What are padded cycling knickers? Why you’ll love the VeloVixen padded cycling knickers for comfort that doesn’t cramp your style
Could padded cycling knickers be the secret weapon for every ride comfort? When it comes to enjoying your time on the bike, we all know that being comfortable on the saddle can be make or break. And while a good pair of women’s-specific cycling bib shorts can make a huge difference in your comfort levels. There are often times when you want to jump on the bike, without having to head out wearing head to toe cycling kit.
So what do you wear on the bike when you want to be casual, and comfortable? That’s where our padded cycling knickers come in! Read on to find out more…
What are padded cycling knickers?
Padded cycling knickers are underpants designed specifically to keep you comfortable while you’re riding. They might look like an average pair of pants (though, our beautiful designs are anything but average!) but these magic pants are constructed from technical materials for breathability and come with a female-specific chamois pad. The padding is designed to give you support and protection where you need it, protecting you from bumpy roads and harsh saddles – without being bulky.
You can wear padded cycling knickers under your clothes for leisure rides and cycle commutes, under your favourite gravel or mountain biking shorts, or under your gym clothes during a spin class.
Padded cycling knickers versus cycling bib shorts – what’s the difference?
Cycling knickers and bib shorts both have a chamois pad to keep you comfortable. But cycling bib shorts are less discreet if you prefer to wear your regular clothes or other active wear on the bike. Whereas padded cycling knickers are designed to fit comfortably and discreetly under your clothes. Because bib shorts aren’t designed to go under other garments, the chamois pad can offer a bit more protection for longer rides. And if you’re riding hard, the overall breathable and fast-drying nature of bib short material might be more comfortable compared to casualwear layered over the top of padded pants.
When we created our padded cycling knickers, we had them in mind for rides of up to 10-15 miles. Perfect for quick social outings, commuting and spin classes. But in actual fact, women in our VeloVixen community have fed back to us that our padding cycling pants have been comfy even over the longer distances. So really, when it comes down to padded cycling knickers versus cycling bib shorts, it’s all about personal preference!
What are the benefits of wearing padded cycling knickers?
Of course, if you don’t want to ride in full cycling kit. You could just jump on the bike wearing your regular clothes (and underpants). So why consider adding some padded bike pants to your kit drawer?
Improved comfort
There’s the obvious benefit of having some extra padding between you and the saddle. Even a short commute or leisure ride can quickly feel pretty miserable if your undercarriage is uncomfortable! Beyond the extra support, our padded cycling knickers are also going to level up the comfort levels compared to regular underpants because they’re designed specifically with cycling in mind. That means high quality, technical fabrics designed to be breathable and minimise any chafing or digging in while you ride.
Easy to wear under your regular clothes
Plenty of us are looking to make more of our journeys by bike. Good for us, good for the planet! But, as much as we love our cycling kit – we don’t want to have to wear it everywhere. Or on the flip side, suffer through saddle-induced discomfort. Our padded cycling pants are designed specifically to be worn under your regular clothes. Giving you the freedom to wear whatever you like on the bike, without having to compromise on your comfort levels.
Versatile
As well as commutes, classes and leisure rides. The VeloVixen padded cycling knickers are always a great option for mountain bikers, bike packers and gravel riders. Typically mountain bike shorts and other more casual cargo shorts don’t have a chamois pad sewn in. And while mountain bike saddles tend to be a bit more forgiving than a road bike saddle, give it a few miles on the trails and it’s likely you’ll soon find yourself longing for a bit of extra padding. A pair of padded cycling underpants is the perfect solution for that extra bit of comfort.
What makes VeloVixen padded cycling knickers special?
Our padded cycling underpants aren’t just about comfort and practicality. At VeloVixen, our entire range of cycling kit is all about combining comfort, performance and beautiful design so you can look as great as you feel. And that extends to our range of padded cycling knickers! We’ve got a range of stunning designs on offer, that’ll bring a smile to your face every time you get ready to ride. And for our latest drop, we’ve collaborated with Imogen Harvey-Lewis and Peagreen (a female-founded design studio). With a choice of fun florals, bold geometrics and whimsical birds – there’s a design for every mood! We also offer our padded pants in sizes XS-XXXL (UK 6 – UK 20).
Check out the full range of padded cycling underwear.