Other than their arm coolers (which I love), I’ve never owned anything from De Soto. I was looking for some new tri shorts for this season, particularly to wear for Ironman Canada. Based on some recommendations of the shorts and the reputation of De Soto products in general, I decided to try the Rivieras. They’re expensive, but given the amount of time I spend on the bike, figured they’d be worth it if they lived up to their reputation. I couldn’t find them at any local stores so I bought them online.
In summary, I think they’re great shorts in general, but I’m not sure they’re well suited for long course racing and I will not be wearing them at Ironman Canada this weekend. I wore them for a couple of my long bricks, a few shorter rides and a couple runs.
Here’s what I like:
the low-cut fit and the inseam that’s a little shorter than my other shorts
the compression around the legs
the contour of the pad and the fact that it’s seamless
The main thing I don’t like - and the reason it’s not my favorite short and I won’t be wearing it at IMC - is that the pad is too thick. For me at least, it’s too thick to wear for a marathon. I’ve worn a lot of different brands of tri shorts and the pad in these feels like the thickest I’ve worn. That makes it really nice during the bike, but I feel like it gets in the way during a long run. While running in most other good tri shorts, I forget that the pad (or chamois) is there, in the Rivieras I thought about it way too much.
I would consider wearing these shorts for an Olympic distance race and will wear them during brick workouts, but for any race involving a substantial run, I’ll be sticking with other shorts.
I wanted to get this out there so people would know a little more about the product. I did my research before purchasing them and didn’t find anything that made me realize the thickness of the pad.
Is it the same pad as the regular Forza tri shorts? I just got some of those based on recommendations here, and really like them. In my case, the pad is thinner than what I was accustomed to from my older PI tri shorts and Hind 1-piece suit.
But if the pad works well for cycling, why not just change into run shorts for the run? It takes about 10 seconds. Just curious. It’s very hard to find something that works really well for riding 112 and running a marathon in. I’m still searching for the perfect combination. In two of the three Ironmans I’ve done, I’ve switched to running shorts in T2.
I don’t have any of the regular Forza tri shorts, but from what I’ve read the pad in the Riveria is a different one - supposedly “better”, but I think it’s also thicker.
Jordan - I’m certainly not going to argue with YOU about the best way to dress for an Ironman!!
My issue is that I’ve never changed in T2 and I’d prefer not to, if possible. In my two other Ironmans (and all other races), I’ve worn the same shorts the entire time, and for the other IM’s sacrificed a little comfort on the bike for comfort on the run. I agree that I’ve never found the perfect shorts, but was somewhat hopeful that the Rivieras might be the “ones”. For me, changing shorts in T2 seems like one more thing to have to worry about, which I’d prefer to avoid.
I did a fair amount of research before purchasing the Forza Rivieras and one thing I didn’t realize was that the pad is thick. I wanted to post my “review” so that the information is out there (on ST at least).
Have you tried running in them or do you just think you may not like the pad when running. I have 2 pair of Oomph shorts which have one of the thickest pads I have sworn and seen out there. I run in those without issues at all and I thought the same thing you did when i first tried them on…they are too thick. But once you are running, you don’t even notice it.
Try it with an open mind, you may be surprised.
I have. I’ve done two longish bricks (85/9 and 90/6 or so) and a couple stand-alone ~8 mile runs in them. When I first tried the shorts on I thought the pad would be too big for any running. As it turns out, it’s probably OK for shorter runs, but I think that for longer runs it becomes too noticeable.
I have a pair of Oomph shorts as well and I agree that that pad is thicker than other shorts, but it is thinner than the pad in the Riviera!
CAVEAT: I have ONLY worn DeSoto tri shorts for all biking the last decade or so…they are the best shorts going IMHO. I got two pair of the Rivieras earlier this spring and have really enjoyed them on long rides.
So, I wore the Rivieras for IMCdA and liked them. Yes, the pad is a bit thinker than the regular Forza shorts, which I love too, but I still feal like the pad “disappeared” during the run. BTW, this was the 1st time in 18 IMs that I have NOT changed shorts for the run. I think they are great shorts.
That being said, I will probably go back to changing shorts in T2…as Jordan said, it only takes 10 seconds and if it is more comfortable, why not.
I have. I’ve done two longish bricks (85/9 and 90/6 or so) and a couple stand-alone ~8 mile runs in them. When I first tried the shorts on I thought the pad would be too big for any running. As it turns out, it’s probably OK for shorter runs, but I think that for longer runs it becomes too noticeable.
I have a pair of Oomph shorts as well and I agree that that pad is thicker than other shorts, but it is thinner than the pad in the Riviera!
i used a pair of the rivieras and i strongly disagree with the OP comment on the thickness. i simply could not feel the pad on the run of my past oly distance tri.
the only possible complaint is that its cut really low. depending on your build, you may or may not appreciate that.
I have 2008 400mi Shorts that I use for long bike rides and bricks of your type you mention. I just love it. I do notice that pad a little but that does not bother me.
I am actually looking forward to buying a pair of Riviera shorts for my bricks of 80/10, 90/10 type. I don’t know exactly how these two pads compare, but I think they are similar, Riviera being a little thiner.
I race in 2XU Endurance suit where pad is not that thick, but bike is not as comfy and I race only HIM distance.
Jordan - I’m certainly not going to argue with YOU about the best way to dress for an Ironman!!
My issue is that I’ve never changed in T2 and I’d prefer not to, if possible. In my two other Ironmans (and all other races), I’ve worn the same shorts the entire time, and for the other IM’s sacrificed a little comfort on the bike for comfort on the run. I agree that I’ve never found the perfect shorts, but was somewhat hopeful that the Rivieras might be the “ones”. For me, changing shorts in T2 seems like one more thing to have to worry about, which I’d prefer to avoid.
I did a fair amount of research before purchasing the Forza Rivieras and one thing I didn’t realize was that the pad is thick. I wanted to post my “review” so that the information is out there (on ST at least).
Fair enough. I’m obviously biased, but I think the Kiwami Twinki is a great short for all distances. The one time I did not wear running shorts, this is what I wore (for the whole race), and I found it to be quite comfortable. I just prefer the fit of a one-piece for cycling and swimming, which is why I don’t always race in them.
I tried the Forza Riviera Tri Shorts today and they seem to work really well on the long bike ride. Their floatpad also gives them some buoyancy from what I could tell.
Jordan,
Just curious I see a lot of talk about the Amphibian and everyone trying to find the best shorts and suit. I know some issues that people have is the Amphibian does not have a pad. Have you, or anyone ever tried or thought about using the Twinki under the Amphibian? I know you have used the padded briefs in the past. Just wondering about a different combination as I have tried and like the Twinki shorts.
Jordan,
Just curious I see a lot of talk about the Amphibian and everyone trying to find the best shorts and suit. I know some issues that people have is the Amphibian does not have a pad. Have you, or anyone ever tried or thought about using the Twinki under the Amphibian? I know you have used the padded briefs in the past. Just wondering about a different combination as I have tried and like the Twinki shorts.
In my mind, that’d be too much material. I raced in the twinki once, but I wore an unpadded brief under them. To me, the brief is essential, because it keeps your “goods” from chafing. Padding can be found in the saddle. The brief is really there to isolate your business.
My name isn’t Rappstar but I can tell you that Kiwami makes the Konami suit now which is the same material and has a pad. Been wearing that suit this season and can’t say enough good things about it. Only beef is that the pockets on the suit are somewhat useless, but that’s fairly minor since I don’t know that many people that use the pockets on their tri suits.
