Originally Posted by
Kotts
It isn't "padding", it's a chamois (whether it is literally made of chamois or not) and its purpose is to absorb sweat that collects where there isn't airflow to evaporate it.
It serves to keep your skin relatively dry so that it doesn't chafe and develop nasty things growing in it. That is why it is in the shorts, rather than on the seat.
Thank you. This has been my contention for some time. The difference between low-end and high-end bike shorts is often the quality of the chamois and it's fitness to perform exactly as you described it. I've never understood the purpose of gel shorts.
It's also critical to carefully wash the shorts after every ride. The last thing you need is stuff growing in the warm moist chamois environment.