Road Cycling: Guide to Choosing Knicks

If you've ever felt the rubbing, pinching, soggy hell that is a crappy chamois, you'll understand it when we say that the chamois can be a girl's best friend or her worst enemy, depending on a few very important factors.

Even if you're new to cycling and haven't experienced it first hand, we're sure you can already imagine how it would feel to put on damp skinny jeans and try to run in them. 

Bottom line: ouch.

This guide aims to share a few pointers for road cyclists in the hope that you find the right cycling shorts for you!

1 Test and check the fit

We can't stress this enough. Your. Chamois. Needs. To. Fit. Firmly.

If you're new to cycling, you're probably already feeling a little self-conscious of seeming as though you're putting your entire area on display... But at the end of the day, your knicks or shorts should fit very firmly - as if you're wearing a brand new pair of tights or leggings that are half a size smaller than usual.

Don't get us wrong, they shouldn't affect your ability to breathe (i.e. they shouldn't feel like you're wearing a corset or waist trainer), and they shouldn't be so tight that your legs and belly spill out (this would be far too small), but you should feel nice, snug and 'held in' in them.

If you're not sure about ordering online, head to your nearest bike shop and test them the same way you would with swimwear (with underwear underneath please!). It's well worth a trip and trying on 4-6 pairs because - honestly. If you risk buying a pair because they're super cute but the wrong size, you're inviting chafing and bad things to happen.

2 Research the quality

As with most pieces of apparel, not all knicks, shorts and chamois are created equal. Generally (though not always), the higher cost associated with more expensive knicks is to do with the quality of the lycra itself, the quality of the chamois, and the quality of the stitching... all of which can turn your day out on the bike from a good one to a bad one really quickly.

That's not to say you can't get lucky and get a good pair of knicks cheaper on sale - but if you see something that looks too good to be true... make sure you do some online research and ask around before finding out that it was.

NB: Most reputable manufacturers and retailers now should offer a quality guarantee or warranty on expensive items such as knicks. 

3 Consider the shape and size

Chamois (the padding in the shorts) come in all shapes and sizes, but you'll find that most of them look like, err, male members when you turn knicks inside out.

The 'shaft' is what lays over the nose of the saddle and has direct contact with your soft tissue area. The 'little boys' are designed to lay over the seat of the saddle and have direct contact with your sit bones.

Just like saddle widths, chamois can be longer, shorter, wider, or narrower, all of which will suit some people but not others.

If you ride a wide saddle, consider knicks with a chamois that's wider. If you ride in an aggressive or 'aero' position, make sure the chamois will cover the nose of the saddle while you're leaning forward.

4 Ensure high quality chamois

Not a topic for a work dinner, but it's an important one to cover. Knicks and cycling shorts are designed for going commando in.

We know when many beginners start cycling, they refuse to take off their underwear beneath their knicks. Reports are that, at first, it just felt too... squishy.

BUT did you know that high quality chamois will have an anti-bacterial element to them which help trap bacteria and trap any 'odour' you're paranoid of emitting. (MAKE SURE the product description states this before investing in a new pair of knicks or shorts).

A high quality chamois against your sensitive area will mean less friction, less chance of skin tears and infection and an all-round better experience on the bike.

5 Knicks wear out

We're all for being thrifty, but knicks are one of those things where if you wear them out, not only will people likely be able to see your butt crack through them, the chamois will lose the properties that made it effective in the first place!

It's like when you get a fresh pair of socks or undies to replace ones you've had for a while... you didn't know you needed them until you put them on.

The lifetime of a pair of knicks will depend on how often you ride, whether you wear them for indoor Zwifting as well as outdoor use and the type of riding. Road riding require long periods in the saddle at one time which accelerates wear and tear, and it's critical that they're doing their job to avoid damage and discomfort to your undercarriage.