Jeans vs Chamois, why are jeans winning?

[jlnc]

Anybody follow this blog?
http://www.sherylyvette.com/

She usually rides in fishnets, high heeled slingbacks, skirts and corsets. She rode her cruiser bike in the 5 Boro Bike tour this year all dressed up. I like her because she reminds me to enjoy cycling. (Sorry, not really related to the Jeans/shorts question...)

[TsPoet]

I ride a bent, so I'm not talking to the comfort issue, i think others have some good suggestions. But, I did want to re-iterate, you don't have to wear cycling shorts!
If you want to fit in, there are a number of jogging/fitness short or rowing short options that look just like cycling shorts but have little or no padding. These shorts will also likely be more comfortable on longer rides on your thighs and knees than jeans (I would expect).
I personally love rowing shorts, which have a little bit of a pad, more for modesty than anything else, and look like bike shorts. These are some of my favorites
http://www.jlrowing.com/

[sundial]

Anybody follow this blog?
http://www.sherylyvette.com/

She looks like a Betty Boop of the cycling world.

[KnottedYet]

I'm not a fan of padded shorts, either.

I am ok with tri shorts, but my favorite are plain ol' Under Armour compression shorts (7 inch inseams work best for my long legs). Also love the various gussetted pants and shorts that are out there. No nasty seam bump, and quite comfortable for riding. Diamond Gusset jeans and Rivendell's MUSA shorts/pants/capris spring to mind.

Diamond Gusset and MUSA are made in the USA.

(so are "Not Your Daughter's Jeans," for those of you who have cyclist's thighs and buns. Trek420 looks so good in hers that I'm going out to buy a pair for myself tonight!)

[jessmarimba]

I wear padded shorts most of the time but loathe 2 of the 3 pairs I have b/c they...well, they cause things to get smushed in funny ways. My favorite bottoms are a cycling skort with a "casual" chamois (probably b/c it's the thinnest of the bunch). But I'm pretty darn happy riding around in jeans too.

[kcmpls]

When I say I rode 20 miles in jeans, that was without stopping, I had met a friend and he wanted to do a ride.

And the shorts aren't too big, if anything too small. I'm a plus size girl and my bike shorts are XXL, so they are tight. But I don't find them uncomfortable when walking in them.

I'm going to try some compression shorts and see if that works. Or maybe some tri shorts. My only reason, really, for not wearing jeans is because it would be hot, way too hot.

[Pax]

When I say I rode 20 miles in jeans, that was without stopping, I had met a friend and he wanted to do a ride.

And the shorts aren't too big, if anything too small. I'm a plus size girl and my bike shorts are XXL, so they are tight. But I don't find them uncomfortable when walking in them.

I'm going to try some compression shorts and see if that works. Or maybe some tri shorts. My only reason, really, for not wearing jeans is because it would be hot, way too hot.

Maybe some Daisy Dukes?

[ClockworkOrange]

YAY, I feel a big big moan coming on!

A year ago I bought a pair of 3/4 length cycling shorts, having chunky legs, I bought a larger size otherwise my legs would have looked like sausages bursting out of their skins, although they were too big around the waist.

OMG a couple of weeks ago went off for a short ride, went through a gate (where I had my accident a year ago), about to push off but the padded bit caught on the pointy part of the saddle, then my right foot slipped on the pedal, now I have no momentum to go up the slight hill, YES, I came off.

So, it's back to my old faithful 3/4 length jeans and I love 'em.

Saying all this, I don't do the miles that most of you do.

[bcipam]

When I say I rode 20 miles in jeans, that was without stopping, I had met a friend and he wanted to do a ride.

And the shorts aren't too big, if anything too small. I'm a plus size girl and my bike shorts are XXL, so they are tight. But I don't find them uncomfortable when walking in them.

I'm going to try some compression shorts and see if that works. Or maybe some tri shorts. My only reason, really, for not wearing jeans is because it would be hot, way too hot.

I am a plus size girl as well .... Have you ever checked out terrybicycle.com? They sell plus size clothing (as does Team Estrogen) and maybe the fact your shorts are 1) too small and 2) maybe not a high quality material is your problem. A 1X versus an XXL is possibly what you need.

I love Terry's t-short. The padding is not too much but is enough for comfort. Terry also sells several styles of chamois especially if you like a minimal chamois.

Personally can't imagine riding in jeans; even really stretchy ones. Too hot and way too constricting. If you need coverage, then consider a mountain style double short.