Long shorts or short shorts?

[Dianyla]

I like short shorts. I'm a smidge under 5'4" and my femurs are somewhat long compared to my lower legs. I feel like long shorts just look... weird on me. I'd rather wear knickers and get the benefit of knee warmth if I'm going to go longer. I do get a bit of "sausage thigh" with shorter shorts but it's the lesser of evils, so...

A 5-6" inseam is just about perfect since it's short enough to look good but long enough that my thighs don't chafe against eachother or the saddle. My favorite pair of shorts so far is the Sugoi Evolution Shorty shorts. They are the perfect length, the waistline has a flattering dip in front that prevents cutting into my digestion, and the fabric is really nice.

Nanci, you might want to look at the normal length Sugoi Evolution shorts. The Ricaro chamois is thick but firm, not mushy at all.

[Nanci]

Maybe...They all _look_ good, but when you get it out of the package in real life it's like 12 inches across.

I'd sure like to know what the $179 LG Airstreamor whatever it is that V has is like, though...

Nanci

[Susan Otcenas]

I'd sure like to know what the $179 LG Airstreamor whatever it is that V has is like, though...

Nanci

Nanci, Veronica has these and is pretty happy with them. She's posted here about them before. (Veronica, didn't you do your recent double century in these?)

I have a pair too. I like to test ride as many of our shorts as possible, especially the more expensive ones so I can "compare and contrast". I've worn them several times and been extremely comfortable in them, even on longer rides. Haven't had a chance to wear them in really hot weather yet, and I think that's where they'll really excel. They have vents punched though them and I suspect they will get good airflow over the chamois on hot days. Should keep the chamois drier. On a completely aesthetic note, I love the lines - very flattering on me.

To keep this thread on track, though... My preference is about 7" inseam. At 5'4" , an 8" inseam is just a little too long. And 6" doesn't usually hit me in the right spot - I'm not a small girl (25" thighs) and I confess to being rather critical of them!

Susan

[Waverly]

I am 5'8 and don't like long or short shorts I KNOW that isn't much help! I like them to hit about mid thigh while I am in riding position. When I first started riding I liked Pearl Izumi but the pair I had wore out very quickly, and I don't dry them. Now I am very fond of Sheebeast. I can’t remember the exact style but I really like the chamois. I believe they are a 6" inseam. I do pull on them some but only when I am feeling insecure about my legs looking fat. I have to admit to tan line vanity as well!

Jessica

[KTeach]

I hate the way my thigh fat bulges out of shorter shorts! No matter how fit or thin I get I have flabby thighs! I'm only 5'2" and I LOVE Terry TShorts in the long length. I never had a problem with the chamois and wore them for more than one century ride. They reach just above my knee so tan lines aren't a problem and my thighs look great!

[fatbottomedgurl]

Maybe I need long ones for those I-feel-yucky-about-my-thighs days. (Okay I confess I just pulled out a tape measure...oh no not again.) And some shorties for when it is SoCal HOT and need to work on my shorts tan. However I am with Nanci and find myself not wearing shorts too often. But tan fat looks better than white.

[Lise]

This thread is so helpful! I purchased my shorts in near-complete ignorance, but this summer want to do some more informed shopping. My shorts are as follows:

1. The Canari ones I bought at Sportmart at least three years ago. They're getting kind of worn out and baggy. Inseam: 6"

2. The Sugoi Evolution ones I bought when TE had a special offer that you could get free arm warmers with them. They're my "long ride" shorts, d/t big chamois. As I say, I bought them because they looked like "real" bike shorts, and they came with arm warmers (which I believe I've worn exactly...once!) Inseam: 6"

3. My Zoot tri shorts, with a much thinner chamois so you aren't running with a wet diaper-like pad in a triathlon. Inseam: 6"

I really have no idea what I like vs. don't like. I wear so much sunscreen that, while I do tan, it's not that noticeable. I seldom wear anything that's as short as my bike shorts, anyways. I'm 5'8", with kind of long femurs, so I wear things that would be too long on a shorter woman. I may try a 7" inseam on a pair of shorts this summer, just to have the elastic hit a little below the blobby parts!

I'm going to use this thread to go look at various shorts on the web. Thanks for your help. I really didn't know what to look for or where to start.

[fatbottomedgurl]

My blobby parts stop at my knees. Familiar with the term "cupid knees"?