How to prevent butt pain while cycling

You’ve probably experienced it before. After a few hours of enthusiastic cycling, suddenly, you start to feel saddle soreness. And those first days of the season can be quite uncomfortable too. And for the determined ones among us, you know that after long (and consecutive) rides, you might develop a gel-pad of blisters on your buttocks, right?!

Fortunately, by choosing the right shorts, you can prevent a lot of discomfort! Preventing saddle soreness is definitely possible. So let us tell you how to prevent butt pain while cycling.

Here are a few tips on how to prevent butt pain

1. Choose a chamois with shock-absorbing properties. A gel pad generally provides better pressure distribution. And often, a thicker chamois provides more shock absorption. But nowadays, thin and narrow chamois can also provide the same pressure distribution. Consult with your supplier about your preferences.
2. Choose a chamois with a longer comfort duration. At TD, for example, you can choose from different quality chamois suitable for various conditions. Whether you’re riding in the Tour de France or cycling for an hour a week, there are solutions for everything. Elastic Interface & Dolomiti are the leaders in “saddle comfort.”
3. Check if there are no seams on your chamois. Seams will cause extra friction with your skin, which you definitely want to avoid. Some cycling brands are more meticulous with the sewing process than others.
4. Always opt for bib shorts when cycling. These bibs ensure that your shorts stay in place to reduce friction. Bib shorts tend to move less during exertion compared to those without bibs.
5. Grippers at the bottom of the legs ensure that the cycling shorts stay in place even better. Do you often suffer from chafing while cycling? Then opt for silicone grippers instead of elastic bands.
6. Change your shorts regularly. The chamois gets compressed a little more with each ride. The chamois literally needs “rest” to expand again. Therefore, if you cycle for several days in a row, try to switch shorts regularly.
7. It is recommended to get a new pair of cycling shorts after each active season. This is because the grippers tend to become loose, and the chamois struggles more and more to expand after your rides. And of course, you also want to stay updated on the latest cycling shorts trends, right?!
8. A chamois also absorbs moisture and salts while you sweat, keeping your butt dry during exercise. Therefore, it is crucial to rinse the chamois after each cycling session to prevent any remaining salts from causing friction with your skin. Here’s a link to our washing tips to keep your cycling shorts clean.

Pro tip: Never wear underwear under your cycling shorts!

At TD, we only import the best and newest chamois on the market. Preventing saddle soreness has never been easier. Our own TD chamois guarantee cycling tours where you don’t have to stand on your pedals. For example check out this page with our different bib shorts models.

And? Did we help you to prevent butt pain while cycling?