Padded Bottoms - Necessary?

[KnottedYet]

I despise "padded bottoms."

After about 10 years of wearing them, I finally realized that they just don't work for me, especially on longer rides (50-60 miles).

I've got a lovely collection of good ones, and cheap ones, tri-chamois, sculpted chamois, etc and so on.

The best thing for me is just plain ol' UnderArmour 7 inch inseam compression shorts. $27. No chamois.

Generally I have either a skirt or capris/shants over them.

Whatever works for you is good. Some folks (and there are a few out there) will freak and go into apoplexy if they discover you don't use chamois shorts, or you wear underwear under your shorts, or you ride on platform pedals, or you prefer steel, or you like downtube shifters, or are happiest with upright bars. That's only their binary thinking and insecurity coming to the fore - if you are different, then maybe THEY are wrong, so you MUST change and do everything just like them so they can feel good about themselves. Don't sweat it. Try everything. Then do what works for you.

ETA: here's a link to the compression shorts: http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/e...rt/1001226-001