Padded cycling shorts suggestions please

[Slowroad]

After decades of cycling comfortably without padded under-shorts, I think it's time to give them a go on longer rides. I'm after suggestions of good-value options, either shops or online. Actually, I guess it's going to be online these days!
TIA!

[ymfb]

I have three makes, all good, they are listed lowest to highest price. I only use them on my spin bike in the garage, I use bibs on the road.

Altura
LeCol
Assos

[cyclop]

I,ve got quality shorts that are ok for 1.5hrs,mid range stuff that are good for longer rides....it,s a personal experience .For what it,s worth ,I wouldn,t buy top of the range to start with....maybe something with minimal padding or even some undershorts.

[ymfb]

Another consideration is what price is comfort. The Altura shorts I have are good enough for a 1 hour ride on my spin bike, I don’t think they are suitable for a 6 hour ride.

[brianleach]

I would add Endura to that list.

[TrevA]

Not sure what is being asked for here. Is it recommendations for padded under shorts or for padded shorts?

My wife favours Castelli and Pearl Izumi 3/4 longs and shorts. I use Endura and Castelli, I don’t mind paying full price for Endura shorts but try and pick up Castelli ones in a sale - managed to get a couple of pairs for £49 each last year. I’ve also used Decathlon shorts for many years. I’ve also used Assis and Rapha but they are expensive and I’m nor sure they are worth the money.

Another consideration is bib shorts or waist shorts. A lot of ladies prefer waist shorts (my wife does as they aid toilet breaks), but some manufacturers are making bib shorts with a zipped back to aid toilet breaks.

[Vorpal]

The things I look for in shorts are tight enough fit that they stay in place (movement = chafing), thin pad, and no stitching around the edges of the pad. I have not yet found an inexpensive brand that fulfil those criteria for me.

My best (but very tired) shorts are Pearl Izumi. Second to those are my Specialized MTB shorts (liner & baggies).

I was not previously a fan of bibs, but I picked up some very new looking Castelli bibs secondhand a couple of years ago, and really like them. The legs do not have annoying elastic, yet seem to stay comfortably in place.

They have become my first choice for longer rides, despite the inconvenience of bibs for loo stops.

[eileithyia]

Assos, Rapha, buy the best you can afford, but it's preferable to try on before buying..... once I ve bought and road tested I will buy off the internet...
Better quality might be more expensive but they last longer than cheaper makes.

[foxyrider]

I would add Endura to that list.

Endura have closed so scrap that!

[PH]

I would add Endura to that list.

Endura have closed so scrap that!

My understanding is that they're no longer manufacturing in Scotland, but the brand continues. Whether they'll be offering the same I don't know. The won't be manufacturing on the same machinery, Lusso bought that.

[PH]

After decades of cycling comfortably without padded under-shorts

With that level of experience, what makes you think you need them now?
I only occasionally use padded shorts, for those sorts of rides where I'm going to spend a lot of time in the saddle without a break. Long rides, where I'm taking more frequent breaks, are fine without.

[WesBrooks]

Endura have closed so scrap that!

My understanding is that they're no longer manufacturing in Scotland, but the brand continues. Whether they'll be offering the same I don't know. The won't be manufacturing on the same machinery, Lusso bought that.

Terrible news as I return to cycling after a big brake! Found their gear great, but got plenty of life left in my bibbs. Endura now appear to be owned by The Hut Group / THG. Website is still online but if the sale was brand only, and not staff then struggle to see the brand delivering comparable products.

Another blow for me is this appears to involve Berghaus too:

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/257 ... d/?ref=rss

[Ferrij]

I always used endura clothing and padded undershorts which seemed to last forever as the quality and vfm was excellent, but have noticed their products are average at best since the takeover.
For outerwear I’ve switched to Madison which is robust and keenly priced, but not used their shorts yet.
The max I ride in any one session is 30 miles off-road so interested to know what others recommend on here as I don’t particularly want to spend silly money on padded shorts.

[Bmblbzzz]

I don't think Endura clothing had been manufactured in Scotland (other than the customised stuff eg club jerseys) for at least a decade. Hopefully some of the products will continue as they did/do make good shorts (FS260) and gloves.

[brianleach]

I had seen that they had closed but an internet search prior to posting seemed to indicate that they were still available. Tredz seem to have them but perhaps that is out of date.