nancy sv

I'll be buying some shorts for our upcoming trip in the next few weeks and need some that will last a long time. So - any info about which shorts are the most durable? I don't mind paying more if they will last longer - having new shorts sent to us in Central/South America won't be easy so I'd rather have some that will last a long time. Thanks for helping me out here!

Rowan

Do you have to use padded bike shorts? I ask because.. how far do you intend cycling each day? What sort of saddle do you have? Could you get away with just plain unpadded bike shorts as used in gyms?

You've asked another $64,000 question that goes alongside what is the best and most durable tyre, the best and most durable frame, the best and most durable wheels, the best and most durable gloves...

You could get the thickest, most durable bike shorts and be as uncomfortable as hell from the get-go. You could get the most expensive shorts and be comfortable for about two months before they wear out.

I am finding that for shorter riding (up to, say, 100km) riding without padding is better. But then I am using Brooks saddles and that counts for a lot. Going unpadded also reduces drying time after washing. Plus, I am moving more towards being a part of the local human scenery rather than standing out on tours with just bike shorts. I have found that overshorts really do extend the life of any bike shorts (padded or otherwise), and ensure I am presentable in most situations.

It also might be worth remembering, too, that cycling does exist in Central and South America. I think the Columbian riders do pretty well in the pro ranks. So the chances are there will be bike shops somewhere there that have shorts. Having stuff sent to you seems a bit like having apron strings still attached when you're on such a big adventure.

martianone

J&G Cyclewear Touring Shorts are pretty durable [bicycleclothing.com]
They don't have a monster pad, so they appear a lot like regular shorts.
I too ride with a B-17, don't need a large racer type crotch blanket.
Have had two pairs of these shorts for about three years. Wear them a lot
of the time. In summer as riding shorts, during the other seasons
as "underwear" for longer legged pants. Had a pair on yesterday when I took
my son to an indoor pool for some swim lessons, we played around in the water
for an hr. Hung them up when I got home, going to wear them later today when
I go riding (under my long pants- temp this morning is -12C, hope it warm up to
about -5). They are available in a nice range of sizes, fit well and made in USA.

Sigurdd50

I like these
https://zerieusa.com/
click on 'shorts' on the left. Fact is, I think they are fabricated in latin america! I have shorts made by Mt Borah and Pearl Izumi, but most of the time I reach for one of these in the morning. I've had them for going on 4 years and they hold up fine. The best part is their cost is on par, 1/3 less than most top drawer shorts

nancy sv

Thanks for the input!! I do plan on wearing overshorts most of the time - it does preserve the lifespan considerably. I'll check those links out and see hwat I find. Now that I've got a Brooks I might not need what I needed on my last trip - but then ANYTHING will be better than that saddle was!

vik 

Rowan has a good point questioning the need for bike shorts. If you are wearing padded bike shorts and over shorts in Mexico & Central America you may have some issues related to creating a warm moist environment and the attendant problems that can occur.

Lightweight synthetic underwear and light over shorts will keep you much cooler and drier. They can also be cleaned and dried more easily helping to avoid any issues developing.

HardyWeinberg

As long as they're not flammable...

nancy sv

Holy crap! Truly amazing...

eric von zipper

During the summers here it get super humid and hot. Just stepping outside I start to sweat. Saying that, when I commute or go for rides when not wanting to wear bike shorts alone, I wear a pair of quick dry board shorts. I surf too, so they serve me that way too. Good board shorts are light, they breathe, dry fast and last a long time. Just my .02.

Sixty Fiver

Come April I will probably forgo wearing pants and once again, will find myself living in my Samurai mtb shorts that I picked up at MEC. I picked them up last June after my favourite organic cotton shorts wore out (I got a replacement credit at MEC). Those cotton shorts probably carried me for more than 10,000 km.

I've now put about 7000 km on the two pairs of Samurai shorts and pretty much live in them when the weather is nice and they still look like they are new.

I wear cycling shorts (liner) under them

nancy sv

What's MEC?

Sixty Fiver

MEC - Mountain Equipment Co-op... like REI except better.

nancy sv

Thanks - I'll check that out.

Sixty Fiver

MEC carries great gear, has great prices, and the best warranties I have ever seen.

vik 

www.mec.ca

gregw

I wore these shorts every day for almost 4 months and 5100 miles, still have them and they are still my favorite. I have tried several brands and types, these have been best for me.

https://www.boure.com/1000.html

eofelis 

I went shorts shopping last year. I tried REI brands and PI shorts and some others. Some were too flimsy and others had way too much padding for my taste. A friend of mine who rides a lot (Ride the Rockies every year) pointed me towards Black Bottoms shorts. She's gotten many years out of hers. They are durable and not over padded. I got two pairs and I'm set for a while.

I got a pair at REI and another pair at a LBS, but you can order online from Black Bottoms. (If you get them from REI you can return them if you don't like them.) They are about $70-80.

nancy sv

Great! You guys have given me some great places to start looking!

mkauffman

I love Pearl Izumi shorts, but in this case I can't recommend, I wear through them two or three pair a year. Specialized, again comfortable in my mind, but again don't last. I brought two pair of the PI ultra sensor on my trip last year and by switching daily, I had a great trip out of them, but they were quite worn after 8 weeks.

nancy sv

I agree. I wore the Pearl Izumi ultrasensor shorts last year and loved them - but they were pretty much worn out after six months.

ken cummings

If you can find any get some PACE brand shorts. I got a pair at their factory store ten years ago and still use them.

JoeMan

Although I have done no long distance touring I ride a lot and have always preferred Ibex wool for many different weather conditions. The 3/4 length are my favorites.

staehpj1

I too like the Ultrasensor shorts. They are comfy when damp, wick the sweat away, and dry quickly when washed or rained on. They weren't that bad if put on right after washing.

Based on what I have seen from mine I would expect a pair to last 6 months if worn every day, but I guess it depends on how and how often you launder them (I, gasp!, don't launder them everyday). If you alternate two pairs I can see them lasting a year.

If you can't count on them lasting the whole trip, why not arrange to have shorts shipped to you at some point during the trip? Then you can pick based more on comfort than on what will last the whole trip.

nancy sv

I don't think anything will last the whole trip, and we will have to have some sent to us. But I would like to get some that will last as long as possible. I had two pairs of the PI Ultrasensors last year and alternated between them. After six months they were pretty much shot, but I couldn't get anything sent to me at the time. I ended up wearing them another four months before I could get replacements - HAD to wear baggy shorts over them by that point!

permanentjaun

I rode over 4000 miles on a $40 steel frame from nashbar, two $30 pairs of shorts from performance, and my sisters bike seat. (I'm a guy.) So long as you're not falling and don't mind a little discomfort as you get into the touring routine, any gear will be fine. I did fall once around mile 3700 and scraped my right hip. The shorts lasted the remaining 400 miles easy.

I say, buy based on what you need and what you can afford.