Whatever Macca was wearing today. It will give you the confidence to let your competitors catch up, only to crush their dreams by dropping the hammer in one swift move.

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Jonathan
USA Triathlon Coach/Adventure Extraordinaire

The De Soto Rivieras have the most bike-like pad. Personally I like the De Soto Forza shorts. It's a fleece pad, but it is able to slide within the shorts and is the most comfortable I've used.

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ECMGN Therapy Silicon Valley:
Depression, Neurocognitive problems, Dementias (Testing and Evaluation), Trauma and PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

LOL!

I use the Zoot Ultra short. I thought I would have discomfort when using a new bike a week before IM Branson on the stock Bontrager saddle on this Trek 2.1, but, the shorts felt really good. They tend to ride up a bit on the bike, but, they feel awesome on the run.

Order several brands and ship back the ones that don't work for you. I found the Zoot's on sale at Sierra Trading Post.

x2 on the DeSoto Forza Riviera if you want a bit more substantial pad.

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My business-eBodyboarding.com

I like the Desoto's also. However, I recently purchased the Riviera's and was disappointed. I found that the pad was good for the bike, but for me, it was too bulky for both the swim and the bike.

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Kirby

Just as a counterpoint, I found the 2010 Rivieras too low-cut to be comfortable, but the 2011 is basically now my favorite garment. The fleece pad in my regular Forza shorts can wind up chafing and the compression isn't good. As for bulk, I used them in an aquathlon just for the flotation and compression and found them perfectly comfortable, albeit this race was very short (750m/ 5k). I'm probably going to wind up with another and only using the regular Forza with the fleece pad as running shorts.

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Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines. -Enzo Ferrari

I completely agree with the DeSoto's. They are by far the most comfortable I have ever worn. I actually wear their cycling capris as my running capris because the pad is so comfortable. I hate the elastic around my legs and these don't have it but still stay in place, and I have never chaffed with their tri pads

Saucony! The felt lining is awesome, they fit great, and I don't have ANY seem issues. but I am a chick.

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Follow me on Twitter! megankillian

I'm a big fan of the new Blue Seventy Distance tri shorts. The cut is good, a little compression, and the chamois worked well for my Ironman. It's the same short that Team TBB uses.

http://blueseventy.com/...s_distance_tri_short

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http://twitter.com/tridave

| Bonzai Sports | Blue Seventy | First Endurance |

I got Zoot tri5. i like the lenght

2XU is by far the best I have used. I am still using my first pair of tri shorts from them (3 years old) and they are holding up great. Great customer service too!

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Owner of a few Speed Concepts since 2011.

I use DeSoto 400-mile shorts and I a very happy with them.

another vote for DeSoto

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Train safe & smart
Bob

Yet another vote for DeSoto Forza Shorts.

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blog
twitter

Desoto Riviera.

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I wanna go fast!

Hello, Emilio De Soto here. Thanks to all those who have posted good comments about De Soto products.

I want to personally invite you to try the product out and form your own opinion. Buy it, wear it, test it, and decide for yourself. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you risk nothing but the time to test it. Please read our guarantee below, see if any of our competitors will offer you the same and let me know if you have any other questions.

100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE


De Soto Sport offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on anything you buy from our catalog or website. If you are not satisfied with one of our products at the time you receive it, or if one of our products does not perform to your satisfaction within 90 days of the purchase date, return it for repair, a replacement

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Emilio De Soto II
Maker of triathlon clothing, T1 Wetsuits, & Saddle Seat Pads and AXS since 1990
emilio@desotosport.com http://www.desotosport.com

definitely try Desoto - Emilio stands behind his product 100% and he's got good reason to: the stuff is GREAT. I'm racing IMAZ in the Riviera tri shorts, which are simply perfect for me. I've done all my long rides & runs in them the past few weeks and they're awesome. Solid compression, top-notch materials, the "float pad" is the absolute best tri chamois i've ever worn, and they look good too.

try them out
http://www.desotosports.com/...rza&ProdID=FRTS1

DeSoto. Have been satified with their fleeze pad for years, but changed into a harder road race seat this summer, and needed more padding.
- DeSoto Riviera was perfect in Kona.

Is of course a personal issue regarding pockets, lenght and height (DeSoto has several variants), I found the new Riviera to be the perfect fit.

De Soto.

As someone here on ST once said, "I don't know why other companies even bother making shorts"

Cheers, Chris

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Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball

Desoto Forza Riviera. For Long Course, that very same shorts but when Emilio decides to put pockets on it. That is the very best chamois of all times. Period.

De Soto hands down, there tri shorts and 400 mile bibs are amazing, i will never buy another bib or tri short for that matter.

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+1 on the DeSoto Forteza Riviera!

BUT....I'm a medium in almost everything I wear and I had to get a large in those shorts to get my quads through. Great chamois and great support!

just wish they had more pockets!

The Orca 226 kit is pretty phenomenal. Get the padded version, obviously.

I have been using 2XU products up to this point, and have been pleased. But it looks like I will have to consider De Soto considering what I've seen from this thread.

Funny too, because I was just visiting my father in San Diego (I live in NY), and I stopped in on a De Soto shop to look at their wet suits. Unfortunately, they were closed even though it was a Saturday.

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-Alex

Hi Emilio--for your products, what's more important to consider--the height or the weight? I'm asking specifically about your tri-suits. I'm 5'10" and weigh 143 pounds, so am a Small in weight, but a Medium in height.

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Riding the Awesome Train With: Dark Horse Coaching

This is a very good question and I have what I believe is a pretty logical way of thinking through this:

Given that a trishort is, well, a short, the garment does not really care if your legs are 3 inches longer or 3 inches shorter. So you will be a size small based on your weight and that is what you ought to buy. In general, it is important to look at height and weight in order to create a mental picture of your proportionally and weight distribution though. If you would have told me you are 4'10" 143lbs, I would have probably suggested size medium.

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Emilio De Soto II
Maker of triathlon clothing, T1 Wetsuits, & Saddle Seat Pads and AXS since 1990
emilio@desotosport.com http://www.desotosport.com

Been using the Forza Tri short as my sole bike short the last month averaging 150 to 200 miles a week (hey it's my off season give me a break.). They are now my favorite bike short bar none. Combined with the Cobb V+ they work great. Longest ride so far in them is 80 miles with not a bit of discomfort. Going to order the bibs shortly. Now if they would only make them in a Tall size, about 1" more in the leg and waist, at 6" 4" tall and 190LBS the size large is alittle short.

Same with me, I'm a small in the regular Forza, but I had to return the small Rivieras and get mediums. It's somewhat loose in the rest of the short, but the legs are tight.

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Kirby

Thanks for the feedback. I will add your comments to my list of future products to consider.

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Emilio De Soto II
Maker of triathlon clothing, T1 Wetsuits, & Saddle Seat Pads and AXS since 1990
emilio@desotosport.com http://www.desotosport.com

Emilio, which of your shorts have the most compression, i have been using Oomph Lava Compression shorts for a few seasons now, but looking for something new to try from your line, i have used DeSoto but many years ago, before you made compression shorts. Thanks

Thanks for writing. We have been making trishorts with compression since 1997. I believe this was way before Oompa even began. Nobody can dispute that were the first company to make them. You see, Dupont came to us with their first compression fabric in late 1996 to test it for them. We used the fabric for the trisuit Heather Fuhr wore to win her first Ironman in Kona. Later that year Lori Bowden won Ironman Canada in the same suit.

So there you have a bit of history.

As for which of our offer the most compression, check out out entire Forza Collection. They are all made of our Forza Compressor fabric with Compressor double legbands.

Click here to see them all.

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Emilio De Soto II
Maker of triathlon clothing, T1 Wetsuits, & Saddle Seat Pads and AXS since 1990
emilio@desotosport.com http://www.desotosport.com

The Riviera seems to have much more compression than the regular Forza.

Emilio, why don't you guys sell regular compression shorts without a pad? Like a padless Riviera.

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Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines. -Enzo Ferrari

Oompha as in Oompha Lumpas from Willy Wonka? You mean "Oomph!" right? Anyhow, DeSoto & Oomph are the only shorts I've seen with double-panel fronts that don't droop when wet (as in after dumping a bottle of water on you). I've never owned a DeSoto suit just the tank top which had practically no coverage back in the 90's. But it seems DeSoto has come a long, long way--and it is peaking my interest. I rec'd a fit kit from them & was very impressed with the shorts, but they had a minimum for custom orders unlike Champ Sys & didn't care for the shirts too much. One tri shirt I found that ROCKS is the new Blue Seventy 2 pc tri suit's top. Longer in the back, it uses a buttery-soft mesh in the back & something called "cold black" (a black lycra) that keeps you very cool--just used it in Kona this past Saturday. There are so many suits to try on & more being made every year by new start up companies. I've been looking for several years for the "ideal suit" & still haven't found one that fits the bill. Someone needs to hire me as a consultant for tri suits! :-)

The Mens Orca '226 tri pant plus' have the new thicker chamois in them. Have tried a pair and they were good for running and great for cycling(as much padding as cycle shorts where it matters).
Here are a few I have left :

http://www.triathlonshots.com/...onclothing2orca.html


G.

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http://www.TriathlonShots.com
Full event coverage of triathlon/ironman in photos.

Emilio,
Does height factor more in the sizing considerations for a 1 piece? I am tall and skinny @ 6ft and 148-155lbs. I'm probably going to be buying a Liftfoil going into next season but worry about the top being too tight on the shoulders.
Thanks!

I have used the Riviera all season for all races, they are BOMB! The pad is just right, goes unnoticed on the run and comfy even for 112 in the saddle!

Another vote for DeSoto. I

I wore teh high end De Soto shorts for a HIM and had major chaffing in my crotch. I think that was more of a function of the heat and pouring water down my back. Perhaps I'll try the Riveria. Their customer service is top notch though.

x100 for DeSoto shorts. I have every style of their shorts with the exception of the new Forza bibs which I will buy before next season.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

Try the Rivieras. I find them far more comfortable than the regular Forzas. Felt pads always abrade the taint for me.

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Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines. -Enzo Ferrari

Is the 400 mile short comfortable to run in? or is the pad too big?

I haven't bought a 400-mile yet, as I don't do serious distance on the bike. I have read accounts on here of people using them for IM-distance races to get more flotation on the swim and have a big pad on the bike, but I don't remember about running.

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Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines. -Enzo Ferrari

Emilio, the compression material of the Forza tri shorts is amazing. The 400 mile bike shorts are on my Christmas list. Thanks for the great products.

Hey thanks for your kind words. You are going to love the 400-Mile Bibshorts.

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Emilio De Soto II
Maker of triathlon clothing, T1 Wetsuits, & Saddle Seat Pads and AXS since 1990
emilio@desotosport.com http://www.desotosport.com

Height, weight, chest, waist, and hips all factor in, to determine your body type. Keep in mind that if you are tall and lean as you describe, small may still work for you, but you are welcome to buy two, try them both on, keep the one you like best and return the other for a refund.

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Emilio De Soto II
Maker of triathlon clothing, T1 Wetsuits, & Saddle Seat Pads and AXS since 1990
emilio@desotosport.com http://www.desotosport.com

I like the Pearl Izumi tri shorts.They still have a pad that you can ride & run in but it doesnt feel like you are wearing a wet diaper.Try a few brands out & see what fits you the best.

The high end Pearl Izumi is pretty awesome.

Forza low cut for me.....I want the new Tri bibs in a bad bad way.

Is this policy valid only if I buy thru DeSoto website ? Or also thur dealer ??
then, how does it work to return it ?? Contact the dealer or the factory ?
tks

The policy is valid both through De Soto and any of our Authorized Retailers. If you order through us, the return is through us. If you order through one of our retailers, you return it through them.

Through us, you simply use the RETURN/EXCHANGE form included in the shipment.
Through our retailers you need to check their website for return instructions.

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Emilio De Soto II
Maker of triathlon clothing, T1 Wetsuits, & Saddle Seat Pads and AXS since 1990
emilio@desotosport.com http://www.desotosport.com

I have the Oomph Lava Compression, the Desoto Forza and the Desoto 400 mile shorts.
I love the fabric of the Oomph. But I don't like the pad that much.
The Desoto Forza pad is nice for swimming / biking / running in. The fleece pad is great, but I don't love it for long ride. I have been wearing these for all rides / bricks / races (up to 1/2 IM).
I just got the 400 mile shorts last Friday. I rode 100 miles in them yesterday. These will be my go to shorts from now on. I don't think I will run in them. I plan to change after the bike for IMAZ. I could probably handle running 13.1 with that pad, but for 26.2 I think I would want to tear them off.

At last count I have about 13 pair of DeSoto shorts in current inventory - I wear them like underwear! I have biked up to 130+ miles in the Froza Tri shorts with no issue at all. I simply can't imagine anything more comfy. However, I also really like the Rivieras....I just don't like running in that pad as much.

Big E, I've told you and Chuck that I would LOVE the Riviera w/ the Forza pad - that would be my all time favorite!

Lastly, I recently had to use the DeSoto guarantee for the very first time....the service and satisfation was way above my expectations - they actually did more than I requested, no questions asked.

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David
* Ironman for Life! (Blog) * IM Everyday Hero Video * Daggett Shuler Law *
Disclaimer: I have personal and professional relationships with many athletes, vendors, and organizations in the triathlon world.

I prefer the Skins Tri400 and the high end Pearl Izumis, but I might have to try out the Desotos as Ive heard about them everywhere.

I have the Forza Rivieras and absolutely love them. Picked them up earlier this year and they outperformed everything else I've had. Unfortunately the pad is already worn down, so I guess it's time to get a new pair. The only criticism I have is the printing (washing info) on the back starts to wear away and gets scratchy.

DeSoto Forza 4 pocket Shorts for training - Forza low cut for racing

I have some of the first compression shorts from DeSoto going back to the late 90s that I still wear! I have not worn my Revieras as much, so I have had a chance to see if they wear out.

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David
* Ironman for Life! (Blog) * IM Everyday Hero Video * Daggett Shuler Law *
Disclaimer: I have personal and professional relationships with many athletes, vendors, and organizations in the triathlon world.

Can someone who owns Desoto Forza Short with Pockets tell me if the pockets are big enough to hold a gel flask? I really like the side pockets on Zoot TRIfit but the chamois there does more damage to my boy parts than no chamois at all.

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Velosurance - bicycle insurance

I run with a 4 oz flask in the lower right pocket all the time but havent tried the larger flask.

Emilio,

Thanks for the great products. I currently race in the Forza 4 pocket short. Love the compression. Unfortunately, I have ultra sensitive "nether" regions and always have chaffing issues on longer rides even with my ultra-padded long distance shorts (made by another vendor which shall remain nameless). Anyway, wondering if you recommend anything better than Chamois Butter for use with the Forza shorts for races? Is there something perhaps more viscous that won't break down as easily/quickly than Chamois Butter in the swim?

Thanks,
Andy

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_____________________________

"In life we don't regret the things we do, but for lack of courage the things we don't" - Anonymous

The pockets who gell flasks quite well.

I want to personally invite you to try the product out and form your own opinion. Buy it, wear it, test it, and decide for yourself. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you risk nothing but the time to test it. Please read our guarantee below, see if any of our competitors will offer you the same and let me know if you have any other questions.

100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE

De Soto Sport offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on anything you buy from our website. If you are not satisfied with one of our products at the time you receive it, or if one of our products does not perform to your satisfaction within 30 days of the purchase date, return it for a replacement, or a refund. Anything you buy from one of our authorized retailers is guaranteed through the retailer. All exchanges and refunds must be done through the retailer. Their policy may be different so please ask before purchasing

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Emilio De Soto II
Maker of triathlon clothing, T1 Wetsuits, & Saddle Seat Pads and AXS since 1990
emilio@desotosport.com http://www.desotosport.com

Hannulink is a good place to find some great gear. I've bought DeSoto and Oomph from them. They have actually started their own line of clothing. the 9" inseam Hannulink short is great. Very soft material and strong stiches.

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Soulrider

Theclydesdalediaries.blogspot.com

I'm a BIG fan of the Oomph Lava Short.

I've worn the in many tri's and like them a lot.

I also am a HUGE fan of the pad in them, and pretty much use them as my daily driver bike shorts.

Hello Andy,

Thanks for writing. Chamois butter was designed for chamois made of leather to soften the leather after washes. The name comes from the olden days when this pad was actually made from chamois cloth, a type of sheepskin leather. Today, most shorts feature a synthetic pad, usually made of foam, gel, and/or microfiber cloth, and in our case, a polypropylene construction that is buoyant, stretchy, and very soft against the skin.

So if you are using chamois butter on those shorts from another vendor, and the pad on those shorts is synthetic, it is no wonder that the chamois butter does not work well or work at all. As for our shorts, all our pads are also synthetic so I doubt chamois butter is going to be effective at all.

Have you tried using the shorts without any chamois butter? Feel free to reply to me by email instead of on this post.

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Emilio De Soto II
Maker of triathlon clothing, T1 Wetsuits, & Saddle Seat Pads and AXS since 1990
emilio@desotosport.com http://www.desotosport.com