Troul 

for me, a thick padding or gel creates for an uncomfortable experience. Thin layer on the fabric goes a long way & doesn't disturb the jewels.

wolfchild

1 cm ???.... where do get these magic numbers from ??

genejockey 

Hmmmm. So, when you say your "butt is getting sore", that could mean several things. I was assuming that you meant your sit bones, but this is making me think you're having heat/friction issues, perhaps, in which case you should definitely not use shorts with a gel pad, which will retain heat and sweat.

The other possibility that occurs is hygiene. I make it a rule not to wear the same bibs twice without washing them. Otherwise, it's like wearing yesterday's underwear in the middle of a heat wave in August.

koala logs

If I don't feel the magic wand at the back pocket of my shorts pressing against my butt cheeks, that means I'm at least 1 cm off the saddle.

Seriously, you should be able to feel 1 cm rub against your thighs when you move up and down the saddle.

SalsaShark

Padding of any kind does not agree with me.
I ride completely unpadded shorts, and a non-padded saddle (Brooks C17 or Team Pro).
I tried some padded shorts briefly years ago, and could not stand sitting in the puddle of sweat soaked up by the shorts.

geepondy

Are bib shorts better than regular in this regard as well as general purposes? My biker friend swears by them but I've resisted so far because when I have to go to bathroom,, I don't want complications!

cyclezen

'Better' depends on the user. Some don;t like the elastic waist of shorts - and that depends on the brand/model. Some shorts have a very gentle yet firm grasp to the waist, others might feel like a tightening noose.
I like Bibs, but use them for rides 2 hrs or shorter, just because I also don;t want to deal with 'complications. I do plan ahead, but sometimes you get surprised...
If the ride is 2+ hrs, I always use shorts. But it's not hard & fast. I do use shorts on shorter rides, same for Bibs on long rides. Often it's dependent on 'conditions' - I have a mental image of what I like, depending on weather/temp/wind.
Cycling Kit is very 'personal' and getting the fit you like can mean some experimentation.
Ride On
Yuri

philbob57

To get usable responses, you need to be clear about the problem. Sore sit bones may require a clothing, pad, or saddle solution.. Saddle sores almost definitely require a different solution. Have you considered something like Body Glide, Gold Bond Friction Defense, or 'chamois cream'?

noimagination

What philbob said, but also check your fit. Saddle sores can be an outcome if your saddle is too high. That was my experience, anyway.

JohnDThompson 

Getting ready to ride yesterday, I found that all my preferred shorts were in the laundry. Digging way back in the bike clothes drawer, I found some old shorts I hadn't worn in years. Real leather chamois, very thin, no padding. If I'm going to ride, that's what I'll have to wear. I was truly surprised at how comfortable they were, and getting off the bike didn't have the "loaded diaper" feel of a modern padded synthetic chamois. I suspect I'll be wearing those more often.

sean.hwy

Bibs are 100x better while riding your bike. They don't have to be as tight for falling down. No one sees your back side yada-yada.

Are the better for your whole day out ? TBH most of the time I just where bike shorts. I hate dealing with the bathroom, trying to find a place to hang my shirt etc.. If it's a nice indoor stall bathroom it's fine. Outhouse not so much.