Bike Shorts -- How tight is "tight"

[xeney]

I am having this same question. My husband always tells me that my cycling clothes are too loose. (He says that about all my clothes; I think he'd be happiest if I could find a way to walk, hike, bike, and paddle in some sort of fancy wicking corset and heels.) I usually wear size medium Pearl Izumi shorts, and I think they are fine, but he thinks they are a little big on me. I just tried the Shebeest Triple S shorts in small, and they feel a bit too snug. I have a tiny bit of bulge around the leg openings (but they are otherwise fine). Going by size charts, the Shebeest medium is a bit larger than the PI medium, so I'm not sure what to do.

Maybe I'll just stick with the PI's.

[dachshund]

If they aren't real tight, the chamois causes irritation for me. I keep a couple of "too large" ones around for trips to the bike store, or for times when vanity is more important than a long ride.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I never have trouble with the chamois slipping around- I have big hips and I guess that somehow prevents the shorts and chamois from shifting.
My problem is that the leg elastic hem edges on biking shorts are always too damned tight, while the rest of the shorts, even the legs, fit just great.
Why do they make the leg elastics on shorts like tourniquets??

[Tokie]

I guess the "sausage effect" of leg elastic is partly why I always shop for shorts with a longer (8.5 inch +) inseam. That way the elastic comes down around the smaller part of my drumstick, er thigh , and is a bit more comfortable. tokie ps I prefer shorts with "high compression" fabric, often described by manufacturers as "power" fabric. The chamois needs to not move, the shorts need to be snug and not catch on your saddle.

[roadie gal]

On the other hand, I can't stand compressive clothing. I prefer a form fitting, but not strangling fabric, like the Terry T Short or some of the PI clothing. If it fits right, it won't slide around.

[Crankin]

I also go for the longer (7-8 inch) shorts. Of course, on a 5' 1" person, this isn't hard to do. Also, the shorts I have now have the silicone grippers, instead of the elastic, so there's less of the sausage effect. I like really tight and compressive fabric, I think it actually holds in any "giggly" parts better and is more flattering. I would not like any sense of looseness in my cycling shorts.
My thighs are a bit more toned now (but still not really smaller), so I was brave and got some Shebeest SSS shorts last year; they are shorter than the Bellas, but I am dealing with it.
I remember when I first started riding, I was wearing the Terry T shorts, regular length, that looked really long on me. I was also about ten pounds heavier than I am now... my sweet son, who was about 15 and heavily into racing at the time, told me to "lose the long shorts..."

[kajero]

Are my shorts too large if they catch in my saddle? It happens occassionally, but I don' think I would want to buy a size smaller. How can you tell if this will happen before you buy the shorts?