What's the most comfortable road shorts
Discussion
As others have said, it'll be different for everyone.
My favourites are Castelli Free Aero Race - they have noticeable proper compression that makes a big difference for longer rides over 2 hours. I find the top level Progetto pad much thicker than their lower level Kiss pad. I have a pair of Castelli Omloop shorts that are insulated and cut pretty long, and are great for Spring / Autumn rides. For ref I am 6ft 4, 90kg and an XXL fits perfect.
For my commute (60-90 mins), I use DHB aeron shorts from a couple of years ago. They're decent, but not great over a couple of hours.
I got some Rapha pro team shorts on sale, which just don't seem to fit me that well, and they've been relegated to the turbo. They seem well made and well padded, but just don't seem to offer the compression of the Castellis for me. I think I am between sizes for these, so that probably doesn't help.
Honourable shout out for some on sale Planet X bib shorts that lasted one in/out commute before disintegrating in the washing machine. I think they would have cost more to return than they did to buy though! Weirdly the long sleeved base layer I bought at the same time from them has lasted for years, and turned out to be one of my best cycling buys ever
My favourites are Castelli Free Aero Race - they have noticeable proper compression that makes a big difference for longer rides over 2 hours. I find the top level Progetto pad much thicker than their lower level Kiss pad. I have a pair of Castelli Omloop shorts that are insulated and cut pretty long, and are great for Spring / Autumn rides. For ref I am 6ft 4, 90kg and an XXL fits perfect.
For my commute (60-90 mins), I use DHB aeron shorts from a couple of years ago. They're decent, but not great over a couple of hours.
I got some Rapha pro team shorts on sale, which just don't seem to fit me that well, and they've been relegated to the turbo. They seem well made and well padded, but just don't seem to offer the compression of the Castellis for me. I think I am between sizes for these, so that probably doesn't help.
Honourable shout out for some on sale Planet X bib shorts that lasted one in/out commute before disintegrating in the washing machine. I think they would have cost more to return than they did to buy though! Weirdly the long sleeved base layer I bought at the same time from them has lasted for years, and turned out to be one of my best cycling buys ever
I’ll offer up a curve ball. Last year I did a couple of plus 150 mile rides and one 205 mile ride in a day.
I’ve tried lots of bibs over the years including ASOS, Rapha and Castelli etc.
After some extensive research for something that would be super comfortable in both the chamois and the short itself I found these from a company from the USA called Pactimo.
https://www.pactimo.co.uk/collections/the-12-hour-...
They are utterly amazing! I ride mile after mile and felt as comfortable as I believe you can be over those sort of distances. I’m pushing 100kg too, so quite hard on the saddle.
If you’re interested and they tick any boxes let me know via pm as I’m a brand ambassador for them in the UK this year and can get you a good discount.
I’ve tried lots of bibs over the years including ASOS, Rapha and Castelli etc.
After some extensive research for something that would be super comfortable in both the chamois and the short itself I found these from a company from the USA called Pactimo.
https://www.pactimo.co.uk/collections/the-12-hour-...
They are utterly amazing! I ride mile after mile and felt as comfortable as I believe you can be over those sort of distances. I’m pushing 100kg too, so quite hard on the saddle.
If you’re interested and they tick any boxes let me know via pm as I’m a brand ambassador for them in the UK this year and can get you a good discount.
Too many variables, I love my Rapha bibs and buy them repeatedly because I know they work, I have one pair of Asos bibs that are about 7 or 8 years old and still going strong, I would have bought more but they're a bit short in the leg which I don't like the look of. But great for turbo wear now!
Opposite to above I hate the Castelli Free Aero, I found they gave no padding whatsoever despite being comfortable on the leg. Don't discount the over the shoulder mesh etc too, this does play it's part in all round comfort.
Opposite to above I hate the Castelli Free Aero, I found they gave no padding whatsoever despite being comfortable on the leg. Don't discount the over the shoulder mesh etc too, this does play it's part in all round comfort.
As pretty much everyone has mentioned, shorts are nearly as personal as saddles! I think you just have to try a few brands and workout what is best suited to your body shape and riding style. I've got:
Rapha pro team - good quality, good bib straps, good leg grippers, average pad that seems to be getting less comfortable with age.
Castelli free aero race - good pad and compressive material. Bib straps are awful though, way too thin
Le Col pro - good straps and leg grippers, really like the pad but it is slightly in the wrong place for me (too far back). Also the fabric isn't as compressive as I'd like.
Q36.5 gregarious - haven't had these long but very impressed so far. Pad is in exactly the right place for me and everything else is spot on.
Assos S7 - meh! Considering how much people rave about assos I've not been overly impressed, pad seems to be huge so ends up creased/bunched in places. Average leg grippers and the material has faded badly!
I would say that decent bib shorts make a bigger difference than any other bit of kit so well worth spending decent money IMO.
Rapha pro team - good quality, good bib straps, good leg grippers, average pad that seems to be getting less comfortable with age.
Castelli free aero race - good pad and compressive material. Bib straps are awful though, way too thin
Le Col pro - good straps and leg grippers, really like the pad but it is slightly in the wrong place for me (too far back). Also the fabric isn't as compressive as I'd like.
Q36.5 gregarious - haven't had these long but very impressed so far. Pad is in exactly the right place for me and everything else is spot on.
Assos S7 - meh! Considering how much people rave about assos I've not been overly impressed, pad seems to be huge so ends up creased/bunched in places. Average leg grippers and the material has faded badly!
I would say that decent bib shorts make a bigger difference than any other bit of kit so well worth spending decent money IMO.
triathlonstu said:
I've got a few pairs from a few different manufacturers (including Rapha and some expensive Specialized ones) but its hard to see past anything Endura. Recently bought the Pro SL shorts - they're excellent and significantly cheaper than a lot of the alternatives.
Whereas I can't wear endura as the pad cuts my inner thigh.Just goes to show it's a very personal thing
t, in almost every way IMO.
sociopath said:
triathlonstu said:
I've got a few pairs from a few different manufacturers (including Rapha and some expensive Specialized ones) but its hard to see past anything Endura. Recently bought the Pro SL shorts - they're excellent and significantly cheaper than a lot of the alternatives.
Whereas I can't wear endura as the pad cuts my inner thigh.Just goes to show it's a very personal thing
Yes very personal! I think spending big money is a gamble especially when you have the likes of dhb etc around
As others have said, hugely personal.
I used to be a huge Endura fan, not any more. Don't know if it's them or me that's changed, but we're no longer compatible...
A brand that hasn't been mentioned, but were the first shorts I've ever worn where the pad truly 'disappeared' whilst riding.
They're also made in the UK, in what I like to imagine is a bit like the knicker factory in Coronation Street.
Lusso.
I used to be a huge Endura fan, not any more. Don't know if it's them or me that's changed, but we're no longer compatible...
A brand that hasn't been mentioned, but were the first shorts I've ever worn where the pad truly 'disappeared' whilst riding.
They're also made in the UK, in what I like to imagine is a bit like the knicker factory in Coronation Street.
Lusso.
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