MetalPedaler

Hey Fellers!

Recreational road-biker here......

I HATE spandex and not crazy about polyester either. (I like the look of spandex..just can't stand the feel of it!)

I'm wondering what kind of shorts you tourers wear?

I'm hoping to find something that a)Is not baggy; b)Has a short (6" or less) inseam; and c)Is made of 100% one-kind of natural fiber. They don't have to be cycling-specific. I currently ide in cotton street shorts...but finding even them (with smooth seams) in a configuration which meets my specifications is nigh impossible lately.

Extra points if 100% wool!

HELP!

seeker333

Your criteria (not lycra, not baggy, extremely short inseam, natural fiber only) eliminate 99% of bike shorts I've ever seen.

Is this kinda what you're aiming for?





Oops, you said natural fiber - those look like polyester - here's some cotton:

bikemig 

It's hard to beat lycra shorts. If you're not in love with the look, get a pair of nylon shorts with pockets that you can put over the lycra shorts. I use this combo on tours as having pockets preferably with zippers is really useful.

Yo Spiff

I've tried that myself and found the combination very uncomfortable. I then bought some liner shorts, which are meant to wear under something else and those work great under normal street shorts. (the ones I have are from Nashbar and usually sell for $15).

Back in the 80's, Cannondale made some touring shorts that I really liked, but I don't know if anyone makes similar shorts these days.

Carbonfiberboy 

Yup. Tight, butt and leg hugging spandex shorts are the Only Thing. Love 'em. Supremely comfortable, wick moisture, great padding, dry overnight. No other fabric does this combo. I know people tour in nylon running shorts, also very fast drying. Good on 'em. Not me. It's bad enough when a bee gets down my jersey. That said, when I was a kid and didn't know any better, I used to ride in cutoff jeans. Other than the pain, they worked great.

MetalPedaler

LOL!!!!!

Uh....no.

I like the look of lycra. I just can't stand the feel of it.

Hard to even find street shorts now-a-days that meet my criteria.

surfjimc

I gave up on my spandex bike shorts. I bought a pair of spandex bibs and have never looked back. I have a few pairs that I wear regularly for every type of riding. Even more comfortable than the shorts. Only issue is the little extra work when nature calls.

Carbonfiberboy 

Try a different brand. They have different skin feel, depending on the exact blend and weave.

seeker333

Lycra bike shorts are simply better than the alternatives, even for touring. You may have to try several before you find ones you like. Slip some over-shorts or long pants on at stops to reduce the Lt Dangle factor.

I've found the chamois pad is more critical to comfort than the actual short material.

I buy shorts from Aero Tech Designs - good value, made by Americans in PA. I've used these shorts for ~5 years now, they're inexpensive, breathe well and last a while.

I see they offer a wool-content short.

pdlamb

What do I wear when bike touring? Lycra bibs. Waistband doesn't roll, doesn't chafe, cool, good support, wears really well.

You'd rather wear baggy wool shorts? Go ahead. Doesn't bother me. Although I reserve the right to say "I told you so" if / when you change your mind.

rica rica

um this almost just cost me a new work keyboard... just about did spit my coffee out laughing! haha!

Doug64

When I first started into serious cycling (When I got my first 10 speed) we wore wool shorts and jerseys year around. The shorts had a real chamois liner which was kept pliable with Noxema cream. They were comfortable and long lastinig. They looked a lot like today's lycra shorts, but not quite as tight. There are a few companies that still make wool shorts. However, they are a little on the expensive side. just "googler" wool cycling shorts" and you will find a number of sources.

circa 1974--wool shorts


You might also look at Sugoi shorts. They are made from a courser, brushed material, and feel similar to wool shorts, or at least don't have the "slick" lycra feel. The logo on my Sugio shorts say "Technifine". I have both Canari and Sugio shorts, and have also used a couple of other brands. IMO the Sugio are the best I've tried so far. I use the Canari shorts for my daily rides because the get washed a lot. I think washing cycling shorts is harder on them than riding in them. I use the Sugio's on my longer rides. The Canari shorts are comfortable and are almost always on sale somewhere!

SuperTrouper

+1

The difference can be pretty significant. If you're able to find some lycra you like the feel of, you're set.

Booger1

I go to Goodwill,buy some cargo pants for $3,cut them off and hem the seam.

For long pants,I go to Goodwill,buy some cargo pants or work Dickies for $3 and don't cut them off.

Simple.

shipwreck

How close is that pad material just a simple thin synthetic chamois? The kind that is the color of chamois, but a perforated synthetic. I personally dislike the molded super modern diaper like the one pearl izumi and others use, they just hold to much sweat for me.

To the OP, if you do find a pair that you like, whether lycra or other, get several. I have an old pair of Louis garneau shorts with a thin pad like described above, and they are now six years old and almost transparent. Luckily the seams are holding well, they have outlasted multiple newer shorts. Wish I had bought all I could when I had the chance.
For the most part I wear any old cargo short over the lycra, when touring.

seeker333

It's a thin open-cell foam padding with synthetic liner, about as thin and breathable as a modern "chamois" can be made.

staehpj1

Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor all the way for me. I can't help with suggestions that match your criteria, but will say that it definitely doesn't appeal to me.

MarkvW

Any shorts better than others at keeping male genitals centered over the saddle?

staehpj1

If using regular bike shorts, try the following:
It is kind of hard to describe, but... Pull the inner thigh of each leg up a little into the crease of the side of your crotch. This allows a bit of slack in the crotch of your shorts creating kind of a pouch for your junk. Shorts need to be a fairly snug fit.

shipwreck

Hey thanks, guess that I will try a pair. It can get expensive trying things at forty bucks a pop, but guess that even when I don't like them I generaly still use them. And if I do, then I will take my own advice and buy a bunch! Besides, forty bucks is a lot less than some I have given a try...

seeker333

You're welcome and good luck.

I have 4 of the Pro Bike (PB) shorts in various stages of wearing-out, so I also stock up on things that work. I usually wait for a 10% off promotional email from ATD, which sometimes coincides with free shipping, so I got some of them for $36. I think these shorts cost $35 back in 2008 when I made my first purchase.

I also have ATD's Top Shelf (TS) short and bibs, but I rarely wear them. The TS chamois is more shock absorbing but less breathable than the PB short chamois. The TS fabric has a higher Spandex content than the PB fabric (23 vs 16%), so if you buy these shorts in the same size the TS shorts will fit tighter.

Rowan

What do you wear to ride now?

Otherwise, MTB shorts with the chamois built in? The aforementioned wool bike shorts? Just wear your ordinary everyday undies?

If you were in Europe, you could pick up a pair or two of briefs with the chamois in them, then wear cargo shorts over the top.

Me? I've just done 8 months away with ordinary (Lycra) briefs with no padding. They worked well... but I did have a Brooks B17 under me, and I could wear the cargo short or long pants I had with me.

BigAura

Since price wasn't a criteria you might want to look at: Rapha touring shorts paired with Rapha Merino Boxers.

IMO: You need to get that 6" inseam outa your head, and ours for that matter

martianone

Take a look at J&G Touring Short,
they are comfortable with a slim pad,
look a lot like regular running shorts,
wear well, feel good off the bike,
and are not overly expensive.

B. Carfree

Depending on weather conditions, I often ride in Ibex wool cycling knickers. They make a short too, but it has a ten inch inseam, which is longer than you specified. They're not inexpensive, but I got several of them at a great price and they do last reasonably well.

They take longer to dry than lycra shorts, but sometimes that's not a big problem.