underware or no underware?

[brittmix]

is it worth the extra $60+ dollars to get a wicking chamois? i've been looking at the pearl izuma micro something pro - they're like $125 but the lady at my LBS said they would be so worth it because i would have a much lower chance of getting a yeast or UT infection. what are your thoughts?

[OakLeaf]

Just me, but I wouldn't buy a pair of shorts on the basis of any supposed health properties of the chamois. I see where they're impregnating them with silver threads and triclosan and all sorts of things I wouldn't necessarily want near my lady parts, all in the name of killing (omg) germs. Having a healthy immune system, a good diet and keeping yourself "reasonably" clean are more important IMO. Any chamois is going to be absorbent - the amount of fluid it can absorb depends more on the thickness than the material; but thick chamois can be uncomfortable as well as obviously being less well ventilated.

[cyclinnewbie]

Ok since we're on the topic of chamois, I'm going to risk hijacking this thread.....I just bought bike shorts because I just learned you're not supposed to wear undies. Here's my issue...the chamois looks like a diaper, and gets all folded in the middle. Folds almost in half. Really not attractive. I know I know....spandex shorts are NOT attractive anyway, but they're truly not cute (or comfortable) with a huge hunk of stuff folded in half between my legs. So here's the thing...are the chamois supposed to be huge, or do they come in different sizes? What's the deal?

[OakLeaf]

Newbie (you know you're going to have to change that handle sooner or later ), two things. There are all different kinds of chamois - mostly these days they're thick, except for tri shorts and spinning shorts, but some manufacturers' chamois are thicker than others, and many manufacturers offer more than one type of chamois. How thick you like your chamois is a matter of personal fit and preference. Some people like the extra padding, some find that it chafes.

BUT if it's actually folding in half, it sounds like the shorts may be too big for you. Cycling shorts are supposed to fit like a second skin. They shouldn't pull or bind, but there shouldn't be any space between your skin and the shorts, and they shouldn't slide or bunch up when you move your legs. Hard to tell without actually seeing the shorts on you, but you might try on a smaller pair (and/or a different pair with a thinner chamois).

ETA: unfortunately, with cycling shorts, you pretty much get what you pay for. Good, comfortable shorts are expensive. More panels are better (and more expensive) because each panel stretches in a different direction with the part of your body it covers, allowing a more precise fit. You really want a minimum of six panels. Most riders prefer at least eight; top-of-the-line shorts have ten panels, maybe some brands have even more.

[KnottedYet]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vrc6akk4ZjI&feature=related

[brittmix]

Ok since we're on the topic of chamois, I'm going to risk hijacking this thread.....

i'm glad you're talking about chamois, because that has been my main concern when purchasing a pair of cycling shorts. these shorts i'm thinking about have a denser pad, which the lady at my LBS said provided the same amount of padding, but was less bulky. the other pads compress when you sit on them, and this one is already compressed. i'm looking at the pearl izuma micro pro short. anyone have any objections, or praises for these shorts?

[VeloVT]

is it worth the extra $60+ dollars to get a wicking chamois? i've been looking at the pearl izuma micro something pro - they're like $125 but the lady at my LBS said they would be so worth it because i would have a much lower chance of getting a yeast or UT infection. what are your thoughts?

i'm glad you're talking about chamois, because that has been my main concern when purchasing a pair of cycling shorts. these shorts i'm thinking about have a denser pad, which the lady at my LBS said provided the same amount of padding, but was less bulky. the other pads compress when you sit on them, and this one is already compressed. i'm looking at the pearl izuma micro pro short. anyone have any objections, or praises for these shorts?

Brittmix, that lady is trying to get you to buy the most expensive shorts, and she's full of BS. I am moderately prone to UTIs but I've never gotten one from cycling, with good shorts or cheap shorts, and I just can't imagine how the chamois would have any impact on your likelihood to get yeast infections (I am lucky that I just don't get them -- I've never had one in my life -- but I really don't think it's because of my chamois choice).

As for the "compressed padding" thing... this a line as well... It's not quite as bad as the Estee Lauder lady who, when I told her I don't like tinted sunscreen because it rubs off on my clothes, told me that THIS wouldn't because even though it is visibly tinted, the color actually comes from my skin, not the sunscreen... but almost.

That said, the PIs you're looking at are nice, good quality shorts. Unfortunately, finding shorts that work for you is a bit like finding a saddle -- it's usually an expensive process of trial and error. You may like the Microsensors, or you may not. PI shorts tend to have a stiffer, bulkier chamois than many other brands (even the "compressed" pro chamois is stiffer and bulkier. I don't have those particular shorts but I've tried them on). Some people find that this chafes or just feels like "too much", but others find them to offer good protection. It's very much a matter of personal preference and people differ considerably in their preferences, and you can't always tell if you'll like a chamois until you've actually ridden in it (I'm not crazy about the chamois in Sugoi RS Flex shorts but it felt great when I tried the shorts on, for instance...).

So yes, it is worth spending more to get higher quality shorts, but spending more does not necessarily guarantee that you'll get a pair that YOU like (and it definitely doesn't guarantee that you will have fewer UTIs or yeast infections )...

Good luck!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm still trying to figure out how a chamois can bunch up and fold in half like a diaper while your'e wearing it... Something doesn't sound right if it does that. My chamois would never be able to do that- they are anchored down well and are foam that can't bunch or fold. I wear SheBeest, Terry, and Louis Garneau padded shorts/knickers.

[Crankin]

Shooting Star, I didn't buy the wicking thong for cycling. Like I said, I never wear underwear with cycling shorts. But I wanted to wear them under my hiking shorts or pants in warmer weather. In cold weather I wear long underwear.
I am short and small (5' 1", 105), too, but I guess my bum must be bigger than yours! I do care about vpl and I think it looks gross. Wearing thongs with regular clothes doesn't bother me at all. It took me a long time to find 2 brands that fit me and didn't show anywhere. To me, the point of wearing a thong is so nothing shows and you have no lines anywhere. I finally went to a real lingerie store to find what I wanted.
And Lisa, you are right. Any chamois that folds like a diaper has something wrong with it. I wear Terry and Sheebest and have no issues. The Sheebest feels a little thicker, but it's in different places.