Cycling shorts protect your most sensitive regions from the pain of long contact with a bicycle seat.

The rubbing action of your inner thighs against the bicycle seat is offset by the smooth face of the cycling short, and a generously padded chamois will protect your nether regions from painful vibration and impact-related soreness.

A good chamois will be padded along your sit bones at the base of the hips, so that pressure is distributed off of the sensitive tissues between your legs.

Cycling shorts are also close-fitting to maximize aerodynamics and give a full range of motion to the rider thanks to four-way stretch materials.

Finally, the mild compression provided by a tight-fitting pair of cycling shorts can increase blood flow to the legs, aiding in muscular function to provide a bit more sustained power.

Here are the reasons cyclists choose bib shorts:

The biggest advantage that bib shorts have been adding to the cyclists’ comfort through the years is the way they eliminate the need for the waistband. With the straps that go over the shoulders, there is no need for an elastic to go around the waist, thus restricting diaphragmatic (belly) breathing.

Moreover, the bib shorts in a cycling suit are seamless gear for the onlooker, while underneath, the snug fit aids in holding the chamois precisely where it should be. Hence, there is a significant safeguard from chafing for riders who get used to bib shorts.

Lastly, the double layering of the jersey on top of the bib shorts’ fabric on the lower back helps prevent sunburn and provides warmth when needed.

To ensure you're getting the full benefit of a chamois, you'll want it to have all the characteristics that give you advantages while cycling.

Gender-specific chamois are important to provide protection where it's needed, since hip width is different between men and women. A close, but not constricting, fit is good for providing light compression to the thighs.

Finally, a 3-D anatomical chamois will provide more protection than a cheaper 2-D chamois and will be better suited to relieve your sit bones of uncomfortable pressure. If your chamois rubs uncomfortably, some chamois butter can help lubricate your inner thighs against chafing.

Your riding style and goals will determine what thickness chamois you will need. Let us know and we will match the perfect chamois to your riding style and goals.