Ridge Davis
Shorts with high-quality chamois allow you to experience comfortable cycling. Yet, how long do cycling chamois last? Scroll down to get yourself the answer!
Contents
Introduction
If you're passionate about cycling, you will surely know how important the chamois in cycling shorts are.
As this padding assists you in coping with soreness during the workout, your experience and performance are greatly affected by it. Due to that reason, cyclists should never belittle the quality and lifespan of this soft cushioning.
Read on to learn how long do cycling chamois last and how to prolong their lifespan now!
How Long Do Cycling Chamois Last?
Duration
First and foremost, do bike chamois wear out? – Definitely, yes.
No matter how well-made the shorts are, they cannot avoid wear and tear over time. But how long does bib shorts last exactly?
Their longevity depends on how often you use it and how you take care of it. After using such clothes for about 200-400 hours, you should check their condition to decide whether you need to have new ones or not.
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Factors Affect The Lifespan Of Cycling Chamois
The lifespan of chamois depends on the time of wear, the cyclist's weight, and the contact process with surfaces and detergents during use.
Factors Affect The Lifespan Of Cycling Chamois
Over time, the pad no longer adheres to the cyclist's body, and it begins to move forward or backward – in turn, it interferes with the wearer's movement.
You might even experience serious saddle sores, as such damaged padding has lost its ability to protect the bottom from full-body pressure on the saddle.
Leg grippers
Imagine how annoying it is to adjust the shorts when it's riding up constantly. In this case, leg grippers help hold the shorts' ends in place during cycling.
Saddle used
Cycling bib shorts help protect our sensitive parts from friction with the saddle. As a result, any friction when pedaling can ruin the shorts in the long run.
Besides, saddle areas with seams, ridges, or decorative patterns can deteriorate the shorts when they contact each other.
Fabric
Most bike shorts fabrics are wool, CoolMax, Lycra, spandex, and other absorbent materials. Such materials give cyclists perfect elasticity and certain comfort.
Sunlight, sweat, abrasion, repetitive stretching during cycling gradually break the shorts' inherent elasticity.
In case you notice the signs that the fabric is completely faded or no longer elastic, it is time to consider new ones for yourself.
Thread type used
Multi-panel bike shorts with fewer seams give cyclists a better fit. Moreover, such ones provide wearers with strong durability no matter how much they move.
Washing cycle
“How often should I wash my chamois?” is the question that concerns many cyclists.
According to the manufacturers, you should wash the bibs after every ride, even if it's just a short distance.
While the padding and material are anti-bacterial, washing cycling shorts helps remove sweat and reduce the risk of irritation on your next use.
Apart from regular laundry, pay attention to the washing cycle, as the strong cycles can quickly abrade the fabric's surface.
It is better to wash cycling bibs by hand or choose the hand-wash mode of the washing machine. In this way, you can keep their stretchiness longer.
How the product is dried
Direct heat from a dryer may damage the fabric and pad inside, greatly reducing the lifespan of your shorts.
Instead, let them dry in the sun to ensure all bacteria are killed after washing.
What's more, this kind of product is designed to dry quickly. Due to this reason, hanging the apparel for too long in direct sunlight with high temperatures can also affect the apparel's durability.
Contact with abrasives
Due to the nature of cycling that requires you to sit in the saddle for a certain amount of time, contact with the velcro on the saddlebag is inevitable.
Such frequent contact can gradually destroy the fabric, making it transparent. In the end, you can only throw away the shorts in regret.
Washing powder/liquid
Detergent is an important factor when washing sports apparel, especially bike shorts. In other words, using the wrong type can destroy your clothes.
Thus, make sure that you carefully read the fabric composition table and washing instructions to choose the right one.
Note that some powder or liquid for ordinary sports clothes can negatively affect the pad. We suggest you apply mild detergents without fabric softener for your cycling chamois.
Detergent is an important factor when washing sports apparel, especially bike shorts
How Can You Prolong the Lifespan of Your Cycling Chamois?
Common Mistakes That Destroy Your Shorts
Wrong Size
Too big or too small shorts may produce unexpected friction, causing discomfort while cycling.
Thus, choosing ones that fit close to your body and having a pad that does not move around is necessary.
Instead of choosing based on your normal clothing size, visit the store to try them on.
Incorrect Washing
Detergents containing fabric softeners and unsympathetic washing cycles affect your chamois' longevity.
Besides, avoid using a dryer for shorts because high temperatures can directly affect the fabric.
“How often should you wash your cycling shorts?” is also an important question worth considering if you don't want your clothes worn out.
Keep this in mind: Regular washing can cause your shammy to generate bacteria and odor.
Underwear under Chamois
In fact, the material of ordinary underwear is unsuitable for sports activities.
Wearing underwear with a bike chamois can prevent your body from breathing. More importantly, it creates more friction that causes infected or inflamed tears.
Double up Chamois
Most of you mistakenly think that the more layers, the more comfort and protection they bring.
Double the foam can make cycling more difficult because you need to put more force when pedaling. You may end up experiencing unnecessary pain as a result.
Unsuitable Type of Shorts
Different sports require different kinds of clothing gear. Hence, the pair of bike shorts that aren't suitable for cycling can make you struggle with them during the activity.
Tear & wear
The problem of wear and tear occurs when you repeatedly use and wash the shorts. Alternatively, prepare yourself 2-3 bibs to use, which helps to enhance their longevity.
Always prepare yourself more bibs to use
Tips
- Select the right fabric that fits the sport you participate in
- Choose the right size to avoid stretching the bibs too much
- Wash bike shorts inside-out in cold water
- Do not use fabric softener for chamois
- Do not dry the clothes under high heat
- Buy the right bike saddle type
- Regularly check the thickness of the pad
- Use chamois cream to add a layer of protection between your skin and shorts
How Do You Know If Your Cycling Chamois Need Replacement?
- After a period of use, you will find that the elasticity of the pants is not as good as before.
- Notably, the chamois freely moves forward or backward when you exert force to pedal.
- Also, its foam density will be reduced, exposing your lower body to more friction.
- When you feel that your clothing gear no longer gives you comfort and protection.
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Conclusion
How long do cycling chamois last? – 200-400 hours on average. As mentioned above, its lifespan greatly depends on how you utilize and usage frequency. Note down all the tips we mentioned for a longer time of use!
Don't hesitate to share with us if you have any other useful ways to preserve the shammy part better.
Thanks for reading!
