robertj298 

I would just like to order a pair of decent bike shorts with thin padding.
Maybe some Pearl Izumi. The problem is I can't seem to find in the discription
anything about the thickness of the padding, Can someone recommend what
I'm looking for without breaking the bank. I'm willing to spend $50 or $60.
Thanks

canklecat

AeroTech Pro shorts with the tan and black padding may be among the thinnest around. I've had a pair for about two years, no complaints. They fit well, are comfortable and don't get sweat-soaked. It's comparable to my 1970s era merino wool with leather chamois pad. (My road bike has a Selle Italia SLS Kit Carbonio with minimal padding.) Price has gone up a bit but at $50 it's a good value.

TakingMyTime

I just bought a pair of Performance Elite shorts. The padding is what I would consider thin. I've ridden with them about 6 times and I consider them very comfortable. A deal breaker for some people is that they don't have a drawstring, but that doesn't bother me at all.

50PlusCycling

You really should buy cycling clothes at a real store, in person. You would be surprised by the differences in fit and comfort between different brands. Once you know what you like, and what fits, then you can start ordering online. When it comes to shorts, shoes, or even gloves, there is no way I would buy them without trying them on first. Thick padding does not always mean more comfort, and more expensive shorts are not always more comfortable than cheap shorts.

robertj298 

Kind of hard to do when you live out in the middle of nowhere and the only few cycle shops are lucky if they carry one brand.

jpescatore

I bought some Nashbar cheap ($30) shorts that came with what I consider thin padding. They only lasted into the second season and the padding stitching came out - YMMV.

I now buy better ones (Louis Garneau, Pearl Izumi) over the winter when they are on sale - they cost 2-3x as much but seem to last 4 times as long.

You might try traiathlete biking shorts, I think they have lighter padding.

Garfield Cat

Thin padding: there is nothing "wrong" with other types of padding, unless its for a particular event like triathlons.

Do cyclists who do triathlons "always" wear shorts with thin padding? Even when not in competition?

Brocephus

I'll second the vote for Aerotech Designs. I scored a pair off ebay a little while back, and I've been very pleased with them, and the reviews i've seen are very positive. They seem to be widely considered an excellent economy brand.
Also, I've been looking into this brand called 'Funkier', sold by Merlin Cycles in the UK (great operation w/ cheap,fast shipping). The economy-priced Funkier shorts seem to get glowing reviews, with owners saying they look and feel like much higher end shorts, and fit true to size.
It's worth a look.
https://www.merlincycles.com/cycling-shorts-75344/

Colnago Mixte

I like the quality of these, pro quality, made in USA, and their sizing is accurate for me. You can usually find something on sale for $60 or so:

https://www.voler.com/browse/cat3/?c...,shorts&ecat=z

The good thing about bike shorts is that they stretch, so are pretty forgiving of sizing errors, as long as you are in the ballpark.Some manufacturers really abuse this fact, especially the European and Asian brands.

I noticed with the Voler shorts, their bibs are not much more, I would consider trying some of those if you like their regular shorts. Anyone who spends enough time on a bike almost invariably ends up wearing bibs, it's a fact.

indyfabz

Pony up for NOT SHORTS, a/k/a bibs.

TimothyH

Backcountry will ship you clothes to try on and provide a UPS label for free if you want to return it.

You have to work with one of their gearheads but I have them do it all the time.


-Tim-