Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - "Chamois" pad differences

As I posted in previous forums, I am new to long-distance cycling and have a question regarding crotch pads. I have read a bit on the forums and it seems that this is a very (cough) personal area. I haven't had good luck with padded shorts in the past, but I've only used the cheap kind. After having purchased some Joneswares items and being thoroughly impressed, I'm looking into buying some shorts, but they have multiple chamois options (http://www.joneswares.com/item/Men_s_Wool_Performance_Shorts_/300/c62) and I'm curious as to whether or not there are people out there with personal experience with any of them.

Thanks

No help from me. sorry.
What item's did you purchase that you liked?

No personal experience with theirs, but in looking at the 3 pads it seems that
#1 is typical of what you find in most shorts today. Some sort of multi-density foam insert covered by a wicking fabric.

#2 looks to be a synthetic "chamois"; an unpadded wicking material insert so you can just wash 'n' go instead of...

#3, which is a genuine leather chamois. Unpadded, and you need to maintain it with chamois creme to keep it from drying out after riding/washing. If you have a saddle you're comfortable on, this can be a great option.

Over the years I've used all 3 types, and I'm partial to the newschool foam inserts.

Thanks for the replies!


No help from me. sorry.
What item's did you purchase that you liked?

I purchased the leg warmers and briefs. I also have a jersey, balaclava, and arm warmers on the way. It seems like really great stuff. The material is very robust. I have an Ibex Indie Jersey that is nice, but a bit thin and too short in the back. I don't like my Smartwool warmers as they fall down

Thanks for the replies!



I purchased the leg warmers and briefs. I also have a jersey, balaclava, and arm warmers on the way. It seems like really great stuff. The material is very robust. I have an Ibex Indie Jersey that is nice, but a bit thin and too short in the back. I don't like my Smartwool warmers as they fall down

Thanks

Try Pearl Izumi Pro 3D shorts. The pad is minimal, but has dense, not fat, padding for the sit bones. The other stuff is also well cared for. They don't feel like you have a stack of pancakes in your shorts.

I have the Jonesware wool shorts with the leather chamois. It's nice, I've done a bunch of 100 mile fixed gear rides with the shorts. The chamois does need to be treated with something. I like the Kucharick wool shorts and chamois better but the Jonesware is nice too. The wool is better on the Jonesware but the Kucharick fits me better.

I have a quibble with the Jonesware web site, as I took a flyer on Aerotech shorts 18 mo ago and
they have the blue pad in them. Wonder if the Jones ware site has mis-labeled the pads. FWIW
the Aerotech shorts with the blue pads are quite comfortable out to my outer limits of ~100mi or
so on a single bike. I do about 40% of my riding as stoker on a tandem and the Aerotechs are not
acceptable there, where I prefer PI Microsensor or Ultrasensor shorts. Didn't pay much attention
to shorts til I started stoking, where shorts and saddle fit are more critical in my experience.

I have aerotech shorts with the blue chamois and a slightly more expensive pair (still very affordable) with a black chamois. The black shorts are much more comfortable, but I have no idea why.

Try Pearl Izumi Pro 3D shorts. The pad is minimal, but has dense, not fat, padding for the sit bones. The other stuff is also well cared for. They don't feel like you have a stack of pancakes in your shorts.

I have given up on PI shorts/bibs. The pad is positioned up to high for my anatomy.


I have the Jonesware wool shorts with the leather chamois. It's nice, I've done a bunch of 100 mile fixed gear rides with the shorts. The chamois does need to be treated with something. I like the Kucharick wool shorts and chamois better but the Jonesware is nice too. The wool is better on the Jonesware but the Kucharick fits me better.

Thanks for turning me onto this site. I have always enjoyed just the single leather chamois in the past. I'm thinking this will work nicely with a Brooks saddle.


As I posted in previous forums, I am new to long-distance cycling and have a question regarding crotch pads. I have read a bit on the forums and it seems that this is a very (cough) personal area. I haven't had good luck with padded shorts in the past, but I've only used the cheap kind. After having purchased some Joneswares items and being thoroughly impressed, I'm looking into buying some shorts, but they have multiple chamois options (http://www.joneswares.com/item/Men_s_Wool_Performance_Shorts_/300/c62) and I'm curious as to whether or not there are people out there with personal experience with any of them.
Thanks

Make sure the pad is wide enough when you're in your normal riding position.

I don't like my Smartwool warmers as they fall down

Were these the Smartwool arm, knee, or leg warmers? I was just about to spring for the knee warmers...