing I've ever put next to my skin. Why do companies do this? You finally find something that suits, and they decide to fix something that isn't broken! Sigh. Time to go on the hunt again (I've given the tights to DH - he's happy enough with them). Beyond the chamois, the big thing for me is the longer leg shorts, which cover my award winning cellulite - any ideas?

[Nanci]

I think Terry has the longer shorts on clearance on their website- like $40- you could ask if those are the 2005's and stock up!!

[pgsmart]

I was having problems finding a good pair of shorts, too. I ended up ordering three pairs - Louis Garneau, Shebeest, and Sugoi. The LGs Airstream were the most expensive and I liked them the least. The fabric seemed kind of scratchy to me. The Sugoi RS Flex shorts were the second pair that I tried. I kept them because the fabric felt good and the chamois was very nice. My favorite, though, is the Shebeest. The fabric is good, the chamois is so comfortable. The thing that I really liked was how cool they were. They are cut down at the waist in the front which I wasn't sure if I was going to like. But, it really is comfortable and I seemed to stay cooler. Also, there is a vent panel that runs along my lower back which makes them seem cooler than some of the others that I have tried. I would highly recommend them. I believe the ones that I got were the Elite Distance 2. I highly recommend them.

[Mags...]

but they changed the chamois to something called Flex, and it's the most abrasive thing I've ever put next to my skin. Why do companies do this?

It looks like the 'Flex' chamois in the Terry is *exactly* the same as the 'SHElastic Chamois' in the Shebeest shorts. (same description, different colour). The 'Century Stretch' chamois in the Shebeest Elite Distance 2 shorts is again really similar, same technology, probly same material - and completely different from the 2005 Terry chamois, which as Nanci said appears to on closeout sale at the moment for $50.

Isn't it funny how we're all so different, I find the chamois on the Shebeest/Terry short to be the best I've come across, and it'll be the benchmark for comparisons in future. I find the chamois the most important factor in buying shorts, before I knew better I just bought any pair. IMO, you really can't tell how good a pair of shorts are until you've ridden with them on longer distances.

M.

[hirakukibou]

I guess my taste is a bit different. I like my shorts, short and the pad ample. My favorite shorts now are pearl izumi attack shorts. although the castelli's i have are fun as they are in red.

[CatGirl]

I'm searching for good shorts that keep me drier um, down there to prevent problems. I do look for moisture wicking in the chamois and fabric. Shebeest SSS is best I tried but I think the Shelastic chamois is a bit too big. Thinking I'd go for a smaller chamois led me to the Shebeest Hourglass Chamois. Wow - not good. When I washed it, it took FOREVER to dry - like 3 dryer cycles. I did 35 miles this morning and found that it holds moisture like a sponge.

If anyone has suggestions, please advise!

[Nanci]

Can you describe the chamois of the Sugois and the Shebeests in more detail? Would you say the foam is dense (firm) or soft? How about the size, in general, of the chamois? (I HATE the dinner plate-sized ones). Is the fabric of the Sugois weird, or nice? Which seems like it would hold up better? What are the leg grippers in each like? They are both 10 panel- is the construction similar?

Thanks a lot!!

Nanci

[pyxichick]

I just started riding, and at first I was using my boyfriend's hand-me-down kits and the shorts were really not that comfortable.

I have since purchased the Craft women's pro race bib and it has made a world of difference. I love it so much I have a second one on order for when one pair is in the wash. I think they're so comfy because they have gel in the pad. The pad has five sections and basically is shaped like a bike saddle.

Warning, however, they are not cheap.

[matagi]

Seems to be a bit of a common theme running here - Find pair of shorts with chamois that works, ride shorts to death, go buy new shorts and find chamois has been changed and shorts no longer comfortable.

So I think the rule here is that when you find a pair of shorts you like, buy as many pairs as you can afford 'coz next time you go to buy a pair they will have "improved" the chamois.

I'm still looking for a pair of shorts that really work for me the ones I have aren't too bad but I'm sure I can do better, I agree that a lot of women's shorts have a chamois that is too thick.

[ridebikeme]

I think the thing to remember here is that we are all have different needs and actual fits.... every female rider that I know wears mens shorts including myself. However, that isn't to say that that is for everyone! I wear Louis Garneau shorts (Ergotex), and have for several years... and as someone also mentioned Giordana makes great shorts. The key thing to remember is what short fits and is the most comfortable and then buy several pairs before they change them.

Interesting to read this thread!!