Do you need Padded Bike Pants? 

Padded bike pants will make time on the bike more enjoyable. The padding in the bike underwear (Women’s goUnders), lycra bike pants or liners help to provide comfort and protection at the contact points you make on the bike seat. Riders of all abilities generally choose to wear padding to support their comfort. However the longer you ride, the more frequent you ride – is it on consecutive days? are all factors that elevate the importance of wearing padded bike pants to support your comfort. If you are new to riding, feel any tenderness or discomfort when you ride are all factors that say YES you need padding. If in doubt answer YES you won’t regret your decision.

What do you want to wear when you ride?

Choosing what you want to wear on the bike will help determine whether a padded pant, underwear or a liner is the right solution for you You want to make sure you are comfortable and feel good in your riding clothing, and you have the appropriate protection from the weather and/or the terrain.

Padded Bike Underwear (goUnders) –  underwear specifically designed for biking with padding (a chamois) sewn in offers the most flexibility. The padded underwear – go under your riding clothes of choice, everyday or recreational/activity clothes. You get to choose clothes from your wardrobe that suit the weather, your destination, your level of activity or your mood. Available in different styles.

For Women: A Full Brief or Boyleg. For Youth and Kids: Boy Leg or Boxer. For Men: Boxer

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• goUnders.

Lycra Bike Pants – fitting riding pants made of lycra which is usually black, with the padding (chamois) sewn in.  These bike pants come in a variety of lengths,

• short – good for summer riding
• 3/4 length – often a more flattering length for women. Offers a solution through the seasons and different weather conditions but can get hot in the peak of summer
• full length – good for riding in cooler temperatures

Liners – can be purchased separately but generally come with baggy bike shorts (a popular choice with Mountain Bike riders). The liner is often made of mesh material with padding sewn in and they are in the style of a short lycra bike pant.  Designed to be worn under your baggy bike shorts.

LEARN MORE:

• What to consider when choosing what to wear biking.
• Lycra Bike pants. Why wear them…

The Padding (Chamois)

The chamois is the padding that will provide comfort and protection when you ride. The chamois is sewn into the pant, underwear or liner.

The chamois needs to match you as a rider and the time you spend riding.  They are Women, Men and Kid specific in shape.  A chamois is made from high density foam which will have different design elements and thickness to wick away moisture, be breathable and provide cushioning in all the right places.

Our Padded Bike Underwear – goUnders – are available with different chamois options to maximise your comfort. Please pay attention to the type of chamois you are buying to ensure you will get the performance and comfort you are seeking.

LEARN MORE:

• How to Choose the Correct Chamois

The Fabric 

The fabric your bike pants are made from should be a performance material that is breathable and wicks away moisture. The fabric needs to stretch to allow movement but compress for the best fit possible.  If the chamois is held in place it will provide cushioning in all the right places.  Functional high quality man made fabrics don’t need to impact the environment negatively so seek out sustainable manufacturing processes.

LEARN MORE

• Riding Clothing – Fabric Choice

MAKE YOUR PURCHASE A SUCCESS…

Bike Pant Care

Your bike pants will have specific care instructions. Please follow them. As your bike pants are worn directly against your skin while exercising you will need to wash them after every ride. Read: Caring for you Bike Pants.

Be Comfortable on your Bike Seat

There is more you can do to achieve comfort.  Your saddle, how your saddle is set up, your body position and how you ride – your strength and fitness – can all play a part in your comfort.