I've been asked the question for years--why wear cycling shorts? Some say, "I really don't like the 'shiny heiny' look, aka, tight lycra spandex. Well for those people super sensitive about that, you can still get all the benefits of a cycling short, with shall we say, a bit more modesty, with a "double short," but more to come on that later--the reality is that there is a real function and performance benefit to these snug fitting garments.
Let's just get to basics. I've been in the cycling industry for over 20 years, and have spent the majority of that time helping cyclists buy softgoods, namely clothing, shoes, and helmets--so at this point, let's presume that I know what I'm talking about, shall we? Not to mention I've used myself as a test dummy for countless different brands and styles of product over the years.
Why wear cycling shorts? Good question. The simple answer is to have a smooth interface between one's body [pelvis and rear end] and the bicycle saddle. Yes, cycling shorts do have seams, though they are stitched in such a way as to eliminate friction between one's body and one's saddle.
The inside of the short has a chamois (pad) in it--that can vary in design, thickness, and material. Suffice to say that having a garment that fits like a second skin allows the rider to sit comfortably on the saddle without rubbing or chafing of the downstairs sensitive areas--otherwise known as the "soft tissue" area, or the "nether region." The downstairs area need to be free of friction so that saddle sores and other irritations do not occur. These "pads," as they are referred come in a variety of shapes and sizes, think male and female specific, as well as thicker, thinner, welded seams, flat stitched, the list of permutations and synthetic technologies goes on and on. Back in the day, say the mid-80s and earlier, these pads were truly chamois and made of leather--talk about inconsistencies in thickness--I remember it well. That's when one needed to moisturize the chamois after each washing. Oh boy, contemporary technologies have far eclipsed what was; thank goodness.
One of the first questions asked after "why?" is the "U" question--simply stated, when you are in the comfort of your own home, ie when you're not trying on the garments at your local independent bicycle shop--it's all about your birthday suit and the bicycle short--nothing else.
If someone wears an undergarment inside the short, much less a cotton one, then the rider is simply asking for trouble--too much material which will bind and fold and cause irritation to the aforementioned nether regions. Take my word for it--birthday suit and cycling short--that's it!
Cycling shorts are generally speaking made of some sort of synthetic fabric, which will wick moisture away from one's skin and allow it to evaporate from its top most layer, thereby keeping the riding dryer and more comfortable. There are, of course, a variety of different materials used these days in cycling shorts--some more abrasion resistance, some more compressive, some more ventilated.
Look at most any brand, and that clothing vendor will have a range of shorts, with a range of prices, and correspondingly a range of quality and technologies in their shorts. Pearl Izumi, Mavic and Castelli certainly follow suit herein.
Wearing cycling shorts is more comfortable because of the compression--keeps everything down there in one place, the pad--those saddles can be pretty firm, and the materials which wick moisture. Enough said. Now how do should they fit?
These garments should be snug and form fitting. Remember at the local shop you'll want to keep your underwear on for try on purposes. Most people will wear the same waist size in the cycling short as they wear in "street" clothes. The cycling short should be snug around the leg above the knee (some shorts have longer or shorter inseams, mind you.) The shorts should not gap or have extra material gathering at the back of the leg where the buttocks begins. Snug and form fitting should not be misconstrued to mean constricting. As I'll mention in my post on shoe fitment, a glove can be too tight even though it fits like a glove. Above all else the cycling short should fit like a second skin, without being constricting. This does lend itself to a nice segue into the discussion of the waist band--an area on many us fraught with "peril."
No one likes something too tight around their waist--and on the big this is even more important because of the bent over position that most riders adopt (to varying degrees) while reaching the handlebars. With "half" shorts, standard, regular shorts, the waist band is there--and it can become uncomfortable on longer riders, especially when eating and drinking on the bike will come into play. Not to mention the dreaded issue of the rear of the short tending to slide down...we've all seen enough the that visual to know to what I'm referring. We'll leave it at that.
The solution you ask? Bib shorts! What you say, men or women, I'm not wearing overall shorts on the bike--calm down everyone. Alot of women will say no to bibs out of hand because of the known issue with "nature breaks" while on the road--although there are some innovations in a drop flap or detachable suspenders, the reality is that there are some differences in plumbing that make it a bite more inconvenient for women to wear bibs--they are out there--look at the women riding at competitive level--they wear bibs. So do most men--look at the pictures online and you'll clearly see straps going over their shoulders UNDER their jerseys--and that's one key point that needs mentioning.
Yes, men, please listen, you are meant to wear your cycling jersey OVER your bib short straps--I can assure you that no one likes to see a man on a bike bare chested with bib straps. Can we just leave it at that? Here's what I recommend: Get a base layer, tank top or tshirt style, that can be worn in hot or cold temperatures--baselayers is a whole other story--then bib shorts, straps over the baselayer (no chafing on one's chest), and the cycling jersey over that. No problem, no worries. Road or mountain, bibs are the deal. It's as simple as that. But let me explain for those that won't simply take my word for it, or the fact that EVERY high level cyclist wears bibs, not half shorts.
With the bib short, one does not have to worry about the waist band digging into one's gut thereby potentially interfering with one's breathing, drinking, and digestion of food while riding. Have to take a road side pit stop? No worries, just lift up your jersey and pull down the front of the bib--plenty of stretch there to make room for the business doing. No more worrying about exposing the top of one's backside either--they can't ride down while you're riding. And on these in between weather days, there's a little more material covering one's lower back--an area that can be sensitive to cold.
Fitting tip for bibs--the front and back of legs, not to mention the groin area, should all fit like their half short counterpart--the one difference is because of the braces, straps, when one stands tall, the strap may feel tight or pull slightly. Solution: just get into the cycling position someone bent over from the torso, and the tension of the straps will release sufficiently. Done.
One note--if you are a rider, mountain, hybrid, road, or otherwise, and prefer not to wear a standalone cycling short, then there is a wide variety of "double shorts" available--think of a surf short with a cycling pad covertly hidden inside. Modesty and performance in one inconspicuous package. There are a variety of technologies in this style as well, especially when it comes to technical mountain bike gear.
Which brand is the best? Ah, what a loaded question, if I ever heard one. I'm not sure if there's one that is the "best," meaning it fits everyone, has every bell and whistle imaginable, all for a reasonable price--what I can say is that there are a lot of good cycling shorts out there. Which one will fit the best? I have no clue until you try on a variety of them in the correct size--see which fits your body best. Then see what price point makes sense for you. Generally speaking the more you invest in your cycling shorts, the more technology you'll have at your disposal, and you'll have to see what fits your body and price sensitivity best. I do have my favorites at the present time, and I've ridden a variety of bib shorts over the years.
At the Cycle Loft we have a full range of prices and styles from Castelli, Mavic, Pearl Izumi, Specialized, and Bontrager. Come on in and try some shorts on to see the difference they can make in your cycling comfort and enojoyment.
Questions or comments on this blog, please feel free to email me directly: jeff@cycleloft.com
