Padded cycling shorts, what are your recommendations?

[Frankieboy]

So having tried several different padded cycling shorts over the years, I still haven’t managed to find a pair that offer great padding; any suggestions?

 

[boBE]

Zoic Ether

 

[Yorkshire Rich]

I've got a pair of Fox ones i bought at Dalby after leaving my gel seat at home and they are pretty good but no where near as good as a gel seat . both together and its decent .

 

[Levo Laland]

Altura Progel 2

 

[steve_sordy]

I've had these for years. Endura padded cycling liner shorts.

Endura Padded Liner Cycling Shorts - Out of Stock | Tredz Bikes

Endura Padded Liner Cycling Shorts. Out of Stock. All Under Shorts are delivered free to the UK mainland*, 365 day returns & Price Match.

www.tredz.co.uk

 

[Maxb]

Impact Shorts 3DF 4.0

<p>Our protective shorts with a dual-density seat padding/chamois.</p> <p>Offering protection at the hip and thigh, these shorts score a total of 14 points in the Leatt protection rating system.</p> <p>Compression MoistureCool material with flatlock stitching and mesh ventilation ensure a...

www.leatt.com

I use these gives you a bit of protection and have a good pad I find them good for a day in the saddle

 

[Doomanic]

I've had these for years. Endura padded cycling liner shorts.

Endura Padded Liner Cycling Shorts - Out of Stock | Tredz Bikes

Endura Padded Liner Cycling Shorts. Out of Stock. All Under Shorts are delivered free to the UK mainland*, 365 day returns & Price Match.

www.tredz.co.uk

They do at least 3 different pads

Seat Pads | Endura

Endura Pads Page

design.endurasport.com

 

[steve_sordy]

The variety of pads looks like a great idea, but the padded liners I linked to don't offer the option for different pads. You just get what they have decided for those liners. I was been happy with them for many years. Then I started riding a lot further per ride and more frequently and got a saddle sore. That is now healed and I used Bepanthem nappy cream where the saddle sore was (thanks @Gary) and I have had no further problems.

 

[p3eps]

I’ve tried Altura and Endura, and found both pretty average. My current shorts are Yeti, which have a much plusher feeling pad.
I also have a set of Gore bib tights for winter, and the insert in them is amazing.
My next short under shorts will be Gore, based on the tights.

 

[steve_sordy]

..............
I also have a set of Gore bib tights for winter, and the insert in them is amazing.
My next short under shorts will be Gore, based on the tights.

I see that Gore offer C3 liner shorts and C5 liner shorts, yet they look the same. What is the difference between C3 and C5? I'm assuming its the padding. Nothing on the web pages.

 

[p3eps]

I see that Gore offer C3 liner shorts and C5 liner shorts, yet they look the same. What is the difference between C3 and C5? I'm assuming its the padding. Nothing on the web pages.

I think there’s C3, C5 and C7? 3 is cheaper, 5 is mid, and 7 is more expensive.
As with most things, the more you pay, the better they are! My bib tights are C5.
Classed as Active, Advanced and Expert...

GOREWEAR

Shop the entire range of GOREWEAR performance running and cycling clothing for men and women. Free Shipping and express delivery available.

www.gorewear.com

 

[Frankieboy]

Thanks for your input. I’ve ordered some Altura Pro gel as a mate also recommended them.

If you don’t already use some form of lubricant on your padding, I’d support @steve_sordy comment. Been using it for a few years now, no saddle sores since.

 

[motmcd]

I know this will sound counterintuitive, but over-padded saddles, even when wearing the best shorts with chamois, can cause greater discomfort. Your contact patch is too big sitting on an overly soft saddle and that's compounded by wearing chamois shorts. It's best to wear quality chamois shorts with a not-so-cushy saddle. Your arse will acclimate, you won't get chaffing, and you won't apply pressure unnecessarily to the nerves in your nether region.

 

[wkearney99]

This is a timely thread. I'm looking for new shorts.

When I last rode regularly I found gel shorts/seats were often worse than nothing because the gel would get squished out of place if you spent more than a few minutes really seated on them. I ended up a lot happier (and in less pain) with chamois lined shorts (synthetic or natural, both were good). Have the materials changed enough to make that no longer a factor?

And is anyone making lined shorts for kids? My skinny 12 year old boy has raised some complaints about discomfort 'up front' with regular underwear. For some stuff XS women's sizes work but for this, I'm guessing not?

 

[OldGoatMTB]

I've had many pairs of shorts but never liked the gel ones.

 

[wepn]

For me, a balance lightweight and highly protective is best for all mountain type emtb. These are an example.

Demon FlexForce X D3O Padded Shorts MTB V2

 

[B1rdie]

The padding function is to drain the sweat out of the skin at the spots where it contacts the saddle and rubs against the mix of cloth and some excess skin (this increases as I age), rather than just adding comfort and softness. I say it because from this perspective a foam padding may be more efficient than a gel one, since the sweat may not break through the gel as it does with foam. I have been wearing fox shorts for years, from the less pricey ranger line to the most expensive ones, no gel on the paddings and chamois cream to avoid sores.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

ALSO, regular men's underwear usually has a seam right across the 'taint' which, when paired with the pressure put on this area by sitting on a bicycle seat, can cause discomfort over time.

 

[Shifty]

My backside has worn in now after 1900k since September 2019 in the saddle. So padding in shorts doesn’t really make much difference to me ??.. that’s true though, padded shorts or not, now at 30-40k trail riding doesn’t make any difference to my iron ass !!!

 

[Expidia]

Ha, timely thread . . . These just came yesterday fom Amazon. I have two pair of the spandex still but I still always feel like one of those chicks (at least I think they are chicks ) that go flyng by me in their shiny colorful total spandex outfits .

I have not tried them yet as the first pair came in a large and they were way too big. These are loose fitting (my "boys" will like this) and they have zippered pockets for my wallet and stuff.

 

[RsGaz]

Endura Hummvee 2 with the click fast liner, love em.

 

[Clean]

Endura Hummvee 2 with the click fast liner, love em.

This,

Best there is.

End of.

 

[Beekeeper]

Endura Humvee II are just awesome. Such a well constructed product.

 

[Sander23]

Have tried a few, send them all back except for the assos trail liner pants. Comes with 2 protector pads.
The fit and comfort is amazing can barely feel it

 

[04fuxake]

Bib shorts under some lightweight baggies.