Sweaty Shorts ... Seeking Summer Shorts Advice

jonnyboy77

I'm sure I'm not the only one that suffers with sweatiness, especially at the moment while we're having nice weather.

I have a couple of pairs of loose fitting shorts with liners/inserts (Endura & Trek) but they are both quite heavy and cause more sweating than I'd like (sometimes even before I've started cycling!).

These are what I use most:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/endura/singletrack-shorts-ec002080

They use the 'clickfast' liner, which I think is the bit that's causing the most heat build up.

I'm looking for any recommendations based on experience - its hard to know just by reading descriptions online, and I don't have a lot of time to trawl the local bike shops at the moment. :?:

Top half has been pretty good with a few Nike DriFit tops and a Fox Attack jersey - all nicely ventilated.

Thanks
Jon

rjsterry

I've concluded that I'm just a sweaty b@stard, and decided to embrqace the sweat, and have a shower at my destination. Even my thinnest (not too thin, I hasten to add) lycra shorts and summer jersey with loads of meshy bits are pretty unsavoury after an hour's ride.

rf6

What about just using a pair of lycra shorts? If you don't like the "lycra look", stick a pair of footy shorts on over the top. They're much lighter, and allow a bit of airflow upwards.

jonnyboy77

Something like this maybe?

http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/craft-coo ... r-254.html



- Jon

jonnyboy77

rf6 wrote:

What about just using a pair of lycra shorts? If you don't like the "lycra look", stick a pair of footy shorts on over the top. They're much lighter, and allow a bit of airflow upwards.

I honestly think its the lycra that does the heat build up, I have ridden back from football wearing football shorts only (no padding/lycra) and not had the same heat build up issue.

I do agree that it might just be part & parcel, but before making the assumption and conceding a sweaty defeat I thought I'd canvas for experience/opinion.

Thanks

Jon

ride_whenever

Keep your cycling shorts in the freezer, then have another pair packaged in ice for when the first pair heats up. Then you can drink the melted ice!

wizzlebanger

I commute in a very similar pair of shorts and also used to wear them on my longer rides at the weekend.

During my shortish commute (6 miles) and to avoid jokes at work I still wear my baggy shorts which also have the clickfast padded liner.

However, only last weekend I upgraded to just a pair of Lycra cycling shorts for my weekend long ride. (A pair of Altura ones)

I have to say they kept me much cooler down below and also a little comfier. So much so that a squirrel would have to look elsewhere for it's winter store.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Altu ... -17322.htm

Sizing is spot on as well in the drop down.

jonnyboy77

ride_whenever wrote:

Keep your cycling shorts in the freezer, then have another pair packaged in ice for when the first pair heats up. Then you can drink the melted ice!

I like the initial benefit of freezing cold shorts, but don't think it would last long ... as for drinking anything that had been near my shorts .... :shock:

- Jon

g00se

If it's not too far a commute - take the padded liner out and just wear regular undies - or commando. I've got Endura Humvies and they are fine like this (they also have the zipped side vents).

lost_in_thought

I have to say, if it's really, really hot, and I can't afford to get sweaty (normally I can shower at work so I don't mind getting sweaty) baggies without the lycra are the way to go.

Most baggies that have a lycra insert are vented, and if you have a very good look in the mirror, or get a better half to check they're not see-through in any crucial places, baggies on their own are great for dealing with the heat.

jonnyboy77

wizzlebanger wrote:

However, only last weekend I upgraded to just a pair of Lycra cycling shorts for my weekend long ride. (A pair of Altura ones)

I have to say they kept me much cooler down below and also a little comfier. So much so that a squirrel would have to look elsewhere for it's winter store.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Altu ... -17322.htm

Sizing is spot on as well in the drop down.

The votes for sampling lone lycra cladding are increasing ... not bad for <£25 I am tempted to try these and the Craft Boxers too.

- Jon

jonnyboy77

lost_in_thought wrote:

I have to say, if it's really, really hot, and I can't afford to get sweaty (normally I can shower at work so I don't mind getting sweaty) baggies without the lycra are the way to go.

Most baggies that have a lycra insert are vented, and if you have a very good look in the mirror, or get a better half to check they're not see-through in any crucial places, baggies on their own are great for dealing with the heat.

How about the lack of ass-padding? I have a Charge Spoon saddle which is quite unforgiving!

Jon

lost_in_thought

jonnyboy77 wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I have to say, if it's really, really hot, and I can't afford to get sweaty (normally I can shower at work so I don't mind getting sweaty) baggies without the lycra are the way to go.

Most baggies that have a lycra insert are vented, and if you have a very good look in the mirror, or get a better half to check they're not see-through in any crucial places, baggies on their own are great for dealing with the heat.

How about the lack of ass-padding? I have a Charge Spoon saddle which is quite unforgiving!

Jon

Well, as I say, I only do this if I really can't afford to get sweaty, so I take the hit on the lack of padding in favour of the non-sweatiness!

jonnyboy77

lost_in_thought wrote:

Well, as I say, I only do this if I really can't afford to get sweaty, so I take the hit on the lack of padding in favour of the non-sweatiness!

Yeah I guess you can't win them all, have your cake and eat it etc.

Its not a long commute (3 miles each way) so maybe I need to MTFU and lose the liners for a week, see how it goes; cheaper than extra pairs of shorts too.

- Jon

lost_in_thought

Definitely worth a try.

I mean, it makes sense, you don't see bedouins in lycra all-in-ones, do you?

jonnyboy77

lost_in_thought wrote:

Definitely worth a try.

I mean, it makes sense, you don't see bedouins in lycra all-in-ones, do you?

True. But then I remember walking around Singapore and Thailand in short and a t-shirt wondering how the heck the locals could be wearing a 3 piece suit and not breaking a sweat!

I'll try and report back on my first test ride ..

- Jon

gbsahne001

wizzlebanger wrote:

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Altura-Altura-Cadence-Lycra-Skin-Shorts--Black-17322.htm

Sizing is spot on as well in the drop down.

Got a pair of these and they're fine but the waistband is really annoying, as it comes half way up my back.

brucebanner

it's impossible not to break a sweat in this weather. i would refuse to sit next to anyone who doesn't shower after a commute. I myself shower twice - once when I arrive at work, and the other when I get home. Does anyone shower just before leaving their house and again at work?

I wear shorts and base layer or a shirt and 3/4 lyrca.

Boy Lard

I'm struggling with the whole boxer (or jockey) shorts, then padded under shorts, then baggies. Between the three there is almost always some 'riding up', but I need the layer to saok up the sweat underneath the padded shorts. Mind you, I think I'm just old before my time, I nearly always wear a vest as well, regardless of the weather.

jonnyboy77

Boy Lard wrote:

I'm struggling with the whole boxer (or jockey) shorts, then padded under shorts, then baggies. Between the three there is almost always some 'riding up', but I need the layer to saok up the sweat underneath the padded shorts. Mind you, I think I'm just old before my time, I nearly always wear a vest as well, regardless of the weather.

A good wicking layer seems to be useful, I have a few Nike DriFit 'wife beaters' that I wear under a vented top (1 at a time you understand ..). I'm hoping that I'll be getting some merino base layers this weekend for my birthday ... I live in hope.

- Jon

Ergates

I wear Endura humvee baggies. The supplied lykra undershorts can get quite warm.

I got some of these recently: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/endura/mens-padded-undershorts-ec002074

They're more cotton-like (don't think they're actually cotton though) and don't seem to get so sweaty (or maybe they just absorb the sweat instead).

itsbruce

jonnyboy77 wrote:

Its not a long commute (3 miles each way) so maybe I need to MTFU and lose the liners for a week, see how it goes; cheaper than extra pairs of shorts too.

If it's that short a commute, you can probably afford to cut back on the sweat factor simply by slowing down some.

jonnyboy77

Rode in this morning with no liner just the baggy shorts and found a distinct improvement. I didn't miss the padding as much as I though I would either.

If it's that short a commute, you can probably afford to cut back on the sweat factor simply by slowing down some.

I just don't seem to like riding too slowly, although my overall average tends to be around 14mph (on the mountain bike) which isn't too high.

Next thing I'm going to try is the coolmax style undershort/boxer I think.

Cheers

Jon

vorsprung

I am having a similar problem but not on my commute.

The commute is 30km miles each way, and includes the Blackdown Hills. Last week I was "training" on the commute and did 1400 metres climbing, normally more like 800 metres

After all that on very hot days my shorts regions are fine

However, if I do a 100 miles or more there is a problem, since I got new shorts

I figured out a solution though, see my blog entry "Caught Short"

If you can't be bothered to read the blog, the executive summary is "use cream"

Stevo_666

I've always worn my baggies without the padded inserts - seems I have 'iron butt' syndrome - the ventilation works just fine that way

davis

Stevo 666 wrote:

I've always worn my baggies without the padded inserts - seems I have 'iron butt' syndrome - the ventilation works just fine that way

+1

jonnyboy77

vorsprung wrote:

I am having a similar problem but not on my commute.

The commute is 30km miles each way, and includes the Blackdown Hills. Last week I was "training" on the commute and did 1400 metres climbing, normally more like 800 metres

After all that on very hot days my shorts regions are fine

However, if I do a 100 miles or more there is a problem, since I got new shorts

I figured out a solution though, see my blog entry "Caught Short"

If you can't be bothered to read the blog, the executive summary is "use cream"

Thanks for that, but I'm not clear on the similarity of the issues ...

- Jon

jonnyboy77

davis wrote:

Stevo 666 wrote:

I've always worn my baggies without the padded inserts - seems I have 'iron butt' syndrome - the ventilation works just fine that way

+1

I'll see if my butt makes it to the end of the week being pad-less!

- Jon

vorsprung

jonnyboy77 wrote:

vorsprung wrote:

I am having a similar problem but not on my commute.

Thanks for that, but I'm not clear on the similarity of the issues ...

- Jon

Um, you are having problems with sweat

This is because your shorts are too warm

I have problems with sweat because my shorts are too warm

I have decided that the best way to mitigate this problem is to use barrier cream

Alternatively, as I say in the article, the main cause of the problem is the pad in the shorts
In your case you could simply remove the pad, could work well