Sugoi RS Flex Review

[Nanci]

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17585

I took my new shorts on their first ride today. I loved them!! I didn't think I was ever going to find shorts with a chamois as comfortable as that of the Trashy Cat Satin Shorts, which are, unfortunately, no longer available anywhere in any size except XS.

These shorts were recommended to me by Susan Otcenas of TE, because she thought I would like the chamois. I am very particular about the chamois, having been riding with one I really, really liked for close to a year, in distances up to 375 miles. It's kind of important to love it at that point!

The styling of the shorts, 10 panels with 8" inseam, is wonderful. I love how the panels are cut, to really fit my leg muscles, and not make my butt look huge! Very comfortable. The inseam seems longer than 8", too- I'm 5'2", and the shorts end only two or three inches above my knees. The waist/back cut seemed perfect- not too low cut, but not going _way_ up the back like some do. I never noticed the waist band- a good thing- it didn't cause any discomfort or rolling.

The fabric is weird, but nice. "Ultra-Aero: An aerodynamic fabric with a dimpled or golf ball-like surface to create less friction, with a high-tenacity fit to keep muscles energized. Fabric is a dimensionally constructed knit with a dimpled or golf ball-like surface to create less friction and superior aerodynamics when moving through the air." It kind of reminds me of the Speedo Fastskin fabric, which is supposed to make you less resistant in the water. Anyway, it's light in weight, but supportive, and doesn't seem to be too fragile. It didn't feel hot today on me.

The chamois is perfect- not too long, not too wide, not too poofy, didn't give diaper butt- nice and dense and compartmentalized over the sit bones, thinner but still padded and going to stay put under the soft parts, and thin and velvet-like everywhere else.

Leg grippers are the clear smooth kind- nice.

Chamois comparison picture:

From left to right-

White very old Primal Wear quilty kind of big chamois. Comfortable, and I have three pairs, but I wanted a more modern, structured, dense, supportive chamois.

Black and gray and light blue Sugoi chamois. Perfect. See all those shiny seams? You can't feel them, but they keep the foam where it is supposed to be and keep it from bunching.

Giant blue Loius Garneau knickers. Pretty much typical of chamois in all knickers. Exemplifies what I don't like, except it is actually smaller than others. See how featureless the whole thing is? Fine for a couple hours, but then it all bunches together. It's just big and poofy.

Solid black. The perfect Trashy Cat Satin Short chamois. Dense foam in several compartments. Maintains density, doesn't shift or bunch. The first time I sat on it, I thought it was going to be too firm, but I love it now.

Pale blue Trashy Cat Sunflower Short chamois. Nice structure, but thin, and wouldn't be enough for long rides.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I'm with you on these shorts Nanci.

I called and talked to Molly (well at least I think it was Molly - that's the name that stuck in my head...) when I ordered these - had some sizing questions, and I actually ordered a size smaller in these than I had been wearing in PIs after she very nicely held the two shorts up together and told me how they differed from a size standpoint.

After I wore them once and decided they were now my favorite shorts, I even ordered a second pair. Awesome.

--- Denise

[KnottedYet]

Thank you, Nanci! This is just the kind of info I really need. Love the pic. Hmmmm, new shorts....

Molly is who I talked to during the Zoic experience. She is a babe and very helpful over the phone. Someone give that woman a raise!

[Trekhawk]

Yipee glad to hear the shorts worked out for you Nanci.
These are definitely my favourite shorts.

[susanm8048]

The solid black chamois ( trashy cat one ) looks a lot like the top of the line Sheebeast one.

I love it! It is really comfortable.

[Selkie]

I have those shorts but I'm paranoid about the fabric being too thin/opaque and potentially see through. I've been wearing them inside, during Spinerval sessions. Those of you who wear them---is the fabric solid?

[Nanci]

I think it's a little opaque, but I wore white with blue flowers panties under them and you couldn't tell, unless you were _really_ staring. Just looking in the mirror- no. That's how the Trashy Cat Sunflower shorts are, too.

Nanci

[RoadRaven]

Thank you Nanci!!!!!



This is exactly what I needed - some pix to compare exactly what all the fem/male specific shorts stuff is about.

If female specific means shaped more like those purty grey and black surgois - then I def don't have any.

All mine are wider in shape like the Louis Garneaux and the Trashy Cat ones...

Dont know if I'd like having less width... hmmm... but how do I know til I try???

Thanks again Nanci
You're a star
RR

[Selkie]

I think it's a little opaque, but I wore white with blue flowers panties under them and you couldn't tell, unless you were _really_ staring. Just looking in the mirror- no. That's how the Trashy Cat Sunflower shorts are, too.

Nanci

Nanci - Thanks. I get paranoid about too-thin fabric because there's this dirty old man that always tries to catch up with me and rides right on my back tire. I know he's not drafting because when I slow to a crawl, he won't pass. Also, when he passes me in the opposite direction, he LEERs at me. I always feel like whipping the New Jersey State bird at him, then shooting a big snot rocket at him---isn't that terrible? I feel like such a mean wench for disliking him, but guys like that are just so loathsome. He makes my skin crawl.

I like the shorts--the chamois is very nice. By the way, that's a lovely quilt. You have cute feet :-)

[Nanci]

That's creepy about that guy following you! I wouldn't put up with it. The quilt is from The Company Store, but they don't have it any more, but they always have nice quilts. I quilt, too, or used to, when I was working full time, married, with a kid. Now I of course don't have time! I sure love it, though- but machine quilting, not hand. I thought I had my foot out of the picture! I wanted a pretty background, so there I am, standing on my softside waterbed, trying to balance...Like my sandals tan??

[Brina]

Nanci,

Glad you found the perfect short for you. Sorry the process had to be so painful. I now realize that I got pretty lucky - It only took me 4 pairs to find the perfect shorts - some PIs that I like but don't love, some weird thermal fabric ones that I got from REI a few years ago and quickly donated to rummage, Sugoi something or other (not the RX Flex) that I really hate, and the Shebeest triple S that I adore. Love your comparison photos.

[Grog]

If female specific means shaped more like those purty grey and black surgois - then I def don't have any.

My partner has Sugoi shorts and the chammy is just like that, too. (shape might be a little different...

I think male/female is mostly about the cut of the shorts. I ordered a pair of Ibex shorts that are definitely cut for a women, with ample room for a little rounder belly in the front.

Doesn't fit me at all. I love the fabric, but I'll have to send them back...

[Nanci]

The Sugois came with a little card that showed a picture of the male and female chamois together. I'll take a picture of it and post it- the size is way different!!

Nanci

[Selkie]

That's creepy about that guy following you! I wouldn't put up with it. The quilt is from The Company Store, but they don't have it any more, but they always have nice quilts. I quilt, too, or used to, when I was working full time, married, with a kid. Now I of course don't have time! I sure love it, though- but machine quilting, not hand. I thought I had my foot out of the picture! I wanted a pretty background, so there I am, standing on my softside waterbed, trying to balance...Like my sandals tan??

Nanci - I've yelled at him before, so he knows I don't like him. Some day, I'll resort to launching a good snot rocket at him. I've got a Teva tan on my feet, so a sandals tan is a normal sight for me.

[slinkedog]

Thanks for the pic, Nanci! That is really helpful, and I'm not even in the market for a pair of shorts right now!!

I will definitely refer back to this thread in the future.