Which Cycling Shorts Suit Me? How to Find the Right Model

Which cycling shorts suit me? Bib shorts or no bib shorts? Thick or thin padding? In our article, you'll find the answers!
How to Find the Right Cycling Shorts!
Choosing the right cycling shorts is crucial for every cyclist, whether a beginner or professional. Well-fitting cycling shorts not only improve comfort but can also enhance performance and reduce the likelihood of pain or even injuries. When searching for the perfect cycling shorts, several factors need to be considered: the fit of the shorts, the fit of the seat pad or chamois, the thickness of the padding, as well as differences between women's and men's cycling shorts. And even in terms of style, there are differences. Not everyone wants to ride around in tight Lycra. Most often mountain bikers and touring cyclists prefer loose-fitting baggy-style shorts. But let's focus on the most important aspects of "The Perfect Cycling Shorts."

What are the basic requirements for the correct cycling shorts?
Cycling shorts, whether for use on a road bike, mountain bike, gravel bike, or for leisure tours with a touring or trekking bike, must fundamentally satisfy the following for you:
- They should reduce sit bone pressure points on the saddle, thus limiting or ideally preventing pain.
- They should reduce friction. The pedaling motion while cycling creates friction between the shorts and legs. This friction increases with excess fabric and poorly positioned seams. Good cycling shorts, however, will hardly be noticeable because they do not create unnecessary friction.
- Cycling shorts should be fundamentally comfortable, especially if you plan to go on longer rides.
- They should protect you as best as possible from wind, weather, and sun.
- Ideally, cycling shorts that meet all the above bullet points should also look good or make you look good as a rider.

Tight Bib Shorts or Loose Baggy Shorts?
When looking for the perfect cycling shorts, we should look at professional cyclists. We will quickly notice that they, whether in road or mountain bike races, wear tight-fitting bib shorts. These fit snugly against the body, reducing friction between the body and skin. Many amateur cyclists might not think about it, but for professional cyclists, aerodynamics in clothing, and thus also in shorts, play an important role. When every second counts, the world's best cyclists even wear tight-fitting one-piece suits, where the jersey and cycling shorts are a single garment. However, those who want to come across more casually and maintain the image of a cycling enthusiast usually opt for baggy-style shorts. This does not mean that the loose fabric of the shorts cause unwanted friction. Instead, there are special inner shorts liner for these baggy-style shorts, which are equipped with a seat pad (ie: chamois).
Do you wear underwear under cycling shorts?
Underwear should not be worn under cycling shorts. Underwear with its seams or loose fabric causes unnecessary friction. Instead (see above), there are now special cycling liners with a thin integrated pad. However, if you absolutely cannot go without underwear, you should at least make sure to choose seamless underwear.
The Perfect Fit
The fit of the cycling shorts is crucial as it directly affects comfort and efficiency while cycling. Cycling shorts should fit snugly against the body to prevent movement or slipping. This minimizes the risk of skin irritation and chafing, and the seat pad stays in place best when it cannot slip due to the tightness of the shorts. But tight does not mean uncomfortable. Well-fitting cycling shorts fit like a second skin without constricting, and they should not restrict the rider's freedom of movement. It is also important that the legs of the shorts are sufficiently long enough. This improves the fit of the shorts and optimizes weather protection. The leg ends should not be too tight to ensure good blood circulation. Whether a pair of shorts fits or not, you can only find out by trying them on. So, you should not skip trying on various models and brands. High-quality cycling shorts are quite expensive nowadays, and nothing would be more annoying than realizing after a few rides that the investment was wrong.
Shorts or Bib Shorts – with or without straps?
We recommend bib shorts. The straps of bib shorts, together with a cut that should fit the respective rider perfectly, ensure that the seat pad stays in the right place. Additionally, high-cut shorts with straps also offer protection for the back area against drafts and cold. A few years ago, women often chose strapless shorts, simply to ensure a quick pit stop at a restroom, without having to remove all their upper clothing first. Nowadays, almost all well-established cycling clothing manufacturers offer bib shorts specifically for women, which – for the respective person – allow the shorts to be pulled down despite the straps.
Speaking of padding – which is the right one?
The seat pad, also called a chamois, is a central element of any cycling shorts and plays a crucial role in comfort. "Good padding in cycling shorts reduces pressure points caused by the rider's weight on the saddle and also by the shear forces that occur while pedaling on the sit bones," says Dr. Kim Tofaute, ergonomics specialist at Ergon. A well-fitted seat pad should sit exactly where it is needed and adapt to the body's anatomy. It should integrate seamlessly – although not without seams – into the shorts and not slip during the ride. There are different types of seat pads designed for different areas of use and rider types. When choosing the right seat pad, it is important to pay attention to the width and length of the pad, as these factors ensure that the pressure is evenly distributed on the sit bones. The shape of the pad should also be considered – an ergonomic shape specifically tailored to the seating position and riding style can significantly enhance riding comfort.

How thick should a seat pad be?
The thickness of the padding in cycling shorts is another important aspect when choosing the perfect cycling shorts. "A seat pad," says Dr. Kim Tofaute, "should be between a few millimeters and one centimeter thick." Thicker padding provides more cushioning, which can be advantageous on longer rides or rough terrain. However, too thick of padding can also be uncomfortable and lead to excessive sweating in some cases. "Cycling shorts and padding must work together with the saddle," says Dr. Kim Tofaute. Ultimately, the respective riders must find the right match individually; it is important to find the right balance that meets both personal preferences and the requirements of the respective riding style.
Are there differences between women's and men's cycling shorts?
There are significant differences between women's and men's cycling shorts, tailored to the different anatomical shapes of each gender. Women's cycling shorts are usually designed to better fit the female body shape, with a wider hip area and a narrower waist. The seat pad in women's cycling shorts is also shaped differently to better distribute the pressure on the sit bones and meet the specific needs of the female body. Usually, the pads for women are slightly shorter but thicker than the men's models. And, as mentioned above, the straps of women's bib shorts differ significantly from those of men's bib shorts.

How tight should cycling shorts be?
As mentioned earlier, cycling shorts must fit snugly to prevent excess fabric from chafing against the rider's skin. However, they should not be so tight that, for example, the leg ends create severe pressure points on the thighs. If you are generally satisfied with the fit of a pair of cycling shorts and are wondering whether to choose the slightly larger or slightly tighter pair, we would recommend the slightly tighter one. You might also need to invest a bit more time in finding the truly perfect shorts for you.
Chamois Cream – yes or no?
This question cannot be answered definitively. In the past, when the inserts of cycling shorts were still made of leather, they had to be greased after each wash to make the leather soft again. Nowadays, seat pads are made of various thick and firm materials – the outer material is usually a breathable fabric. Nevertheless, many cyclists use chamois cream. Firstly, it prevents friction, and secondly, it can stimulate blood circulation in the skin. What sounds good at first can also cause problems. Creams can, for example, clog the pores of the skin, leading to skin irritation. Ultimately, each rider must find out for themselves whether a chamois creams work for them or not.

How often should I change my cycling shorts?
This is a delicate question. Every rider is different, but we strongly recommend changing cycling shorts and cleaning them after each use, as the seat pad absorbs a lot of sweat during use. If the shorts are not cleaned, this can lead to saddle sores. We also recommend always having two pairs of shorts on longer tours for hygienic reasons. A different seat pad, even if it fits the respective rider, varies the distribution of pressure points on the sit bones. This can have a positive effect on the body, especially the seating area, like different running shoes that stress the foot differently.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect cycling shorts requires a bit of time and attention to detail. The right fit, a well-fitted seat pad, and the right thickness of the padding are crucial factors that significantly influence riding comfort and efficiency. Our video series "Bike Ergonomics by Ergon" provides a good overview of this topic. When shopping for cycling shorts, you should consider the saddle being used. A very thin pad may suffice if the saddle already offers a lot of padding and comfort. Conversely, a firm saddle requires a thicker or more comfortable shorts pad. You can find an overview of ergonomic saddles from Ergon here.