Cycling Pants...

[Charlie Parker]

Hey another quick question,

I'm having trouble finding cycling pants that I'm comfortable (emotionally) wearing. I don't like the tight feeling of cycling pants and I just feel akward in them, like a go-go dancer or something.

I bought a really nice pair of Zoic pants, but I just learned they're for Mountain Biking and they're kind of heavy. Are these okay for long distance tours? Otherwise I'll return them.
http://www.zoic.com/mens-ether-shorts

Some pants have cushioning built inside of them. Are they necessary?
Is 3 pairs of cycling pants good for one trip?
Can I buy loose cycling pants somewhere?

Thanks for the quick help.

[jrswenberger]

Shorts or pants while cycling is a very personal choice. Ride what YOU feel comfortable in, no matter what the designed purpose is.

For long training rides and mountain biking, I prefer good quality lycra shorts. I don't care what others think about them.

For commuting and touring, I prefer merino wool boxer briefs and quick drying, loose fitting nylon shorts since I spend lots of time off the bike through the day and walking and sitting anywhere but a bike saddle for extended periods with a sweaty, padded chamios isn't the most luxurious feeling.

Don't let the preoccupations of others decide your clothing choices, especially on a tour. You need to be comfortable above all else.

My 2c, YMMV of course.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay

[John Nelson]

Whatever you choose, make sure you go out for a few back-to-back long rides in training. Even then it's a risk. Problems like this often don't even show up until the second month of the tour. Normal cycling shorts probably present the least risk. Even if you don't plan to wear them, I might suggest you take a pair of these along as a fallback in case your other pair starts causing you problems. If you are self-conscious about being seen in them, you can pull a pair of basketball shorts over them at stops.

I take two pairs of normal cycling shorts, and I hardly ever use the second pair. I wash out the pair I wore that day every evening and hang them up. They're almost always dry by morning, and I can wear them anyway even if not.

Most people take far too many clothes on tour. It's surprising how little you can get away with. It's hardly ever worth it to take two of the same thing.

[Pat Lamb]

Whenever this topic comes up, I always hark back to the title of Richard Feynman's book:

Why Do You Care What Other People Think?

[bobbys beard]

in the summer, i just wear a comfy pair of shorts. endura mtb cargo style shorts are really good if you want the best of both worlds.  they can be used with a clip on pad or worn without.

pads are down to preference. i don't tend to wear one and your butt gets used to it after a while.

for cold weather though, the full length lycra comes out

[rawhite1969]

I often ride in running pants.  Tapered enough at the bottom to not be a problem, but loose enough otherwise to be comfortable.  Padded shorts under them.  Ride in them all winter and anytime temp requires it.    Also very happy with some capri length riding pants from AeroTechDesigns.  Lots of pockets, room in the right places.  They hit below the knee.