"Practical" cycling shorts?
 

I don't mind throwing on the tighties, cape (well, maybe not the cape...), and emblem riddled jersey and doing the superhero impersonation..I even ordered some bibs..but I really need some more stylish, utilitarian shorts, with pockets in good locations, not so anatomically revealing (The junk is overt...)...I have a pair of Fox shorts, with a chamois and liner, but they annoy the crap out of me because if I put my wallet and iPhone in the pockets they inevitably twist around my thighs and get really constrictive...

So, what's the good stealth gear? I really need an excellent chamois/pad...

I bruised myself up bad ONCE, riding without it, almost couldn't sit, I ride at least a 20 mile loop, sometimes 40, I took a small 3 mile trip WITHOUT my shorts and my soft tissue/tailbone, flesh over the right sit bone, was murderously sore...

I want shorts that I can wear out as "normal," clothing...natural fabrics preferred, I hate poly....durable.

Thanks in advance...

any kind of cargo shorts, without the pads.. can go over the bike shorts,

[Remotely, I really cannot help your quest for perfection..

wear bibs underneath ? might like suspenders on the cargo ones..

I just used a fanny pack , on my last long bike tour, for the bit of cash I needed.. *
now they have a bad fashion choice stigma.. (NYC, a fashion center and all)

*+ a Money belt under my Stuff.. for the 'valuables' under my clothes..

Bike shorts under regular shorts. I like the Propper "Tactical" line of cargo shorts.

Even if I wear shorts with pockets, it's too annoying to try to carry anything in them. I just put whatever I can in the jersey pockets, and strap on a handlebar bag if I need more storage.

Hi,

My cycling shorts have no pockets. But I wear them under a pair
of loose quick dry lightweight shorts / trunks with lots of pockets.
I don't find stuff in the loose shorts annoying at all.

MTB padded shorts generally take the loose lots of pockets route.

rgds, sreten.

These are my favorite bike shorts...two big pockets closed with velcro.

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/mtbshorts.html

I'm also in the baggy shorts over bike shorts camp. I have a pair of "bike" under wear as well - compression shorts made of Coolmax with a chamois that I will wear under lightweight sweats in cooler weather. Tho, for local town type trips - commuting to the gym, running errands or shops, I wear normal clothes and ride a Brooks B17 saddle. Finding the right saddle for you bike makes a great difference in riding comfort.

I prefer trishorts for their thinner liner. they still offer the moisture management bike shorts require. but you can wear them under anything. I have 2 pair of these. they also have a womens version. you can buy theym from REI or Amazon. my trousers are size 38 and for these shorts I use a size XXL

http://www.rei.com/product/844998/zo...-8-shorts-mens

You already have all the information you need here, but another suggestion: REI (and certainly others, but REI is close to my house) sells bike undershorts, padded but lighter weight than regular Lycra. They go under anything. Mostly, though, I just wear mountain bike shorts. I haven't worn geek Lycra in years.

Maybe just me but I can't stand riding with anything in my pockets at all, drive me nuts. Small "gas tank" bag or similar to dump wallet and keys into while riding is my preference. Endura Humvee or Izumi MTB shorts are otherwise fine.

I bought an expensive pair of ZOIC MTB shorts at REI with a detachable liner. the liner wasn't comfortable but I continue to get my money worth out of those shorts. best money I ever spent.

A person will be surprised at how freeing a fanny pack can be in cases like cycling.

I simply can't stand anything rubbing my legs so my pockets are always empty with my "stuff" kept in a fanny pack or a "possibles" bag. Choose a bag no larger than you need and ride on!

Thanks all, I really appreciate the info...

I used Kuhl hiking shorts with liners underneath for an eight day 500 mile mini tour this summer. They worked out great.

Consider J&G touring short?
they are comfortable, long lasting and are relatively cost effective

I wear cycling shorts under regular lightweight camping shorts with lots of pockets. I'll usually just wear a T-shirt. I'm not into "kit", unless it's a long long ride. Around town, it's shorts and a t-shirt

the zoic black market shorts i got have been great. the liner is good (for me) and it comes out if i just want to wear the shorts. they are light, and have plenty of pockets. they are loose and look like regular shorts and i wear them around once off the bike. they are elastic in the back which i hate, but i just cut the elastic as best i could with some scissors up through a belt hole.

i would agree with some others though, if you need to carry stuff, put it in a saddle bag. i don't like the feeling of my wallet and phone, etc slinking around my thighs - worrying they'll fall out. i fit a money clip, and my cell phone in my saddle bag along with a few tools. free riding!

Another nod to aerotechdesigns. I commute in their urban knickers with a padded liner underneath.