Andiamo Padded Skins
Bicycle saddles, like beds, should be firm, with pressure mainly on the sit bones. Lying down on a bed, the pressure is spread throughout our bodies, but on a bike, a good percentage of our upper body weight is bearing down on the saddle area. The problem with a soft bike saddle is that it can create pressure in places where it's not healthy to have pressure. Numbness and other problems can stem from that. A padded short, combined with a firm saddle that fits your dimensions, puts targeted cushioning only where you need it, and minimizes pressure in sensitive areas.
I ride in different ways at different times. Slow, less slow, with groceries, out to dinner at a nice restaurant, for a three-hour stretch or for a quick 15 minutes away from my computer. It's been my experience that the longer I spend on a ride, and the harder I'm exerting myself, the more I appreciate highly technical clothing, commonly referred to as Lycra or a pro kit. The skintight stuff. The contoured, articulated padding (or chamois) in high-end cycling shorts by makers such as Pearl Izumi, Castelli and Assos, can go a long way toward increasing comfort for those who ride road and mountain bikes for hours at a time.
However, a lot of people don't like the look of Lycra, and not everyone can get away with skintight bike clothing. And not everyone needs to. Some riders like to have padded shorts, but also to appear civil when they dismount their bikes and enter a business or their office for the day's work. There are plenty of padded shorts intended to be worn under regular clothing, but I've found them to be generally flawed. They're designed as scaled-down versions of the aforementioned Lycra style and are uncomfortably underventilated.
Andiamo's garment design approaches the problem from the opposite, um, end. It's lightweight underwear, with a pad added. I wouldn't attempt a century in these, or even half that, but I've found them excellent for commutes, errands and other plainclothes spins, less likely to make me miserable if I don't get a chance to change as soon as I'm off my bike. They're more breathable and lightweight than anything similar I've tried.
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Favorite (15)
usman
Though it wasn't cheap, I love my Spiderflex seat: http://www.spiderflex.com
The most I've ridden is 45 miles, but it was with zero discomfort in the sensitive area this padded underwear is attempting to protect.
MR
A couple of years ago, I bought a Brooks leather saddle and felt an immediate improvement. I didn't even need the "break-in" period...lucky, I guess. I combined the leather saddle with gusseted jeans or gusseted jean shorts in the summer and I can now ride in comfort up to 20 or 30 miles (my maximum) without having to wear a "bicycle diaper." I just never really felt comfortable in padded shorts, either on or off the bike.
john
I agree with MR. I bought a Brooks B-17, their iconic base model, about a year ago and I no longer wear padded shorts. It was comfortable the first hour, but has since become even more comfortable. I have two bike now and one saddle and I am considering one Brook's sprung models. "Get a Brooks!" is what I tell people when they talk saddles or padded shorts.
elon
Hear, hear, gentleman. I also have a Brooks saddle. Definitely cool, though I'd argue it's more comfortable still with a bit of padding. -es
Rick
I use the brooks b-17, and for 30+, the andiamo brief, a good combination. Gel is hell.
Oryctolagus habilis
I wonder if anyone here has tried "CoreShorts" for cycling or any other sport? I saw them featured on Discovery Channel Canada. My cycling problem involves hip injury, so besides pressure points, there's the issue of joint hypermobility; and I'd like to know if anyone has any experience to pass along with regard to these elastic support shorts before I consider trying to order a pair? I've checked out the site for Spiderflex seats from the link above: looks very promising!
Oryctolagus habilis
I wonder if anyone here has tried "CoreShorts" for cycling or any other sport? I saw them featured on Discovery Channel Canada. My cycling problem involves hip injury, so besides pressure points, there's the issue of joint hypermobility; and I'd like to know if anyone has any experience to pass along with regard to these elastic support shorts before I consider trying to order a pair? I've checked out the site for Spiderflex seats from the link above: looks very promising!
Z
Another similar set of cycling undershorts similar to these (and probably more widely available) are Endura CoolMax Boxers (http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=105&prod_id=160).
I'm not really sure why people insist that only high dollar shorts are acceptable for longer rides. I've done several centuries in my Enduras (about $25) under a pair of regular shorts without a problem. It takes a while to find the gear you're most comfortable in, but that doesn't mean it has to be the high end stuff. IME, the supertight lycra shorts create more problems for my junk than something a little looser and lighter weight. YMMV, but don't think you can't wear these all day comfortably.
Z
Andy M-S
I tried a set of these and absolutely hated them. FWIW, I wear regular shorts or jeans for most riding, I use a Brooks saddle (Swift) and have my bars ~1" below the saddle. I do wear shorts for rides of 15 miles or more. I just found the Andiamos to be really, really uncomfortable
esj
I know this is an unpopular view in some circles but the upright bike seat is a flawed design which is why you see all these special shorts etc to partially compensate for seat shortcomings. after 2+years of "prostate" problems and dozens of seat+padding changes I left the upright bike for a recumbent. pain in knees, groin, and hands all vanished. it is a joy to ride.
this is not to say that recumbents don't have their own ergonomic problems. those problems are the kind I'm willing to put up with. :-)
so if you are experiencing persistent groin, hip, hand, arm, or back pain, try a recumbent with under seat steering.
--- esj, a recumbent junkie
Brad
Pearl Izumi makes an excellent padded short designed to be worn under regular clothes. I've used mine for several hundred miles so far. It works great. Be sure to use Glide body lubricant on the areas of your body that come in contact with the saddle. The shorts cost $50.00 and like everything from Pearl are very well made.
Ash
I agree with esj, recumbent bikes are a much better solution. Put away the expensive imported saddles, the bicycle diapers and crotch guards, the body lubricants and the skin-tight hotpants. Recumbent bicycles are better for the body, they're faster on the roads, and they're safer in falls. Mountain biking is a different story, but for either speed or distance, standard bicycles can't compare.
PaulD
I personally use the UNpadded Andiamo skins and they work fine for me. A bit of advice I picked up from what a cycling coach said in Bicycling Magazine: When you're done with your ride get out of your cycling clothes and shower; you're asking for a rash or other unpleasantness if you lounge around in your sweaty togs.
I couple of people mention that they ride in jean shorts. That is insanity -- because of the thick seams. But regular pair of walking shorts is OK if the material is light.
Technojunkie
Selle Anatomica saddles are my favorite. Made in Wisconsin split-seat leather. Expensive but worth it. Better than Brooks IMHO.
bicycleclothing.com makes great clothes in Oregon. No padded skins like the Andiamo but their touring shorts or patrol shorts with Lycra shorts underneath is a great combo if you want comfort.
Charlie
After reading this article and these comments, I have decided not to take up biking.