Elastic Interface Ladies Chamois Pad

ELASTIC INTERFACE – LADIES CHAMOIS PAD

By Robert Thorpe & Larisa Chinces

LADIES CHAMOIS TECHNOLOGY
Elastic Interface and the science
behind chamois pad development 😉

Ladies chamois pad technology

Are you sitting comfortably on your bike

I find cycling technology fascinating, I really do. Not the kind of technology that we all know about, making bikes go faster and creating lighter and more aerodynamic frames; no, I like the science and thinking that goes into developing the fabrics, the clothing and the pads. Even as a young school student, I chose to study textile design rather than engineering. I like to get to the bottom of fabric technology and design – pardon the pun – and I’m fascinated by the very clever people who study bottoms in order to make our cycling so much more comfortable.

Did you know for instance that women have a greater spectrum of bottom shapes and structures than men, it’s true. Elastic Interface have researched this, partnering with the Department of Biomedical Science at the University of Padua, Italy. After developing their First Ladies specific pads, Elastic Interface listened to the feedback and wanted to improve things, and so looked towards the scientists in order to better understand female cyclists bottoms.

Elastic Interface in De Marchii bibs

Comfort & performance has to match style

Coming from a family with 3 x sisters, and a wife who is also 1 of 3 sisters, I have to concede that women tend to come first in so many ways. I’m happy to admit that my elder sister was the better runner, and at home my wife is certainly the boss – so it’s not surprising that women also take the lead in the bottom stakes. All of this causes an issue for cycling brands though, and Elastic Interface recognised this. Designing chamois pads for men is reasonably straight forward in comparison to the necessary variety needed in order to cater for the variety of ladies bottoms, keeping them in the comfort which they richly deserve.

For example, men aren’t as detailed in their thinking and clothing choices as women are – I’m trying to be diplomatic guys. In short, men will simply choose any pair of reasonably expensive bib shorts and then ride in them damn hard, because that’s what you do as a guy; lathering on the chamois cream and putting aside any slight discomfort, saying that it’s simply down to a hard workout. Women on the other hand like fashion.. I know, you’re surprised 😉 – however, it’s not simply about how clothing looks. They like to ensure that their garments are well made in all aspects and that they’re getting value and yes, performance. They look at the small details, because women simply don’t want to sit uncomfortably when riding. They like to look good and feel good and to be able to perform hard, without later getting off the bike and having to sit on an ice pack. Ask yourself this: when did you last think about your own bottom when cycling and when choosing your bibs? When you bought your last pair of bibs, did you look at the chamois pad and: (1) ask if it suited your style of riding, (2) ask yourself if it was suitable for your bottom type?

Elastic Interface WP1 Ladies Chamois

Your bottom shape isn’t limitless… honestly

Here’s and interesting fact too – did you know that however many cakes you eat with your cafe stop cappuccino, your bottom remains the same size – truly, it does! Yes, I know that you might have to squash and squeeze yourself into a pair of highly compressive XL shorts if you get too carried away on cake, but that excess stuff around the back of you – it’s not your bottom. You’ll be very pleased to hear that your bottom remains small(ish), meaning that the very clever product developers at Elastic Interface only have to make their extensive selection of chamois pads in one size! That’s the really good news. Now let’s get back to women’s bottoms – in a sporting context of course! Yes, women have far more complex bottoms and accordingly, far more complex needs from their chamois pad; which is why Elastic Interface carried out their extensive scientific studies – about cycling bums! 😉

It’s time then to look at ladies bottoms in more detail, and to talk about the 3 specific chamois pads that Elastic Interface produce to ensure the comfort of the worlds female cyclists…

Elastic Interface WP1 Ladies Chamois

WP1 – Standard Protection Chamois

There’s nothing standard about women, everyone knows that. However, there had to be a line from which the rich variety of women can be assessed – or their bottoms to be more precise; which is why Elastic Interface have produced the WP1. It’s their “standard” protection pad for women, based on extensive research. It targets those women who feel the need for a more substantial and continuous support throughout the perineal area whilst cycling.

The pelvic tract area is developed to support the rotation of the pelvic bones while pedaling and paddings are skillfully placed according to anthropometrical parameters, providing the ultimate in cycling comfort protection.

WP2- A Highly Protective Pad

Some women prefer a highly protective pad, yet they may experience some numbness in the perineal area, especially when in the road position. After extensive study and research, with this solution Elastic Interface created a “pressure relief” zone by using lower density foams in the perineal area, while guaranteeing the same support and protection of always throughout the rest of the pad. These minor changes in the pad production maximise protection and comfort for this group of female cyclists. After all, there will be times when you yourself have felt “not quite right” in certain bib shorts.

Elastic Interface carried out their product research so that they could answer the necessary comfort questions for female cyclists needing that extra protection.

Elastic Interface WP3 Ladies Chamois

WP3 – For Women Sensitive to Compression

This construction of pad is intended for those women who are extremely sensitive to compression. Additional relief is delivered by using thinner and lower density foams in the genital area, minimizing pressure. In this solution, the ischiatic padding is raised and the perineal area features a medium-density padding only. The pelvic tract area is developed to support the rotation of the pelvic bones while pedaling and paddings are skillfully placed according to anthropometrical parameters. All of these particular technological develops are designed to provided the ultimate in comfort for female cyclists who are just that little bit more physiologically sensitive.

The Elastic Interface Pad Technology on Test

Now that you’ve read the science and facts behind cycling pads for women – no pun intended – we want to give you our own thoughts on the pad, as Larisa tests it out in Transylvania. Simply click the link below to read her review of the ladies bib tights by …. which contain the Elastic Interface technology.

Note: Rider images on this page courtesy of De Marchii Clothing, Italy

Visit Elastic Interface

Click Here