The chamois pad is arguably one of the most important features of cycling apparel. It's position is of great importance between you and your bike, the rider and their saddle. Yet, a lot of people - especially those new to cycling don't like to talk about it. Perhaps it is the position of the pad, or simply the pronunciation of the word ("sham-wa") that shooshes would-be speakers of the special textile.

Well, the 'bike diaper', 'crotch cushion  ', or 'saddle sofa', shall no longer be besieged by bad names. Advancements by Santini in material technology and chamois pad design have reduced the look and feel of the pad to where riders simply remain riding comfortably for longer - without ever considering the size or shape of the pad. In this post, we'll feature three pads and share more about what matters most in selecting your next chamois pad. 

• Foam Bio
• GITevo
• C3

"What kind of bike shorts should I buy?"

At the shop, we're often asked what separates one pair of cycling shorts from another, and why they are priced differently. We get this question from novice bike path riders to seasoned cyclists who already have a calloused gluteus maximus, and are interested in the material nuance of chamois pads.

The first thing to acknowledge is that the fit and comfort of cycling shorts and their chamois is highly subjective.  Two people wearing the same bib shorts can easily have different opinions in their experience.  And to complicate matters further; a chamois that is great for a 2 hour ride, might not be great for an 8 hour ride.

The GITevo and C3 are very similar (and different from the Foam Bio) in that they both have a gel insert.  The gel insert in the C3 is about 23% thicker than the GITevo, which is one of the main reasons it is better suited for your longest days in the saddle (8-10+ hours).

Many manufacturers have a dedicated chamois they use in their off-road or gravel clothing lines.  Santini uses the same C3 pad in their road bibs that they use in their gravel bibs and the same GITevo pad in their road shorts as in their 3/4 length gravel tights and full length gravel tights.

Chamois Care

One wear-one wash.  Always wash your cycling bottoms between wears.  Failing to do so increases the risk of bacteria in the chamois which can lead to saddle sores.

We also recommend hanging them to drip dry after wash.  The dryer can be hard on clothes and manufacturers often times bond the layers of the chamois together; a hot dryer can compromise their lifespan causing them to separate prematurely.

Chamois Wear

Never EVER wear underwear under your bike shorts.  Hundreds, if not thousands of hours have gone into chamois research and development to make them as comfortable, breathable and to reduce chaffing as much as possible.  Underwear makes the chamois' job to keep you comfortable very difficult.

Men's Chamois Pads

FOAM BIO

• Ride Duration: Up to 5 hours
  
• Cost: $

Items Featuring the Santini Foam Bio Pad

Foam Bio is an innovative endurance seat pad with an eco-friendly soul. Made from a special bio-foam derived from vegetable polyols, it is constructed using EvoLogic carving technology, which reduces foam waste by 80% compared to traditional carving techniques. This allows for smoother transitions between foams, increased saddle stability, seamless construction, minimized weight, and excellent air permeability. 

GITevo

• Ride Duration: Up to 7 hours
  
• Cost: $$

Items Featuring The GITevo Chamois Pad

If you're riding for a few hours or more on a regular basis, this is your go-to chamois pad. The GITevo is the technological evolution of the original bestseller GIT chamois with Twist Gel core. The silicone gel absorbs shock steadily and gradually. 

 GITevo is even more performance-oriented because it is constructed with a carving process that is able to create various thicknesses without seams and sticking, reducing the weight and increasing the softness of the padding. The top layer with antibacterial microfiber and depressions on the surface, offers excellent fit and freedom of movement by protecting from chafing and irritation.

C3

• Ride Duration: 8-10 hrs hours
• The most advanced chamois pad offered by Santini. It's what Lidl-Trek pros have ridden for the past 6 years
• Cost: $$$
  

Items Featuring The C3 Chamois Pad

C3 is an endurance high performance chamois, ideal for long hours in the saddle. This is the most popular pad among elite and professional bicycle racers. 

Women's Chamois Pads

GILevo

• Ride Duration: Up To 7 hours
• Most popular chamois pad
• Cost: $$

Items Featuring The C3W Chamois Pad

GILevo is a feminine chamois with an extremely versatile gel heart. All-round comfort for any type of cycling activity. 

Extremely high performance chamois thanks to the innovative Carving process that is able to create thicknesses without the need for seams or glue. The carving process reduces weight while increasing the softness, elasticity and breathability of the pad.