Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Anyone else out there not using padded shorts?

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Anyone else out there not using padded shorts?

Old 09-28-21, 12:03 PM
  #26  
CliffordK
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18320 Post(s)
Liked 4,489 Times in 3,338 Posts
I wear jeans most of the time for anything less than say 70 miles.

The bike shorts are a little more comfortable for the 100+ mile rides.

I've tried thin tights without padding, and they're not comfortable at all.
CliffordK is offline  
Old 09-28-21, 12:14 PM
  #27  
rumrunn6
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5218 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times in 2,331 Posts
thin lined (not "padded") Zoot tri-shorts under MTB shorts or cycling pants

if I'm riding to the beach, I just wear a bathing suit

Last edited by rumrunn6; 09-28-21 at 12:17 PM.
rumrunn6 is offline  
Old 09-28-21, 12:28 PM
  #28  
Germany_chris
I’m a little Surly
 
Germany_chris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,427

Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 698 Post(s)
Liked 1,292 Times in 646 Posts
Being that I’m a utility cyclist I don’t generally wear padded shorts but in the winter that changes since all my tights are padded.
Germany_chris is offline  
Old 09-28-21, 12:35 PM
  #29  
livedarklions
Tragically Ignorant
 
livedarklions's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613

Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM

Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,094 Times in 5,053 Posts
I ride a road bike about 225 miles per week and have never worn padding. For me, it's always seemed like a solution in search of a problem since my butt is very comfortable on a narrow saddle.

Butts are different, YMMV. If you're really curious, buy a pair and see if you notice any benefit. No one else will be able to tell you that..
livedarklions is offline  
Old 09-28-21, 12:43 PM
  #30  
genejockey 
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
 
genejockey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,656

Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace

Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10244 Post(s)
Liked 11,598 Times in 5,944 Posts
My preferred bib shorts have a fairly thin padded chamois. I have had problems with the thicker, more padded chamois's, which strangely feel like they concentrate the force on the sit bones and leads to a pain best described as an ache there. I don't get that with a thinner pad.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."

"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
genejockey is online now  
Old 09-28-21, 01:04 PM
  #31  
Harold74
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Calgary, AB Canada
Posts: 562

Bikes: Miyata 1000, Lemond Zurich, Lynskey Rouleur, Airborne Zeppelin, Vintage Zullo, Miele Lupa

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 327 Post(s)
Liked 98 Times in 75 Posts
I don't wear padded shorts for probably 75% of my rides which are almost always in the 40-60 minute range. I find the ride to be moderately faster and more enjoyable when I do wear the padded shorts though. I mostly don't wear them simply because it's not a huge deal for me and I forget about them until I'm 20 min into my ride. Similar to wolf child, when I do wear padded shorts, I wear them under cargo shorts. For me, the two main benefits are:

1) Comfort and, I suspect, improved blood flow to my legs and;
2) Keeps my junk in place well.

Related question: does anybody have any statistics on how much more efficient one rides in spandex vs loose fitting clothing? I normally ride in cargo shorts and a Hawaiian shirt during the summer. When I see other folk out in full spandex for a lunch ride around the MUP, I question whether the benefit is worth the hassle. Obviously, these are not racing conditions other than Strava obsession perhaps. On the other hand, I like to feel speedy even when I've nothing to prove.
Harold74 is offline  
Old 09-28-21, 01:13 PM
  #32  
livedarklions
Tragically Ignorant
 
livedarklions's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613

Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM

Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,094 Times in 5,053 Posts
Originally Posted by Harold74

Related question: does anybody have any statistics on how much more efficient one rides in spandex vs loose fitting clothing? .

Related question to the related question-why is the alternative to spandex in these questions always "loose fitting" clothing? I wear tee shirts of varying material, all quite tight. They're not flapping.

I can't wear spandex, too much latex content for me to be safe.
livedarklions is offline  
Likes For livedarklions:
Old 09-28-21, 01:16 PM
  #33  
Phil_gretz
Zip tie Karen
 
Phil_gretz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,006

Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times in 806 Posts
Originally Posted by Harold74
Related question: does anybody have any statistics on how much more efficient one rides in spandex vs loose fitting clothing?
Why, yes. Those would be national olympic teams from bobsled to downhill to ski jumping, to speed skating. Also biathlon is a yes. For swimming, it's a controversial "um, no" due to buoyancy advantages.
Phil_gretz is offline  
Old 09-28-21, 01:25 PM
  #34  
unterhausen
Randomhead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,363
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,664 Times in 2,497 Posts
For short rides, I often just wear boxer briefs under my mountain biking shorts. I couldn't do it for much more than a couple of hours, I don't think. Starts to feel a little gritty.
unterhausen is offline  
Old 09-28-21, 02:28 PM
  #35  
Branko D
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 786
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 338 Post(s)
Liked 408 Times in 252 Posts
Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
If the OP doesn't want or need padding, then maybe tri-shorts would be the way to go. Thin, minimal friction protection that's not only well suited to immersion/quick drying but also to high intensity riding. Just a thought.
If Castelli was willing to sponsor me, I wouldn't mind wearing their trisuits for every ride. The padding is very minimal, it keeps everything... snug (their sizing is, well, I like it but most people size up) and aero, and it's so light and breathable you don't notice you are wearing anything. Look good, too, white top, black shorts, red details. The back pickets sit flush but are surprisingly cavernous.

I save them for the occasional hard ride, race and so on. You feel the sit bones a bit more on 5hr+ rides but it's not objectionable and they have zero tendency to chafe or anything.
Branko D is offline  
Likes For Branko D:
Old 09-28-21, 02:36 PM
  #36  
Ed Wiser
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 381
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 144 Post(s)
Liked 130 Times in 79 Posts
The padding is only one part of a pair of shorts made for cycling. They also have flat seams and stitching. This stops you from chaffing on your rear end and legs. Started riding in cycling shorts 60 years ago. Would never even think about riding with out them
Ed Wiser is offline  
Likes For Ed Wiser:
Old 09-28-21, 03:03 PM
  #37  
Rolla
Guest
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,269 Times in 1,439 Posts
Originally Posted by Harold74
When I see other folk out in full spandex for a lunch ride around the MUP, I question whether the benefit is worth the hassle. Obviously, these are not racing conditions other than Strava obsession perhaps.
Pro cycling cosplay.

(NTTAWWT)
Rolla is offline  
Likes For Rolla:
Old 09-28-21, 04:01 PM
  #38  
a_d_a_m
Senior Member
 
a_d_a_m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Ohio
Posts: 523

Bikes: 2021 Kona Sutra, Ragley parts-cycle

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 128 Post(s)
Liked 1,241 Times in 336 Posts
Originally Posted by wolfchild
I consider padded cycling shorts to be the same as any other underwear and I treat them as such. This means that I would never wear them exposed out in public.. I do use padded shorts quite a lot but i always wear them underneath my regular cargo pants.
Same, from day one!
a_d_a_m is offline  
Likes For a_d_a_m:
Old 09-28-21, 05:45 PM
  #39  
CAT7RDR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,083

Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 811 Post(s)
Liked 1,946 Times in 936 Posts
Back in 1986 when I started cycling I did not pay much attention to "cycling shorts."
I just wore jean shorts or athletic shorts for 20 to 30 mile rides to the beach/back.

Nowadays, I cannot imagine not wearing some type of chamois short because of comfort, chafing and hygiene.
I have been wearing MTB shorts over road bibs lately and I like the added pockets and warmth on cooler mornings. In fact, I will likely wear that combo rather than tights this winter.
CAT7RDR is offline  
Old 09-28-21, 07:06 PM
  #40  
mschwett 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,028

Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1272 Post(s)
Liked 1,382 Times in 707 Posts
Originally Posted by livedarklions
Related question to the related question-why is the alternative to spandex in these questions always "loose fitting" clothing? I wear tee shirts of varying material, all quite tight. They're not flapping...
i assumed it was a combination of surface type/friction and the overall fit. i wear fitted running/mtb cycling shirts along with fitted MTB shorts or pants, but one of these days i'll go out to a steep hill and roll down it back to back with two different outfits to see for my exact configuration, how much faster is the "real thing!"
mschwett is offline  
Old 09-28-21, 07:48 PM
  #41  
Nachoman
well hello there
 
Nachoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430

Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 334 Times in 206 Posts
Could I bang out 50 miles in jeans? Yes. But why would I?
I suit up into my superhero costume even for a 10 mile ride!
__________________
.
.

Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
Nachoman is offline  
Likes For Nachoman:
Old 09-28-21, 09:25 PM
  #42  
mstateglfr 
Sunshine
 
mstateglfr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,538

Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo

Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10902 Post(s)
Liked 7,391 Times in 4,148 Posts
These threads are always fun to read.

I'll wear some mtb shorts with compressions under if I'm riding with my youngest because we don't ride more than 20mi and average like 10mph.
Any longer/faster than that and those quickdry mtb shorts become a damp mess. I have 0 desire to ride like that for any length of time at my solo pace. It sounds unfun, actually.

I sweat like crazy regardless of what I'm wearing, so quickdry is just a hope. Given that, I base my clothing decisions on what will not needing constant adjusting to be comfortable.
At hard effort, its easy to know which style works best for me.


The last thing I care about is blending in. I don't care if I am in a short line at a gas station and have some bibs and and jersey on. I look no more ridiculous than the woman in a robe and crocs next to me at 4pm in the afternoon, or the guy in ripped jorts and a sad beater shirt that says 'it was me, I let the dogs out'.
mstateglfr is offline  
Likes For mstateglfr:
Old 09-28-21, 10:39 PM
  #43  
rsbob 
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,066

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2512 Post(s)
Liked 5,427 Times in 2,826 Posts
I don’t wear a padded bra. In fact, I wear no bra all. Just another carefree guy. Was that the question? Oh he!!, it’s BF where answering the question is purely optional. So who wants to start an argument or debate?
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Likes For rsbob:
Old 09-29-21, 12:36 AM
  #44  
70sSanO
Senior Member
 
70sSanO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,772

Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1935 Post(s)
Liked 2,150 Times in 1,313 Posts
All of my bikes have the same saddle brand and model.

On my flat bar bikes, including my mountain bikes, I just wear nylon cargo shorts with no padded underwear.

On my road bike I always wear padded lycra shorts.

The only difference is the bike/saddle setup. With the road bike the top of the bar is a couple inches below the saddle; in the drops I’m lower. The nose of the saddle has a bit of downward tilt.

The handlebars on the flat bar mountain bikes are a couple inches above the saddle. The saddle has a bit of upward tilt.

The saddle on my converted flat bar road bike is pretty parallel. But that bike is usually for short rides.

John
70sSanO is offline  
Old 09-29-21, 06:33 AM
  #45  
Flip Flop Rider
Senior Member
 
Flip Flop Rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: South Carolina Upstate
Posts: 2,104

Bikes: 2010 Fuji Absolute 3.0 1994 Trek 850

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 761 Post(s)
Liked 554 Times in 321 Posts
never

also ride noseless saddle (moon saddle)
Flip Flop Rider is offline  
Old 09-29-21, 12:38 PM
  #46  
Nyah
QR-disc must die!!!
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
Posts: 703

Bikes: '99 Trek 520, '20 Kona Sutra (FOR SALE 48cm), '21 Simon-Bikes mini-velo and a chromoly-framed folding bicycle with drop-bars and V-brakes, that rolls even while folded.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 397 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 199 Times in 147 Posts
No bicycle-specific clothing. I am doing the longest rides I've done to-date and don't see any need for padded shorts. I prefer loose-fitting cargo trousers/shorts. Trouser leg is safe because I use chainring-guards on all of my bicycles. I use the Brooks C15 saddles.
Nyah is offline  
Old 09-29-21, 08:25 PM
  #47  
rsbob 
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,066

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2512 Post(s)
Liked 5,427 Times in 2,826 Posts
Why spend the dough on padded cycling shorts if you don’t need to? If you are comfortable in whatever, good on you.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Likes For rsbob:
Old 09-30-21, 04:10 AM
  #48  
Troul 
Senior Member
 
Troul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,291

Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,910 Times in 1,884 Posts
Originally Posted by rsbob
Why spend the dough on padded cycling shorts if you don’t need to? If you are comfortable in whatever, good on you.
Sometimes it's preferred to use unpadded bibs, however, majority of them are padded with a thick material. Even the "Tri" advertised bibs tend to have the thick padding.

It's very difficult to find competitively priced full length bibs with the thin chamois area stitched in them.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
Troul is offline  
Old 09-30-21, 07:29 PM
  #49  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by Harold74
When I see other folk out in full spandex for a lunch ride around the MUP, I question whether the benefit is worth the hassle. Obviously, these are not racing conditions other than Strava obsession perhaps. On the other hand, I like to feel speedy even when I've nothing to prove.
I don’t know if these riders are racers, but at least a few of them very well may be. The vast majority of racers are amateurs, and they need to fit in their training around work and family. For me that means a lot of training time is combined with commuting or sneaking out of the office for a quick set of intervals at lunchtime. If I’m training, I’m wearing a jersey and bibs.
caloso is offline  
Likes For caloso:
Old 09-30-21, 07:40 PM
  #50  
rwmct
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts
I tend to wear sweat pants unless it is hot out.
rwmct is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.