He has various brands now. Some of them irritate his leg at the bottom. He doesn't have a favorite.

OP, if budget is not a real concern, here is a list to check into:
- Castelli Endurance or Aero (with X2 pad)
- Sugoi RSE (not the RS)
- Assos (Mille for thicker pad, Uno for thinner pad)
- 2XU (surprising comfortable with the 4D pad)
- Pearl Izumi (the PRO line)

All these are "euro-sizing".

Any idea what causes the irritation? Elastic, silicone gripper, stitching/seam, material (some brands may contain a particular allergen or irritant)?

I was hoping for a hilarious reason.

I ride all weather, up to one hundred F with high humidity with all wool and love i. No they are not hot, they allow moisture to pass through and never stink. I ride my clothes 10-14 hours a week and wash only once. I know that sounds gross but they never smell. An amazing material.

Why not ask why? Inquisitive minds wish to know. I know why, I hate the straps.

The new Sugoi RSE shorts are a bit pricey but will not irritate his leg. They don't have the silicone bands like most shorts and instead use a rather tight spandex section at the end. The chamois is superb. I highly recommend them. Their RS model is also very good but it uses the silicone gripper approach.

These Sugoi shorts are more comfortable than my Assos bibs which came highly recommended.

I know why I don't use bibs...the straps annoy my moobs.

Pearl Izumi Elite and Pro are good shorts that last and are comfortable IMHO.

When somebody pays me to wear bibs, I will....after an argument though.

If those are the shorts with the gel in the chamois - stay away. Stay away from any shorts with gel - gel doesn't deal with sweat well. They weren't bad when they were new, but they caused pressure issues for me and then the gel came loose and would get all bunched up to one side.

I agree with LG. While new to cycling a few years ago, a friend recommended them, I tried it, loved it, and it makes up most of my shorts (I have both bibs and shorts). I also average about 150-200 miles/week. My long ride is about 70-80 miles, and any of these shorts hold up well for that.

By far, my favorite LG shorts for summer rides are the LG Corsa. I found them on clearance through Department of Goods. I also live in a warm climate (PHX area), and they feel almost as if I'm not wearing anything.

My favorite all-around shorts are the LG Equipe though. They're a little loud, but I like the red/black/white, and I also have the blue/black/white.

I also have a pair of LG Fit Sensor. They're good solid shorts, though not as nice as the others.


I have a mix of shorts and bibs. I seem to go through phases when I prefer one over the other, and have been in a bib phase lately. Nothing wrong with either, and if your husband prefers shorts, that's what I'd get him.

Gore shorts are excellent for summer time in the South. Not exactly cheap, but I wear them more than any others during the summer. LG are a close runner up, the Alveo 3k power mesh can be had pretty cheap and do a decent job in the heat.

Any particular style of Gore you'd recommend for summer?

I love my Gore Power shorts. For one, they actually fit my stick legs!

The Xenon kit is fantastic, not sure if they offer a short version (I like bibs) but it's worth checking out.

I've had pretty good luck with Castelli shorts..I have 3 pair with the KISS chamois.Usually around 80 bucks a pair.They may be worth looking into for your husband.

OP, best not to go there if you have to ask here. If he's doin 150+ a wk, he prolly has his preferences. If you don;t know them, I wouldn;t try to guess, no matter what recs you get here. Hubby will surely be grateful and faun over your present, but the shorts will find their true level in his go-to wardrobe.
If you go for shorts, maybe do his favorite brand pr in another color. I.E., I ride navy shorts almost as much as the basic black.
I'd suggest something more 'utility' than shorts.
I.E., for me and many other riders, we go thru gloves on a frequent basis - I need at least 3 prs every yr, not counting full finger stuff for late fall thru early spring. 3 prs cost about the same as some medium price shorts...
Or maybe another pr of riding glasses...
a second helmet... always good to have another which is 'clean' and dry. I swap helmets often to allow me to wash them (they go into the shower with me) and dry for a day or so.
A second pair of shoes - and there it's easy, the same shoe as the other - shoes can be pricey
shorts are very personal, maybe the most of all the kit...

you said he doesn't have a favorite - but it would be good to know which he goes to most often.
and knowing his measured 'size', will have an impact on which brands might have the best chance of fitting. Again, some brands run quite small, some are very "american' sized, very few of the higher end will fit 'big'.
good luck

castelli free aero shorts have the best pad, be careful on the sizing you have to size up , e.g normal medium is a castelli large

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/pr...3836.16.1.html

My very first pair i ever bought was about 3 weeks ago, I got some Origin 8 padded shorts...they wear good i guess, like i said they are my first so i may kick it up a notch the next time like Louis Garneau or Pearl Izumi...will see.

+1

Try Bud Dry.

(Come on, this hadn't occurred to anybody?)