When one rides, one will spend a lot of time sitting down while being active. If you don’t have the right kind of pants, you will literally end up with a pain in the rear. Most new cyclists learn this the hard way, as did I.
A common mistake is to go out and get the cushiest seat that you can buy, which is a really bad idea. Bike saddles are intended to be hard and need to fit the rider to provide cushioning and support to the rider’s buttocks and groin area. This helps to reduce pressure and friction on the skin and soft tissue, which can lead to discomfort, chafing, and pain during long rides. Additionally, padded pants often feature moisture-wicking material to keep the rider dry and comfortable. The padding in the shorts is often made of foam or gel and is designed to contour to the shape of the rider’s body, providing maximum comfort and support that provide the necessary protection and relief.
Padded pants come in two kinds – shorts which are from the waist down, and bibs which have a couple of straps that go over the shoulders. I initially had hang-ups about wearing a bib, given that they make it harder for men to use the bathroom, but now having worn them for over a year, I swear by them.
If you need further convincing, check out this video from GCN.
Naturally, there are different shorts and bibs made for men and for women to adjust to the different anatomies of each gender.
I started out wearing padded pants from Santic that were priced at about SGD60 on Amazon, and while they provided comfort, they did tend to ride down. The elastic also started failing after about a year. I have been riding using Le Col and MAAP bib shorts which I absolutely love! Le Col makes quality bibs at great prices and have regular promotions which you can take advantage of, along with discount codes that you can earn by participating in Strava challenges. MAAP’s gear is dearer but is among the best cycling attire that I have ridden in!
