To Pad or Not to Pad... That is the Question...

Discussion in 'Shorts' started by Mikie, Jun 2, 2021.


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Do you wear a pad in between yo azz and the saddle?

  1. Yes! Always

    69.2%
  2. Yes! Only on Long Rides.

    11.5%
  3. Nope! I'm a hardazz, maybe in more ways than one...

    19.2%
  1. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    I have increasingly came to the conclusion I no longer want to ride with a saddle pad. I'm actually finding that they make my azz hurt more with than without.

    All my hour long rides I have been riding without and have not even noticed.
    On this last Wrightwood ride we were out there for several hours and I chose not to wear a padded underwear.

    I'm liking it, and I mean a lot!
    I think we may have discussed this somewhere else but not sure.

    I think I just reduced my wardrobe...
    Thoughts?
    To Pad or not to Pad?
     
  2. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    I’m going on a year with no padding… All length rides.

    Toughen up those cheeks!
     
  3. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    You're such a hardazz! I mean Badazz! :whistling::p
     
  4. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    Yeah… But I didn’t tell anyone at first in case things went sideways. :Roflmao

    In the end, though, I find it more comfortable.
     
  5. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    The padding does not last forever. Investing in fresh pairs periodically just goes with the territory. Also, buying/wearing the appropriate padding for a given ride makes all difference.
     
    Danmtchl and Mikie like this.
  6. millerton007

    millerton007 Newbie with Hope!

    Name:
    Alan
    Was just thinking about this...as I walk funny at work after a longer than normal ride Monday. Ha! Toughen cheeks or pad is the question.
     
  7. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    hey don't get cheeky with me. Oh wait... no matter how that comes out does not sound good. Toughen up buttercup! :Roflmao
     
    Danmtchl and Faust29 like this.
  8. DangerDirtyD

    DangerDirtyD iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    Chicken Nugget
    Current Bike:
    2018 Guerrilla Gravity SMASH
    Welcome back to the iMTBtrails community! We love our asses and have great concern over each other’s.
     
  9. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    Now I fully understand why you never took the lead on the night ride!

    @millerton007
    I never thought I'd be one to go without pads, as I'm not exactly dainty. Even when I was road riding as a kid, I wore padding. But I gave it a shot about ayear ago after reading a thread here, and there was very little adjustment period.

    It's less cumbersome, and feels more natural...
     
  10. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    :gotnothing: <-- I almost forgot what this one was for. :facepalm::laugh:
     
  11. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    OK, then it's settled. Some wear under pads, some don't.

    Let's move on to the next subject. I'd start a new thread but the title of this one is absolutely perfect....

    So, do you wear knee and elbow pads?
     
  12. Redman

    Redman iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Henderson, Nv
    Name:
    Kevin
    Current Bike:
    SC OG Hightower 29'r
    @SnakeCharmer I thought this post was about knee pads before I clickedded. The title is misleading.

    I wear cheek pads and knee pads every ride. Heavily considering starting to wear elbow pads. The desert landscape isn't as forgiving as SoCal's. Getting tired of constantly having beef jerky on my forearms.
     
    Danmtchl, Mikie, Voodoo Tom and 4 others like this.
  13. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Mostly never. Every now and then if I think it's going to be a real long ride, but hardly even then. I think the last time was the IMTB Plunge trip. Or maybe 2019 Strada Rossa.

    Secret weapon:

    2685130777_7e7b7e4487_h.jpg
     
    Danmtchl, Danimal, Mikie and 4 others like this.
  14. Bill

    Bill Member

    Location:
    Costa Mesa
    Name:
    Bill
    Current Bike:
    it's black
    People complain about a face diaper, how about an actual diaper. Can't say it will work for everyone but not sitting on a fungi and bacterial habitat is much more comfortable. No moisture build up on warm days, you actually cool off if you raise up off the saddle, hard to see a downside.
     
    Danimal, Mikie, Redman and 3 others like this.
  15. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    I too thought it was about knee and elbow pads at first. I don’t blame you one bit for wearing pads out there. That sharp volcanic rock is some nasty stuff.
     
  16. DangerDirtyD

    DangerDirtyD iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    Chicken Nugget
    Current Bike:
    2018 Guerrilla Gravity SMASH
    I pad up and down the block, and around the corner.
    [​IMG]
    Just remember who took this photo!


    ...and whose cheekies are in this one...
    [​IMG]
     
    Danmtchl, Mikie, Cyclotourist and 2 others like this.
  17. DangerDirtyD

    DangerDirtyD iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    Chicken Nugget
    Current Bike:
    2018 Guerrilla Gravity SMASH
    This is why I never took the lead on the night ride...
    4DF066BB-707A-4E63-B97F-2F1342AEB2A5.jpeg

    ...although the thought of being way back on the climbs all by my self crossed my mind a lot regarding getting pounced on by a mountain lion.
     
  18. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    On my long road rides (50+ miles) I'll wear my roadie bib shorts, which includes padding. It helps when you're on the bike for more than 4 hours and not getting out of the saddle or stopping.

    On the mtb I can't remember the last time I wore padded shorts. Even when I took the gravel bike up to Mt Pacifico it was sans padding.
     
    Danmtchl, Mikie and Faust29 like this.
  19. Derkderkall

    Derkderkall iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Monrovia
    Name:
    Derek Allison
    Current Bike:
    2020 Specialized Fuse 29
    I guess the real question... If you don't wear chamois... What type of undies do you wear
     
  20. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    I wear bibs for all my rides. So yes, I pad up. Have been doing it for the last 25 years. Just used to it.

    Have done a few rides around the neighborhood without....nope....I couldn't see doing that for hours on end.
     
    Danmtchl, herzalot, tick and 7 others like this.
  21. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    I guess the best descriptive term is chamois.
    Sans chamois... I simply wear a pair of Cool 32 underwear from Costco. Has a wicking effect so goodbye swampy feeling!

    Shamed by this simple revelation provided innocently by brother Derek, I should change the title to chamois, not pads.
    I rarely ever donned pads as well... Stay Free, Maxi, or otherwise...:whistling:
     
  22. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    Yep... Moisture wicking is the key. It works for the rest of the coverings we wear, so why not down there?
     
  23. Bill

    Bill Member

    Location:
    Costa Mesa
    Name:
    Bill
    Current Bike:
    it's black
    And don't forget for men, snug fit. Some things deserve to be kept up out of the line of fire and snug against chafing.
     
    Danmtchl, Faust29, herzalot and 5 others like this.
  24. Redman

    Redman iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Henderson, Nv
    Name:
    Kevin
    Current Bike:
    SC OG Hightower 29'r
    instantly thought of this.....

    shamwow-commercial.jpg
     
    scan, Old&InTheWay, Danmtchl and 9 others like this.
  25. mtbMike

    mtbMike iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    PRESCOTT!!!
    Name:
    Mike
    Current Bike:
    Ibis HD5, Ripley & Mojo 4
    This question was asked on MTBR several years back and I was SHOCKED that about 30% of people said they didn't wear chamois. Prior to that thread, I never knew of a single MTBR that didn't wear chamois. I thought the guy on that started the topic was being silly and joking.
     
    evdog, Danmtchl, Faust29 and 3 others like this.
  26. buggravy

    buggravy iMTB Addict

    Location:
    Calabasas
    Name:
    Matt
    Current Bike:
    Transition Sentinel
    Preach.

    These are the best compromise I've found. It's definitely a firm "pad". Little to no cushioning effect, but performs as described at preventing chaffing and not acting like a sponge. The liner itself is nicely ventilated. Bought one, then bought another, and won't wear anything else.

    https://sqlab-usa.com/products/sq-short-one10
     
    Danmtchl, Mikie, Redman and 2 others like this.
  27. herzalot

    herzalot iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Chris
    Current Bike:
    2020 Revel Rail,Yeti SB 130 LR
    Taint concerned about my ass...

    'tis the in-between that is excruciating. I must be doing it wrong. :(
     
    Danmtchl, scottay, buggravy and 2 others like this.
  28. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    Man, you’re pulling all the stops out on this one! By the way, that guy (third from the “rear”) has a really nice azz! :whistling: Did he borrow that jersey that day? :sneaky:
     
    DangerDirtyD and Danmtchl like this.
  29. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    Hah! Memories! I could have been that guy!
     
    Cyclotourist, Danmtchl and mtnbikej like this.
  30. Sidewalk

    Sidewalk iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    The road is where I call home
    Name:
    Josh
    Current Bike:
    N+1
    Honestly, I have never tried not riding without one except a few short rides where I accidentally forgot my shorts. Maybe I should try it some day and see how I do?

    As of right now, I always wear a chamois.
     


As a former Amazon Associate I continue to get screwed trying to stay qualified as an Amazon Affiliate. So I quit!


Want to donate to imtbtrails?