Jeans vs Chamois, why are jeans winning?

[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.

[Velocivixen]

The first thing that came to mind was to get a pair of sharp scissors and make those jeans into shorts! Wear whatever you're comfortable in. You're no less of a cyclist wearing jeans, especially if you're going 300 miles. If you want to wear jeans then do it. Now if there's some other reason, like your legs might get too warm, then cut those suckers off!

[emily_in_nc]

The first thing that came to mind was to get a pair of sharp scissors and make those jeans into shorts! Wear whatever you're comfortable in. You're no less of a cyclist wearing jeans, especially if you're going 300 miles. If you want to wear jeans then do it. Now if there's some other reason, like your legs might get too warm, then cut those suckers off!

And if you're comfy in jeans, maybe switch to another type of shorts (or pants or capris) in a lighter-weight material. Jeans are thick and would seem to me to restrict pedaling somewhat, plus any long pants, you have to worry about getting the pant leg caught in your crankset/chain. I can't imagine that thick jeans seam in the crotch area, though...

[CommuterChick]

Again, it's whatever works for you. I too just hop on my bike to get to the library, grocery, doctor's, stop by a friend's, and will often just ride in the jeans or cargo shorts I have on, no problem on the short rides. But you mentioned your bike shorts are maybe a little too small. That could be part of your problem. I found my difficulties in your area of concern eased up when I went to a much thinner pad in my bike shorts. I've experimented with several pairs, and found a favorite, Pearl Izumi. I wear the others, but when I have a long ride I read for the PI's. And because I do ride around town I often slip a skort over the shorts, found I get more use that way than out of padded skorts (got one of those too, it does to me what your shorts do to you). Plus the skort has pockets!

good luck figuring out the problem, if anything's personal and individual, this is.

[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.