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Compression padded shorts?

Old 06-22-22, 04:32 PM
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Helderberg
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Compression padded shorts?

Would like to hear about anybody that has found compression padded shorts that work but aren't priced on the moon? I am asking a lot but I am reasonable as to the price but I have a padded bib that rides up and hurts worse than when I ride without them. Just want something that works but doesn't want to spend more money on something that doesn't work. Feel free to ask more questions as I do not know what I do not know.
Thanks, Frank.
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Old 06-22-22, 05:44 PM
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back in the day I found most bike shorts and similar too 'flimsy' for me - material was too thin ; not enough support and padding too thin

eventually I did find some 8 panel (?) shorts sold by Nashbar and Performance that were a step up (compared to 4 and 6 panel shorts) ... material thicker and much better pad

this was a long time ago


more recently - wear padded MTB cargo shorts ... found them on eBay (at significantly reduced price) ... I believe one pair is REI - the other Endura (Endura Humvee ?)
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Old 06-22-22, 05:56 PM
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When you say "compression shorts" do you mean shorts that are specifically meant to provide compression, or just you know, regular bike shorts? Also, what do mean by "not priced to the moon"? Do you have a dollar range in mind?
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Old 06-22-22, 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by caloso
When you say "compression shorts" do you mean shorts that are specifically meant to provide compression, or just you know, regular bike shorts? Also, what do mean by "not priced to the moon"? Do you have a dollar range in mind?
Shorts that have padding and are stretch. Like a bib but shorts with some, I copied this from a posting on Amazon, "anti skid strip prevents shorts from bunching and rolling up while long distance riding". The ones and there are many, for sale on Amazon have very mixed reviews. I want shorts I can wear under my riding shorts that keep my man parts in place and have a chamois for longer rides. I have regular compression shorts that do not have the "anti slip" strip on the ends of the legs to keep them from riding up.
I don't mind [aying $50.00 or so if they are worth it. The bibs I have are not good and certainly not worth the money.
Hope this helps and if you need more information just ask.
Thanks, Frank.
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Old 06-23-22, 04:08 AM
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If your bibs are not keeping your man parts in place it sounds like they are ill-fitting. Pony up for a quality pair, such as Pearl Izumi. And adding another layer of fabric by wearing something under shorts/bibs could be asking for chafing trouble.
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Old 06-23-22, 04:48 AM
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I'm thin (and frugal), here's my experience with less expensive padded stuff.
Hikenture brand cycling shorts fit my skinny legs and feel great on the saddle. On my second pair.
Przewalski bibs also have excellent padding but are cut for a bigger person. Gave them away to a linebacker sized cycling buddy. He's a Pearl Izumi guy and he likes 'em.
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Old 06-23-22, 04:51 AM
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I have a few padded liner shorts that work pretty well. One from Endura and Funkier. The Funkier stay in place really well. I also have a couple from the old Performance Bike website. The problem that I have found with the liners is not lack of support, rather the leg material riding up into the crotch. Not a good thing. Cycling pants are kind of like saddles, very individual fittings, takes some trial and error to get a product that is comfortable. Cannot overstate the importance of proper fit. I definitely moved to a higher cost of bibs, well worth it, for me.

I only use the liners in place of cycling shorts when out for casual and errand type rides.
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Old 06-23-22, 07:28 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
If your bibs are not keeping your man parts in place it sounds like they are ill-fitting. Pony up for a quality pair, such as Pearl Izumi. And adding another layer of fabric by wearing something under shorts/bibs could be asking for chafing trouble.
This is the reason for my post as the bib I bought is Pearl Izumi. Just frustrated and wanted to get some other ideas. Not discounting what you have posted just frustrated with my damn body. I have some oddities with my skeletal structure that I believe are the basis for my issues.
Thank you for your post and I guess I will continue to search.
Frank.
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Old 06-23-22, 07:29 AM
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Thank you all for your input. I think I am doomed to trial and error to find something that works.
Thanks all again, Frank.
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Old 06-23-22, 08:47 AM
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I do better with regular padded shorts versus bibs. I’ve experienced similar issues as you have with bibs. The key to bibs is getting the correct size and model for the tension on the straps which can be trial and error.

I’ve had a lot of luck with Pearl Izumi, Giordana and Hincapie shorts. You might try the cheaper Pearl Izumi shorts (non bib)???
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Old 06-25-22, 03:09 PM
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Voler and Boure do well for me, but I'm short and overweight. Since there are so many variations of bodies, why would you think you would not have to do a trial and error search?
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Old 06-27-22, 01:14 PM
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Compression and bike shorts or bibs is not really two terms that go together, IMO.

I don't want my muscles compressed by my shorts. I just want the fabric to be just snug enough to move with my legs so that the fabric doesn't rub my skin.
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Old 06-27-22, 01:27 PM
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I have found the compression more important than the padding...

For Example: Compression socks are a pain to put on... But once on... Dam...
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Old 06-27-22, 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Iride01
Compression and bike shorts or bibs is not really two terms that go together, IMO.

I don't want my muscles compressed by my shorts. I just want the fabric to be just snug enough to move with my legs so that the fabric doesn't rub my skin.
Tell that to Assos.

My Mille GTO C2 bibs with the ossidia fabric is compressive by design.

The KuKu penthouse isn't as luxurious for the big bird as the predecessor Assos bibs but they are also $25 cheaper.
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Old 06-27-22, 11:56 PM
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For decent bibs for not a lot of money, some folks swear by these:

https://theblackbibs.com/
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Old 06-29-22, 08:42 AM
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I’ve found comfort with:
LG gel. Less than $50 REI.
Przwalski bib from Amazon.
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Old 06-29-22, 11:57 PM
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It's hit and miss. I have worn shorts from multiple makers from economy level to stupidly expensive. Thicker padding often as not is less comfortable than thin padding, and you need to try a few different brands and designs to find what works best for you. If and when you find the "magic" shorts, buy as many as they have, because you can bet your bottom dollar that the'll be replaced with a newer and less comfortable version before they wear out. The most comfortable shorts I ever wore were Assos Sportsline with genuine chamois padding. These cost less than half as much as the Prosline, but were twice as comfortable.
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Old 07-01-22, 01:22 AM
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Originally Posted by 50PlusCycling
If and when you find the "magic" shorts, buy as many as they have, because you can bet your bottom dollar that the'll be replaced with a newer and less comfortable version before they wear out.
Amen! To that! I *love* Sugoi RS bibs before the 2020 season - with the new ultra wide(tall) "anti-slip" leg bands. I've used Suogi RS bibs for over 10 years and thought I'd always be able to buy new bibs when needed. Nope - as you say the manufacture will eventually F'up the design and you'll be SOL buying another pair that love.
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Old 07-02-22, 09:17 AM
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I found the "Souke Sports Men's Cycling Underwear Shorts 4D Padded" work just as well as Pearl Izumi shorts that cost more than three times as much. Souke shorts are $25. Caveat is that I'm a 30" waist, which is unusual in Americans 50+, but maybe not among cyclists. Their size chart indicates 28" - 32" for size Medium. I have the PI also, and no preference between them.
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Old 07-09-22, 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
For decent bibs for not a lot of money, some folks swear by these:

https://theblackbibs.com/
Thank you. I have had advertisements for this popping up on my computer recently.
Frank.
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Old 07-09-22, 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
For decent bibs for not a lot of money, some folks swear by these:

https://theblackbibs.com/
Thank you. I have had advertisements for this popping up on my computer recently.
Frank.
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Old 07-12-22, 10:03 AM
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I have been using inexpensive Canari gel Bike shorts. I have 4 pairs. Dicks has them for about $50. But they can be had for less on sale. They are light and feel great. I also have a pair of their gel tights for cooler weather.
Link: https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p...ProductSuggest
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Old 07-12-22, 11:01 AM
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Add another person for Souke bib kit that I bought over the winter and started wearing this spring. Nice fit (as well as it can be when you try and get lycra over a less than nice body!) and the price was very reasonable. There's a youtube video of a guy (cyclist on a budget I think) who gives a very positive review of them so that's why I chose them. They also sell cycling shorts.

What impressed me for an online order is they wouldn't ship them until I provided them every measurement of my body.
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Old 07-15-22, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Helderberg
Thank you all for your input. I think I am doomed to trial and error to find something that works.
Thanks all again, Frank.
Yes, I think that's true. Welcome to your own little corner of the prisonyard!

I've done decently well with medium and large racing shorts, Performance Ultra and Ultra II, and Bourre touring shorts, actually extremely similar to the Performance shorts.

I originally (35 years ago) would only buy 10-panel shorts because of better support and flexibility. My Ultras date back to that time (well, actually more like 20 years). My Bourre have fewer panels. When I ordered them I asked what happenned to the 10-panel designs? The answer (from Mr. Bourre) was that with the newer fabrics since those old days, he can give me the same performance and comfort with fewer panels. At the same time I found a simple short branded by Nashbar as pretty comfy, with kind of a felted pad, not real chamois or modern elastomer.

So far I haven't found a set of bibs that is a good fit, but Bourre has a personal fit program based on giving them your measurements. When I bought mine that program was just a few bucks more, because all their products are made based on orders received, even the stock catalog items. Price was about the same as for the top Performance shorts.

I have not tried any shorts by Pearl Izumi, though experienced (and more active than I am!) riders say you get what you pay for. I've heard good things about Sugoi, and the quality attributed to their being primarily a cycling company, not a fashion company. I've always been a big fan of Gore gloves and a really nice vest, but the LBS that sold their shorts is gone.
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