Comparing 3 TE distance shorts/fit

[Grog]

Thanks for the reviews Lisa!

I'm also puzzled about the sizing. Remember that bike shorts should be as small as possible, the smallest you can twist yourself into. Otherwise they might move around and the chamois won't be playing its role as it should. I know it can feel weird. But if the only problem with the M and L was the leg-gripper/sausage effect, but the other parts felt fine... I'd be wary of sending you out with a pair of XL!!

[Bikingmomof3]

My first pair of bike shorts I purchased I ordered a size larger (M), worrying about the band size around my thighs. These were my first ever bike shorts and I did not know better. For whatever reason the next time I ordered I bought a size S (my usual size) and I could not believe the difference. I had no idea how much the chamois moved around in the larger shorts until I had the "snugger" fitting shorts. I still prefer capris, they look better on my short, stubby legs.

[alforfun]

Wow Lisa--I have a hard time understanding how someone 138 pounds needs an XL. Maybe there are some shorts out there with less tight legs?? I am 5'8", the same size as Sara, and also wear a size L in everything. I have tried on XL, and of course they fit too, but the chamois does move too much. Maybe Team Estrogen can help you with suggestions on shorts...they helped me with the "help the hips fit but the waist is toooo big" thing. Too bad they don't make shorts that smooooth out the big butt, big hips, big thigh thing....which is me! I would pay big money for those!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wow Lisa--I have a hard time understanding how someone 138 pounds needs an XL. Maybe there are some shorts out there with less tight legs?? I am 5'8", the same size as Sara, and also wear a size L in everything. I have tried on XL, and of course they fit too, but the chamois does move too much. Maybe Team Estrogen can help you with suggestions on shorts...they helped me with the "help the hips fit but the waist is toooo big" thing. Too bad they don't make shorts that smooooth out the big butt, big hips, big thigh thing....which is me! I would pay big money for those!

Well I am pear shaped, that might account for it- my shoulders, head, boobs(A cup), waist, etc are all pretty small...but then I have wide hips. Waist 31", hips 42". Even the Brooks B17S women's width saddle is a bit too narrow for me, though I ride it. Believe me, the XL shorts are just right, the L were too tight.
The XL SB Ultra D shorts feel good, and nice and snug and supportive all over, but not cutting into me. Nothing is going to shift around down there!

[Susan Otcenas]

Well I am pear shaped, that might account for it- my shoulders, head, boobs(A cup), waist, etc are all pretty small...but then I have wide hips. Waist 31", hips 42".

Hi Ladies,

Resurfacing after our BIG move to our new HQ. Man, am I pooped! I only have a few minutes but wanted to reply to this thread.

When I first read Lisa's height/weight, I thought "Wow, XL MUST be too big for her." (After all, *I* wear the XLs and I'm both shorter AND heavier than she is.) But then I saw her measurements and now feel more comfortable with her in the XL. My waist and hip measurements are almost an exact match to Lisa's and I wear the XL in all the brands she mentioned.
I also agree with Lisa's assessment that the SB Ultra D has the most forgiving legband of the three. LG legbands tend to be snug - we never recommend them for women with larger thighs or women who are very conscious of that part of their bodies.

BTW, I also love the leg bands on Sugoi shorts. I have larger thighs and I find the grippers look nice on me. I wear the 8" Evolution shorts (not the Shorty) and also have a pair of the RS Shorts.

I do ride the Airstreams despite the snugger gripper. (BTW, the "technical" term for the look Lisa described is "golfball butt". ) I like the compression those shorts provide on longer rides.

Gotta run..... My "free time" for the day is up!

Susan

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Too bad they don't make shorts that smooooth out the big butt, big hips, big thigh thing....which is me! I would pay big money for those!

I think they call them capris....

[alforfun]

Well, Lisa, this could be difficult....I bought two capris last fall, but only one pair of shorts (very cheap). I know I need another pair of shorts, but maybe shopping for these is gonna be tougher than I thought.....glad things worked out for you. I am definitely gonna order shorts in both L and XL to try out.... Thank God TE is lovely about returning stuff.....

[KnottedYet]

Lisa - you and I have almost the same waist/hip measurements. I ride a Brooks B67 and wear M in Ibex biking capris and L in Terry biking skorts. (Those two things are my favorite biking clothes.)

Mind you, I haven't worn a "M" in ANYTHING on my butt in decades, so I think Ibex runs large in their biking stuff.

I have a pair of Hind shorts with leg bands that actually gap and flop around while the waist and hips are comfy. Maybe look at some Hinds if you need to scout out other shorts?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It's fascinating to compare measurements!

Knotted- I was thinking to get the B67 next.
The XL SB UltraD's are just right, so I don't think I'll need to scout around any more for a while! (what a relief!) Boy it was way easier shopping for capris and knickers- they do the opposite of sausage effect. Shopping for biking shorts is worse than shopping for jeans...all one's little defects get exposed.
We are planning a bunch of 60 mile rides this summer (one of them 4 days in a row 60 miles each), and so that's why I wanted the quality distance chamois shorts. I may or may not wear a capri over them, depending on the weather.

[DarcyInOregon]

Lisa, once you get out cycling in your shorts, you will forget how you look in them. Within a month or two you will glance in the mirror on your way out of the house and think you look awesome. Seriously. No matter how big or small a female cyclist is, or how the cyclist worries about the look of the shorts, eventually the perceptions change and what you see in the mirror is an athlete wearing spandex shorts.

Your next concern will be how fast the shorts wear out. I have a pair of pink Canari shorts I've been wearing as an underlayer under my winter tights because last summer's shorts are worn out. The pink shorts have a wonderful chamois, and the chamois on my winter tights are worn out, so I've gotten the protection I need on my longer rides. This morning I put on the pink shorts and there is a big hole in the front. No kidding. And I never got to wear these shorts as real shorts, all pink and wonderful, with a pink jersey on my pink bike. I have a second pair that I haven't touched yet, but gosh it rankles that I wore these shorts out at only around 800 miles.

Anyway, don't worry about how the shorts look on you. Most of what you perceive is only you, not others. And honestly, I just don't see cyclists gathering and thinking somebody looks fat or skinny. Cyclists are too busy talking about cycling and their bikes and rides and all of that. You will only get noticed if you are not wearing cycling clothing or your bike is particularly odd.

Darcy

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thistle- yeah tell me about!...odd. It seems to me that capris will fit more forgivingly than shorts will- I certainly seem able to wear size Medium capris no problem, though they are pretty snug and I could probably wear either medium or large in capris equally well.

Darcy-
Of course you are RIGHT about all that. Most of the time I can simply choose my daily clothes knowing that I like the way I feel and look in them. No issues.
But snug lycra shorts- well I don't normally wear shorts because they are usually terribly unflattering, and that simply makes me feel uncomfortable. Our choices in bike shorts are way more limited as compared to "normal" clothes. I love my biking capris. But yes I realize our self images can get in the way, and I do try to keep that in perspective. I believe there's a happy healthy balance that lies somewhere in between not caring at all how you look and being too wrapped up in how you look.
Happily, the XL shorts fit snugly in general but don't cut into the leg much at all, so I'm cool with the "little" amount of sausage thing going on.

SUSAN- thanks for that input, I was beginning to think I was losing my mind! I know now I made the right choice for me and that I'll be comfortable when I ride.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks for the reviews Lisa!

I'm also puzzled about the sizing. Remember that bike shorts should be as small as possible, the smallest you can twist yourself into. Otherwise they might move around and the chamois won't be playing its role as it should. I know it can feel weird. But if the only problem with the M and L was the leg-gripper/sausage effect, but the other parts felt fine... I'd be wary of sending you out with a pair of XL!!

No, there's no way I could have fit in to the mediums at all. I could fit into the large, but they were too snug to be comfortable and the legbands felt tight. I like my size medium chamois capris (SB & LG) and they are snug but not overly so, and the chamois stay put for me nicely. The 3 XL shorts all felt like they fit me better, and are still snug, but comfortably so. They are not going to be moving around, don't worry! The XL shorts fit me the same as my medium capris, strangely enough. I guess shorts tend to be less forgiving.

It's true, I am not used to having aggressive elastic around the middle of my thighs! Hopefully I'll get firmer thighs and less "insulation" by the end of this season. I know I lost over 20 lbs of fat and gained some decent leg muscles last year, my first year of biking.

I forgot to mention that my 2 orders arrived in record time from TE...as usual.