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Whether you’re training indoors, cruising to a coffee date, or pushing miles at a spicy pace, padded cycling shorts are a non-negotiable. Every minute you spend on the saddle deserves protection—period.

Here are five ways padding (aka chamois) is especially important for female cyclists in preventing numbness, chafing, and even bacteria build up. 

It's well-documented that many female cyclists will experience numbness, tingling, or discomfort in the pelvic area while riding. Extended pressure on delicate tissue and nerves can make even a short ride unpleasant. But (not to be alarmist) it's also associated with increased risk of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) and lower average sexual response scores.

Padding helps relieve that pressure. Especially when it's properly designed for our anatomy. That’s why we use Elastic Interface® chamois specifically engineered for women. These chamois are shaped to protect the areas under the most pressure, helping reduce numbness and discomfort that disproportionately affect women on the bike.

Every time your skin rubs against the saddle—especially during long rides or particularly sweaty sessions—it can cause irritation, redness, and even saddle sores.

Unfortunately, as women we're particularly susceptible because delicate soft tissue and nerves in the pelvic region can’t always handle prolonged pressure or friction.

A good chamois helps absorb pressure from the saddle, reducing the impact on sensitive areas.

Pro Tip: If you're struggling with chaffing down there, try chamois cream. Made thicker than sweat (and no, it's not greasy!) it helps prevent saddle sores by reducing friction.

All our chamois are designed with bacteriostatic properties to help balance a woman’s natural pH. How? Technical fabrics with advanced moisture management. They inhibit the growth of bacteria—which can thrive in sweat and cause pH imbalances—while maintaining the skin's natural bacterial flora.

For female cyclists, this means less irritation, fewer odour issues, better hygiene, and ultimately: more confidence on the bike—so you can focus on the ride instead of discomfort.

Our bodies aren’t built to support extended pressure in sensitive areas. By cushioning pressure points and keeping your pelvis aligned, the chamois helps you stay stable in the saddle, so you can pedal stronger and more efficiently without constantly shifting or adjusting.

Not all chamois are created equal—and when something sits so close to a sensitive area, quality and safety matter. That’s why we’re proud to say that all our chamois are free of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and meet the highest textile standards with BLUESIGN® and OEKO-TEX® certifications. Safe, soft, and thoughtfully designed—so you can focus on your ride.