All There Is to Know About the Chamois. Even If You Don't Know What a Chamois Is.

Hint : It's the padded thing in your bike shorts.

Kristine, our fantastic head of product development, was kind enough to drop some knowledge on us. We decided to share it with you all.

What should I look for in a chamois?

• Stretch - The chamois should have enough stretch to adapt to the short fabric and the rider’s body comfortably. 
• Foam density for good cushioning
• Different shapes and structures for men and women
• Soft Chamois fabric - This can mitigate friction when it comes in contact with the skin
• Breathability - Skin can easily lacerate when it is soaked with sweat so the ability to transport moisture is crucial
• Good Elastic Memory so the cycling pad does not deform with wear
• Anatomic fit
• Oeko-Tex certification (more on that below)

What’s the difference between Podiumwear’s Gold, Silver and Bronze chamois?

All of our chamois have the same quality of fabric softness, stretch, bacteriostasis, breathability, men’s and women’s specific design and Oeko-Tex certification.  The Bronze chamois uses foam density that is intended for rider’s going out for 3 hours or less at a time  The Silver Chamois has more varied foam density and is intended for 5 hours or less and Gold Chamois has ultra high density foam inserts  for a ride length of up to 6 hours.  The Silver and Gold Chamois also have the added benefit of carbon yarn in the top fabric layer for maximum moisture management. 

How important is the chamois?

Anyone who’s ridden in a crappy chamois will tell you that they are one of - if not the most - important elements of a bike short.  A good chamois in the right position can ensure the rider does not have nerve and circulatory issues.  

Do I want a thicker chamois or a thinner chamois?

It depends on your personal preference, how long you’re on the bike and the quality of the foam in the chamois.  Watch out for foams that are thick but compress easily.  These types of lower density foams can lose their cushioning power after just a few uses, so that kind of thickness isn’t going to be working in your favor.  As a general rule the longer the ride the denser the foam the chamois should have.

Bacteriostasis vs. anti-bacterial?

An antibacterial treatment tends to eliminate all bacteria, including those that normally live on the skin.  A bacteriostatic treatment acts by inhibiting the growth or reproduction of bacteria while preserving the normal bacteria found on the skin.  In addition to having a certain level of toxicity, antibacterial substances can lead to the creation of resistant strains of bacteria. 

What does Oeko-Tex certification mean exactly?

This means that all chamois materials have been successfully tested and meet the required criteria regarding non-toxicity according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100.

Where does Podiumwear get their chamois?

Elastic Interface/Cytech based in Italy.  We believe it is the best chamois on the market.

Is there anything I should be wary of when choosing a chamois?

Yes.  Beware of a chamois that looks flat like a pancake, does not have an especially soft hand feel and/or has rough edges.  Chamois cost makes up a large proportion of the price of bike shorts and so it is an area many manufacturers cut corners on.