avidone1

I'm still getting used to my selle anatomica leather saddle. On my super cush "comfort" seat I didn't wear padded shorts. I tried them but they did not make the seat more comfortable. I do find on the SA that some padding helps. I only have two pair. One is a flannel padded schwinn and the other is a gel padded canari.. The canari seems better but it's actually a size too large for me, so it's hard to tell. Before I go out and purchase several pair, I thought I would come on and get some suggestions.
Thanks.

Lanceoldstrong

My favorite pair are my Sugoi Evolution 6.5 shorts.
The have a great chamois.
Sugoi uses specific placement of various performance stretch fabrics to create a range of textures and compression around different parts of the shorts.
They are my "go to" long distance shorts. I have 2 pairs, liked the 1st one so much, I got a 2nd.

Zinger

I like these touring shorts most of the time. Light and airy.

Bike Shorts from People Who Really Know Bike Shorts!

Dan Burkhart 

+1 to the top of the line Sugoi. The cheaper ones are not so great, but the good ones are really good, and not anywhere near the price of Assos or the other top line brands.

qcpmsame 

The Cannondale Classic padded shorts are my favorites, I own 5 pairs that are rotated each day. Well made, good stitching with no unraveling problems and a comfortable pad. Only available in black, which is fine for me.

Bill

1loosemoose

I really like my aerotech design bibs.

GravelMN

Primal and Aerotech Top Shelf have worked quite well for me.

Wanderer

I like my Specialized shorts the best, but get great value from cheaper shorts from Performance and Nashbar. By watching sales, they are frequently available under $20.

BluesDawg

The top level Specialized and Pearl Izumi shorts and bibs are my favorites. Not cheap, but worth it for the long days in the saddle. I would avoid any brand of gel shorts like the plague. Not a good idea IMHO. The top function of the pad in bike shorts is sweat absorption. Gel doesn't absorb.

79pmooney

Best shorts I have used in recent years are Segoi and Specialized. I have several pairs of Seguoi shorts that are old to the pint of being unwearable in public but are still my choice to go under tights.

I am not a fan of thick chamois. On good seats, all I need it for is chafe. And life is too short to ride anything but good seats. The deal breaker for me in short selection is legs that do not keep everything where it belongs; ie have a tight fit at the top of the legs.

Ben

guidoStow

I like Boure. I like the UltraSuade pad in their Pro short.

Men's Cycling Shorts - Bouré Bicycle Clothing

Zinger

I do like the old fashioned chamois padding but not sure if I feel quite that much difference. I'd probably invest in some touring shorts with chamois though if I knew of some good ones.

tsl

Another Aerotech Designs fan here. I prefer a thinner, more flexible pad. Their $40 Men's Pro Bike Short is the one for me. I also own the Top Shelf and its bib variant. I like those on rides over 70 miles, as long as it's not too hot. I find I sweat more in them.

TGT1

I started out with the Canari gels because the local store always had them cheap. They seem to be relatively short lived. the hot melt seams that hold the gel pads in place eventually come loose and the gel shifts and bunches up. Definitely only hand wash those.

Gel is also no good past about two or three hours in the saddle. (maybe even less in high heat and humidity.)Because it won't breathe.

I tried a pair of these on a whim and they are my go to 100 mile day shorts. BD has them made by Funkier and private labels them.

Road and Mountain Team Issue Bicycle Shorts - 2012 Motobecane Mirage Sport The padding is on the thick side, but breathes well and the fabric is not slippery on a leather saddle.
That cuts both ways.

Santa brought me a couple of pairs of another brand of gel type shorts. (KS Bikewear) Tried them out today and two things were obvious, they are better than the Canaris' but aren't 100 mile shorts.

I may try some Aerotech's for the next long distance pair.

John E

I usually buy expedition shorts, essentially padded bike shorts sewn inside walking shorts, from REI. They have pockets, one of which has a secure zipper, and they are extremely versatile and comfortable and perfect for transportation cycling.

JerrySTL

About 5 years ago I switched from shorts to bibs and glad I did. I had the same model and size of PI bibs and shorts and the bibs are much better on longer rides. The only downsides are it's a little harder to take a nature break in bibs and bibs are hotter. I'll wear shorts if it's above 90 degrees F.

az_cyclist

Pearl Izumi Elite bib shorts, but on Wednesday I got a closeout price of $131 (reg $180) for Pearl Izumi P.R.O bibs. They are changing the design of the chamois this year. I have one pair of Castelli bibs as well. As JerrySTL mentioned, bibs are great for long rides or any ride with a lot of climbing.

flan48

I have been happiest with my Louis Garneau Signature Optimum shorts. They have a really excellent chamois, and provide great comfort for my typical rides of 12-18 miles. As with most Garneau products they fit true to size. In fact I have a very inexpensive pair of Garneau shorts from 6 or 7 years ago that I also still use!

I also have a inexpensive pair of Pear Izumi Quest shorts that are pretty much awful, along with a pair of Pearl Izumi Attack shorts that are good.

I rotate all four so that they can last.

Happy New Year to all!

FarHorizon

Anything available in my size without neon, logos, or racing stripes.

OldTryGuy

Another for Sugoi. The multi thickness and stretch are extremely comfortable. Those who go to bibs might never have tried the Sugoi. Endura brand also has excellent shorts including baggy style and fantastic cycling gear for the entire body over the wide range of weather conditions.

Typical ride distances of 40 miles for a short, 60/90 Saturday, 112 TT Ironman, 120+ long, birthday ride is double age +2 so this year 132.

Wileyrat

Apparently my backside isn't too picky when it comes to saddles and shorts. I ride in Pearl Izumi Attack shorts, and I bought them based on the reviews on Amazon. I can get them on sale for less than 50 bucks, and I can do metric centuries without any problems (as long as I'm using anti chafing stuff).

FWIW, my saddle is a Forte Pro SL I bought on sale at Performance Bike for 40 bucks, also based on the reviews.

RonH

Both my bikes have SA saddles. I quit wearing shorts in 2004/2005 and wear only bibs. My favorites have been / are De Marchi Contour Plus, De Marchi Superleggero, Endura FS260, and just picked up a pair of Endura Hyperon today. I also like Etxe Ondo bibs. Not sure which ones I have. They're a few years old. They have a real leather chamois.

martianone

Have a leather saddle on all of my upright bikes with a SA on my primary commuter/utility bike. Often ride without any cycling specific short/pants (yesterday when I rode - had long johns under flannel running pants). When I do wear some type of padded short, like J&G touring short. They are lightly padded, don't look like a plastic bag over my posterior, wear well and are a relative good value.

Slowhead

I own a pair of the Pro shorts also. By far, the nicest pair of shorts I own.

B. Carfree

I kind of like the Castelli bibs and shorts that I have with the progetto II chamois. They're my go-to choice for rides over 100 miles. For shorter rides, I'll wear anything, including some very old shorts with actual leather chamois. (I do have some not-so-fond memories of having a very rare for me saddle sore on a tour and only having leather chamois shorts available. The wound would clot to the short and then be torn open as I stood on the next climb. I finally put a cotton rag on the wound and had a less-bad day.)