Do you need padded cycling shorts?

Lycra cycling shorts are the kind of thing people resist for a long time and then, after the first long ride in them, wonder why they waited. You do not need them to ride a bike, though, and nobody should feel they have to dress like a professional to pop to the market.

When padding matters

• Short, upright rides. Commuting a few kilometres, errands, a slow ride along the seafront: ordinary clothes are fine. City bikes with wide, upright saddles were designed for exactly this.
• Longer rides. On rides of more than an hour, especially on a road or gravel bike where you lean forward, you sit on a narrow saddle for a long time. That is when a pad, called a chamois, earns its place. It cushions a little, but more importantly it reduces rubbing and moves seams away from sensitive places.
• Multi-day rides. For cycling holidays or bikepacking, good shorts are among the most important pieces of kit you own.

If your saddle still hurts in good shorts, the shorts are rarely the whole story. Our guide to a more comfortable saddle covers height, angle and saddle choice.

Nothing underneath

This surprises people, but padded shorts are designed to be worn without underwear. The pad is meant to sit directly against your skin; underwear adds seams and fabric folds exactly where you least want them. Wash the shorts after every ride, as you would underwear, and have at least two pairs if you ride often.

Some riders use a chamois cream on longer rides to reduce friction. It is optional; try it and see.

Bib shorts or waist shorts?

• Waist shorts have an elastic waistband, like ordinary sports shorts. They are easy to put on and simple for toilet stops. On longer rides, some people find the waistband digs in, or the shorts slide down as they lean forward.
• Bib shorts have straps over the shoulders instead of a waistband. They keep the pad exactly in place and leave your stomach unsqueezed, which is why many regular riders prefer them. The downside is the toilet stop, which needs some undressing. Some bibs for women have clips or zips to make this simpler.

Try both if you can. Neither is the "proper" one.

If Lycra is not your style

Plenty of people would rather not ride in tight shorts, and that is fine:

• Padded liner shorts go under normal shorts or mountain bike baggies. They give you the comfort without the look.
• Baggy cycling shorts often come with a removable padded liner.
• Padded underwear designed for cycling sits under ordinary trousers on commutes.

Choosing a pair

• Fit first. Shorts should feel snug, not loose; a loose pad moves and rubs.
• Pads differ by design. Men's and women's pads are shaped differently, and the cut matters more than the thickness.
• Thicker is not better. A very thick pad can feel like sitting on a nappy and can bunch. A medium, well-shaped pad is usually more comfortable for hours.
• Try them in a riding position. Lean forward in the changing room as if you were holding handlebars.