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Whether you're training for your first marathon or cycling to the beer garden with your mates at the weekend, your cycling shorts will decide whether you roll into the finish line with a smile on your face or get out of the saddle with a grimace of pain. Simply buying the next best 50 euro shorts from the discounter is rarely a good idea. Because your cycling shorts should fit you like a glove. They should protect you from the elements, i.e. keep out UV rays and the wind, cope with moisture, reduce pressure on the saddle, reduce friction and, of course, be comfortable.
Phew, you're probably saying now. Understandable, we say. Because the plethora of requirements makes the choice a challenge. We have summarised the five most important points you should consider when choosing the right trousers.
Size charts instead of standard sizes
Cycling shorts that are too big are one of the most common bad buys. If there is a lack of tension, the seat pad slips or forms creases. Both lead to unprotected areas or pressure points in the seat area. Just because you've always worn a size L doesn't mean that cycling shorts in the same size will fit.
The solution lies in manufacturer-specific size charts. Thigh and hip circumferences provide the most reliable values for determining size. Incidentally, new trousers feel much tighter than worn models. This elasticity is intentional and diminishes somewhat over time.
Cushion position determines pressure distribution
If the size of the trousers fits, you should check whether the seat pad is in the right place. It must completely cover the contact area with the saddle. The padding zones, which are the thicker areas of the seat pad, are specially designed to absorb pressure.
A simple test shows whether the position is correct. To do this, put on your trousers (it's best to leave your pants on for once) and sit on your bike. Lean with the handlebars against a wall or ask a second person to help you. Now pedal backwards and feel whether the padding completely covers your contact area with the saddle. You should vary your sitting position. If the cover does not fit 100 per cent, the trousers are not working.
Skin friendliness and breathability
Three factors determine the quality of the padding: skin-friendliness, thickness and breathability. Fewer seams generally mean fewer friction points. Noticeable seams for fastening the padding or jagged surfaces cause problems in the long term. Where there is nothing, nothing can rub.
Very thick and soft pads do not provide better pressure relief - at least over longer distances. The material quickly sags or can deform and press uncontrollably on the perineal area.
Firm, moderately thick pads work much better. A clear recommendation is hardly possible due to the numerous pads on the market. However, you can roughly compare the different pads in the shop with a simple pressure test. To do this, press the padding zone together with your thumb and index finger. You will see: With a thick, very soft pad, you can even feel the two fingers against each other.
The puff test shows the breathability: the more air that passes through, the drier the skin remains. No air permeability means a baby nappy effect.
Leg ends and support systems
There are now a wide variety of solutions here - which also depend a little on the budget. The fact is: the leg cuffs should be soft and pliable. Elasticated, wide bands or free-cut cuffs that are laser-cut prevent them from cutting into the thigh.
Narrow, tight leg cuffs constrict the thighs. The same effect occurs if the material on the thigh and the leg cuffs is stretched differently. When you try them on, you will immediately notice what pinches and what doesn't.
For trousers without straps, the waistband needs a flexible, wide band to prevent pressure points on the stomach. Here too, the narrower the waistband, the greater the risk of it pinching while riding.
Bib shorts require sufficient tension for a secure hold. Wide, elasticated straps do not fold in and provide enough tension. Shoulder straps without seams are the measure of all things today. The test when trying on: Move from the upright position to the cycling position and check whether you can feel the waistband or straps.
Material and processing
Dark colours such as black, dark blue or dark grey are the best choice for cycling shorts. Light-coloured fabrics in yellow or white are rather difficult and, in the worst case, not completely opaque - you don't want that and neither do your passengers.
Most cheap cycling shorts are made from knitted fabrics, which are inexpensive and comfortable to wear. Nowadays, however, high-quality cycling shorts are usually made from woven fabrics. Although they cost a little more, they wear like a second skin. Woven fabrics for cycling shorts are generally much finer. They are lighter and more robust, dry faster and hold tension better.
Elastic and stable seams are a must. A tensile test in the longitudinal direction shows whether the seams give way nicely and spring back again. If the seams are rigid or quickly come to a hard stop, it is better to leave them alone.
Certificates such as Bluesign or Ökotex can provide information on the origin of materials and production conditions. However, given the variety of materials used in trousers, it is difficult to make general statements about fair production or environmentally friendly materials. Trustworthy companies make their production methods transparent on their website or provide information on request.
Stefan Frey
Editor
