Why padded shorts

They will though help with some comfort. While some cyclist will call the padding in padded bike shorts a marketing gimmick, there are some bike shorts that are made from thicker chamois.

This padding is thicker, and as a result, may not be optimal when it comes to preventing chafing. You may even see shorts advertised with gel padding. Another reason why bike shorts are more comfortable is how they are sewn. If you imagine a regular pair of shorts, there is usually a seam that runs down the middle of the crotch area.

Sitting on this seam can cause discomfort after a long ride. While it may look strange, bicycle shorts move these seams to other areas so you can sit freely. For most riders, as they get more experienced, they tend to favor less padding. If you are a more casual riding or just starting out, it may be worth experimenting with various shorts and saddles to get a feel for what works best for you.

If you are riding more than 30 miles, I would really recommend a pair of cycling shorts. Of course, it all depends on how much you are riding as well. The main difference between bike shorts really comes down to the chamois and the overall quality of the material. Amazon has some decent bike shorts in their best sellers list. When deciding between gel or foam padded cycling shorts, gel is great for absorbing shock and is preferred for longer rides. It is, however, more expensive compared to foam cycling shorts.

Make sure you take care of your shorts by washing them on the gentle cycle or washing them by hand and air dry them afterward. These come with even more drawbacks compared to padded seats. Then, you can start exploring different seat options and find which one fits your bottom the best. Again, this will depend on your anatomy, riding style, and type of bike you have. So for me cycling shorts should help minimize saddle sore n should be easy on the skin..

Not cause any irritation to the skin particularly in humid sultry weather. It also helps to avoid saddle soreness. I personally prefer compressed padded shorts for Triathlon as we would have to sit in our aerobar position for almost km.

Geeta Ratwani: "Padded shorts is a must for riding as it helps to avoid soreness and protects sensitive areas. Abirami Manoharan: "First is the comfort factor.

Second would be the fit and feel. Wearing cycling specific wear for rides can turn your cycling experience from liking your rides to loving them! Wide saddles trying to play the role of a pillow cause misalignment too.

When a saddle is too wide, it comes in contact with the thighs and irritates the area. The aftermath is excessive sweating and discomfort. The possibility of numbness due to compression of the perineal nerves makes the situation even more unpleasant. Many otherwise reasonable cyclists showcase over-awareness of their image. Saddles are no exception. They have to look slick. When that happens, the cyclist ends up sitting closer to the frame of the saddle and loses the benefits of padding while also suffering from the greater contact area.

This effect is greatly correlated to the weight of the rider. Excessive softening may limit the strain on the sit bones for a while, but ultimately, that part of the body has to adapt to the stress of cycling. Normally, those saddles work well only on bicycles engineered for upright riding, namely dedicated commuters and cruisers. In both situations, the back angle of the rider is more vertical.

For that reason, commuters and cruisers necessitate wider and more padded saddles. When the geometry of the bicycle is more upright, the factors listed below diminish the negative effects of a wide and squishy saddle:. Shorter distances. Commuters and cruisers are not designed for long touring because they are poor climbers. More protection. The upright posture puts the sit bones in a more vertical position which results in greater skeletal support and extra elevation.

When the extra support is there the saddle is wide enough , the sit bones elevate the rider far more than they do in the aero position.

The glutes are semi-contracted and assist that outcome by providing extra natural padding for the sit bones and further elevating the more sensitive areas. Step 1: Sit in a chair and keep your back vertical to the ground. Take notices of how the sit bone area feels. Step: 2: Lean towards the ground to mimic a more aggressive riding position.

The stress will move from the sit bones towards the lower portion of the glutes and the perineum area. Cruisers and commuters are not designed for super aggressive riding.

The lower intensity reduces the stress on the entire system. After changing many saddles, most people come to a surprising conclusion — a hard saddle in combination with padded shorts is the most comfortable way to ride for long hours while exerting substantial effort. The hard saddle prohibits the sit bones from sinking in and redistributing load on more sensible areas whereas the padding in the shorts provides an additional barrier between the sit bones and the saddle.

Cycling shorts are designed with one goal in mind — to make cycling more comfortable and easier. Unlike regular clothes e. Cycling shorts are made of materials moving sweat and moisture to the outer surface away from the body where it can evaporate faster. They also dry more quickly than street clothes which are usually made of cotton.