I also prefer the Hincapie bib shorts. I liked my Descente bibs, too but they are old and falling apart.

It has been my experience that the more expensive clothing is well worth it. I keep meaning to buy some wool bibs and jerseys but haven't yet pulled the trigger.

The chamois is designed to prevent chafing, not pad your behind. The better made shorts don't have thick chamois. And all of the shorts I've bought have had silver in the chamois and some in the lycra as an antimicrobial.