Cycling shorts & cycling tights

Cycling pants

As a new cycling exerciser, you quickly find out that a pair of cycling trousers with a pad sewn into them is a really good investment. The alternative is, in addition to poorer freedom of movement on the bike, extra soreness in the rear as well as friction damage with irritated skin and possibly resulting in open wounds. Most more experienced cyclists already know that the cycling pants are quite crucial for comfort. and that precisely here it pays to choose the right type, model and pillow.

Guide to choosing cycling pants/cycling shorts

Buying your first pair of padded cycling shorts can be a bit of a challenge for a beginner. The cycling pants will probably seem uncomfortably tight on first try, and the pad in the back of the pants will most of all feel uncomfortable. But don't worry, cycling shorts don't feel "real" until you settle into the saddle and start pedaling.

Here are some of the questions we often come across before buying cycling pants:

Need something under a pair of cycling pants?
No! As a rule, you don't wear underwear under a pair of cycling pants / cycling shorts! If that were the case, it would cause unnecessary friction with the possibility of seat sores. However, there are a few exceptions: For example, it is possible to wear a pair of tight trousers under a pair of loose MTB Baggy Shorts or a pair of winter tights without a pad.

Which pillow should I choose?
Carefully evaluate the quality and features of the trouser pad: Is it seamless in construction to avoid unnecessary friction? Is the pillow designed for the male or female anatomy? Does it have anti-bacterial surface treatment and will moisture be effectively transported away? Is the cushion's shock absorption gel or foam (the former is definitely preferable)?

Should I choose cycling pants with or without braces?
Suspenders or a mesh top have the function of helping to keep the trousers and especially the seat cushion in place during movement. Many people start out with a pair of bib shorts, and it's an improvement to just get tight pants and a seat pad. However, we recommend switching to bib shorts when the cycling exercise becomes more serious and the training rides longer.

What type of braces are the best?
The suspenders or the top must keep the trousers in place, but must not be unnecessarily tight so that mobility and comfort are reduced. Therefore, choose braces with good elasticity and in a material that is comfortable against the upper body. There is often a need to get rid of moisture when cycling, and here an elastic upper with a fine-meshed net (mesh) can be an advantage.

What about size selection?
As a rule, cycling trousers must fit tightly - there must be as little as possible that can flutter in the wind and negatively affect freedom of movement. At the same time, tight cycling pants will mean that the seat cushion sits close to the body, as it should. That's why it's actually okay for cycling pants to feel too tight when you're not on the bike. Unfortunately, there is a big difference between the sizes from different manufacturers, and if you don't have the opportunity to try it on, take a close look at the associated size guide etc.

Differences in women's and men's cycling pants

There are decisive differences between women's and men's cycling pants! The difference lies not least in the seat cushion. Women have a wider pelvis. and therefore the pads in women's cycling shorts are typically wider and the pressure points positioned differently than in men's cycling trousers.

Furthermore, the design of e.g. bib cycling shorts (ie with braces/top) different. Bib short for ladies take into account that there must be room for the bust in a comfortable way with the least possible inconvenience during cycling. This can be done by e.g. to collect the braces in the cycling trousers high up. Women's cycling shorts without braces also often have a higher waist than men's cycling shorts. Finally, women's cycling shorts typically have a wider and more flexible waistband.

Winter cycling pants with or without pad

Do you want to enjoy fantastic cycling experiences in the winter? Then a pair of good winter cycling trousers is a must! Winter cycling trousers are (naturally) with long legs, with a certain amount of lining and made of a textile that keeps the heat in (unlike summer cycling trousers).

In Scandinavia, winter cycling pants have traditionally had no sewn-in seat pad, and it has been the norm to have a pair of regular cycling pants or shorts (with pad) under the long pants. An advantage of this method is that the pad in the thinner "ordinary" cycling pants usually fits better/tighter than the pad in a lined winter pant.

However, this has changed in recent years as the materials and design of the winter trousers have improved, and the pads fit more perfectly and do not cause discomfort. Winter cycling trousers with a pad have the obvious advantage that you don't have to bother with braces twice and, possibly, friction due to the double layer in the seat area. Our experience today is. that it is fifty-fifty whether people choose winter trousers with or without a pad - taste and comfort!

Winter cycling pants can be both with or without windproof fabric on the front.