Wondering how long I should expect shorts to last
I have some that I’ve had for 3-4 years…Im figuring its about time to get new ones…I’ve tended to buy ones that were on sale…
Do the more expensive ones last longer?
Forever or until they get a see thru spot on the crack area, your friends will tell you when you need to say no to crack.
I typically get ~4years from mine. The older ones get used for LifeCycle workouts at the gym.
More expensive shorts are more comfortable and use the latest technology, but are not more durable.
Some of the innovations of the past few years:
-Lower leg banding replacing the leg grippers
-Mp3/radio pockets in the back of the bib
-The bib straps are made of baselayer style fabrics
-Better anatomic paneling of the legs
-Molded in chamois are becoming more common
The expensive models get these first, then they trickle down. So the cheap shorts are just as durable, but a few years behind the tech curve.
My advice is to buy last years model on steep discount. I just got the CO Cyclist catalog e-mail and it was full of shorts being liquidated at 30-50% of what they sold for last year (Assos, Castelli, Exendo, Craft, Desente, etc.).
Thanks Titan
I am finding that that the padding on some of my older shorts feel less “cushy” than my newer shorts
hence my question…
I’ll check around for some sales
Thanks!
Shorts that are too old eventually become see-through in the rear; especially when damp. The problem is that many people don’t seem to ever inspect their shorts and wear them well past the point of no return. We’ve all seen it at the pool or when passing people during the bike leg of a triathlon…not good.
Yes, I’m sorry to say that I do think the more expensive ones tend to last longer.