White Cycling Shorts

[Bluetree]

Anyone had any experience with white cycling shorts?

Assos and Garneau have some neat looking shorts
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=18029
and they seem like they would be cooler in hot weather than your basic black.

My questions are...

• Do they get dirty easily? Does stuff from your gloves/saddle rub off them?

• Can they be cleaned properly? I'm wondering if they get dingy-white since you can't add bleach to the wash.

• Does wearing white shorts (like white pants) make you look 10 lbs heavier?


It seems that only the pricier models (tri shorts excepted) come in neat-o colors or shades other than black. Hmmm....

[han-grrl]

I have 3 pairs of "lighter" color shorts.

silver, made by reebok - (ok I HAD to have them, they're a real nice pale silver i LOVE THEM!) anyway, i don't have problems riding them and cleaning them, nor do they look see through.

light purple, ok they seemed cool at the time, also no problems.

i have a pair of shorts that has light blue as its main color and that seems to pick up a lot of black off the saddle. and doesn't come off!

looking at your selection, there is black in "just the right places" so i wouldn't worry too much about the white. i love the look of black and white cycling clothing, it looks so sharp.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Be sure to check in bright light if you can see through them- in front AND in the back! ...and do they turn transparent if you sweat?? (Thinking of all those mall women in white polyester pants who have no clue that you can read the label on their underwear).

[Bluetree]

Hmmm... good point Lisa.

What would people think if they could see the tattoo of a bear trap right below my belly button?!

[silver]

LOL!!! that is way too funny....Mr. asked why I was laughing and now's he's laughing too.

[snapdragen]

What would people think if they could see the tattoo of a bear trap right below my belly button?!

OK - there's got to be a story there...

[Eden]

It's not as much of an issue with women as it its with men, but white (and other light colors) can reaaally reallly show everything.....
My husband picked up a pair of really cheap silver shorts once -$5, well when he put them on it was very clear why they were so cheap. They've been relegated to the trainer, not to be worn outside of the basement.
Search for the thread "Why cycling shorts should always be black" for further enlightenment - though I'd say you may not want to do it at work.

[Velobambina]

I was very disappointed that those LG bibs come only in white. I'd worry too much about the transparency factor to wear white shorts myself. I really don't like white bottoms (slacks, skirts, shorts) because inevitably, I end up spilling something on them, one of the dogs jumps on me w/dirty paws, etc. It's just asking for trouble. LOL.

[koala]

Why would you avoid something that looks really great & does feel cooler in hot, sunny temps? You wash your black shorts after every wear. You do the same with white. I have the LG bibs & love them. In answer to some of the concerns:

If you do get something on them, it should wash out just fine. They do not get dingy after repeated washings, they still stay nice & bright. I never use bleach! It is not needed & might ruin the chamois.

They have black in the areas that need coverage, so you do not have to worry about someone seeing more of you than you wish to have exposed. The white areas have some transparency, but this is not in any place where you worry about anything that can be seen. It's not a big deal.

They don't make you look heavy. The cut & the panels are actually very flattering. I love the fit on these bibs, they feel like they mold to your body contours perfectly.

The Assos short also has black panels in the seat area. I do not have it in white, but I do have a pair in red. The fabric is thicker, so my guess is you can't see anything through the white. And that short has a great chamois, too.

I have only had problems with dyes running off saddles on an old pair of red Castelli shorts -- the seating area on those was red, too. I sweated into a saddle that bled black dye onto my shorts. Those shorts have been retired.

For someone who's still afraid of white, the LG should be available in black in the spring. But if you look good in white, go for it!

[Bluetree]

Thanks Koala.
I'll probably try the Assos in white this summer, since I can't find the LG bibs in XS. I am one person who actually loves wearing white... white dresses and cotton suits in summer, winter white in colder months... so I'm glad to hear the shorts don't show anything.

Snap... no story on the bear trap. I just got it to match the anchor tattoo across my back

[snapdragen]

Snap... no story on the bear trap. I just got it to match the anchor tattoo across my back

OH COME ON NOW!

[kelownagirl]

I spill red wine on any white article of clothing....

[SouthernBelle]

I spill red wine on any white article of clothing....

coffee for me.

[Alex]

I love the LG bib shorts. The white material is a bit thin, though, so you may feel reluctant to wear them in public...