The Difference between Tri Shorts and Cycling Shorts
When athletes train for either a triathlon or biking event, there seems to be some confusion about whether to get separate tri or bike attire. However, many would feel comfortable running and swimming in shorts that come with diaper-like padding. Here we will explain the difference between tri shorts and cycling shorts to ensure you make the right choice.
There are some significant differences between triathlon and cycling shorts. The major difference is in terms of comfort and performance. The clothing triathletes wear needs to be different to cycling, particularly when taking part in a big event.
Tri Shorts
Every piece of triathlon clothing is designed to keep two things in mind: versatility, and performance.
The pads are minimal inside triathlon shorts, which use a non-absorbent and high-density foam pad. It makes it easier for the athlete to swim, cycle, and run without any issues. The non-absorbent material helps tri shorts repel water, which makes them the best for triathlon events.
These have been designed to provide comfort during all three sections, thereby helping the participant increase their level of performance. It is a significant difference.
Triathlon clothing is designed to offer exceptional comfort in the water, as well as on land. In short, it is intended for a triathlon. Some of the pros of a tri short include:
Cycling Shorts
Cycling shorts are designed and built around the position the rider maintains on the bike. One of the ways of testing the reliability of bike shorts includes holding them by the top of the straps. You will notice the legs folding forward as opposed to hanging down in a pair of non-cycling shorts.
These come with substantial padding, both in terms of pad thickness and the overall size, which is comfortable while riding but not so much when swimming or running.
Pros of having cycling shorts include:
Summing Up
In a quick summary, tri shorts have reduced padding to make them versatile for the athlete across three disciplines, while cycling shorts provide added padding.
When athletes train for either a triathlon or biking event, there seems to be some confusion about whether to get separate tri or bike attire. However, many would feel comfortable running and swimming in shorts that come with diaper-like padding. Here we will explain the difference between tri shorts and cycling shorts to ensure you make the right choice.
There are some significant differences between triathlon and cycling shorts. The major difference is in terms of comfort and performance. The clothing triathletes wear needs to be different to cycling, particularly when taking part in a big event.
Tri Shorts
Every piece of triathlon clothing is designed to keep two things in mind: versatility, and performance.
The pads are minimal inside triathlon shorts, which use a non-absorbent and high-density foam pad. It makes it easier for the athlete to swim, cycle, and run without any issues. The non-absorbent material helps tri shorts repel water, which makes them the best for triathlon events.
These have been designed to provide comfort during all three sections, thereby helping the participant increase their level of performance. It is a significant difference.
Triathlon clothing is designed to offer exceptional comfort in the water, as well as on land. In short, it is intended for a triathlon. Some of the pros of a tri short include:
Cycling Shorts
Cycling shorts are designed and built around the position the rider maintains on the bike. One of the ways of testing the reliability of bike shorts includes holding them by the top of the straps. You will notice the legs folding forward as opposed to hanging down in a pair of non-cycling shorts.
These come with substantial padding, both in terms of pad thickness and the overall size, which is comfortable while riding but not so much when swimming or running.
Pros of having cycling shorts include:
Summing Up
In a quick summary, tri shorts have reduced padding to make them versatile for the athlete across three disciplines, while cycling shorts provide added padding.
SEE WHAT CUSTOM APPAREL LOOKS LIKE
GEAR UP
MORE FROM THE BLOG
Pea and broccoli soup
The reason I love this soup so much, unlike other soups that have to cook for hours, this one is...
Homemade Granola
Granola is super easy to make and makes up a balanced breakfast when eaten with full cream milk or plain...
Pat Casey: Team USA Coach On How To Peak Physically And Mentally For A Big Race
Pat Casey has been “wrenching and playing with bikes” for half his life. Now more than 15 years after...
Holly Smith: From 'Cheap Aluminum Bikes' to the 70.3 World Championship
Like so many talented endurance athletes it seems, Holly Smith stumbled across triathlon - quite literally, in fact. A dedicated...