General Cycling Discussion - Death by elastic

How can one systematically relax the tension on the elastic band on tights, underwear, whatever? I have tried everything from excessive heat, exposure to sunlight, tieing weight to the band while hanging them, you name it. So far results of my tests have been a disappointment from completely relaxing the elastic permanently, to temporary change that is lost in the first wash cycle, to no change at all.

So why did I buy them so tight, you ask? Well I have a 33" waist and I have bought everything from medium to XL. The medium are perfect for a little compression, large perfect for relaxed comfort, but in both the elastic band is torture. The xlarge is only good because it provides a little relief (but not much) from the elastic band, which I am convinced was an invention of the devil.

buy bibs on the tights. No elastic on the waist

underwear? fruit of the loom wraps their elastic waist in cotton. pretty comfy in my opinion

have it tailored.

Lose weight.

With less girth, the elastic band won't feel as tight.


Alternatively, look for a different brand of tights.

Adult diapers?

I didn't realize that foo rats migrated. My bad. Whodathunkit?

Bibs, ftw.

What kind are you buying?

I've found that Performance Century shorts, while nice, have VERY tight waist elastic...while my Pearl Izumi shorts are much better fit.

Note that bibs may chafe nipples. Do you like duct tape?

I wear bibs 100% of the time and have never had that issue. If one did it could easily be fixed with either bandaiding the nipples or an undershirt.

Elastic does not bother me but bibs are a heck of a lot comfier without said elastic.

I do use bibs for cycling and they are not the problem. My question was about the tights I use for cross training in the winter, some of which have elastic bands. Sorry for not making that clear. I figured that considering the BFs vast resource of wealth there might be a method of relaxing the band.

I'm grateful for the serious replies, thanks.

I have a couple pair of Under Armour tights that fit great, but the band is very constricting. When I wear them, I have to make sure the elastic stays on my hip bones. Any higher and it feels like organ damage. :eek:

That is exactly what I'm talking about and Under Armour is the worst offender though tights from Asics and New Balance are not much different.

I hate to say this, but unfortunately there really isn't a good way to stretch sewn-in elastic except time and heat (in the dryer). If you're talking about elastic which is encased in a seam around the waist, you can open up the seam and try replacing the elastic inside with a longer piece of elastic. My tights have the encased elastic, so they would be easy to do, but I don't have any experience with Under Armour...

East Hill

East Hill, you are the bomb. Thanks.

^^^

You are welcome...:D

East Hill

I do use bibs for cycling and they are not the problem. My question was about the tights I use for cross training in the winter, some of which have elastic bands. Sorry for not making that clear. I figured that considering the BFs vast resource of wealth there might be a method of relaxing the band.

I'm grateful for the serious replies, thanks.

Bib Tights, ftw.