Men's v women's padding.

[Paul139]

The current Mrs Paul 139 has decided that she would like to get a road bike to get fit and loose some weight. (We're looking at a bike tomorrow)So I've been looking for some ladies cycling shorts in size 20/22 which is not proving very easy.So wondered if any other ladies use men's shorts and if they do do they find the padding uncomfortable or not? Is it really so gender specific? Thanks.

 

[G3CWI]

Mrs Paul 139

If you are on to 139 I would have thought you would know all the answers by now.

 

[Spinney]

I think at least one pair of my padded shorts are unisex or mens - they say medium in them - ladies's stuff usually says 14 (in my case). I don't think there is much difference in the padding. Could always try one pair and see.
Getting the right saddle will make just as much difference.

 

[vickster]

The current Mrs Paul 139 has decided that she would like to get a road bike to get fit and loose some weight. (We're looking at a bike tomorrow)So I've been looking for some ladies cycling shorts in size 20/22 which is not proving very easy.So wondered if any other ladies use men's shorts and if they do do they find the padding uncomfortable or not? Is it really so gender specific? Thanks.

I use women's shorts now I am riding more (I started with cheapo men's though briefly). I am probably a size 16-18, so an XL or XXL (pearl izumi and sportful respectively)

Fat lass at the back go up to a 26 and have a 3/4 and a long at the mo I'd start there.

http://fatladattheback.com/product-category/lasses/

Corinne Dennis also go up to larger sizes

 

[Paul139]

Just ordered a pair of Sportful from wiggle. Thanks @vickster

 

[Mrs M]

Have enough of my own "padding" sadly

 

[andrew_s]

In days of yore, cycling shorts had real leather chamois pads. On men's shorts, this had a seam running straight along the middle which women found uncomfortable, so the pads on women's shorts had two seams in an hourglass shape. This followed through to subsequent fabric pads, but these days all the pads are moulded affairs with no seams, so they aren't really gender specific, apart from overall width and fit considerations.

 

[Soltydog]

What @vickster says. I'm a larger chap & FLAB stuff is a good fit, so maybe worth looking at their ladies gear