Whether you ride for sport, recreation, or a means of transport there are a range of clothing options available to you that are designed to meet the demands of biking. Some of you may choose a wardrobe full of riding specific clothing, others may have just one piece. But there is one must have item – a chamois (padding) that is sewn into bike underwear, bike pants or liners at the point where you make contact with the seat.
Why do you need padding (a chamois)
It is all about comfort and protection at the contact point of your bottom on the bike seat. This is important no matter what type of rider you are and particularly important when you begin to ride for longer distances, more frequently, or you have issues with tenderness. This contact point has a lot of weight being transferred through it. These forces as well as sweating in this region can cause you problems so let’s get the right padding solution for you so you can find your riding SMILE.
You do not want a one size fit all chamois – a lot of design work has gone into the padding (chamois) to make sure you get the best possible outcome for the type of rider you are
Wearing padded bike underwear or pants will help you enjoy your riding by helping you be more comfortable on your bike seat. This improved comfort can support you working towards increasing your time on your bike by allowing you to ride further or more often .
Variety of Chamois ( padding) sewn into underwear or pants
How to wear your padded pants or underwear
If you are choosing to wear padded bike underwear this may seem a funny question but not so if you choose padded lycra bike shorts. Let me clear the air on a question many people are too afraid to ask… Do you wear undies under your padding? No. What? Why? Because the seams on your undies are the very things that can cause rubbing and chaffing leading to saddle sores. The chamois is also designed to wick away sweat and moisture from the area… so the chamois needs to be the point of contact….it needs to be next to your skin.
If you choose to ride in padded underwear ( goUnders) then you choose everyday or actvity clothes to wear over your underwear You do not wear padded lycra pants over your goUnders. You only need one lot of padding. Having too much bulk is likely to create issues
If you choose to ride in lycra bike pants like our 3/4 pants then you wear no underwear. The 3/4 pants and the chamois that is sewn in sits directly next to your skin. You do not wear your padded underwear (goUnders) under your lycra bike pants. You only need one lot of padding. Having too much bulk is likely to create issues
If you choose to wear a liner under bike specific shorts the chamois sewn into the liner is worn directly next to your skin
Chamois (padding) needs to held in place
Whatever is holding that chamois in place, bike underwear, lycra bike shorts, or liners they need to be firm and stretch onto you. Well that padded bit – the chamois – needs to provide its cushioning in all the right places so to be held in position it needs to be tight but not restricting. So a stretchy fabric is essential.
You may be wondering whether children need padded bike shorts? Again it’s all about comfort and protection so it depends on the length of their rides and the frequency of riding. If you are considering riding some of the fantastic NZ Cycle Trails with the kids, like to ride regularly or want to go on family biking holidays, then get them a pair of goUnders for Kids. Like adults children enjoy wearing clothing that is designed for a specific task and if riding is their main sport padded riding pants should be considered part of their uniform.
Things you need to consider for a good chamois (padding) match.
If you are a women the chamois will need to be women specific. The placement, shape, areas of altered thickness in the padding as well as the width and length are all designed to match our women specific structures and the pressure on those structures. We are different to males so do not settle for a chamois that is designed for a male.
The other variation to consider is the length of time spent on the bike in one ride. The thickness and materials used vary depending the length of time you spend on the bike. Common categories are up to 1hr, 1-3hrs, 1-5hrs and 5hrs+.
Kids also need kid specific chamois to fit their smaller structure.
The quality of the chamois will affect its ability to absorb the forces as well as breath and wick away moisture. These are all important to the success of the product to provide comfort and protection. Therefore it is best that the chamois is produced by a proven company.
For more information on Chamois’ see our story: How to choose the correct chamois
There is more you can do to be comfortable on your bike seat?
Finding comfort on your bike seat can be challenging. You have options others than padded pants or underwear.
- You need the right bike saddle. Just like the chamois they are designed to match the type of rider you are.
- The seat should be fitted correctly to your bike so you can find your bike seat ‘sweet spot’
- How you ride’ plays an important part in your comfort
To understand your options read Comfort on the bike seat – what are my options.
What is the bike saddle solution for you? Your success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solution
Comfort on Bike Seat - goRide Stories and Support
View our full range of stories and support on bike seat comfort.
GUIDE: Bike Saddle Comfort
Learn your options and how you can find comfort on your bike seat
Womens Bike Saddle Buying Guide
What is the best womens bike saddle for the type of riding you do? There are many factors to consider. Use our Buying Guide to get the right bike saddle.
Mens Bike Saddle Buying Guide
What is the best mens bike saddle for the type of riding you do? There are many factors to consider. Use our Buying Guide to get the right bike saddle.
Sit Bone Aches & Pains
Are you comfortable on your bike seat? Do your sit bones ache after riding? Read our story for a better understanding of this common problem.
Soft Tissue Compression
Do you suffer from soft tissue compression? Learn why and what you can do to reduce the discomfort.
What saddle for my e-bike?
Are you comfortable on your E-bike seat? Read our story and understand how you can improve your experience.
How to Attach your Bike Saddle
Use goRide’s guide & video on how to attach your new bike saddle to your bike.
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Hi when are you going to have women’s pants for sale.
Hi,
we are currently working really hard to get this product out into the NZ market. If everything runs smoothly we hope to have the first lot available by March/April 2018. Thanks for asking about them.
Annette
Looking forward to ordering some for women. I’ve had terrible results trying to order padded briefs from overseas.
Any update on an expected eta for these please?
Hi Amanda,
thanks for asking about our womens padded bike pants. They will be available this Spring, (Oct, 2018) in sizes 8 to 16 and retail for $65 plus shipping.
Regards
Annette