Padded bib shorts
Discussion
After 15 years roaming the wilderness riding the dark side (recumbents and velomobiles) I now find myself in need of padded bib shorts as I've just bought a nice road bike.
I used to pay a premium for Assos, but when I see £250 for shorts I think there must be good shorts for less than that, so I'm seeking recommendations.
I'm not racing, or doing long distances but need well padded as my sit bone area isn't tough like it used to be.
I used to pay a premium for Assos, but when I see £250 for shorts I think there must be good shorts for less than that, so I'm seeking recommendations.
I'm not racing, or doing long distances but need well padded as my sit bone area isn't tough like it used to be.
Personally I get on really well with the Progetto pad in Castelli shorts, and I find their cheaper (Kiss?) pads really uncomfortable. They can be expensive but have lasted really well for me - I've got some pairs that I've worn for thousands of miles and still going strong.
I also have some Rapha pro-team shorts but I am in between sizes, so they are slightly too big for me. The quality of those (from about 5 years ago) is exceptional, but not sure what they are like now.
I've found that cheaper shorts such as some DHB ones I have are totally fine for riding up to about 2 hours, but anything over that they aren't quite as comfy.
Best advice would be to try some on if you can. Decathlon gear is generally a reasonable quality for the money, as was DHB (Wiggle's own brand).
Victory Chimp do some cargo bib shorts if that's your thing. Their tops are a bit different, and really high quality, although I've never tried their shorts.
I also have some Rapha pro-team shorts but I am in between sizes, so they are slightly too big for me. The quality of those (from about 5 years ago) is exceptional, but not sure what they are like now.
I've found that cheaper shorts such as some DHB ones I have are totally fine for riding up to about 2 hours, but anything over that they aren't quite as comfy.
Best advice would be to try some on if you can. Decathlon gear is generally a reasonable quality for the money, as was DHB (Wiggle's own brand).
Victory Chimp do some cargo bib shorts if that's your thing. Their tops are a bit different, and really high quality, although I've never tried their shorts.
Personally I get on really well with the Progetto pad in Castelli shorts, and I find their cheaper (Kiss?) pads really uncomfortable. They can be expensive but have lasted really well for me - I've got some pairs that I've worn for thousands of miles and still going strong.
I also have some Rapha pro-team shorts but I am in between sizes, so they are slightly too big for me. The quality of those (from about 5 years ago) is exceptional, but not sure what they are like now.
I've found that cheaper shorts such as some DHB ones I have are totally fine for riding up to about 2 hours, but anything over that they aren't quite as comfy.
Best advice would be to try some on if you can. Decathlon gear is generally a reasonable quality for the money, as was DHB (Wiggle's own brand).
Victory Chimp do some cargo bib shorts if that's your thing. Their tops are a bit different, and really high quality, although I've never tried their shorts.
I also have some Rapha pro-team shorts but I am in between sizes, so they are slightly too big for me. The quality of those (from about 5 years ago) is exceptional, but not sure what they are like now.
I've found that cheaper shorts such as some DHB ones I have are totally fine for riding up to about 2 hours, but anything over that they aren't quite as comfy.
Best advice would be to try some on if you can. Decathlon gear is generally a reasonable quality for the money, as was DHB (Wiggle's own brand).
Victory Chimp do some cargo bib shorts if that's your thing. Their tops are a bit different, and really high quality, although I've never tried their shorts.
I've got 3 different pairs of padded shorts and they'll all OK but I prefer 1 of the 3, I think they're some cheapish Madison ones.
The last cycling holiday I did was back in March to India so 45C each day so you're shorts are soaking at the end of each day, none felt really uncomfortable in that heat and a day in the saddle.
The last cycling holiday I did was back in March to India so 45C each day so you're shorts are soaking at the end of each day, none felt really uncomfortable in that heat and a day in the saddle.
I've used a variety over the years since hte days of real chamois and sythetic chamois (which were pretty rubbish) and all of the gel ones seem pretty decent. Liek gloves, they don't need to be too thick. When Wiggle were still in business their DHB ones were good value. Endura are not ridiculously expensive. I only buy the expensive brands when half price in a sale. The pads are often made by a third party and used by different brands.
No one else has mentioned it and might not need saying. No underwear needed. Chamois cream is really good and will help your tender regions. As with anything, build up slowly and your saddle area will adapt.
No one else has mentioned it and might not need saying. No underwear needed. Chamois cream is really good and will help your tender regions. As with anything, build up slowly and your saddle area will adapt.
oddman said:
No one else has mentioned it and might not need saying. No underwear needed. Chamois cream is really good and will help your tender regions. As with anything, build up slowly and your saddle area will adapt.
Yes although I haven't sat on a saddle for a period of time, prior to that I was a 10k plus miles/year chappy, started out with chamois in the 80's, my arse was like leather 
As an aside I watched a Youtube vid on "Chamois cream" turns out the same stuff is also sold to farmers for cows, it's Udder Cream, bigger quantities available and much cheaper than stuff marketed as cycle specific
Edited by sherbertdip on Wednesday 24th July 12:28
Gin and Ultrasonic said:
Personally I get on really well with the Progetto pad in Castelli shorts, and I find their cheaper (Kiss?) pads really uncomfortable. They can be expensive but have lasted really well for me - I've got some pairs that I've worn for thousands of miles and still going strong.
Same, the Progetto X2 pad is really comfy for me, I think because there is a higher density bit for the sit bones, and it's shaped differently in a way which fits me very well. When I wear a different brand (usually Alé) I can immediately feel the difference.I've been using Free Aero Race 4.0 shorts (and skinsuits) for a while and got a pair of the current Aero RC recently and they are still as comfy, although be aware that the leg length is much longer, presumably to follow the current fashion.
All decent suggestions, but no mention of the one brand for whom the claim 'you never notice the pad' actually rang true (as, in when riding I never felt the pad, but definitely experienced the positive results of having padding!).
Lusso. Based in the UK too, and 'mid range' pricing. Simply bloody superb.
Their winter kit is also great.
Lusso. Based in the UK too, and 'mid range' pricing. Simply bloody superb.
Their winter kit is also great.
https://casp.cc/collections/mens-shorts/products/s...
a bargain and comfier than Castelli and Endura which i've had before - bit of a shortage of stock but worth keeping an eye open
a bargain and comfier than Castelli and Endura which i've had before - bit of a shortage of stock but worth keeping an eye open
Outlet stores are your friend but require a beady eye to nab regular sizes.
Assos official outlet store
Assos outlet at 7hundred
Q36.5 outlet at 7hundred
I can vouch for 7hundred (an excellent UK store, IME). In general, I prefer Q36.5 over Assos, although the two are close.
Assos official outlet store
Assos outlet at 7hundred
Q36.5 outlet at 7hundred
I can vouch for 7hundred (an excellent UK store, IME). In general, I prefer Q36.5 over Assos, although the two are close.
I’m a creature of habit:
Pearl Izumi make shorts & jerseys.
Oakley make glasses.
Giro make helmets.
Shimano make shoes.
Been this way since the 1990’s.
Ultimately try a few brands as one will work better for you than another.
I did try to upgrade to Castelli kit and fancy dancing shoes once but came back to what I knew.
Pearl Izumi make shorts & jerseys.
Oakley make glasses.
Giro make helmets.
Shimano make shoes.
Been this way since the 1990’s.
Ultimately try a few brands as one will work better for you than another.
I did try to upgrade to Castelli kit and fancy dancing shoes once but came back to what I knew.
As others have said, it's down to what works for you. (but also what goes with your saddle)
For me, PAS Normal and TSC shorts are far an away the most comfortable. I used to find Rapha PT and Assos comfy, but the changes to their pads have made them less so.
Trial and error is the only real route, it's a very personal fit issue. You really notice the comfort when you spend north of 6hrs in them. I've done a few 12hr+ organised rides, the number of people that have literally work a hole in their arse cheeks by the end of it is staggering, when I've been perfectly fine.....but I also use the same custom fitted saddle on every bike which plays a major part.
For me, PAS Normal and TSC shorts are far an away the most comfortable. I used to find Rapha PT and Assos comfy, but the changes to their pads have made them less so.
Trial and error is the only real route, it's a very personal fit issue. You really notice the comfort when you spend north of 6hrs in them. I've done a few 12hr+ organised rides, the number of people that have literally work a hole in their arse cheeks by the end of it is staggering, when I've been perfectly fine.....but I also use the same custom fitted saddle on every bike which plays a major part.
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