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Cycling shorts or loose cycling shorts - which one to choose?
The eternal dilemma of every cyclist. Tight or loose, that is the question!
Cycling shorts or cycling shorts? How do they differ from each other and which one will be the best? If you're looking for answers to these questions, you've come to the right place! Read our comparison and find out which ones will provide you with the greatest comfort and freedom while cycling.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these solutions?
Cycling shorts they can be tight, typically sports, made most often of lycra or looser, which will not adhere to the body. These looser ones are colloquially called cycling shorts, which will be better for lovers of competitive cycling and for people who appreciate more recreational riding. Some cyclists also reach for them because they do not feel comfortable in the tight version of the shorts. These, however, due to the fact that they perfectly adhere to the cyclist's body, will be perfect for people who appreciate the highest comfort and convenience while riding, because they are just like a second skin. Interestingly, another name for cycling shorts is cycling shorts or cycling shorts and they can improve the cyclist's aerodynamic resistance!
Some models also have cycling insoles, which are made of materials of different densities - they allow you to increase the comfort of riding during long routes or intense workouts. We discuss the types of inserts below, when describing cycling shorts.
Cycling shorts are also available with or without braces. The most important task of the harness is to keep the bicycle insert in the same place, i.e. to protect us from further abrasions. But that's not all, they also keep the whole outfit in place, so nothing moves and does not roll up. They are also a great complement to the entire cyclist's outfit, often cycling shirts are shorter in the front and much longer in the back - thus, the raised shorts with braces additionally protect the belly and chest from the wind, which can be very disastrous. What's more, if we complement them with a cycling jersey, we can open the zipper on a warm day and enjoy the partially covered chest. The biggest downside of shorts with suspenders is that they are more difficult to take off than shorts, they do not have a fly and are very high, it becomes more difficult to use the toilet.
When buying tight cycling shorts, you can't forget about the seams - they can become the weakest point of our new cycling clothing. Shorts must be sewn in such a way that the seams, despite the fact that they adhere very tightly to the body, do not cause pressure, which during intense training can lead to chafing. When it comes to the material, it is worth looking at its grammage - the higher it is, the better the material adheres to the body and ensures greater driving efficiency and positively affects its comfort.
Loose cycling shorts to a large extent, they have a special cycling insert that can be denied. It is an insert that is supposed to increase driving comfort, often looks like separate briefs. It is an ideal solution for people who cover long distances on a bicycle and are not entirely satisfied with the comfort of their bicycle saddle. When buying cycling shorts, it is also worth considering their material, if we are competitive cycling, we should reach for damage-resistant materials, which will not be terrible on the difficult terrain of high-performance racing.
Some of the shorts are designed so that they can be freely combined with cycling shorts that can be worn as the first layer. People who recreationally ride a bike or use it as a means of transport will feel better in shorts - because they will allow you to freely explore the area or take advantage of the offer of a nearby restaurant when you get off the bike and want to rest.
However, it is worth carefully checking the model of cycling shorts and the insole offered with them, because the comfort of cycling is largely based on it. Some of the shorts have a permanently mounted insert and it is not possible to replace it when it does not meet our expectations. An additional and very important task of such an insert is to provide adequate cushioning of the body while driving and to protect the back of the body against discomfort, abrasions or pain.
Bicycle insert?
Types of pads for loose cycling shorts - the most common ones on the market are inserts made of foam or foam and gel. More expensive, but of much higher quality, are inserts that have perforated foams of different densities. It is thanks to their special construction that we are guaranteed to wick away moisture to the outside - this helps to avoid unpleasant abrasions and wounds. However, it is worth going back to the beginnings of the cycling pad, they were made of leather and were designed almost a hundred years ago, and their original function, which has remained to this day, was protection against abrasions. Only in 1980, Maurizio Castelli (founder of the Italian brand Castelli) presented the synthetic insole to the world. Today, almost every manufacturer uses synthetic materials in the production of insoles - they help reduce friction and increase cushioning.
Italian cycling pad, used in cycling shorts, e.g. Kaymaq KYB-0012, dedicated to long distances
Should I wear underwear with a cycling pad?
Underwear is no longer worn under the cycling pad and, unfortunately, this is a very common mistake. The inserts are designed to be in contact with the skin, they are properly tested in this respect, their task is to catch bacteria and fight friction. If we put on underwear, there will be another layer between the body and the insert, which, unfortunately, will become a haven for bacteria, and may also cause the insert to move and cause painful skin abrasions.
How to care for cycling pants or cycling shorts?
After each training or use of the pants, they should be washed, especially if they have an insert and we ride without underwear. Such clothing can be washed in a washing machine using detergents intended for sportswear, as well as those that do not irritate the skin and are hypoallergenic. We recommend washing them in special washing bags so that some of them, e.g. braces, do not get tangled in the drum of the washing machine.
Do you already know which shorts to choose for yourself? Will it be loose shorts or maybe cycling shoes? Remember that well-chosen cycling clothing will effectively improve your cycling comfort and positively affect your sports results. It is from such small things that effective achievement of sports goals and setting the bar higher and higher begins.