Padded Cycling Shorts – to wear or not to wear, that is the question!

Do you need to wear padded shorts made for cycling? In some cases, you should. But in other cases, you really don’t need to wear them.

The purpose of this guide is to explain when you need to wear padded cycling shorts and when you really don’t need them at all.

I’ll explain what they are, the benefits, the pros, and even the cons. After reading this guide, you’ll have a complete understanding of these padded garments. You’ll also know whether you need to wear them or not.

What Are Padded Cycling Shorts?

Padded cycling shorts have many names, but they have very specific features.

You’ve probably seen them as bike shorts, bicycle shorts, biker shorts, cycling shorts, padded shorts, and bib shorts. Some don’t have pads at all, and those aren’t really made for cycling. The ones made for cycling have some sort of pad in them.

Typical padded cycling shorts are made of Lycra and spandex, which are tight-fitting, and they also have a built-in pad called a chamois.

The purpose of cycling shorts is to reduce friction. They also provide cushioning to sensitive areas. These shorts also improve your overall comfort on the bike.

There are different types of cycling shorts, including normal waist shorts, bib shorts, and short skinsuits.

Why You Should Wear Padded Cycling Shorts

There are many reasons why you would want to wear padded cycling shorts.

Enhanced Comfort on Long Rides

Padded cycling shorts will enhance your overall comfort on longer bike rides, tours, and races.

The built-in chamois (padding) will reduce saddle soreness. This is because the pad absorbs shock from the surface you’re riding on. It prevents friction that will leave your sensitive parts screaming without the padding.

The padding also adds cushioning to your ride. This puts some protection between your sit bones, butt, and the saddle, which will reduce a lot of pressure that typically results in pain and discomfort without that cushion. This is exceptionally helpful on longer endurance rides.

The seams in padded cycling shorts are smooth and seamless. This, along with the padding, will help prevent skin irritation. Some extremely affordable brands may not have very smooth seams, so this is something to consider when shopping for a pair of good cycling shorts.

Improved Cycling Performance

Padded cycling shorts can enhance your overall cycling performance in several ways.

There are numerous benefits to the compression garments in these shorts. Compression tends to help improve blood flow. Compression is also known to help support and recover muscles during and after strenuous activities.

Cycling shorts also provide enough benefit to keep you in the saddle longer. Without them, you’ll become uncomfortable and may need to dismount temporarily to alleviate the discomfort. This will hinder your cycling performance as you’ll stay more focused and consistent when you remain in the saddle.

The padding in cycling shorts is often created to fit your specific gender. As a result, the padding focuses on areas where pressure points are present. This will help relieve stress and pain, allowing you to focus more on your ride.

Why You Wouldn’t Want to Wear Padded Cycling Shorts

There might be different circumstances where you simply wouldn’t want to wear padded cycling shorts.

If you’re doing simple bike riding around your neighborhood or your block, you probably don’t need to wear them. Most of the time, we’re not going to get kitted up for a neighborhood joy ride or bike ride with the kids. You can probably leave the padded shorts at home for that type of ride.

Cycling shorts can be pricey. You can buy cheaper ones, but many of the cheap brands are not as comfortable and don’t last very long. You get what you pay for, and that might be an issue for some people on a budget.

Cycling shorts are typically very comfortable for many people, but for some people, they’re not and likely never will be. Some people don’t like tight-fitting or compression clothing. If you’re one of those people, these shorts are likely not for you.

Cycling shorts are created for function, not fashion. You might find them awkward and embarrassing to wear because they reveal everything. While cyclists find them normal and won’t even bat an eye at you, other people might stare, laugh, and joke about them.

You might prefer a padded saddle or bike seat instead. You can skip the cycling shorts altogether if your saddle has sufficient padding. Then you can wear whatever you want to wear and still be comfortable.

Tips for Choosing the Right Padded Cycling Shorts

There are numerous brands available that sell padded cycling shorts, and you want to look for specific details and features to help you choose the best ones.

First and foremost, the shorts should for form-fitting, like a second skin, but not so tight that everything feels restrictive. There should be a comfortable and painless stretch to the material. It’s essential to get your sizing right, as different countries of manufacture may have different sizing standards than you’re accustomed to.

Padding thickness depends on the ride and your preference. Triathlons and short rides typically need a very thin pad. Longer endurance riding usually needs a thick pad.

The shorts’ materials need to be breathable. They also need to wick moisture so that you can stay dry. Most of the better material used will be spandex, Lycra, nylon, and polyester-type materials.

There are many types of shorts, including plain shorts with a gender-specific waistband. There are bib shorts, which are shorts designed with suspenders to provide a more comfortable fit around the waist (most cyclists use these), and there are skinsuits, which are a combination of compression shorts and shirts worn as a single unit (these are mainly used in racing).

There are many different colors and designs of shorts. You can get them in lengths ranging from longer to very short in terms of the inseam. Some even come with cargo pockets on the sides of the shorts.

Budget is something you need to consider as well. Cheaper shorts will typically have fewer features and a shorter lifespan. However, some of the better-padded cycling shorts have high price tags and can be a hard pill to swallow when purchasing them.

Beginner Tips for Wearing Padded Cycling Shorts

There are a few key beginner tips to consider when trying padded cycling shorts for the first time.

For starters, don’t wear any sort of underwear with them. This includes thongs and jockstraps. Wearing additional layers under them will defeat the purpose of the pad and likely cause unwanted chaffing.

You should make sure you wash your cycling shorts after every ride, even when touring. Bacteria can build up much quicker with skintight clothing after heavy use, such as biking in them. Wash with cold water and let them air dry to get the most use out of them.

If you’re still experiencing discomfort, even with padded cycling shorts, you may need to add lubricant to the pad. There are many different chamois creams available. You rub this cream on the padding of your shorts, and it helps lubricate the area and prevent unwanted rubbing and chaffing (especially useful on longer rides).

Make sure you select your right size. The material is made to stretch, but if it stretches too much, it will become transparent. This means everyone will see everything you have to offer under the shorts.

Alternatives to Padded Cycling Shorts

For those who prefer not to wear padded cycling shorts, there are some excellent alternatives.

You can get a gel-padded or other padded cover for your saddle. This will add a comfortable extra layer of padding for you to sit on. These covers are usually pretty cheap, as well.

You might need to upgrade your saddle (bike seat) altogether. You can get ones specifically designed for saddle comfort. This will add extra padding for you to sit on, which will help with comfort.

You can also get padded liner shorts, which are specially designed cycling shorts made to wear under regular, baggy shorts. The liner is really thin (like underwear) and super breathable. You can still enjoy the benefits of padded shorts, but wear whatever you want over them.

Final Thoughts About Padded Cycling Shorts

As you can see, there are many different pros (and cons) of wearing padded cycling shorts as a cyclist. These shorts are great for improving your performance and comfort on the bike. However, some find them too awkward to wear, and you don’t need a pair for every type of bike ride.

I’d love to know where you stand. Please comment below and let me know if you wear padded cycling shorts or not. Personally, I wear them on every bike ride, and I find them to be extremely comfortable and necessary, at least for me. How about you?

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