Ever heard the expression “no pain, no gain?” For some people, that saying summarizes their complete approach to fitness. For a long time, it was even thought by experts that unless you were in pain while exercising, you weren’t doing enough. But like many other myths, thankfully this one has been debunked. Hard as it may be to believe, nowadays, it’s possible to get a total body workout and still come out feeling good. Even though bike design and comfort has come a long way since they were first invented, it’s undeniable that sometimes riding a bike is still painful. No matter if you’re a cycling beginner or enthusiast, people with all levels of cycling experience still experience occasional pain while riding. Even though it can be an embarrassing subject to broach, don’t worry; this problem is incredibly common, and this article is designed to help find the best solution for you. Dismiss your fears of wearing bulky padding that feels like a diaper, and get ready to check out some of the most innovative cycling short technology available.
Click here to see the best selling padded cycling shorts
While padded cycling shorts may not sound like the most glamorous option in the world, you’d be amazed at how much help and support they can provide. But, just like how everyone’s body is different, each pair of padded cycling shorts is different, too. When shopping for a pair, it’s best to keep your body type and other unique pieces of information in mind. For instance, a long distance rider probably wouldn’t purchase a lightly padded pair, unless they had little need for padded shorts in the first place. You’d be more likely to assume that a long distance rider would purchase a heavy-duty pair of padded cycling shorts.
Just like bicycles, padding cycling shorts have come a long way in the past few years. While you previously may have associated them with being extremely bulky and unsightly, nowadays, they’re built with advanced technology that can make the padding seem very minimal, and in some cases, even invisible. With the advent of synthetic fabrics being widely available and used, some of the materials in these bike shorts may surprise you!
We’re going to review some individual pairs of padded cycling shorts below. When you’re reading the individual reviews, be sure to keep a few things in mind. Like we discussed earlier, have a good idea of your body type, the intensity of your cycling workouts, and of course, how much pain you experience while biking. It’s also important to keep in mind that men and women can’t usually wear the same pairs of cycling shorts. Much like most clothing isn’t unisex, neither are cycling shorts. Since they’re designed to provide such a close and intimate fit, you’re definitely going to want to make sure you’re shopping for your sex as well as your padding requirements. The good news is that many of the bestselling male cycling shorts have a similar pair available in female sizes, and since there are so many great options available today, you’re bound to find something that’s perfect for you!
Cycle With The Best
The best pairs of shorts, that is! Read carefully through the following reviews, and you’re bound to find the perfect pair of padded cycling shorts for you. The following reviews are written objectively, all for the purpose of helping you, so don’t worry about getting sucked into an advertising scam. Shopping online can be intimidating enough without worries of buying a false product, so rest assured that you’re seeing the truth.
3D Gel Padded Coolmax Bicycle Shorts by Xcellent Global
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These sleek black shorts offer not only sufficient padding and protection, but also sweat absorbent technology that makes staying dry on long rides a breeze! The 3D Gel Padded Coolmax shorts by Xcellent Global are made of 80% polyamide and 20% Lycra, to provide excellent flexibility and the ability to keep you cool and dry while riding. These shorts offer a snug silicone skid proof belt to keep the shorts in place while riding, and the short edges are sealed flat so they don’t rub against your skin or roll up while you’re riding. While these shorts are black all over with hidden padding, they arrive with reflective belt technology for visibility and safety when riding at night. The 3D Gel Padded Coolmax shorts are designed for serious cyclists, although it bears mentioning that they’d be great for hobby cyclists as well. The Lycra material works to ensure that the leg muscles are insulated and supported, priming you for long distance rides, climbing, and more. These shorts are a best seller, and reviewers love the thick gel padding and light fabric. Cycling shorts that use gel typically provide more support than those that use foam, so if you’re craving extra stability, you’re definitely going to want to check out the 3D Gel Padded Coolmax shorts.
3D Padded Bicycle Cycling Underwear Shorts by Xcellent Global
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If you’re someone who is new to cycling, or someone with an extremely low pain tolerance (or an uncomfortable bike seat!), you may want to think about an extra layer under your standard cycling shorts. These 3D Padded Underwear Shorts from Xcellent Global are a great addition to your cycling wardrobe! These shorts are shown inside out, with the interior padding showing in the picture, and they can be worn under regular cycling shorts or alone for adequate padding. Much like the 3D Gel Padded Coolmax shorts, these shorts are made with polyamide and Lycra, but with the addition of nylon for extra support. If you’re someone who would love biking were it not for the pain, give these try: you may be surprised at just how effective they’ve been! If you’re planning to use these on their own, they won’t be the best for very long rides. Many reviewers mention that they’re great for rides of 10 miles or less, so unless you want to pair them with another pair of shorts, these probably won’t be the best for you. But for those less dedicated cyclists or the commuter who rides to work, these foam-padded shorts are sure to please. The 3D Padded Underwear shorts may not be as intense as some of the shorts with gel inserts, but for foam, these are some of the best padded cycling shorts available.
Men’s Velo Gel Padded Bike Short by Canari Cyclewear
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If you’re serious about cycling in comfort and prefer a lower profile padding cycling short, the Velo Gel Padded short by Canari Cyclewear would be the perfect addition to your routine. These shorts are made of nylon and Spandex, providing an extremely tight fight and offering an eight panel anatomical design with leg grippers. The Velo Gel Padded shorts also include a unique gel cycling pad to absorb shock, keeping you comfortable as you cycle for miles and miles. Reviewers heap praise on these shorts, calling them extremely practical for long (50+ miles) rides, and a wonderful product that makes cycling easier. It’s hard to imagine that you’d find a better or more quality pair of padded cycling shorts than these! The only downside is that they seem to run a little small, so if you’re on the fence about your size, you may want to order a size down at first. Aside from the sleek design, these shorts are incredibly appealing visually because the padding is almost invisible to see. Gel padding can absorb much more shock than foam padding, in addition to providing a lower profile to the shorts themselves. If you’re someone who spends hours on your bike per week, or someone who maybe wants to wear their cycling shorts into the grocery store every now and then, these are definitely the best padded cycling shorts for you.
Men’s Quest Cycling Short by Pearl iZUMi
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These Quest cycling shorts by Pearl iZUMi are a perennial best seller. They offer discreet gel padding, a Chamois layer on the inside, silicone bands to prevent chafing, and they’re scientifically designed to fit your body in motion. Unlike other brands of cycling shorts, the Quest shorts offer an amazing four layers of fabric: Transfer, Barrier, Thermal, and Softshell. These layers work together to keep you feeling dry, happy, and comfortable while cycling, all while providing outstanding padding that will keep you going for miles. They’re constructed of breathable nylon and spandex, and reviewers love that these shorts keep going, wash after wash. Since these cycling shorts are constructed to be worn with nothing underneath, you must wash them after every use and air dry. Fortunately, these shorts are also extremely comfortable, with 6 breathable fabric panels and reflective elements for low-light visibility. Reviewers claim these shorts are great for long rides (50+ miles), with some even using them for rides up to 100 miles! That would be the equivalent of biking over four marathons in one day! And while not meant to be worn with underwear, these shorts could also be paired with a liner pair of shorts, for extra compression. As with other bike shorts, these tend to run slightly small, so if you’re in between sizes or unsure, measure yourself and think about sizing up.
Women’s Padded Classic Bike Shorts by Aero Tech Design
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Just like men and women often use different bikes to accommodate for height and weight differences, the best pairs of cycling shorts for women are not going to be the same as the best pairs for men. Even the most athletic of women have a different distribution of body fat than men do, and they carry their weight in different places. These cycling shorts are specifically designed for a woman’s figure, and they provide a wide range of comfort while biking. They’re designed with nylon and spandex, and the inside is coated with a smooth, Coolmax microfiber that is laminated with foam for extra support. A neat design feature of the Women’s Padded Classic shorts is that the inside fabric is also given an antibacterial treatment, making it suitable for long rides, and also ensuring that the shorts stay dry longer to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Even though you’ll still need to wash your cycling shorts after every ride, the antibacterial treatment will definitely assist with keeping you dry during a long ride. Most reviewers love these shorts, and claim that they’re true to size as well as comfortable to wear. However, since these shots are only lightly padded, you may want to look into buying a padded bicycle seat or seat cover to wear during your rides. Additionally, many reviewers report loving these particular shorts for a spin class! There’s no doubt about it, these are some of the best padded cycling shorts available for women.
Convinced Yet?
It wouldn’t take much research to realize how far padded cycling shorts have come in a relatively short time. While they used to be unsightly, bulky, and uncomfortable, now some of the most comfortable options make it difficult to even see the padding used! It’s true that athletes may be better at taking pain and discomfort as part of their everyday lives, but there’s no real reason why cycling should be an uncomfortable chore. If you want to make your bike rides even better than they already have been, a pair of padded cycling shorts is definitely one of the smallest things you can do for one of the biggest changes.
If you select a pair of padded cycling shorts only to be disappointed, try not to become discouraged. Remember again that everyone’s body is different, and some body types require more padding than others. Don’t be embarrassed, just try to look at the situation from an objective perspective and try a different pair. Consider also purchasing additional cycling gear, like a padded seat and a seat cover, or maybe a pair of liner shorts. Cycling is just like any other sport in that if you don’t enjoy doing it, you’re probably not going to keep at it for very long. If you want to become a dedicated serious cyclist or enthusiast, remember that practice takes perfect, and the perfect pair of cycling shorts sometimes takes you on a dedicated hunt.
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