Baggy cycling shorts offer a more modern look and can be more comfortable and cooler, but they are less aerodynamic and can cause discomfort. Many have a sewn-in insert with a chamois pad for added comfort. Baggy shorts are preferred by recreational cyclists who get off their bikes often and want a more subtle aesthetic. They also smell better than tight shorts as they allow sweat to evaporate more quickly.
Many cyclists who don’t like the look of tight bike shorts prefer to wear baggy bike shorts. These baggy cycling shorts offer a more modern look for the rider, and since the shorts don’t necessarily sit next to the skin, some people find baggy cycling shorts more comfortable and cooler as air can get through through them more easily. Unfortunately, baggy shorts can be more prone to bunching up and causing hot spots, seat sores, and blisters, and are much less aerodynamic than tight-fitting Lycra shorts.
Many baggy cycling shorts feature a sewn-in insert that is a tighter pair of shorts inside the shorts. This insert features a chamois pad that will provide added comfort when sitting on a hard, narrow cycling saddle. The insert is often not made from Lycra, like tight cycling shorts, but is made from a breathable material that will allow sweat and moisture to wick away from the skin. This increases the comfort level of the shorts and allows the rider to get some of the benefits of tight shorts while reaping the benefits of baggy shorts.
Since baggy cycling shorts tend to be made of more material than tighter lycra shorts, there is more chance of the shorts bunching up and causing discomfort. Lycra sits tight against the skin to avoid such irritation or discomfort, but baggy shorts can hang freely and are therefore more likely to shift during use. In addition to hot spots and other types of discomfort, shifting material can get caught in the saddle, and can cause pants to shift and pull down during wear. Most baggy shorts have an elasticated waistband or straps to counteract this.
Recreational cyclists who get off their bikes often during a ride, to walk around town perhaps or sit in a restaurant, may prefer baggy cycling shorts because they offer some of the comfort of tight-fitting shorts while at the same time time provide a more modern look. Most people don’t want to walk around town in tight shorts, so baggy shorts provide a less noticeable aesthetic when the rider is off the bike. Baggy shorts also smell better than spandex shorts; Since lycra shorts sit very close to the skin, sweat is likely to soak into the chamois and cause a musty smell. Baggy cycling shorts allow some of the sweat to evaporate quickly, reducing odor.
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