My kingdom for seams that aren't destroyed almost instantly by my thunder thighs!!

[ny biker]

I'd like my Endura shorts more, but the front of the chamois is too bulky/dense and defeats the purpose of the big cut-out on my saddle.

Someone really needs to take the concept of the saddle cutout and apply it to chamois design -- make the padding very thin in front.

I know that the chamois in Shebeest's shorts is wider for L and XL sizes than for XS-M. (Which is the reason I don't wear Shebeest shorts -- the size M is just a bit to small, the size L fits perfectly but the chamois is so wide that it bunches up. Fortunately I noticed this in the fitting room, thus avoiding certain torture on the bike.) After I discovered that I noticed that TE used to provide information on multiple chamois sizes for the shorts that they sold, and Shebeest was the only brand that I recall doing it. But I could be wrong about that.

[zoom-zoom]

Someone really needs to take the concept of the saddle cutout and apply it to chamois design -- make the padding very thin in front.

I know that the chamois in Shebeest's shorts is wider for L and XL sizes than for XS-M. (Which is the reason I don't wear Shebeest shorts -- the size M is just a bit to small, the size L fits perfectly but the chamois is so wide that it bunches up. Fortunately I noticed this in the fitting room, thus avoiding certain torture on the bike.) After I discovered that I noticed that TE used to provide information on multiple chamois sizes for the shorts that they sold, and Shebeest was the only brand that I recall doing it. But I could be wrong about that.

It's a bummer that the Endura shorts don't work better -- they have 3 chamois width options for EVERY size of their top end shorts. They match the chamois to a rider's favorite saddle (I want to say my shorts were L with a narrow chamois to match my SMP saddle). And the chamois fit was great, except for that bulky front. DH and one of our other cycling buddies are shocked that I don't love the Endura bibs as much as they do (they have the men's version), but neither of them has female anatomy or need for cut-out saddles.

[Crankin]

The other shorts I love are the Terry Bellas, but the chamois is very narrow and not dense. I mostly love them because of the high compression factor, bu they are too heavy to wear in very hot weather and the Sugoi chamois is better for long rides. I found this outon the first day of my trip to Spain, when it was 100 degrees.

[zoom-zoom]

Not comfortable for a road ride, you ride off-road a lot, right?

Only if gravel is off-road. I actually sold my mountain bike a while back...since I've not really ridden it in >3 years (since busting my wrist). I ride ~3500 miles/year, almost entirely on pavement or gravel.

I think I'm probably stuck with my issue as long as I am on my favorite saddle. I went through over a dozen saddles that caused various issues before trying the SMP.

[ny biker]

To me, a seamless chamois is a chamois that is all one piece, so the only stitches are the ones around the edges to attach it to the shorts. I think most are like this now. Years ago I had some PI shorts with a chamois that was multiple sections sewn together, and then sewn to the shorts around the edges. So you ended up with seams between you and the saddle, sometimes in high-chafe areas -- very uncomfortable.

[rebeccaC]

Because of the good research into chamois design we now have seamless, flat-lock stitched around the outside edge, quality perforated mono/multi high-density memory foam and antibacterial stretchable microfiber covered chamois’ with designs for different kinds of riding. It’s well worth my comfort to spend the money needed to get a quality constructed pair of shorts with a chamois designed for the kind of riding I’m doing whether for long distance and climbing, just a days causal ride around the city or commuting etc.

Chamois' are really a personal and type of riding choice much like saddles, which are also an important part of this. Probably lots of good info on the net for chamois design to look through. Louis Garneau is my current favorite for long rides and for construction, the chamois design, fit and the way it’s cut a little higher in the back and lower in the front. I bought two more after three long hard rides to have for replacement. Garneau also do custom made shorts where you can pick the graphics, color, fabrics and chamois.

Thinking business bottom liners can sometimes have the influences on fabric/stitching/construction of a new version that can cause problems with reliability for that particular one…or perhaps just a manufacturing problem. Something like REI’s return policy when needed ftw

chamois cream on long rides ftw…..

ny...terry has some good photos of their different chamois designs on their site

muirenn...a good seamless chamois will have a stretchable fabric that will help in dealing with pulling….and good stitching like flat-lock helps too.

[zoom-zoom]

Yeah, the stitching issue I have is flat-lock stitching that is making direct contact with my saddle. The sides of the nose and pressure from my generous thighs are just too much for those seams. I wonder if the zig-zag stitching would actually hold up better than the flatlock, which is quite a bit more raised atop the surface of the lycra shorts. Problem is, I really LOVE the FXE chamois in my Sugoi shorts. It may be a real catch-22. There are so few chamois that don't bug me. The FXE is perfect for my needs -- really dense gel foam under my sitbones, but minimal padding up front.