Padded Bottoms - Necessary?

[mariacycle]

thank you all very much for your advice, I really appreciate it =]

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

Thanks for linking! This is what is most comfortable for me too, but I have also been chewed out/treated like a moron because of it. Glad to hear someone else goes down this route...

What brand/style shorts have you tried?

I have several types (all from Performance) from the Performance brand to Pearl Izumi. I do feel like the padding is both too big and too thick. Also, the actual shorts are not comfortable compared to Underarmor compression shorts or other spandex shorts I have.

I'd venture to say at least a plurality need (or at least strongly prefer) a seamless, soft chamois to prevent chafing, but do NOT want any padding. For me, padding = chafing. The longer the ride, the more important it is for me to have a very minimal chamois.

hey oak! that would be really nice... what do you use?

[trista]

Thanks for linking! This is what is most comfortable for me too, but I have also been chewed out/treated like a moron because of it. Glad to hear someone else goes down this route...

I got the same advice from knot last season and I picked some up - i really like them. For me, I can go either way - padding or no. I wear Louis Garneau cycling shorts w/ chamois most of the time. But if I feel like going padless, I wear the underarmour compression shorts and am quite comfortable. I guess I'm bishortsual. I also don't wear cycling shoes and I use platform pedals.