Shorts...again!

[roadie gal]

The best shorts I've found lately have been the DeSoto 400 mile shorts. The pad is a lot less bulky than PIs. It's actually made with a channel down the middle so you don't get pressure there.

The short material is more compressive than stretchy (think Terry Bella material).

The only drawback for me is that they have a lower cut than I prefer, but I like the rest of the shorts enough that I deal it.

[OakLeaf]

I have a couple of pairs of SSS.

I like the chamois reasonably well, but it doesn't seem to be as durable as other brands. It could be a little thinner for my preference, but it's not so thick that it really causes problems.

I do like the construction and the fabric. Again I'm right on the line between small and medium in SheBeest, but unlike Castelli, they're stretchy enough that that isn't a huge issue.

IMO they're too short to begin with, and having to roll up the legs because of that silicone gripper is almost a deal-breaker.

The waistband is kind of thin, and as these shorts wear, it turns out that the waistband is an elastic strip inside a fabric roll, and it doesn't stay in place well over time. Maybe if I hand-washed them it would be better, but I have a front-loader, I always use the gentle cycle, and that's my limit.

Another comparative plug for the LG Neo Power. The chamois in those is a very similar shape and compressed thickness to the SSS, but a bit firmer, more like an actual chamois than a sponge. Plus, they have no gripper, no waist elastic, and a better leg length. Can't speak to durability though, as I don't have that many miles on my LGs yet.


Also, I don't ride in the rain a lot, but the SSS chamois is seriously a sponge. Yuk. When I was testing shorts for the tri I did last month, I got in the shower with the Castelli Vizio Due, and although I rejected these shorts for the tri because of the fit, I literally squeezed more water out of my sports bra after the shower than I did out of the Castelli chamois. Big plus for those. Haven't had the LGs wet, but it sure seems like they would also soak up less water than the SSS.



ETA, mostly hijack: Out of curiosity I took a look at those DeSoto 400-mile shorts, and it cracked me up how it says the chamois is "buoyant." Images of being held up in the water by my @ss.

[trista]

I really like the Scattante Women's Supra Signature Short. Big pluses for me are: No leg grippers, no waist elastic, and thin padding. Hardly any padding at all in the girl-parts zone, which I like.

They are similar to the LG Neo Power Shorts, but half the price. I ordered a pr. of Neo Power shorts but sent them back -- I just couldn't stomach the price when I liked the Scattantes just as much.

They have them at Performance: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...egoryId=400079