The pressure and friction of your butt on a bike seat if you are cycling more than about six miles can lead to all kinds of aches and rubs. So a good pair of padded cycling shorts (and a high quality saddle) are essential.

I wear padded cycling shorts like most people wear jeans. I am used to how they look and I really don’t mind being seen in Lycra. I also highly value the benefits of the padding. Other people aren’t so keen.

In fact, my teenage daughter H screwed up her face when I suggested that padded cycling shorts would be required for her cycling enjoyment. She said she didn’t like the look and she couldn’t imagine how ridiculous she would feel going outdoors in a pair of tights with a “nappy” inside.

But I persuaded her to try them just once. I’d been sent a pair of size 8 The North Face Spoke three-quarter women’s tights by the Cycle Surgery and I needed a tester. My slim-line teenage daughter was the perfect tester.

On test: The North Face women’s cycling tights

H was very reluctant to been seen out in Lycra cycle shorts but after only one bike ride she is a convert. “I can’t believe how comfortable the padding is,” she said. “They might look a bit odd, what with the nappy type padding, but they are actually really comfy,” she added. “And once you get used to how they look I don’t mind being seen in public in them.”

The quality of the tights is very good. The chamois padding is a good thickness and shaped to fit a female physique. The eight-panel design and Lycra fabric is well-fitting. The shorts are stretchy but also supportive so they aid muscle recovery as you cycle along. There’s an elasticated waistband (“just the right amount of tight,” H tells me and “stay-put” leg hems.

H reported that although she had seen the “stay-put” gel hems on my cycle shorts she had no idea how useful this would be when cycling. She said: “The gels stuff keeps the leg hems in place which is mazing when your legs are going round and round all the time. I guess it would be annoying if the legs kept riding up while cycling so I can see why you might want this gel strip thing in your cycle tights.”

The tights can be worn under looser fitting shorts of leggings if you prefer not to be seen in tight-fitting Lycra. In my eyes, my daughter looks fabulous in her Lycra cycling tights. And she has grown in confidence wearing these in public.

Cycling the West Loch Lomond Bike Path

This weekend H and I, my friend and her son cycled 34 miles on this wonderful off-road route. My friend’s son suffered a very sore butt. It turns out that the padding in his shorts is not up to much.  My friend has instructions on where to buy good quality shorts for her son. Meanwhile, my daughter

suffered no such pain. She rode the whole way with seemingly little effort and no rubs or aches. “I know you’ve been telling me this for ages mum but Lycra cycle shorts do actually work. They aren’t fashionable are they? But they work really well!” 

The North Face and cycle shortsI had not come across TNF cycle shorts before. My usual brands are Assos, Sugoi and Endura. More recently I’ve been wearing and liking Conquest shorts. But I like the look and quality of TNF women’s cycle shorts.

 The North Face Spoke three-quarter women’s tights are selling for £38.99 (rrp £64.99) at Cycle Surgery They have lots of other cycling kit, too!

Note: This article was restored from the archives. It's published creation date is inaccurate.