Choosing whether or not to wear a pair of cycling-specific padded shorts (chamois) could be the decision that determines whether you love riding your bike or hate it. The chamois has been around since the 1920s when cyclists only wore wool shorts. These shorts would bunch up, cause friction, hold moisture, and become very uncomfortable to wear. This was an issue only for pro-cyclists, as the bike was not as widely used for sport as it is today. Much like the technical attributes of the Formula 1 race car trickling down to the Ford Fiesta, the trials and tribulations of these riders changed the industry and the clothing available to all levels of cyclists today.
Enter today’s chamois. There are many types: single-density foam, dual-density, memory, and gel. All should be better choices than no chamois, but let’s take a closer look.
First off, let’s assume that you’re not wearing padded riding shorts but are savvy enough to wear athletic, wicking, and breathable shorts. Most athletic shorts are built with a seam line running right underneath the area that sits directly on top of your bike saddle and receives the most pressure from your body. As you move around, pedaling and shifting, the seam line will work its way into the very sensitive areas of your body, causing chafing and irritation. Some unpadded cycling shorts offer a gusseted crotch, which solves some problems but not all. The gusset is a small panel that moves the inseam and crotch seam off the pressure areas of the body, reducing the potential for chafing. This is a good start, but you’re not at the finish line yet.
Today’s chamois pad is sewn into a fitted Lycra short so that its placement on your body is secure during movement. This short can be worn either on its own or underneath a pair of bike shorts. The Lycra fabric should be light, breathable, wicking, and provide enough stretch or compression without being too tight. Usually, a polyester/Lycra short is a good choice for wear underneath something like our Rider or Joy Ride shorts. Nylon/Lycra blends offer more durability if the short is going to be worn on its own without an over short.
The pad, which is sewn into the Lycra short, should be made with a soft and comfortable microfiber shell fabric. The microfiber is comfortable on the skin and provides wicking of perspiration from your body into the fabric. Without the wicking function, friction is created, and chafing becomes a problem. Inside the pad is where the magic happens.
Let’s talk about vibration control. The two vibration wavelengths that travel from the road or trail up through the bike to your rear are either low or high frequency. Low-frequency waves are created from potholes, rocks, or bumps in the road or trail. You feel these immediately but typically know they’re coming and can shift your body to take some pressure off. Shocks on a mountain bike help with these low-frequency vibrations. The high-frequency waves travel through the bike consistently and are caused by the typical noise a road or trail creates as your tires travel over them. The goal is to dampen these waves so they are less intense. Enter the inside of the chamois pad.
Foam-only pads may feel soft and cushy when you pinch them with your fingers but have inherent problems. The foam is thick, so the outer fabrics move on top of each other, causing friction and chafing. The foam also, after usually a short period, compresses and loses its soft, comfy feeling that it gave during the first few rides. These foam pads are usually bulky and, as you may imagine, have a hard time fitting in the narrow area between your legs. All of these issues create a friction environment. 2D or 3D foam pads are the next best choice, where the pad itself has thickness layers. Thicker layers toward the center offer more dampening of trail and road vibrations. The thinner edges of the pad take up less space while still providing chafing protection during activity. Foam is still a good conductor of vibration, so a high percentage of the high-frequency vibrations are allowed to travel through the pad, causing fatigue and soreness.
Next up is the gel pad. Gel pads can be thinner and a bit firmer to the touch than most foam pads. Thickness is not always a good indicator of how comfortable the pad will be over time, as you may find with a thick foam pad. The gel inserts in the pad change the frequency of the vibration, or dampen them, allowing the body to be more comfortable over longer distances and, more importantly, not sore or fatigued the next day. For longer distances and frequent riding, my choice is always gel, like our endurance level chamois (Woodchuck & Montcham).
I’m a big advocate of having the right tool for the job. That being said, without a doubt, the right chamois is one of the most important cycling accessories you should have in your lineup. If you’re riding 2-3 light miles, then find a thin foam chamois that is comfortable, provides wicking, and just takes the edge off the high-frequency vibrations. If you find yourself riding your bike a few times a week, 5-10 miles per ride, and budget is an issue, find a good quality foam 2D or 3D chamois. Make sure the chamois fits in all the right areas. If you ride frequently and put on 7-10 miles per ride, then go for gel.
Bottom line: a good quality chamois pad, in my mind, is one of the most important cycling accessories that can lead to the decision of loving to ride your bike.
