Shorts for the older gentleman?

[Richard123]

I'd like to buy some padded shorts for cycling, and maybe a spot of walking up hills summertime. Most I've seen look a bit like lycra and I'm not comfortable in that. So a close fit is ideal, but not too tight please. Must be good wicking material and dry quickly please?

[Tinkerbell]

I have several different pairs of MTB and similar shorts (Endura, Craghoppers and others). In cold wet conditions I tend to use the Endura padded inner, but in drier / warmer weather I have Merino padded boxers from Vulpine (bought in their annual sales). I find that combination comfortable for quite long rides (60+ miles).

I had a pair of Vulpine outer shorts as well (they are narrower in the leg than MTB shorts), but damaged them in a spill earlier this year.

[zenitb]

As a gentleman of beyond three score years I do have lycra shorts but a size larger than normal and used as inners. These look wrinkly on their own but are loose, stretchy and very comfortable to walk in - the shorts have thin padding - I have comfy saddles anyway.

Config A)
In summer I put Endura MTB 3/4 length cycle short outers over the loose lycra cycle shorts (so I then gain lots of pockets and some knee protection for scrapes).

Config B)
In winter it's as A) above but with Ron Hill Tracksters added, over the lycra shorts but under the Endura i.e as an intermediate warmth layer.

Config C)
Shopping, commuting or casual use has Craghoppers full length walking trousers over the lycra shorts..although in winter I add a Ron Hill Trackster intermediate layer as in B) above. This gives me lots of pockets and looks normal and feels comfortable round the shops. I often use comfortable Brasher walking shoes rather than my normal Shimano SPDs with this setup. The Brashers are quite rigid and supporting for pedalling as well as being waterproof.

Config D)
If raining I put the Basic BTWin waterproof cycling trousers over A) B) or C) depending on temperature and context!!! These have double velcro bottoms so don't interfere with the chain.

Complex setups I guess but developed over a long time and works well for me. The whole thing is dependent on the underlying lycia shorts being loose and comfortable. I cringe at my similarly aged mate's "knacker cracker" configuration. "I get too hot, sweaty and uncomfortable" he says. No 5hit Sherlock!!!

[Jupestar]

MTB shorts. Although I'm not sure I would wear padded shorts hiking. Way to sweaty.

[TrevA]

Rapha do some

https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/mens-tr ... TAD01XXPGO

A bit pricey but the more lurid colours are cheaper. The Teal ones don’t look too bad!

Castelli do some too

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-milan ... lsrc=aw.ds

Haglofs Shorts are a bit cheaper

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/haglofs-moran- ... igodigital

I wear Lycra shorts for cycling, but take a pair of gym shorts to put on over the top, if I’m walking about or shopping when out on the bike.

[simonineaston]

I once had a pair of shorts that looked good and suited my needs - one pair. That's it. One pair in a lifetime... I got them from LeClerc and they lasted 5 years. They were orange cotton.

[Nearholmer]

For cycling:

- in summer wear Lycra padded-bum shorts under quick-drying over shorts sold for “gravel” (Rapha, Endura etc. The Endura ones are cheaper, but the Rapha ones better fabric), which are reasonably lean cut. IMO avoid baggy MTB shorts* ‘cos they get caught on the saddle nose, water bottle holders, passing bushes, anything really, and the click-in padddd liners don’t seem as good as proper Lyra shorts;

- in winter as above but padded bum thick tights instead of the Lycra shorts, or if you don’t like tights then stick with the Lycra shorts, but wear quick-drying long trousers, or in extreme weather MTB trousers (e.g. Endura MT500).

For walking or very short bike rides use ordinary comfy underpants rather than the padded-bum items.

* If you really want some MTB shorts, PM me and I will send you two pairs, barely worn, that I got fed up with in less than a week!

[jackt]

Old School: Corinne Dennis touring shorts: https://www.corinnedennis.co.uk/traditi ... g-shorts-x perhaps with some of their padded underwear if the pad is important to you.

Nu skool: Galibier Liberté gravel shorts, comes with a detatchable pad liner https://www.galibier.cc/product/liberte-gravel-shorts/

[slowster]

I would suggest these plus a liner short with as much or as little of a pad as you prefer (or no pad):

https://www.swrve.co.uk/collections/sho ... ser-short#

[ANTONISH]

I wouldn't go so far as describe myself as a gentleman but I am four score years and a bit.
I don't have a problem with the usual padded shorts - some are sturdier than others - I have an altura pair which have heavier material.
I've got a pair of Corrine dennis shorts - they are well made but I'm not impressed with the fleece pad.
There seems to be a confusion about Lycra which generally is only about 3% of the material - I think most of the lighter material is polyester.
I have in my possesion an ancient pair of Raxar wool shorts (belgian) with a chamois insert - unfortunately such shorts are no longer available
I'm not as svelte as I used to be but I don't have to look at myself (I avoid mirrors where possible) so I wear what suits me for cycling.

[Richard123]

The mountain bike shorts look ideal and just what I'm after, thanks. I'm thinking can you buy underpants with a liner of some kind, the two would be a perfect match really?

[rotavator]

You can buy Endura liner shorts separately or with the outer shorts, if that is what you are asking:

https://www.endurasport.com/liner.list