Road cycling shorts, bib shorts and tights

Why wear cycling shorts on the road?

Cycling shorts eliminate the two most common causes of discomfort on a bike: chafing and pressure on the saddle. Their stretch fabric, with no seam at the crotch, stays in place over thousands of pedal strokes, and their chamois pad spreads your weight over the sit bones, limiting pressure points. They are worn directly against the skin, without underwear: the elastic and seams of briefs would end up irritating exactly where the shorts are meant to protect.

The chamois pad: how do you choose it?

The name comes from the leather shorts of old, but today's pad is a synthetic foam covered with a soft fabric, often antibacterial. Several criteria set one model apart from another:

• Density: firm foam gives better support over time than thick, soft foam, which compresses and ends up shifting.
• Zones: multi-density pads are thicker under the sit bones and thinner at the sides so as not to hinder the movement of the thighs.
• Ventilation: perforations or channels draw away heat and moisture on long rides.
• Anatomy: women's pads have a shape and support zones specific to female anatomy, hence the benefit of women's shorts rather than a unisex model.

Position matters too: the further forward you lean, the more the pressure moves towards the front of the pad. Some brands offer different pads depending on whether you ride upright or stretched out.

Bib shorts or waist shorts?

Bib shorts are the most common choice on the road. The straps keep the pad in place without elastic squeezing your stomach, and your back stays covered when the jersey rides up in a low position. Waist shorts, without straps, are easier to put on and take off: they appeal to riders who take frequent breaks and to those who prefer nothing on their shoulders. Several women's bib shorts have an opening that allows a comfort break without removing the jersey.

How do you find the right size?

Cycling shorts should be close-fitting: if they are too big, the chamois pad slides around, which is precisely where chafing starts. Use the brand's guide based on your waist and hip measurements, or even your height for bib shorts, where torso length counts. The straps should hold the pad snugly without pulling on your shoulders when you stand, since they relax in the riding position.

Shorts, 3/4 or tights: which for each season?

Shorts stop above the knee and are worn in mild to hot weather, with a silicone leg gripper or a wide elastic band that stops them riding up. 3/4 shorts, also called knickers, cover the knee, a joint sensitive to cold: they suit cool spring and autumn mornings. Full-length tights go down to the ankles; in thermal versions, their brushed inner fabric keeps the warmth in, and some models add a windproof panel on the front of the thighs. To move from one season to the next without multiplying shorts, leg warmers under summer shorts bridge the gap.

Completing your road kit

Cycling shorts are worn with a road cycling jersey long enough to cover the waist. Leg warmers, socks and arm warmers are in clothing accessories, and protection against wind and showers in road jackets. Helmets, shoes and gloves can then be chosen from road cycling gear.

Cycling shorts brands to discover

Isadore designs its bib shorts drawing on the experience of former professional riders, with models such as the Alternative or the Signature Climber's.

Gonso, a German brand from the Swabian Jura, developed with Sitivo separate pads for men and women, suited to an upright, compact or sportier position, and also offers shorts with an SQlab pad.

Endurance, a Danish brand, offers among others the Jayne V2 for women, in short or long versions, with breathable mesh straps.

Etxeondo, a Basque brand, has its shorts sewn in its workshop in Navarre; the Olimpico and the Orhi are among its benchmark models.

Craft offers Core Endur shorts for long distances and Core Bike SubZ tights for winter.

POC fits its Raceday bib shorts with a perforated pad for ventilation, with a women's version featuring a specific pad, and also offers the Cadence.

Where can you find cycling shorts on sale?

End-of-line shorts move to road clothing clearance, alongside reduced-price jerseys and jackets. Recent arrivals are in new arrivals. The summer sales, the winter sales and Black Friday are also a chance to get a second pair so you can alternate washes.

Frequently asked questions

Should you wear underwear under cycling shorts?

No. Cycling shorts are worn directly against the skin: underwear would add seams and retain moisture, two sources of irritation. The chamois pad is designed to be in direct contact with the body.

Is chamois cream useful?

It is not essential on short rides with well-fitted shorts. Over long distances, when heat and sweat increase the risk of irritation, a thin layer applied to the skin at the contact points limits soreness.

How do you wash cycling shorts?

Wash them after every ride, inside out and at a low temperature, without fabric softener. Avoid the tumble dryer and the radiator: heat damages the pad foam and the elastic fibres. Alternating two pairs lets each one dry completely.

When should you replace your cycling shorts?

Replace them when the chamois pad has flattened and no longer recovers its shape, when the fabric becomes see-through where it meets the saddle or when the leg grippers no longer hold. These are also the signs of shorts that no longer protect against chafing.

Are road cycling shorts suitable for mountain biking or gravel?

Yes for gravel, where you ride in a position close to that of road cycling. For mountain biking, many riders wear padded liner shorts under baggy shorts, which stand up better to falls and branches.