Today we’ll look at chamois colors and what they mean, and if the chamois could be leading to a sore butt…

I have 2 questions:

(1) I have a pair of pear izumi’s cycling shorts (cost was around $75). The chamois is blue in color. I know they make other colors like red, grey, etc. Any idea what the different colors mean?

(2) I have been riding once a week for the past 4 months and am now at 26 miles. Occasionally I’ll ride a second time during the week (cycling 12-20 miles during that ride.) My problem is that my butt starts to hurt after riding about 8+ miles. Is my butt sore just because cycling is relatively new to or do I need a thicker chamois, and if so, which do you recommend?

Thanks!
- Chamois Sammy

Hi Sammy,

Starting with the chamois color, don’t over-think things. Usually each model of shorts has its own chamois, and sometimes the chamois comes in different colors. However, sometimes different chamois have the same color, so you don’t want to use color as the sole way to distinguish shorts.

For example, take a look at the Attack, P.R.O., and Ultrasensor shorts from Pearl Izumi.

They all have slightly different chamois (Race 3D, P.R.O. 3D, and Elite 3D), even though two pairs use a red chamois. So you need to pay attention to the chamois name; you can disregard the color.

And just to make sure you believe me – look at the cycling shorts listing at Pearl Izumi’s web site. The photos don’t show nor mention the chamois color. If chamois color made a difference, they’d surely picture the chamois color for you.

Of course, it would be interesting to see the pictures on their chamois technology page.

Now for the sore butt…

The sore butt is most likely since you’re new to cycling. Even with a good saddle and chamois, it happens to practically everyone. And it usually happens again every Spring or after any long break from bicycling.

That said, it’s a good idea to try out multiple saddles and chamois varieties. Your current chamois is probably fine unless it chafes you, but I have a related article about my favorite shorts you may like – “What Cycling Shorts Do You Recommend?”

If you want, you could look around for shorts with a thicker chamois. That may provide a bit of relief. Sometimes the excess padding gets in the way and actually makes for a less comfortable ride, though, so more padding is not a guarantee of comfort.

If that works, great. But if the soreness still doesn’t decrease over time, consider a new saddle. A general rule of thumb is to use a bigger, more padded saddle for slower, casual riding, but use a firmer, lightly padded saddle for longer, faster rides.

That’s because the faster you’re riding, the more weight you’re placing on your feet. When you’re riding slowly, most of your weight is resting on the saddle, and you might need the extra padding.

For a few thoughts on saddles, read my “What Is The Best Road Bike Saddle?” article.

Good luck!

Like most cyclists, when I made the move to cycling-specific shorts with a chamois, I opted for the regular shorts. They were familiar, cheaper, and bib shorts just looked weird!

But by the time I completed my cycling outfit, I had heard most serious riders saying something along the lines of “you gotta get bibs!” So I did, and I have been wearing bib shorts ever since!

If you are in the same predicament, this guide to the pros and cons of regular and bib shorts should help you decide.

Regular Cycling Shorts

Why you might like regular shorts:

• Relatively inexpensive. Regular shorts are typically $10-20 cheaper than comparable bibs.
• Easily removed for going to the bathroom. Whether it’s alongside the road or in a Port-a-John, slipping out of regular shorts is just like normal.
• Can be cooler on warm days. Since there is no fabric on your upper body, regular shorts are good for a lightweight outfit.

Why you might dislike regular shorts:

• The waistband is tight. Having a tight waistband on the shorts can cut into your stomach and become quite uncomfortable (especially in a hunched-over riding position.)
• They slide around. Regular shorts usually slide around, so the chamois could shift and cause chafing, or just become uncomfortable and require some shifting to get everything back in place.
• “Plumber’s Crack.” There’s nothing holding these shorts up, leading to this well-known situation…

Bib Cycling Shorts

Why you might like bib shorts:

• Very, very comfortable. Bib shorts are so much more comfortable than regular shorts I can’t even describe it! As long as you get the right size, the fit is amazing.
• Everything stays in place. Bib shorts stay in place, which makes life easy and comfortable. No chamois movement or chafing, and no mid-ride adjustments.
• No “plumber’s crack.” Since the bibs can’t sag down, there are no worries about this. (Your riding buddies will thank you.)

Why you might dislike bib shorts:

• Expensive. Most bib shorts range in price from $40-220, with good ones costing at least $70.
• Sizing issues. Since the right pair of bibs needs to match your height and waist measurements, it’s more difficult to find the perfect size. Plus, size charts vary greatly between manufacturers.
• Straps can cut into shoulders. Even if the bibs are the right size, some of them have thin, rough straps that can cut or scrape your skin.
• Restricting. Some people seem to feel restricted by wearing bib shorts. That can be an issue, especially if you’re already wearing a sports bra. (The bibs can also restrict you from going to the bathroom quickly and easily.)

My Final Verdict on Cycling Shorts Is…

While there are pros and cons to each style, I love bibs and have an answer to all the supposed cons of bib shorts:

First off, the immense comfort from bibs outweighs any potential sizing issues. Just go to a shop and try on the bibs before purchasing to make sure you get the right size.

Good bibs will have soft, wide straps that don’t cut into your shoulders or feel restricting. They will also have a low cut front so that trailside pee breaks don’t take any longer than usual (for guys at least.)

And the top part (back and straps) is usually a wicking material that can keep you cooler than if you didn’t have it against your skin.

Or just wear a base layer beneath the bibs!

So yes, I always wear bibs, and I highly recommend them. But some people swear by regular shorts, or even cut the straps off their bibs, so the choice is yours.

Today’s question is about Lycra cycling shorts and chamois padding…

I was wondering what kind of bike pants/spandex you wear or recommend. I bought a pair of Pearl Izumi’s from my local bike shop. The fit felt perfect. It turns out that they were chaffing like crazy and actually cut my upper leg and crotch area even with my Assos Chamois cream which was not fun. I got a gift card for Christmas for my favorite bike shop. Price isn’t too much of an issue for me, since I want to be comfortable and don’t want to cut myself again, and get the cut infected.

Like saddle choice, chamois choice will be more of a personal preference, but I can tell you what has worked for me.

When I first started riding, I bought some of the cheapest shorts I could find. I specifically remember a couple pairs of Canari and Nashbar brand shorts (which I got for about $20 each, on sale.)

They weren’t the most comfortable shorts, but they didn’t cause any problems. I think that’s because the chamois was very plain – it was like a thin chamois rag, so it didn’t have weird seams or odd shapes. If there is a “one size fits all” chamois out there, it probably looks a lot like this one.

My first pair of expensive shorts were the Giordana Silverline bibs. They were extremely comfortable in every way, for years. And the chamois was still pretty plain. It was quite a bit thicker than the Nashbar chamois, and it had a Coolmax section for better ventilation, but it just looked “plain.”

I’ve also had shorts from BioRacer and Castelli with similar “plain” chamois that I liked quite a bit. However, I’ve had some shorts from Voler and De Marchi with funky looking chamois (probably like the one in your Pearl Izumi’s) that I liked, too.

My worst experience was with a pair of bibs from Threeface. The outer seam connecting the chamois to the shorts cut into my hips and butt. The chamois itself was fine, but the edges were terrible!

What I’d recommend is going to the bike shop and looking for a chamois that looks fairly plain, without a bunch of weird seams. Or at least find a chamois that’s different from the one that chafed you.

Personally I’d choose Giordana first, but there’s nothing wrong with Assos, Castelli, De Marchi, Voler, Descente, etc. Even a different model from Pearl Izumi (or the same model from a different year) could have a totally different chamois that works for you.

This is just one of those trial and error things. It might take some time and money to find the right one, but that’s just how it is.

One final tip: If you find a pair that you love, buy a few more! Like I touched on, shorts change all the time. So stock up on ones you like, because they might not exist next year!

To learn more about chaimois pads and chamois butter, and why cyclists use it, read Chamois Butter Exposed! A Guide to Cycling Shorts, Padding, and Creams.