Good Cycling Shorts w/ Chamois

[TimTyler]

Last year I bought a pair of REI shorts with a built-in chamois http://www.rei.com/product/793149 but didn't actually ride with them until this week.

Overall the fit is good, but the chamois is HUGE, thick, and stiff. They don't look so bad in the mirror, but it feels like I've got a big foam rectangle in my pants.

The last chamois shorts I had were the lycra type and the chamois was thinner and not so stiff. Those felt fine.

Maybe I just need to wash these REI shorts fifty times to loosen them up, or....

Can anyone recommend a good touring short, cargo style, with a less-than-diaper-sized chamois?

[johnsondasw]

I have found throughout the years that I have to spend about $100 for a decent pair of shorts.  Every time I've tried to get a "deal",  I've gotten burned.  So now I just suck it up and buy Pearl Izumi $100 pair.  They're comfortable and last years longer than the cheapo ones.  In the end it costs no more to do it right.

[bogiesan]

I have found throughout the years that I have to spend about $100 for a decent pair of shorts.

Total agreement. It's weird we will not hesitate to spend large sums on carbon frames, complex transmissions, or brakes but will scrimp where the butt hits the bike. Good shorts are not a luxury, they are fundamental to the entire experience of bicycling: comfort, pleasure, hygiene. Buy the best bike shorts you can find, maybe even consider bibs.

Unless, of course, you have recumbent. Then traditional bike shorts are optional based upon the quality of the choice one made in the bike's thick, plush, or suspended mesh seat. I just wear swim trunks.

david boise ID

[waynemyer]

I have found throughout the years that I have to spend about $100 for a decent pair of shorts.  Every time I've tried to get a "deal",  I've gotten burned.  So now I just suck it up and buy Pearl Izumi $100 pair.  They're comfortable and last years longer than the cheapo ones.  In the end it costs no more to do it right.

I will offer the countering opinion in that, like saddles and handlebars, shorts are immensely personal; in my experience, cost has no bearing on comfort.  My favorite padded bibs are Performance's Elite II.  Previously, it was the Ibex bib, but those wore out way too quickly.  I pull the pad out of many of my shorts for long riding and here I find Pricepoint's bibs to be wonderful and long-wearing.

[mtnbiktn]

I bought Cannondale cargo shorts from REI and reallllllly like them with the chamois removeable liner that snaps into the shorts with 2 snaps on each side that is quality made with one zipper pocket on the cargo  you can open and close with one hand. HOWEVER, I got my first and only saddle sore after about  800 miles with most of them in these shorts. ( washed at least once during that time I had brought another pair of Pearl Izumi Ultra Sensor shorts and had never worn them, so I put them on and then put the Cannondale cargo shorts on top of those for the utiltiy of the pockets, and the cargo part has velcro tabs on each side that you tighten up so a belt is not necessary. That has turned out to be the perfect combo for me as I could tell the original Cannondale chamois had a little bit of slack in the fabric and that is why I got the saddle sore, the PI has no slack, fitting snugger at least on me. Doing the Northern Tier as I write this.

[staehpj1]

I really like Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor shorts and do not feel the need to wear anything over them.  That said if you either don't want to look like a cyclist or want pockets you can wear whatever you want over them.

Personally I find the handlebar bag a much better place for the stuff I might be inclined to put in pants pockets.  I do sometimes carry something like lip stuff or a snack in my jersey pocket, but more and more I find I prefer the handlebar bag for even those items.

[biased bohemian]

I have 2 pairs of Pearl Izumi shorts that I wore on extended trips.  Both are dark blue with deep pockets and are quick drying and rugged.  They come with tights that are decent and also removable. I don't bike in anything else.  Shorts can be worn stand-alone without sticking out in a crowd.  I'm not one to bike in straight tights so highly recommend these.

[TimTyler]

Sounds like Pearl Izumi is the way to go. Thx.

Any issues with the PI liners under everyday shorts?

[digimarket]

I'm going to second the OP's comment about overpadded "diaper" shorts.  Every cycling short I have purchased was looking for a 'bargain' and I'm not happy with any of them.  In my experience the thinner and simpler the pad, the better.

In the days when I rode the most (every day - long distance) I wore thin cotton polyester pants and cutoffs (the kinds Sears sells as work pants) and no underwear.  With a Brooks Pro saddle I never had any saddle sores, and my butt never hurt anymore than with padded shorts over the same distances.

I think getting the right saddle and getting the butt in shape is a whole lot more important than the padding (cleanliness is good too).  Lately I've been trying to use an overpadded set of bib shorts from Performance that feels like riding on a sponge - it actually cuts off circulation in the nether regions and makes it worse than no padding at all.  I'm about ready to spend some money on Pearl Izumi - or something with just a good fitting thin liner.

[ducnut]

I will offer the countering opinion in that, like saddles and handlebars, shorts are immensely personal; in my experience, cost has no bearing on comfort.  My favorite padded bibs are Performance's Elite II.  Previously, it was the Ibex bib, but those wore out way too quickly.  I pull the pad out of many of my shorts for long riding and here I find Pricepoint's bibs to be wonderful and long-wearing.

^^^ I agree. I have stuff from Pearl, Voler, Pactimo, and Bellwether. On a Brooks saddle, I found that my cheapest bibs, with the cheapest feeling (to the hand) chamois, felt the best. Unfortunately, after 11hrs in the saddle, yesterday, the chamois has finally worn through. They were my first pair of cycling shorts. 

[TimTyler]

All great feedback. Thanks!

I'll keep my eyes out for a solution locally. I don't have confidence that I'll find the perfect shorts online.

[tonythomson]

I used Louis whatshisname shorts with padding on the Southern Tier last year and had the most miserable time ever.  Because of the heat the padding was like a permanent wad of wet diaper which caused untold butt sores needing medical attention in Silver City NM.  Once I was able to dump them and get shorts without any padding life in the slow lane became far better and I was able to finish the trip without any problems.

[bktourer1]

Try the shorts from J & G Bicycle clothing.  Almost like a nylon swin suit with a thin pad.  Very comfortable for me