don't forget the chamois ( the pad) butter. That part of the shorts you want lubbed, slippy, slidey and firmly comfortably up against your crotch. As for the rest of the shorts they should fit firmly without cutting circulation or sliding up and or bunching anywhere. Personally, I prefer a drawstring to tie but others don't.

After a couple of wears and washes ( but do not put in the drier!!!!!it doesn't do nice things to the chamois), you'll find that the chamois will ease and start to take on a more anatomical shape and so you won't feel quite so much like you are walking around with this "huge thing" between your legs.

When your first start buyh a couple of different makes and types of shorts with different sized, shapes and thicknesses of chamois. I know it sounds expensive, but put that against the cost and possible pain of ending up with several ppairs of short that don't work, fit, or feel comfortable. Once you find a brand with the right type of chamois, buy several pairs because if you don't they are bound to change styles and leave you short and without.

As you get more experienced and can do longer distances depending on the type of riding you are planning to do, your chamois needs may change. Probably not quite so important if you are racing, but there is definitely a difference between chamois for casual riding, communting, touristing and distance/endurance.

Be flexible, talk to other riders about what they like and don't like about their shorts and be ready to buy a couple off pairs that you will immediately bury at the back of your closet or want to burn but don't because it stinks-

I also highly recommend getting one of the biologically degradeable liguid soaps for sports clothes and jerseys, I am convinced that they have added another 6-8 months to my shorts in terms of longevity.

marni

HTH

marni