Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - No more padded shorts for me.

After my on going perineum issue, I was afraid my new Brooks was going to have to be abandoned. I took the advise of a board member and ditched the padded shorts and haven't looked back. I now have 100 plus miles on the still-breaking-in Brooks B-17(200miles on saddle) with nothing more than compression shorts with workout shorts over the top. My sit bones have absolutely no issues riding the leather without padding. I don't have nearly as much pressure in my soft tissue now either. Apparently the thick padding was causing the pressure. Hell I even dropped down into the drops for a half mile yesterday. I could have never done that with the padded shorts. I think I'll get some shorts with a thin chamois to keep my bottom dry and just keep pedaling. :):)

Interesting....

I think I'll get some shorts with a thin chamois to keep my bottom dry and just keep pedaling. :):)

If you haven't tried 'em already check out triathlon shorts. Much thinner pad since they're intended to be swum in and then dry quickly. My first intro to bike shorts was a pair for a sprint tri I did years ago.

Here's irony.....if that is a fix for me too. I just ordered a pair of the "top shelf" bike shorts (thickest padding) and bibs (same thick padding) from Aerotech. They just arrived yesterday.

Here's irony.....if that is a fix for me too. I just ordered a pair of the "top shelf" bike shorts (thickest padding) and bibs (same thick padding) from Aerotech. They just arrived yesterday.

Don't use them until you've tried riding without any, that way you can return them. Honestly I was scared to ride without padded shorts, I thought for sure my rear would kill me. To my suprise the opposite ended up being true. My sit bones hold the saddle better without the pads and I stay in place much better. I don't think I have sit bones of steel, but they absolutely don't hurt or feel any soreness even after 25 miles.

Padding is great, when it's the right amount. Too much padding (or too "cushy" a saddle) will (as you discovered) transfer pressure from your "sit bones" to more delicate places.

Yeah - I had to get rid of my gel seat.........
I'm wearing Aerotech padded shorts now though and they seem fine - not very thick. I think they were "pro"?

Men's Pro Cycling Shorts SS101MENS

I am one of those fortunate folks who don't have short or saddle problems even on century rides. But in the past I have and now that I have a formula, I'm sticking to it. I do like padded shorts but dislike gel or thickly padded shorts opting for lightly padded. My favorite (this is for girls) are Terry's T-Shorts. As for the saddle better to be likely padded and not so wide. My favorite (again for the ladies) is the Terry Butterfly. I used to ride with a wider saddle and suffered from chafing. Switched to a thinner saddle and chafing is a thing of the past!

I also like thin-padded shorts better. If they are too thin, then I'm prone to hot-spots, but if they are too thick or, god forbid, gel shorts, then I have problems every time. I want just enough padding to keep the area drier, and to prevent friction and slippage on the saddle. My butt-fat takes care of everything else. ;)

Have fun out there!

I have gel padded shorts and they hurt after a while. I got a pair of Aerotech pro and no more problems, thinner pad and non gel

AFAIK, numbness from riding is caused by only one thing - too much pressure on the perineum. Padding doesn't prevent that. In fact as you discovered it can exacerbate it.

One should think of shorts and saddle as a single system. If the saddle distributes the weight over a wide area, then thick padding will put pressure where it shouldn't. If the saddle is designed to put all the weight on the sit bones, then more thickly padded shorts make sense.

I prefer the latter style of saddle, so I wear padded shorts - but again, not heavily padded, and certainly not gel shorts. But I like the padding to move with me. A well designed chamois will pad where it's needed, not where it's not, and won't chafe.

I have the shorts with a thin chamois padding. No problems.

my volers are not living up to my expectations in this regard, i think it is because the pad is too big

Here's irony.....if that is a fix for me too. I just ordered a pair of the "top shelf" bike shorts (thickest padding) and bibs (same thick padding) from Aerotech. They just arrived yesterday.

I freakin hate thick padding...which are usually what you find in cheap shorts. I end up with saddle sores and sometimes even numbness. The better shorts/bibs have a higher quality, thinner chamois pad. For the price, Performance Ultras are a good bet - thinner pad, lighter material and I've worn them in comfort for rides up to 160 miles over 10 hours (this year's RAIN), as well as my daily 50 mile RT commute.