padded shorts problem

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

ch3

New Member
Location
London/Athens
Today I spend a couple of hours in 3 different shops to find a pair of padded shorts for my long tour. The idea was to get one of those shorts that have removable padded liner, so I can swap it with an additional lycra, when it needs washing.

In the end, I bought this Endura one, but after doing a short ride to see how it feels I got a little bit disappointed. The shorts felt a little warm and I am not sure if the nylon which is made of is breathable. I know ideally I should cycle just on the lucra, but I thought it would be nice to have a good short in case it get a little cold.
Also, I think that the pads on the liner seem to be a bit forward from where they should be. I noticed the back area of my saddle is not covered by a pad, where there is pleanty at the front where I don't think it's needed.

I haven't used padded shorts before so I didn't know what to look for when I got them.

I am now thinking of taking them back to the shop tomorrow morning. Should I just swap them with a good pair of lycra and then try to find a regular cheap pair of short if I need to wear something on top?


Thanks
 

Cubist

Still wavin'
Location
Ovver 'thill
I'm not being funny here, but are you sure the liner is the right way round? My Humvees have an excellent articulated coolmax pad. There's just a chance some wag has taken the liner out and turned it round before putting it back on the shelf. To check, unpop the liner shorts and make sure the Endura logo is on the outside front of your right leg.

Yes, the material is warm. Try unzipping the vents on the legs.
 
OP
OP
C

ch3

New Member
Location
London/Athens
hehe... yes I believe it's the right way. The logo on the right and the big side of the pad under my bum.
I'll give them another try today and see how it goes.

Also, I believe you were the liner without any underwear underneath right? I am sure that's part of the reason I got warm yesterday.

thank you
 

John the Monkey

Frivolous Cyclist
Location
Crewe
ch3 said:
Also, I believe you were the liner without any underwear underneath right? I am sure that's part of the reason I got warm yesterday.
Yep - cycling lycra is worn without underwear.

I find, personally that liner shorts are crap.

I have a pair of Endura Hummvees, but wear a pair of comfortable (for me) lycra shorts underneath them rather than the supplied liner short.
 
OP
OP
C

ch3

New Member
Location
London/Athens
ok makes sense. So I think I'll keep them and as you say I'll buy a pair of lycra as well.
Looking at those yesterday, they are a little more expensive than I thought. But since I will need to wear them all day long, I assume I need some good ones. Any recommendation, or what I need to look for when I buy them?
 

simon_brooke

New Member
Location
Auchencairn
ch3 said:
Today I spend a couple of hours in 3 different shops to find a pair of padded shorts for my long tour. The idea was to get one of those shorts that have removable padded liner, so I can swap it with an additional lycra, when it needs washing.

In the end, I bought this Endura one, but after doing a short ride to see how it feels I got a little bit disappointed. The shorts felt a little warm and I am not sure if the nylon which is made of is breathable. I know ideally I should cycle just on the lucra, but I thought it would be nice to have a good short in case it get a little cold.

Yes, I had a pair of those. Finally threw them away. Naffissimo; total style free zone, and not up to usual Endura quality either. However, the inner short was the best thing about them, and that I've kept to wear under less barf-enducing garments.

I haven't used padded shorts before so I didn't know what to look for when I got them.

I am now thinking of taking them back to the shop tomorrow morning. Should I just swap them with a good pair of lycra and then try to find a regular cheap pair of short if I need to wear something on top?

Good plain Lycra cycling bib-shorts are probably the best solution, if you want to be comfortable. Of course, depending on your build, they may not be stylish either.

But since I will need to wear them all day long, I assume I need some good ones. Any recommendation, or what I need to look for when I buy them?

Firstly, you need more than one pair. Especially in hot weather and if you sweat much, it's important to have a clean pair every morning, and although they're easy to wash the pad may not dry fully overnight (unless where you're staying has a tumble dryer). Second, quality counts. Endura make reasonable ones but my favourites are Campagnolo. Assos and Rapha also have a good reputation but out of my price bracket. I have a pair of Nalinis which are OK, but not what I'd want to wear all day.

Also, for all-day cycling, you may need some sort of 'chamois creme', especially in hot weather, to stop chafe and to prevent infections - boils on your bum make cycling uncomfortable! I use zinc and caster oil ointment which is sold as baby's nappy cream - works fine, and much cheaper than cycling-specific brands.
 
Top Bottom