WHAT MAKES A GOOD LADIES' CYCLING PANTS? ARE CYCLING PANTS USEFUL?
One thing is certain: if you cycle a lot, investing in a pair of cycling shorts is a sensible idea! A good pair of women's cycling shorts is designed to make you feel comfortable on the bike, even if you're sitting in the saddle for several hours. Only then can you perform at your best and give your best performance on a road bike, gravel bike, mountain bike, etc. This applies to training as well as racing.
A good pair of women's cycling shorts protects your bottom in particular. They prevent unpleasant pressure and chafing points that can easily occur through contact with the saddle and friction during movement if the right cycling clothing is missing. A good pair of cycling shorts is one that works and is comfortable, regardless of whether you choose a short pair or a long pair of women's cycling shorts.
Because comfort plays a crucial role in women's cycling shorts, in addition to the right padding, you should also pay attention to the following: there should be no seams in places where high friction can occur while cycling. In addition, cycling shorts should be made of elastic materials to ensure a high degree of freedom of movement. Being able to move as freely as possible in the saddle is really important for every route profile, whether you are doing flat kilometres or metres in altitude with your road bike or you are plunging into the next bike adventure with your MTB on off-road passages.
On the other hand, functionality is also very important for women's cycling shorts. Good cycling shorts are made from highly breathable functional materials. High breathability allows excess body heat to escape quickly, helping to maintain an optimal body temperature. Rapid moisture wicking ensures a dry feeling on the skin, even when you sweat heavily.
By the way, did you know that your optimal body temperature is 37°C and that functional cycling clothing is therefore of the utmost importance? Find out more about SKINFIT MODULARIO, the secret to your maximum performance.
HOW LONG SHOULD THE CYCLING PANTS BE?
The classic among cycling shorts is the tight-fitting cycling shorts that end above the knee, i.e. short cycling shorts. Classic or not – the right length for you, whether you choose women's cycling shorts short, ¾ or long, depends on your personal intentions and various external factors. You know the questions you can ask yourself to determine your preferences and the intended use of your cycling shorts. When it comes to the right length of cycling shorts, the weather conditions, the amount of time spent in the saddle and the route profile are particularly important.
For tours in autumn and winter, when temperatures are cooler, women's long cycling shorts are more likely to be considered. That goes without saying. Long Skinfit cycling shorts provide sufficient warmth thanks to the high-quality functional material used, without overheating. In addition, they do not restrict freedom of movement thanks to their high elasticity. You will probably also like to reach for the long cycling shorts when you are going over hill and dale on your mountain bike. A long, durable pair of cycling shorts not only protects you from the cold and wind, but also from dirt and mud.
On the other hand, you will probably wear short cycling shorts when it is hot outside. Short cycling shorts are also a good choice if you train for short periods of time or if you train on a stationary bike. By the way, many of our professional athletes choose classic triathlon shorts or tri pants so that they can also wear cycling shorts under a wetsuit or for running in triathlons.
WHY ARE LADIES‘ CYCLING SHORTS PADDED? AND WHICH PAD IS RIGHT FOR ME?
It is clear that, no matter how good the saddle is, sitting on it for a long time will eventually make itself felt. And because cycling shorts are the central link between the cyclist and the racing bike or bike, a pair of ladies’ cycling shorts with padding can extend the pain-free time spent sitting on the saddle. Good seat pads cushion the right places, at important pressure points, and optimally relieve the buttocks. A seat surface that is reinforced according to individual requirements is therefore crucial so that you still feel comfortable even after several hours in the saddle and your performance is not impaired by chafing and pain.
Now it remains to be clarified which pad is best for you. First of all, you will ask yourself whether the padding on your cycling shorts should be thick or thin. Let us say this in advance: more is not always better! In fact, the thickness of the padding on your cycling shorts also depends on the very personal purpose of your cycling shorts and, above all, on your own preferences. A thinly padded pair of cycling shorts may protect your perineum and sit bones a little less, but it has advantages if you also want to wear your cycling shorts when running. You will probably be particularly happy to do without the ‘nappy feeling’ that takes a little getting used to!
The nature of your bike saddle also plays a role in terms of the padding of your cycling shorts. There are both heavily padded and hard saddles, depending on whether you are riding a road bike or a mountain bike and on your preferences.
If you want to find the right seat pad, you should also take your sitting position on the bike into account. It makes a big difference whether you are a road cyclist or a mountain biker, because the sitting position on a road bike is significantly different from the position in a mountain bike saddle. This means that the central pressure points shift to other places where the seat pad should provide good cushioning.
Ultimately, the best way to find the women's cycling shorts with the right pad for you is to try on different pairs of cycling shorts. When trying them on, consider the aspects mentioned above and ideally take your usual sitting position in the saddle. You are effectively doing your own test, because the pad with the highest rating or a test winner award is of no use to you if it doesn't suit you.
SHOULD MY LADIES' CYCLING PANT HAVE STRAPS? AND WHY DO CYCLING PANT EVEN HAVE STRAPS?
Cycling pants with straps, also known as bib tights or bib shorts, are particularly popular with ambitious cyclists. There are several reasons for this: better support, better protection and greater comfort.
First and foremost, bibs provide a better fit. The perfect fit of cycling shorts is essential, especially during intensive training sessions, long mountain rides and fast competitions. It would be extremely annoying if the shorts slipped down.
Furthermore, the cut of bib shorts differs from that of shorts without bibs. Shorts with bibs have a slightly higher back, which can bring further advantages. The high-cut fabric on the back alone protects the pelvic and kidney area. In addition, this cut keeps the base layer in place. In other words, with classic women's shorts without bibs, the cycling jersey sometimes slips out of the waistband and up. This does not happen with bib shorts, which means that the back is not only kept warm but also covered. Some female cyclists and bikers also prefer bib shorts because the waistband does not have to be as tight, so it cuts in less and the shorts still (in most cases) fit better.
When it comes to the correct fit of bib shorts, the straps should be tight enough across the shoulders to prevent them from sticking out or cutting in. The straps should not cause you pain when pedalling, or when you get off the saddle. Caution: straps that are too loose wobble in the wind when you bend over and instead of providing support, they are a nuisance.
The use of elastic material has proven to be effective in the production of straps for cycling shorts. Highly elastic strap material is optimally adaptable. This means that you can enjoy unrestricted freedom of movement even in women's cycling shorts with straps.
Ultimately, there is no general recommendation for deciding between bib shorts and women's shorts without straps. Rather, we suggest that you consider the aspects discussed to find out whether you feel most comfortable in cycling shorts with straps or women's shorts without straps.
HOW TIGHT SHOULD CYCLING SHORTS FIT?
The fit is an important criterion when choosing the right cycling shorts for you. You are not alone if you are wondering: how tight should my cycling shorts be?
Whether you feel more comfortable in tight cycling shorts with braces or in looser shorts depends on where you mainly want to wear your cycling shorts and what purpose your shorts are intended to serve. It makes sense, because the demands on the equipment differ significantly depending on whether you are racing up a mountain pass on a road bike or racing down a mountain on a mountain bike.
Passionate road cyclists usually prefer a different fit of cycling shorts than adventurous mountain bikers. For road cycling, when speed counts, a tight pair of cycling shorts for women is usually the best choice. Thanks to the aerodynamic cut of a tight pair of cycling shorts, you will be in top form and lose yourself in the rush of speed when you go downhill.
A pair of tight cycling shorts for women should ideally feel like a second skin. This is the case when the shorts fit so snugly that they hold you in place, but at the same time allow you to move freely. You may find that cycling shorts with a Freecut leg opening are particularly comfortable. In any case, it is a good idea to try them on while sitting on the saddle. This way you can check whether the shorts still fit properly when you are in the cycling position, whether nothing is slipping, whether you are not being constricted. You will feel whether the cycling shorts fit you properly, whether you feel comfortable in the classic women's cycling shorts. Because that's what it's all about, isn't it?
Comfort is also important when you prefer to tour the countryside on a mountain bike. For this, your cycling shorts should be able to withstand high loads. After all, you will occasionally brush against hanging branches, occasionally perform a spontaneous braking manoeuvre or chase over curbs. Then you are probably better off with a slightly wider all-mountain shorts, because the material of such shorts is particularly durable and protects you in all situations.
CAN I WEAR MY LADIES‘ CYCLING PANT WITH PADDING FOR RUNNING TOO?
Nice question – you obviously love versatility as much as we do! To answer briefly and succinctly: yes, there are special ladies’ cycling pants in which you will feel comfortable after cycling, even when running. You can even wear some cycling shorts for swimming if you are pushing yourself to the limit in a triathlon and don't want to lose time changing. These cycling shorts, which are only lightly padded, equip you for a range of sports, so they work in different disciplines, both in competition and in training. These versatile cycling shorts are available as women's short cycling shorts and women's ¾ cycling shorts. They are available as tri tights or tri shorts.
Now let's take a look at the features that are important for women's padded cycling shorts so that you can also run comfortably in them.
A thin, antibacterial cycling insert has proven to be particularly effective in making women's padded cycling shorts comfortable for running. A pad like this ensures comfort in the saddle, while not getting in the way when you're running.
High elasticity and a short drying time are other important features of women's cycling shorts that are worn in the multi-sport leisure sector as well as in duathlons and triathlons. If a pair of women's cycling shorts with padding is also quick-drying, you will not only be equipped for cycling and running, but also perfectly prepared for all three disciplines of triathlon. Our Skinfit Tri Tights or Tri Shorts, for example, do not interfere even under a wetsuit. In other words, they work in the water, on the bike and while running.
Are you wondering whether you should get a pair of padded cycling shorts that can be used for multiple sports, even though you're not an ambitious triathlete? Great, because such cycling shorts, which can also be used as running shorts, may be the perfect equipment for you for your next bike & hike adventure.
ARE THERE ANY LADIES‘ CYCLING PANTS THAT ALSO WORK AS RAIN PANTS?
When cycling, you may well be caught out by the weather. When dark rain clouds gather, you can still keep pedalling at the same rhythm. Because: yes, there are special ladies’ cycling pants that also work as rain pants. A pair of rain trousers allows you to enjoy cycling even on wet mountain passes and muddy trails, even when water is splashing from all sides. Now you're probably wondering: what features make a pair of women's cycling trousers into functional and comfortable rainwear?
Thanks to their waterproof and windproof properties, Skinfit rain shorts will keep you dry and warm in any weather. These rain cycling shorts can also be described as weatherproof bike shorts, because they protect you from the wind as well as the rain, for example.
The ingenious thing about Skinfit rain trousers is that they have Velcro fasteners at the hem. This allows you to adjust the leg width of the cycling rain trousers to ensure a direct fit with your undergarments or shoes. You will be amazed at how useful adjustable leg cuffs are – at the latest when a downpour catches you by surprise and you can quickly put on your rain trousers thanks to the adjustable leg widths.
Good rain trousers for cycling are also printed with reflectors. The improved visibility guarantees additional protection, especially in the dark and in conditions of limited visibility, which often occurs in bad weather.
The weight and pack size also play a role when it comes to good rain trousers. Ideally, women's rain trousers should be ultra-light and very small when packed. This way, you can always have them with you in your cycling jersey pocket, at best.
We understand the challenge of finding the right women's cycling shorts for you. There is a wide range of products on offer, with many different models: women's cycling shorts, women's cycling shorts long, women's cycling shorts ¾, women's cycling shorts with padding, cycling shorts with braces and even special cycling rainwear. We want to use this information to help you find the right cycling shorts for you. The best thing to do is to think as specifically as possible about where and how you want to wear your cycling shorts. Then you will have some points of reference that you can use as filters in the online shop.
If you still have any questions, please feel free to contact us by phone, by email at [email protected] or in the shops near you for personal advice. You are already very close to finding the right cycling shorts for you!
