Squishy saddle or squishy pants?

[Juliansou]

Evening all,
I’ve a few years in the saddle and have always worn the traditional padded cycling short (not been a fan of the bibs) for anything over an hour ride. Having discovered the delights of a single speed, with a fairly well padded saddle, I’m not finding it particularly necessary to ‘short up’. Admittedly I’m no tourer, and I'm rarely in the saddle for anything over a couple of hours, but it got me thinking; what’s the actual difference between a padded saddle and padded shorts? I get that the saddle will, over time, put pressure on parts you don’t want pressure on, but isn’t this the case for shorts as well?
Are the mechanics/design/biology different with a different position of the padding? I’m guessing so as it wouldn’t be the norm, but I’m not finding it to be the case.
Not brave enough to go ’shortless’ on the gravel bike!! (yet).

 

[si_c]

I can quite happily go out for a long ride (50+ miles) in jeans on a saddle with minimal padding, you don't need the padded shorts or saddle, it's just a case of what you get used to. I find that if I ride a lot in "regular" clothing then when I come to do a much longer ride and wear the expected attire then I can go pretty much all day with no discomfort.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

Can't comment on the difference.

Not everyone wears "special" clothing. I happily tour in "normal" clothes.
My experience with "squishy" saddles is that they are only comfortable in the short term (typically an hour or less).
My most comfortable saddle was a Brooks B17, now I have a C17, not as comfortable, but functional.
(Not advocating either).

A decent saddle, some time to adjust and you should be fine, but of course, everyone's different.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Padded shorts stay where they are, generally, with the cushioning positioned at the right parts, usually that should be at the sit bones. We've all tried different makes and models of shorts and discarded / eschewed some as being not the right shape or fit, until we've found a good pair. Once they're in place the support / padding will stay put pretty well.

Saddles are hard to choose also, but those that are squishy tend to be quite poor generic designs which don't have the padding only where you need it for your anatomy, you're therefore more likely to get pressure where it's not wanted. Okay for an hour maybe, but not too much longer. Also you'll tend to move about on a saddle a little bit at least, which doesn't help.

A firmish leather saddle is the best choice if you're shortless, in my view anyway.

 

[Drago]

Turn your Y fronts inside out so the seams aren't rubbing on your skin, and carry on as normal. This gives the added benefit of doubling the useful time between washes.

 

[Profpointy]

I bought a Brooks saddle quite early in my cycling career and it must have been another 20 years before I got cycling trousers, and to be honest, that's as much about convenience of not having to tuck your trousers in your socks or getting oilmon them. OK cycling shorts are better, but a good saddle is what matters

 

[raleighnut]

^^^^^^^+1
I got fed up of wearing holes in decent Jeans by cycling in em, shorts are far cheaper.

 

[tyred]

I generally use Brooks saddles and no padding, I ride anything up to 100 odd miles.

Padded shorts feel like wearing a nappy and I've grown out of them over 40 years ago.

 

[Blue Hills]

For shortish rides or pootles, which may be a few hours round town with the nice cchat bods etc I wear no padding - just some snythetic underpant things I got from Aldi - I have a stack - easy to wash and dry.

For day rides/rides in the country I use proper padding. Even then I may have to rise out of the saddle for brief bits to relieve pressure.

Vital of course to get a saddle with the correct gap between sit-bone supports - not that difficult really and you don't have to spend a lot on a saddle. Most of my saddles cost £20 or less.

Vital in my opinion to shower before any ride other than a quick nip to the shop.

I get that the saddle will, over time, put pressure on parts you don’t want pressure on, but isn’t this the case for shorts as well?

Depends what you mean.You want no pressure on the perinium at all at any stage of a ride of whatever length. A bit of bum ache is minor compared to the potential damage there.

Oh - you missed out one variable - squishy arse - though I don't recommend trying to grow one.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I don't wear padding, never have done.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Vital in my opinion to shower before any ride other than a quick nip to the shop.

I shower after not before.

 

[OldShep]

This is the start of year 3 for me not wearing padded shorts. Breathable seamless underwear is all I need and it’s a lot less bulky.
The revelation moment for me was embracing the fact we don’t, I certainly don’t, sit on our sit bones. We sit on our Ischiopubic Ramus. ( Steve Hogg) A saddle that allows you to do it ( cut away) without taking your breath away and is also shaped to cup them (SMP) then your only enemy would be excess sweat which might warrant a padded short. I’m like Prince Andrew I don’t sweat

 

[I like Skol]

No padded shorts here either, even when riding 100 miles a day on consecutive days.

You don't have to, it's optional.

 

[matticus]

The pad should move with your skin - the outer layer of the shorts can move separately.
This reduces friction with your skin, because there is less movement there.

I think the pad being thick/absorbent/padded(!) is a different issue, and will have evolved as materials changed over the years (it was chamois leather in the early days I believe?)

 

[Ridgeway]

But what about the Kuku Penthouse ? we all need one boys admittedly i only need a Kuku wardrobe