Padded cycling shorts: chamois, bibs and fit explained

Padded cycling shorts are worn directly against the skin, with no underwear. They need to fit snugly so the pad does not shift as you pedal, and the pad needs to be wide enough for your sit bones to rest on it. Whether you choose bib shorts or waist shorts is mostly a question of distance: bibs are more comfortable on longer rides, while a waistband is fine for short loops and everyday riding.

What does the chamois pad actually do?

The pad, usually called the chamois, sits between you and the saddle. It spreads pressure, absorbs moisture and moves it away from the skin, and it replaces the seams of ordinary shorts with a smooth surface. Seams are the real problem on a bike: they sit exactly where you rub thousands of times with every turn of the cranks.

Thicker is not automatically better. The German cycling magazine Radfahren notes that pads have become flatter in recent years, because on long rides you should not sink into the pad. A firmer pad supports you; a very soft one often feels more comfortable in the shop than it does after three hours in the saddle.

Do you wear underwear under cycling shorts?

No. The pad is designed to sit directly on the skin. Underwear adds extra seams and a second layer of fabric that slide against each other and cause exactly the chafing that cycling shorts are meant to prevent. If you prefer to wear loose shorts or trousers over your cycling shorts, that is fine: underneath, the cycling shorts stay the only layer.

Bib shorts or waist shorts: which is better?

Bib shorts hold the pad in place with shoulder straps. There is no elastic waistband pressing on your stomach, and nothing slips down at the back when you lean forward. For rides of about two hours or more and a sporty riding position, bibs are the usual choice. The straps should lie flat, not dig in and not slide off your shoulders.

The CMP Bike bib shorts are made of lightweight nylon, easy to wash and quick to dry, with a 3D Pro foam pad. The Craft Essence Bib Shorts are made of recycled polyamide with four-way stretch, have wide leg grippers with a silicone print and the Infinity C3 pad.

Waist shorts are quicker to pull on and off, which matters during breaks and on the way to work. The CMP men's cycling shorts and the CMP women's cycling shorts are made of four-way stretch fabric with Dry Function, and have a chamois pad and an anti-odour treatment.

Which chamois pad suits which kind of ride?

Manufacturers grade their pads by construction and intended use. At Craft, for example, the C3 pad is designed for long rides, according to the brand: high-density, laser-cut foam at 85 kg/m³ with a perforated top layer. The C4 pad has a firm core with softer edges and is made for all types of cycling. The thin C6 pad is used in padded liner shorts for easy rides and the commute.

The Craft Core Endur Shorts have the Infinity C4 pad and wide silicone leg grippers. The Newline Core Bike Shorts for men and the Newline Core Bike Shorts for women have an ergonomic pad in the crotch, elastic and silicone hems that stop the legs riding up, and reflective print details.

Women's and men's pads differ in shape and width, because the distance between the sit bones is different. So buy the model made for your sex, even if the shorts themselves look unisex. For winter there are long padded cycling tights; more on that in cycling clothing for autumn and winter.

How should padded cycling shorts fit?

Tighter than you are used to from ordinary sports shorts, but without cutting in. The most common mistake with a first pair is buying them too big: the pad then moves with every pedal stroke and rubs instead of cushioning.

• Try the shorts on in your riding position, leaning slightly forward, not just standing upright in front of the mirror.
• The pad sits centrally, the same distance at the front and the back, and lies smooth without creases.
• The leg openings stay put when you bend your knees; silicone grippers take care of that.
• The back is cut high enough that nothing is exposed when you lean forward.
• Feel for your sit bones: they should rest on the pad, not on its edge.

If you are between two sizes, it is worth trying both on in our Bitburg or Prüm store. CMP uses German numeric sizes (roughly 48 to 58 for men and 36 to 48 for women); the size chart on the product page helps you convert them.

Padded liner shorts: who are they for?

Padded liner shorts (padded undershorts) are thin, close-fitting shorts with a pad that you wear instead of your normal underwear under any other trousers or shorts: under jeans on the way to work, under baggy MTB shorts or under hiking trousers. They are the bottom layer themselves, so again no second pair of underwear.

The CMP padded liner shorts for men and the CMP padded liner shorts for women are made of breathable mesh with a pre-shaped waistband and an integrated pad. The Craft Greatness Bike Boxer has a slim cut, UPF 50+ and the Infinity C6 pad, which Craft intends for easy rides and commuting. When baggy shorts with a liner are the better choice is covered in MTB shorts or tight cycling shorts.

How many pairs of cycling shorts do you need?

Cycling shorts are washed after every ride, and the pad has to be completely dry before the next one. If you ride two or three times a week, two pairs are usually enough: one on you, one on the washing line. How to look after the pad and fabric in the wash is explained in washing and caring for cycling clothing.

In short

• Cycling shorts go directly against the skin, no underwear underneath.
• Bib shorts for longer rides, waist shorts for short trips and quick changes.
• Snug without cutting in; the pad sits under your sit bones.
• Choose the pad by the length of your rides, not by its thickness.
• Two pairs in rotation, washed after every ride and left to dry completely.