3d vs 4d padded cycling shorts?
09-07-22, 02:50 AM
#2
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,027
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22572 Post(s)
Liked 8,918 Times
in
4,152 Posts
Likely marketing/hype, but allegedly 4D not only has thicker/thinner padding but varying density for better comfort over pressure points with less bulge/bunching in areas where not needed.
At least that’s my understanding.
At least that’s my understanding.
Likes For datlas:
09-07-22, 04:37 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 727
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 365 Post(s)
Liked 418 Times
in
247 Posts
I agree with datlas, mostly marketing/bs. I've had pads that worked for me, and those that didn't, long (long, long...) before 3D/4D pads, and I expect to be cycling long after they're gone. It doesn't matter what they're called, as long as they work for you. Unfortunately, once you do find a pad that you really like, it'll probably be changed next year (or certainly by the year after that).
Likes For noimagination:
09-07-22, 07:38 AM
#4
• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,215
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10148 Post(s)
Liked 5,841 Times
in
3,145 Posts
1d
Likes For MoAlpha:
Likes For KerryIrons:
09-07-22, 09:47 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,354
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,945 Times
in
1,906 Posts
one is thick, the other is thicker. Both are like wearing a diaper.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
Likes For Troul:
09-07-22, 09:58 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
4D adds a whole other dimension that 3D lacks. I think the 4D shorts are recommended for riding right before sunrise and right after sunset. I could be wrong.
09-07-22, 02:50 PM
#11
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,933
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 972 Post(s)
Liked 509 Times
in
349 Posts
They made "string theory" shorts, with 10 dimensions, but those extra 6 dimensions didn't improve the riding performance.
String theory
The existence of these additional six dimensions which we cannot perceive is necessary for String Theory in order for there to be consistency in nature. The fact that we can perceive only four dimensions of space can be explained by one of two mechanisms: either the extra dimensions are compactified on a very small scale, or else our world may live on a 3-dimensional submanifold corresponding to a brane, on which all known particles besides gravity would be restricted (aka. brane theory).
~~~
Choosing
Unfortunately, it's not easy to pick out good shorts. For me, it's all about the fit. Some are just right, others are annoying to wear.
I most always prefer the thinner, more engineered padding on the more expensive models. The cheapest ones often have thick but easily compressible foam.
Now, once I find some shorts I like, I get as many spares as I can afford. They tend to change the designs and not always for the better.
String theory
The existence of these additional six dimensions which we cannot perceive is necessary for String Theory in order for there to be consistency in nature. The fact that we can perceive only four dimensions of space can be explained by one of two mechanisms: either the extra dimensions are compactified on a very small scale, or else our world may live on a 3-dimensional submanifold corresponding to a brane, on which all known particles besides gravity would be restricted (aka. brane theory).
~~~
Choosing
Unfortunately, it's not easy to pick out good shorts. For me, it's all about the fit. Some are just right, others are annoying to wear.
I most always prefer the thinner, more engineered padding on the more expensive models. The cheapest ones often have thick but easily compressible foam.
Now, once I find some shorts I like, I get as many spares as I can afford. They tend to change the designs and not always for the better.
Last edited by rm -rf; 09-07-22 at 02:56 PM.
09-07-22, 05:57 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,354
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,945 Times
in
1,906 Posts
in the end, they tend to wipe the same.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
09-07-22, 09:45 PM
#13
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,184
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2566 Post(s)
Liked 5,599 Times
in
2,906 Posts
Likes For rsbob:
09-08-22, 01:07 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,354
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,945 Times
in
1,906 Posts
09-08-22, 04:30 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,613
Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1066 Post(s)
Liked 780 Times
in
502 Posts
I bought the 3D and they felt fine so tried the thicker 4D. TOO MUCH padding, sent them back.
09-09-22, 07:05 AM
#16
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2761 Post(s)
Liked 2,534 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Who wouldn’t want more Ds?
I like having extras.
I like having extras.
Likes For Kapusta:
09-09-22, 05:32 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,032
Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1273 Post(s)
Liked 1,384 Times
in
708 Posts
the aliens who designed the 4d ones know that towards the end of a ride, your backside gets more sore. so the thickness of the pads is tapered in time, medium right at the beginning of the ride, thin in the middle where you're really hammering out of the saddle, and then a rapid thickening for the seated bonk.
Likes For mschwett:
09-13-22, 10:37 PM
#18
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Northeastern Oregon
Posts: 249
Bikes: 2021 Trek Verve 2 Disk
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 130 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
80 Posts
the aliens who designed the 4d ones know that towards the end of a ride, your backside gets more sore. so the thickness of the pads is tapered in time, medium right at the beginning of the ride, thin in the middle where you're really hammering out of the saddle, and then a rapid thickening for the seated bonk.
09-13-22, 11:50 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
09-14-22, 03:37 AM
#20
Newbie
4d
Ya'll can laugh and have your science nerdy joking fun. It's a size thing, like bra cups. 4d is for really big butts! 
09-19-22, 04:12 AM
#21
Cobie
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Probably it's marketing.4 Padded shorts are thicker than 3D padded shorts. This is the only difference. 4D padded shorts used 4 layer cushion. For comfortable cycling, I think 3D padded shorts are best.
09-19-22, 05:36 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,851
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 758 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 809 Times
in
471 Posts
