I’m looking for a new pair of tri shorts. If price is no object (even though it always is), what do you think is the best tri short on the market? Some ideas:
Craft race short
Sugoi Piston tri pocket short
Pearl Izumi tri short
DeSoto power short
Oomph Kilauea
The Pearl Izumi, it rocks. I hardly ever wear bike shorts anymore, just wear those.
DeSoto power short
Oomph Kilauea
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I love the Craft race short.
LOVE the DeSoto power tri shorts!
Which other shorts have you guys tried? Maybe you could rank the shorts you’ve worn?
And which, if any, of these shorts has sufficiently comfortable padding for the bike portion of a Half Ironman?
(The shorts I currently have are probably too light on the padding for a Half…)
Why not ask, What is the best tribike?
Best tri shorts are the ones that fit you best
Go to a tri short fitter in your local area (Only ones that are “TriFit” cert. not those roadfit guys)
Does your partner think you have a deep dish or low profile wheel?
Do you like it steep or shallow?
I went with the Pearl Izumi
I would wear any of those for a half. It’s all about getting used to the lack of padding, like you might find in a traditional bike short. Wear the tri shorts for some short rides, and gradually wear them on longer rides, and eventually you’ll feel comfortable wearing them on super long rides.
Tyr 8" short…
Thicker…so you can wear them tight without showing your ass crack like most other shorts. Long lasting…although the pad “could” be better.
The one that fits you best. You listed quality products.
For me, I would give an unequivocal nod to the DeSoto short. The new pad material, the green stuff, is super nice, too. Very comfy.
As said, you’ll get used to, and even appreciate, the minimal pad of the tri shorts after a spell. I cannot wear a normal cycling short anymore, it feels like I have a diaper on.
I wear the DeSotos for half and ironman distance, and for 6 hour training rides, too. Perfectly comfortable.
Also, I wear the DeSoto shorts to run in, too. The almost non-existent pad makes them great for running, AND adds a little of support for the fellows where needed. No swinging about like in a pair of baggy running shorts, which I haven’t worn in years.
I’m surprised no one brought up the speedo Fastskin FSII. Expensive but looks good. Chris Lieto seems to do pretty good with it (course he gets paid)
Also the Orca Tri shorts are reasonably priced and very comfortable I think. Of course I still wish I could just wear regular shorts, so my opinion may not mean much. I can’t stand clingy stuff. But shorts become parachutes on the bike soo I guess there’s not much choice.
Zoot’s tri cycle shorts or skinfit’s tri shorts
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What? You’re the own that convinced me to use Tyr 8" short instead of the Desoto power shorts. What’s up with that?
As said, you’ll get used to, and even appreciate, the minimal pad of the tri shorts after a spell. I cannot wear a normal cycling short anymore, it feels like I have a diaper on.
I wear the DeSotos for half and ironman distance, and for 6 hour training rides, too. Perfectly comfortable.
Also, I wear the DeSoto shorts to run in, too. The almost non-existent pad makes them great for running, AND adds a little of support for the fellows where needed. No swinging about like in a pair of baggy running shorts, which I haven’t worn in years.
Totally agree with all of the above comments. As for others, I’ve also used Zoot, Tyr, and Pearl Izumi. And that is exactly how I would rank them (from my most favorite to least). I had the Zoots with the shorter inseam, any they were nice enough, but I still go with the DeSoto power tri hands down.
The De Soto bibs are great. I’ve ridden a century in them. The pockets are a real bonus.
Tyr 8" short…
Thicker…so you can wear them tight without showing your ass crack like most other shorts…
that, hands down, is the best tri-short recommendation i’ve ever read.
-c
you wanted cheap… DSS vs. TYR with price as a factor… i’d go TYR… no price I’d go DSS
Oomph Kilauea
Try on as many as you can. It might be a personal body type question. For me, nothing has fit as well on the bike & offered as much support on the run as the Kilauea.