Colorado Kid

How many pairs of shorts should you have? One for each day or something else?

pdlamb

About three fewer than I had last fall, plus two new ones, so net one less. Seems funny that cycling jerseys wear like iron and last forever, but shorts wear to see-through.

Oh, you want a number? Five.

veganbikes

As many shorts as you feel you need. If you are riding daily 5 days a week I would probably have 5 pairs and wash at the end of the week. The fewer pairs the more you are going to need to wash them and the more likely they are to wear out more quickly.

However on that point get really good shorts in real cases get bib shorts way more comfortable as it can keep the shorts in place. If you are buying cheaper potentially less comfortable shorts then I would buy fewer shorts and have more comfortable ones.

pdlamb you haven't seen some of my jerseys...my shorts have held up pretty well I still have the first pair I ever owned and I don't wear them anymore because the elastic wore out in the legs never did they get holes in them and I wore those suckers a lot. I have some jerseys with holes that I have worn the same amount as some of these shorts and they are less wearable these days.

gaucho777 

I usually wear liners or traditional cycling shorts under casual shorts for my commute. (I teach 4th grade, so I personally would feel a little awkward walking around in just lycra shorts around the kids.) I typically wash the cycling shorts/liners after each use, but the shorts on top can go a couple days or more without needing a wash. I'd say at least 4-5 pairs of cycling shorts/liners, and 3-4 shorts to wear on top. assuming you are commuting most days. Breathable athletic shorts are fine, but cycling-specific outer shorts work better (better fit in the saddle and pockets tend to be less floppy when filled & pedaling). I have a few more than that to keep my options open. It all depends how often you are willing to do laundry.

noglider 

I have more shorts than I need, and that includes "street" shorts and cycling shorts. I find that cycling shorts don't offer me much advantage. They're more aerodynamic for sure, but I no longer ride fast enough for that to matter. They offer somewhat better sweat management. You're supposed to wear cycling shorts without underwear because the crotch is able to absorb sweat. That's fine, but I wear underwear anyway. "They" say not to wear cotton, but cotton is fine for me. And then I don't have to wash my shorts after each ride. I usually prefer street shorts on my rides.

I finally learned why they say no cotton. It was a cold winter day, and I rode home very hard, wearing a winter jacket. I sweated heavily into my cotton shirts. I opened my jacket and the cold air blew onto my wet shirts. Lesson learned, and I have a wool t-shirt I use as an undershirt almost every day in the winter. Problem solved. I just don't have that problem with cotton pants or shorts.

I do wear wool socks whenever I wear socks. They prevent sweat buildup, and sweat buildup is bad on feet because it can breed fungus.