Photo: antoniodiaz (Shutterstock) I’m not a real cyclist, I say to myself as I buy a cheap, basic exercise bike. I’m not that into spinning, I say to myself as I replace that bike a year later (it wore out from constant use). I’m not dressed like a silly cyclist, I say as I strap into my cycling shoes . And I climb on the bike and proceed to ride for an hour in normal, unpadded shorts. Because I’m a dumbass.
Look, sometimes I am at the forefront of smart and important hacks, like rinsing out my exercise gear in the shower or bringing back sweatbands . And sometimes it takes me forever to start following the advice that every single cyclist impresses onto beginners. And this one is: Just buy the padded shorts already. Why cyclists wear padded shorts
The padding isn’t actually the point, but it’s a nice bonus. A cycling chamois (pronounced “shammy”) is a pad that sits against your skin to prevent chafing. Originally these were thin leather made from sheep or deer skin, and you’d rub in a cream to soften it. Eventually cycling apparel companies figured out how to make a synthetic version , which wicks moisture and provides some extra padding as well.
When you wear cycling shorts with a chamois, you’ll have a layer of wicking, friction-free material between your nether regions and the seat. You can shift positions on the saddle during the ride, and the padding will stay in the right […]
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