Through trial and error (saddle sore), I think I've discovered that my two year old PI Ultrasensor shorts are giving me a sore as the result of a stitching seam (this is on long grinding rides - rides under 1.5 hours are fine). Are there seamless shorts out there? I'd prefer not to have to take out a 2nd mortgage to buy them, but lack of saddle sores might just be priceless.

By the way, yes I do use Chamois Buttr as well as Bag Balm, but in hot rides in excess of a couple of hours, that stuff seams (joke) to disappear.

Sadly, for the most part, the answer to this is "whichever one suits you best." But, as to your particular gripe about seams, let's see what we can do:

First of all, it sounds like you'll want to avoid multi-material insert. I have some PI attack shorts with their one-piece "blue" insert, and I found 'em fine, but others don't like them. Castelli made some totally seamless ("welded") shorts a while back, but they had quality control problems and discontinued them. However, their KISS insert is pretty good, shorts with it aren't too expensive, and it's a one-piece. That might be worth a try.

Also, a typical suggestion is to get a pair of close-fitting bibshorts. They will move around less than non bibs, so might chafe less.

Yeah, it's pretty personal. But you may want to try some assos cream, I have a jar of it that I only use when I get saddle sores, it helps, and they go away, then I go back to nothing, or normal cheap cream for long rides.

As for welded seams ask any girl who has used a bra with welded seams how amazing those are.

Sadly, for the most part, the answer to this is "whichever one suits you best." But, as to your particular gripe about seams, let's see what we can do:

First of all, it sounds like you'll want to avoid multi-material insert. I have some PI attack shorts with their one-piece "blue" insert, and I found 'em fine, but others don't like them. Castelli made some totally seamless ("welded") shorts a while back, but they had quality control problems and discontinued them. However, their KISS insert is pretty good, shorts with it aren't too expensive, and it's a one-piece. That might be worth a try.

Also, a typical suggestion is to get a pair of close-fitting bibshorts. They will move around less than non bibs, so might chafe less.

I like the bib short suggestion. I might give that a whirl. What about "flat locked" seams from PI on their upper end shorts (micro/aero)? Are those the shiznit or just bullsh.t

In addition to the pad details, I'd add that wearing only clean shorts (no double-dipping) and getting out of them soon after the ride also helps.

Two different pairs, as in from two different companies.
Any bad spots will be at different places and at least my tender parts will have better time to recover if I rotate between different pairs.

i like my voler stuff more then my verge or champion

I get saddle sores very rarely but the one pair of shorts I rely on are my Sugoi RS Flex shorts. I like the fit and chamoix very much, no stitching to bother me. I just bought 2 pairs at Campmor on sale for $59 each, check the link at the HOT DEALS part of the site. I use Chamois Buttr on every ride and it seems to help keep the sores at bay. Good luck

No doubt...I'll also recommend mixing things up. I have three different brands of shorts I'll wear for different rides and I'll add a touch of chamois butt'r to my skin to reduce friction on longer rides.

I've never used Assos Cream but will use some Gold Bond Medicated powder apres ride to cool things down. I find it helps quite a bit.

To keep things cheap (and if you're looking for a one piece chamois) give Zerie shorts a try. I bought two pair (because they're so inexpensive) and really dig them for my shorter rides. The Coolmax chamois feels a little strange at first because it's not really form-fitting like in some higher quality shorts but I found that, with use, it molded itself to my derrier nicely.

I have never had a saddle sore- I guess my secret is a thin saddle (right now I have a Selle Italia Filante) and wear the cheapest shorts I can find (ive never had bibs). I used my older bike the other day and that has a big puffy Selle San Marco seat- which was uncomfortable and possibly could lead to a sore.

Another consideration may be that your shorts are 2 years old, If they have been used a lot, they may have stretched to the point that they don't fit wll enough to avoid chafing. I have noticed this with my shorts as well as the fact that I lose weight progressively throughout the season. The "well fitting" short, over time, will lose its 'fit".

I think the tighter the better on fit. My ride last weekend, about 3 hours, I had tucked an inner liner shirt inside the shorts that allowed the to move just a little and developed a bad chafe. So I learned the shorts have to be tight and can't move any. I like Boure' shorts.

I recommend:
clean, tight bibs - get out of them quickly and dry them in the sun
thin, wide chamois - if you need a fat pad to be comfy, find a saddle that works
BodyGlide not greasy stuff. It works better and lasts longer for me.
Have enjoyed Nalini and Boure bibs with Ultra-suede chamoises more than any others.

I wear Nalini Base bibs, I've never had a saddle sore, therefore they are the best. (so the logic goes.) I also use Chamois Butt'r but honestly, I think that's superstitious behavior more than anything else.

They are the closest thing to the traditional, one piece, baseball cut synthetic chamois that I have found. My all time favorite bibs were PI Microsensor with the same kind of pad. The minute all the brands started to go to these engineered fabrics with fancy designs, I started to die. Heat, stitching, you name it. I'm not a retro-grouch in any manner aside from bibs. I've tried Assos, Castelli, PI, Nike - all uncomfortable for me. Worst of all is the new gray fabric that several of them use. The closest I ever came to a genuine saddle sore was with PI.

One nice side benefit of the Nalinis - $49 a pair from here (http://www.procyclegear.com/Nalini_base_bib_shorts.htm)

I know it's counterintuitive that the cheapest could be the best, but you might want to think along those lines. Sometimes less is more.

Wow Nalini's Euro size XXL is a waist of 34-36. It is safe to guess one should size up one size (or two) from PI stuff?

yeah, PI sizes American. Santini and Nalini are even smaller than most euro companies...

In addition to the pad details, I'd add that wearing only clean shorts (no double-dipping) and getting out of them soon after the ride also helps.
Yup. The short answer to this thread is "clean ones."

I love the Assos F1 bibs, and they have a 1-piece pad, but they are crazy expensive. Sometimes you can find a deal on eBay.

I also like Boudreaux's Butt Paste (applied to the skin, not the shorts) before really long rides.

HTH

My rules of thumb for shorts:

Keep them clean
Go with thinner chamois (getting harder to find as of late)
Look for shorts that have few if any seams on chamois stich to short and on the inside legs.
Buy a snug fitting pair.
Personally prefer bibs, though that will not make a difference re saddle sores.

Currently using DiMarchi (pad is a bit thick, but quality excellent)
Most recently bought Castelli's obscene MSRP, but got a good deal at LBS. Maiden voyage on the local brewery to brewery ride, 136 miles, ~7hr in the saddle and they performed flawlessly.

That 3-D Pearl Izumi chamois with the raised yellow "sack skewers" is mp. I just tried a pair of the Boure elite bibs, stretchy, thin, uniform chamois. Very comfy so far. No more 3-D for me. The Boure's were $95, not cheap but not crazy expensive.

Pear Izumi Aero Sensor bibs are the best out there for me. Chamois is quit thin but very comfortable on long rides. Shorts are expensive but you can find them on ebay for around $100.00. Performance also make pretty good shorts for cheap.

I am fully against using any type of chamois cream. There really is no need. Remember that chamois cream was designed to soften the leather chamois of older style shorts. Shorts today use a synthetic chamois that does not need to be softened. However the cream will also soften your skin making you more susceptible to chafing and saddle sores. Purely my opinion of course.

I am fully against using any type of chamois cream. There really is no need. Remember that chamois cream was designed to soften the leather chamois of older style shorts. Shorts today use a synthetic chamois that does not need to be softened. However the cream will also soften your skin making you more susceptible to chafing and saddle sores. Purely my opinion of course.

It does help on rides where you'll be in the saddle for hours--especially when it's hot and you are sweating a lot. For my typical 2-3 hour ride? Nah...not needed.

The best shorts on the market, period, are the Assos F1.13 or whatever the exact distinction is. The padding that touches your skin is separated from a separate padding that rides on the saddle. The part touching your skin is actually supposed to adhere (not slide) against your skin, the part touching the saddle similarly adhere to the saddle, and then all the movement/friction is between the two, not against your skin or the saddle. It is amazing to me that not every company copies them. They are ridiculously expensive and worth every cent. I'd rather ride less expensive wheels or some other part to afford them if need be. Besides, you only need 2 pairs. The ones you are wearing and the ones in the wash. They are by far the single best investment you can make in cycling comfort. I have referred many to them and their response initially is always the same ("They cost what?!") and then the same after they ride on them ("Amazing").

The best shorts are whatever works for your butt. It's almost as bad as saddles. What works for one person may not work for the other. I can't use descente bibs/shorts- they dont fit right and the pad doesnt work for me- seamless and all.
I have cheap bibs I love and expensive ones as well. I've found the giordana bibs work quite well for me.

Saddle fit is more important than the shorts. I love my saddle and fiind it extremely comfortable. So while I prefer riding in Assos it doesn't matter really what I wear since all the shorts I have give me all day in the saddle comfort.

The best shorts on the market, period, are the Assos F1.13

Once again it comes down to what works best for you. I bought a pair of the Assos F1.13 bibs off of ebay and they are without question the most uncomfortable shorts I own. The chamois is just way too thick. Puts way too much pressure on the twig and berries. They fit great and the finish is fantastic. Great looking shorts. But I can't ride more than 2 hours with them. If the chamois was half as thick they would be perfect.

Another consideration may be that your shorts are 2 years old, If they have been used a lot, they may have stretched to the point that they don't fit wll enough to avoid chafing. I have noticed this with my shorts as well as the fact that I lose weight progressively throughout the season. The "well fitting" short, over time, will lose its 'fit".

Damn good point. I've just heard tales on this site of "I've been using my xyz shorts for ten years and they are great!" I think for me, I've used the shorts in question quite a bit (proabably 2000 miles), and I've dropped about ten pounds over the past couple of months... I like the general idea of bibs. I did a ride this morn (2.5 endurance level) with my DeMarchi Contour Plus bids and zero problems.

I think it my be time to pitch the ultrasensors (two pair) and stick with tight fitting bids for the foreseeable.

Thanks for all the great input!!!!

Yup. The short answer to this thread is "clean ones."

I agree but that was never my problem. I always got out of mine immediately (who, by the way, casually cranks around after a ride in their lycra shorts???), and washed them religiously. The sore in question was right along the seam of the short.

Assos

i like my voler stuff more then my verge or champion

+1 on the Voler shorts. I use the Equipe shorts almost exclusively--mostly because the chamois is fitted and seamless. This might address the OP's problem.

I use Assos cream, but I find it less and less necessary to prevent chafing as my butt toughens up.