padded or un padded longs?

[martinn]

Hi All,

I am looking to increase the length of my rides, (over 200km) and I am trying to decide if I should get for cold wet ride a new set of Padded or un-padded longs( well the family want to buy me something useful!).
So should I buy a set of unpadded longs and wear padded bib shorts underneath, is this more flexible, and equally difficult which brand should I go for??

I have a set of Rapha Bib shorts and they are easily the most comfortable, followed by a set of Corrine Dennis shorts. I also have a couple of pairs of dhb longs, which although are both medium are actually slightly different in size. they are OK but get a little uncomfortable over 100 miles.
The final pair I have is a set of Bib Longs, by Crane from aldi or Lidl I forget which and they are really uncomfortable, I only use them when its a really cold commute.
so what do people recommend, (I am looking at sport pursuit at the moment and they have a number of "unknown" brands with large reductions.) are Assos any good or is it all hype...

Many thanks

Martin

[ribblerouser]

Personally I prefer unpadded bib tights, long rides worn over favourite shorts and if out for a quick spin worn with any old shorts. Also in spring/autumn if it turns out unexpectedly nice whilst out, the outer layer can be removed.

[landsurfer]

I have choice of both combinations, albeit low cost versions, Planet X and Decathlon.
I agree with the previous poster, un padded longs with bib shorts is the best choice for Autumn and Spring.
But fleece lined one piece bib tights are the low temp / Winter choice ...

[pwa]

Unpadded, worn over padded shorts. An extra advantage of that combo is that on days when the weather is a bit in-between you can take off the longs at a cafe stop.

[robc02]

Unpadded, worn over shorts for me as well. By far the most flexible. I have enough shorts so that I can wash them in batches and still have a fresh pair each day (daily commuting), and add knee warmers and/or various thickness longs to suit the weather conditions.

I tried Assos shorts but didn't get on with them - if they fitted width wise the legs were too short and if I went for a larger size they were a bit loose around the top of the legs and tended to rub. I am 6ft tall and lightly built, though. I see they now do a model that comes in different leg lengths - at a price !

(I have a number of Assos tops and they fit me very well and last years)

[Mick F]

I have a pair of winter bib longs with padding.
Excellent DHB.

Never thought of padded shorts under non-padded longs.
Sounds like a good idea.

Mind you, my DHB longs can go in the wash, and then dry, very quickly.

[Paulatic]

I've got to a point now I rarely wear padded anything after discovering someseam free trunk style underwear. I have never bought padded longs I've always bought unpadded and wear over shorts. Recently found some useful running tights, with zipped calves, in TKMax. Long legs and high waist, made in China at £15 a pair. Bought 2 pair and they are wearing and washing really well.

[pwa]

I have a pair of winter bib longs with padding.
Excellent DHB.

Never thought of padded shorts under non-padded longs.
Sounds like a good idea.

Mind you, my DHB longs can go in the wash, and then dry, very quickly.

At one time "longs" were almost always unpadded, to be worn over shorts. The idea of padded "longs" to be worn on their own is a newer thing, at least to me.

[mnichols]

I use lusso roubaix unpadded over padded shorts. One advantage if touring is that I just take one pair of longs that don't need to be washed every day. I take a couple of small padded shorts and just wash these. The longs only need washing every 3 or 4 rides

My wife bought me some padded altura, which were much more expensive, but I prefer the cheaper unpadded lusso

[robc02]

One advantage if touring is that I just take one pair of longs that don't need to be washed every day. I take a couple of small padded shorts and just wash these. The longs only need washing every 3 or 4 rides

+1. This makes a big difference when daily riding - whether touring or commuting.

[foxyrider]

The problem with UP longs over shorts can be bunching of material, particularly if you are using 'winter weight' tights. Of course bibs and thin tights can work very well and in the past it was pretty much standard practice.
I've now converted to a pair of Endura winter bib longs with seat which are warm enough on their own for all but the coldest days (when i'll wear shorts under the doubling of seat material adding extra warmth around the essential area!). Toilet stops are easier without the extra layering and IME I get less sweaty.

Over my 40 years of riding I have tried pretty much every combination, material and design and these padded longs work best out of the lot for me. I don't winter tour, day rides of up to five hours are common enough though so comfort and warmth are essential. The issue of adaptability I get around by using heavier Göre leg warmers with shorts which have the benefit of easier removal and storage than tights.

One problem with cycling in the UK is the amount of clothing you 'need' to cover the weather we have - winter kit is too warm for spring but might need supplementing at Easter! I have six levels of gloves and I still get that wrong!

[Paul Smith SRCC]

My preference is for padded bib shorts under unpadded bib-tights with footloops as opposed to ankle gripper. The bib shorts are normally an old pair that I wouldn't wear in the summer anymore, especially if I didn't want a comment from anyone sitting on my wheel . I do like a double layer round my nether regions, plus with the double bibs I get a double layer around my lower tummy and lower back, both areas I find more sensitive to the cold windchill; I have always preferred layers to one single thicker layer for insulation.

Also if you crash at high speed, two layers of fabric will slide against each other, meaning less skin loss.