Sugoi -v- Louis Garneau

[Mags...]

I'm looking at 2 pairs of shorts and cannot decide between them. I'm hoping some of you ladies will be able to offer your thoughts on these shorts to help me make my mind up. The choices are:

Sugoi RS http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSU_38377F_1.html
I've had the RS shorts before, probably 18 months ago, the style looks the same, but the chamois was different.

Louis Garneau Speed Matrix http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodLG_1050243.html

It's not the style or the fabrics or the cost which have me undecided, but the differences in the chamois. My saddle is the Selle Italia SLR Lady, so not a lot of padding/gel, so for longer rides (4+ hours) I like to have a short that gives some support and comfort.

Does anyone have anything (negative or positive) to offer on these 2 options?

[Grog]

I know nothing about those Garneau shorts, but based on past experience with their clothing I'd say go with Sugoi, which I have found overall much more reliable, quality-wise...

Others may know that model specifically though, and have a more enlightened opinion.

[Misandal]

My only experience with LG is their knickers and that chamois did not agree with me at all.

See my post "Sugoi RS shorts rule!" to get my opinion on those. I spent many, many hours in them, in both wet and dry conditions, and they worked out great for me. As someone has said before, they are the first shorts that actually do feel like they're compressing the muscles - all of them say they do, but these really feel like they do. I love the length, the material, the chamois and the way it's sewn in. They fit more snug than other shorts, but that helps keep everything in place and the chamois from moving around. They've been great for me.

Missy

[VeloVT]

I have no experience with Louis Garneau shorts, but I do have a pair of Sugoi RS shorts from last season.

The chamois shown in the detail on the TE pags looks just like the chamois in my RS shorts.

I LOVE the shorts part -- the fabric and fit are fantastic. The fabric is both very supportive and very well ventilated, and the panels are very flattering and contribute to a great fit. However, I don't love this chamois. It's just ok for me. I find the front (which is where I need a bit more padding) to be thin and hard, while for me, there is too much padding over the sitbone area where I don't really need it, and that padding is quite firm.

However, this is such a personal thing, if you liked your other RS shorts you may like the newer ones too, and certainly lots of people love the chamois in the RS shorts. Just not me .

If you have a chance to try them on, you might compare them with the Castelli Visio short, which I like a lot -- I really, really like Castelli's Ypro chamois. The fabric is also very supportive, unlike some of Castelli's other shorts (though a very different feel than the RS fabric).

Good luck!

[Misandal]

Liza that's so funny! For the reasons you don't like the chamois, I do! I don't like a lot of padding up "in my business" but I do like the padding at the rear because my saddle is firm.

Some people say that saddles/shorts shouldn't impact the comfort of the other, but I firmly believe that they need to pair up right. I think the wrong saddle will make the right shorts feel bad, and the wrong chamois can make the best saddle unbearable! JMO.

[SadieKate]

Some people say that saddles/shorts shouldn't impact the comfort of the other, but I firmly believe that they need to pair up right. I think the wrong saddle will make the right shorts feel bad, and the wrong chamois can make the best saddle unbearable! JMO.

Amen! I have shorts that are horrible with my road saddle and perfect with my mtb saddle, and vice versa.

[Mags...]

Some people say that saddles/shorts shouldn't impact the comfort of the other, but I firmly believe that they need to pair up right. I think the wrong saddle will make the right shorts feel bad, and the wrong chamois can make the best saddle unbearable! JMO.

I have the same thoughts, I tend to look at the shorts and the saddle as a combo. I have a much more padded saddle that I sometimes put on the bike, the Selle Italia Diva Lady and I have to wear my lightly padded shorts with that saddle.

OK, I think I'll eliminate the LG's - I do really like Sugoi ... I have some other pieces of their gear and it fits me really well. But before I order, I'll throw another pair of shorts up for further consideration...

What about these Gore Ozon Lady shorts http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGB_TOZONL_0.html
I've got a few pieces of their clothing (windvest, winter nix, gloves, sleeveless jersey) and it also fits well and I really like the quality. The chamois in their windstopper long nix is different to the one in these shorts, but I do like the look of this chamois. It has a little cutout area in the middle, it could be good for reducing pressure there I think. But I really like to have a bit of padding up the back as my preferred saddle is a bit firm, and this one doesn't look as thick up the back as the Sugoi one.

Does anyone have an opinion on these Gore's?