WHAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW......
By Iris Slappendel
During my professional cycling career, I spent on average 30 hours a week in the saddle. Over the years it added up to a bunch of time testing a lot (and I mean a lot!) of different chamois. Some bib shorts and chamois were so uncomfortable that I had to sew a different pad in, just to be able to race without being in too much pain. At the time, women in the pro peloton thought that enduring this pain was just another part of our job. As more women take up cycling, and as we’ve become more comfortable talking about our experiences, it’s become clear that this discomfort isn’t limited to professional riders. Unfortunately, many women experience chafing, saddle sores, friction, heat buildup, swelling, numbness… it’s a major barrier to women’s participation in the sport. I decided that I wanted to do something about it. Once I retired from racing I realised that I could put all my experience, knowledge and background as a designer into creating a product that will make riding comfortable so that more women can enjoy cycling.
Going commando
One of the most common mistakes people make is wearing underwear underneath cycling shorts. For people who are new to cycling this might sound a bit weird. Not so long ago, my sister-in-law took up cycling and I gave her a bib short. When I advised her to go commando when wearing the shorts, she responded astonished and slightly upset. “What?! No underwear? That’s a bridge too far for me!” It was clear to me that something so normal for me might sound pretty strange to people who did not ‘grow up in lycra’. There are many reasons why you should not wear underwear with your cycling shorts. Let me explain why you should leave your pants at home next time you head out for a bike ride.
Say ‘no’ to friction and ‘yes’ to moisture management
The chamois of your bib shorts is designed to sit next to your skin to prevent chafing. Wearing underwear under your cycling shorts adds seams that chafe and can cause unnecessary pressure points which contribute to saddle sores.
The chamois is made from anti-bacterial fabrics that absorb sweat and dry quickly, stopping your skin from getting too sweaty while you’re riding. Wearing underwear not only reduces this functionality, it cancels it out completely and can lead to some pretty unsanitary conditions. No matter how comfortable your underwear might be, it is not designed to cope with the pressure and friction of cycling and will damage your skin as you ride. Healthy skin is a barrier that prevents bacteria from entering the body, but damaged skin is compromised and can allow bacteria in. Your sweaty pants can damage your skin and turn your shorts into a breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the chance of developing an infection. So going commando under your cycling shorts is good for your health!
How do I choose the best chamois for me?
Every brand will say they are using the best, most comfortable and ergonomic chamois in their bib shorts. The truth is that there is a huge difference in quality, density, thickness, material, construction and how and where the pad is sewn into the bib short. And then there is of course personal preference, we’re all unique.
When choosing a cycling pad, it is essential that you are not swayed by your first impressions putting the shorts on and walking (or dancing) around your bedroom (doesn’t everyone do this!?). You need to sit on your saddle and check that the points subjected to the greatest pressure (the perineal area and sit bones) are properly cushioned and protected. When deciding on which shorts and pad to buy, there are many factors that influence your requirements: from your different positions on the bike (sitting up for a climb, in the drops getting aero), your preference of saddle and how long you plan to ride for. Modern chamois pads are designed with a variety of densities of foam, and even multiple densities within the same pad, to optimise for comfort. Disciplines from road cycling to mountain biking to spinning and commuting all put your body (and your booty) in different positions on a saddle, so each calls for slightly different protection. Density is different to thickness. If you are looking for more comfort you don’t need to put up with a thick and bulky pad, instead, you need to look for a higher density chamois. A chamois made from high-density foam will give you the protection you are looking for, because it doesn’t compress as much, even after hours in the saddle.
Most cycling apparel brands don’t manufacture their chamois themselves and there’s still some secrecy with competitors trying to hide where they get their chamois from. Luckily, we are starting to see more brands attach manufacturer tags to draw attention to what technology they’re using. These tags and labels can be helpful when you’re doing your research and will help you find the right chamois for you.
In all our IRIS bib shorts we use a chamois from the Italian manufacturer Elastic Interface. From all my testing and research I have found it to be the most comfortable and versatile. It’s a chamois designed for all terrains and excels over long distances. Based on personal experience, I have chosen a ‘stitched’ technology chamois which contains different densities of foam to better contour and accommodate our anatomy. The stitching inside the chamois is very limited so it doesn’t irritate your skin and it’s covered with a top layer of soft, antibacterial fabric that prevents skin damage and the proliferation of bad bacteria. The top layer is made from recycled Eco X-Mix which reduces the environmental footprint of our shorts, without compromising on quality.
Don’t forget about the bike fit
Finding your ideal chamois first requires removing every other potential discomfort so you can isolate the pad. The best way to do that is a bike fit. Read more about bike fitting and finding the perfect saddle in this story from expert bike fitter Tammy Corney.
How do I pee in bib shorts?
Another big question mark for women cyclists is how to pee with bib shorts on. The straps make it impossible to drop your shorts but those straps perform an important function, holding the shorts in place without the need for tight fabric around your waist. The straps are designed to be worn under your jersey, but it’s inconvenient to have to strip down each time you need to drop your shorts to pee, especially in winter! Thankfully, undressing every time you need to go to the bathroom is no longer necessary with many brands introducing easy pee functionality to their women’s cycling apparel. We introduced our magnetic clip in 2018 it’s proven to be hugely popular. Thanks to the magnet in the strap you have the comfort of the bibs without the inconvenience. When nature calls you simply release the clip on the back strap, fold the back panel down and pee. Once relieved, pull the back up again and clip the magnet back on and off you pedal!
Hopefully, I’ve convinced you that your ‘shammy’ is so much more than just a piece of padding in your cycling shorts. And I’m proud that we have developed bib shorts that have made cycling much more fun, and comfortable, for our customers. Whatever your preference or (bib) short of choice is, make sure you don’t ‘save’ on this piece of your cycling wardrobe! It’s an investment in your comfort and your health. And don’t forget… go commando 😉