Padded Bottoms - Necessary?

[cervelogirl]

Interesting discussion - I just asked this myself too. DH has gotten me an Assos Cycling Bib for a present but I just don't seem to like it enough for the price. They feel bulky at the front. He loves his Assos Cycling shorts and thinks they are well worth the money...

From my understanding, if you have a fitting saddle - so you are sitting on your sitbones - the padding in the front doesn't make much sense, does it? The chamois in the front does makes me feel hot and uncomfortable.

Maybe the chamois-design comes from a wrong understanding where women ought to sit on a saddle?

I find the in most cycling shorts the padding in the front doesn't come up far enough and there's too much in the back. I've been considering Assos so maybe they will work for me. Thank you for providing your feedback! Not many reviews out there (outside of this site) on women's shorts and Assos in particular.
...I also ride in a rather 'aggressive' set-up, nearly parallel with the road! but is very comfortable for me - everyone is different

[Susan]

If I can help you with any further information about this cycling short cervelogirl, just ask.

I understand that you may have different needs if you use a very aggressive setup on your bike.
I myself will look for a more minimal cycling short the next time - but I am mountainbiking, so my position on the bike is quite relaxed.

[zoom-zoom]

I find the in most cycling shorts the padding in the front doesn't come up far enough and there's too much in the back.

Have you tried Pearl Izumi? I have this exact issue and they are the only brand that has really worked for me. I had several different brands of shorts where the widest part of the chamois fell behind my sit bones and my sit bones ended up on the seams in front of the butt part of the chamois. The only other brand that fit me OK was Gore, but the padding was not dense/thick enough under my sit bones.

[Catrin]

Have you tried Pearl Izumi? I have this exact issue and they are the only brand that has really worked for me. I had several different brands of shorts where the widest part of the chamois fell behind my sit bones and my sit bones ended up on the seams in front of the butt part of the chamois. The only other brand that fit me OK was Gore, but the padding was not dense/thick enough under my sit bones.

Personally, the PI 3D Elite chamois works well for me, though they are a trifle thick - but do very well for long rides for me. So far I've yet to find another that does. Am currently trying Terry Liberty shorts for short rides, but for some reason it almost feels like I slide around the saddle more than I should with them I would not use them for a long ride, but outside of the sliding thing they seem fine for short rides.

[zoom-zoom]

Personally, the PI 3D Elite chamois works well for me, though they are a trifle thick - but do very well for long rides for me.

Yep. I tried a pair with the PRO chamois, but didn't really like it...partly because the shorts gave me the worst. sausage legs. ever.

[Jen12]

First, let me say I'm loving this forum! I'm getting all kinds of information, and being new to long distance cycling, it's helpful. It seems like any other hobby. You can spend a small fortune on it, or a large fortune. Just pick.

Today I did my first ride (20 miles) wearing shorts with the chamois (how do you pronounce that, btw?) I bought a pair of Novaro shorts at REI that were $40, which seems like about the least you can pay. Aside from making my backside appear to one again be the two sizes that I've lost over the last year, they seemed okay functionally. I didn't have too strong a feeling one way or the other, but they do have a great deal of padding. I can see how that would be hot on a really warm day.

I also purchased a skort with a chamois. What is the feeling on that? It certainly covers up the odd shape the chamois gives. Coming from a running background, I've always preferred running skirts to shorts, but haven't tried riding with the extra fabric. Anyone care to weigh in on that?

[Catrin]

First, let me say I'm loving this forum! I'm getting all kinds of information, and being new to long distance cycling, it's helpful. It seems like any other hobby. You can spend a small fortune on it, or a large fortune. Just pick.

Today I did my first ride (20 miles) wearing shorts with the chamois (how do you pronounce that, btw?) I bought a pair of Novaro shorts at REI that were $40, which seems like about the least you can pay. Aside from making my backside appear to one again be the two sizes that I've lost over the last year, they seemed okay functionally. I didn't have too strong a feeling one way or the other, but they do have a great deal of padding. I can see how that would be hot on a really warm day.

I also purchased a skort with a chamois. What is the feeling on that? It certainly covers up the odd shape the chamois gives. Coming from a running background, I've always preferred running skirts to shorts, but haven't tried riding with the extra fabric. Anyone care to weigh in on that?

When it comes to bike shorts, it really is best to purchase the most expensive pair that you can afford and they should be tight. It does matter where bike shorts are concerned - if they are loose then they will chafe just where you don't want them to There are so many different types of chamois out there, some look like a diaper, some are almost non-existent - but what really depends is what our butts think of them.

Personally I will never ride without bike shorts or a liner with a chamois - but that is me. Some chamois are better for short rides, some are best for long endurance rides, and some aren't worth purchasing - but it is for your butt to decide which is which - this is a quite subjective process.

I've never ridden in a skort, but I do know there are some TE women who really like them - there is only one way to see what you think of them and that is to give them a shot

[Crankin]

If the chamois feels like diaper while you are on the bike, then the shorts aren't right for you. They shouldn't make your butt look 2 sizes bigger. This is a very individual thing.
I have a couple of cycling skorts, but I generally wear them for rides < 20 miles, errands, lunches, etc. There are a couple of styles; I have found the wrap ones fly up in the front, so the shorts part shows, which is a little weird, because the shorts part look like cycling shorts, but are not as compressive, usually. So, I always feel like my underwear is showing, although it's really shorts showing. I like the ones with the side slits more.

[OakLeaf]

Americans usually say "shammy" IME. I want to say there's a car polishing product that spells it that way.

[soprano]

I also purchased a skort with a chamois. What is the feeling on that? It certainly covers up the odd shape the chamois gives. Coming from a running background, I've always preferred running skirts to shorts, but haven't tried riding with the extra fabric. Anyone care to weigh in on that?

Skorts are very nice for blending in with the non-athletic-wear crowd, if you like to ride to the grocery store, library, etc. For some of us, a skort feels more modest in those situations.

There are also some really cute skorts out there - a big step up from tight, plain black shorts!

[zoom-zoom]

Skorts are very nice for blending in with the non-athletic-wear crowd, if you like to ride to the grocery store, library, etc. For some of us, a skort feels more modest in those situations.

There are also some really cute skorts out there - a big step up from tight, plain black shorts!

I thought a skort would be fun until someone pointed out that flapping fabric can be bee magnets.

[GLC1968]

Have you tried Pearl Izumi? I have this exact issue and they are the only brand that has really worked for me. I had several different brands of shorts where the widest part of the chamois fell behind my sit bones and my sit bones ended up on the seams in front of the butt part of the chamois. The only other brand that fit me OK was Gore, but the padding was not dense/thick enough under my sit bones.

This should come as no surprise, but I have the same problem. The issue I'm having is that the PI shorts I've worn for the past 5+ years are now no longer correct. I have no idea what happened but my sit bones are now in front of the widest part of the chamois on these as well! It may be the new saddles (which work GREAT with tri chamois but I need more padding for longer rides). It may be more aggressive positioning. I don't think it's weight loss as I'm not even down to where I was when I started cycling yet. FRUSTRATING!

Now I need new to find new bike shorts! Ugh!

And here I was going to ask for your recommendations and all you've got for me is PI? Crap.

[zoom-zoom]

And here I was going to ask for your recommendations and all you've got for me is PI? Crap.

Ha, which short, in particular? I've been wearing the Symphony and Symphony Cut shorts with the orange "Elite 3D" chamois.

[GLC1968]

Ha, which short, in particular? I've been wearing the Symphony and Symphony Cut shorts with the orange "Elite 3D" chamois.

Mine are old. Old Ultrasensors or Microsensors with a grey and green chamois. I think it was labeled the Elite 3D or the PRO 3D or something like that, but it looks totally different than the current versions. Actually, the current versions look even longer!

I just ordered a pair of Gore Oxygen shorts and a pair of Castelli Tyra's. My best (but not perfect) chamois is in a pair of Gore shorts but the shorts are a bit too large on me, so maybe they'll work if I get the right size. I've never tried Castelli, but the picture of the chamois made it look kind of short so I thought it was worth a shot. I just hope neither of them are too cushy. I like my chamois dense...like my men. J/K

[mariacycle]

Update: I finally found the perfect cycling shorts: Louis Garneau's Women Zone 3K Shorts. The fabric is very different than other shorts I've seen, it's very soft and stretchy. LG calls it "Alveo 3K" fabric if that means anything to you. The waistband is beyond comfortable and the bottom of the shorts don't ride up. Strongly recommend these shorts and if you wanted to look at them they're sold at Performance. Thanks everyone for your advice!