Short Choice

[SadieKate]

Assos FI pad hands down over the current Castelli chamois. I loved Castelli's YPRO3chamois from a few years back but, alas, they just had to "improve" it. It's OK and I'll take it over a bunch of other chamois but the Assos F1 is better over the long haul. I also like the waistband on the Assos. Next best thing to bibshorts. I don't think the new Castelli pad stretches and conforms as nicely as the old one or the Assos.

Bill favorably compares the OD-3F pad in his Giordana Tenax to the the Assos. The Assos wins but by a small margin – and the Giordana are less expensive.

The OD-3F pad is available in a women’s version in two shorts from TE -- http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=25987
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=25981

I’ll probably try it this year but I haven't decided between the Laer short or the bibshort. I know my LBS is getting in the bibshort and maybe the halfshort.

Editing to add a note that the new Castelli pad and the upper level Hincapie pad are virtually indistinguishable to me. I like the Hincapie shorts better between the two. It doesn't have a leg band.