Chamois Guide

What to Know and What to Look for in Your Next Chamois

‎ 

The chamois is the real MVP of any cycling kit. It can make or break your comfort and performance. Our custom collections come with thoughtfully designed chamois that you can upgrade to any option from our chamois collection. Design a custom kit that fits your ride to the smallest detail.

Men's Century Hours: 6-8

Men's Century

Ultra dense chamois with antibacterial treatment for long-lasting comfort - GC Collection

Men’s Signature 2.0 Hours: 4-6

Men’s Signature 2.0

Highly breathable, elastic perforated foam pad with gel inserts to provide maximum support - Firma, Signature, Gravel Collections

Men’s Power GT Hours: 4-6

Men’s Power GT

Soft, anatomical pad ideal when breathability and temperature regulation are crucial - Velocity Collection

Men’s Max Hours: 4-6

Men’s Max

Perforated chamois is lighter, more breathable and elastic for optimal comfort in the hottest conditions - Velocity Collection

Men’s Pro 2.0 Hours: 6-8

Men’s Pro 2.0

Best all-around option for all disciplines, ability levels, and distances - Velocity Collection

Men’s Criterium Hours: 2-4

Men’s Criterium

Highly breathable, elastic perforated foam pad for short duration, high speed rides - Arrow Collection

Men’s Team Hours: 2-4

Men’s Team

Body-conforming memory foam padding - Axis Collection

Men’s Tri Hours: 2-4

Men’s Tri

Quick-drying chamois that won’t get in the way during a swim or run - Triathalon Collection

Women's Century Hours: 6-8

Women's Century

Ultra dense chamois with antibacterial treatment for long-lasting comfort - GC Collection

Women's Signature Hours: 4-6

Women's Signature

Signature chamois with high density 120 kg/m2 foam, gel insert, and carbon fibers woven into the face fabric is perfect for long rides - Firma, Signature, Gravel Collections

Women’s Power GT Hours: 4-6

Women’s Power GT

Soft, anatomical pad ideal when breathability and temperature regulation are crucial - Velocity Collection

Women’s Max Hours: 4-6

Women’s Max

Perforated chamois is lighter, more breathable and elastic for optimal comfort in the hottest conditions - Velocity Collection

Women’s Pro 2.0 Hours: 4-6

Women’s Pro 2.0

Selected by the pros for its body conforming comfort and breathability - Velocity Collection

Women’s Team Hours: 2-4

Women’s Team

Memory foam pad provides comfort by conforming to the body - Axis Collection

Women’s Tri Hours: 2-4

Women’s Tri

Quick-drying chamois that won’t get in the way during a swim or run - Triathalon Collection

Kids Team Hours: 1-3

Kids Team

Memory foam padding for everyday riding - Axis Collection

What is a cycling chamois?

A cycling chamois (pronounced “sha-mee”) is a shock-absorbing, antimicrobial pad sewn into bike shorts. It relieves uncomfortable pressure, prevents saddle sores, and wicks away moisture. A good chamois is a must-have for any ride lasting longer than an hour. 

Your chamois should deliver when the ride gets demanding

A high-quality chamois isn’t just a comfort upgrade—it’s a performance essential. Poorly designed chamois can restrict blood flow, cause numbness, trap moisture, and actually increase saddle pressure over long rides. While thick, cushy pads may seem comfortable at first, they often shift in the saddle and force your body to work harder, not smarter.

Hincapie’s line of chamois is engineered to avoid all of that. All of the bibs and shorts we offer, whether for short sprints or all-day endurance rides, are built with anatomical shaping, strategic padding density, and breathable, quick-dry fabrics that wick moisture and reduce friction. Each style is rigorously tested by elite cyclists to make sure it supports your ride, not sabotages it.

When you ride with a Hincapie chamois, you get long-lasting support, efficient power transfer, and comfort you can trust mile after mile.
Find the perfect chamois fit before you commit

Ordering custom shouldn’t mean guessing on fit. Before every Hincapie custom kit order, you’ll receive a free home try-on kit to make sure everything feels just right, down to the chamois.

If you’re not sure about the fit or placement, our designers will work with you to upgrade the chamois in your shorts to a different style so your gear fits your body, your ride, and your goals.

How to choose a cycling chamois

The right chamois depends on three key factors: your anatomy, your riding style, and how long you’re in the saddle. The right chamois can make the difference between powering through a ride or cutting it short.‎

‎ ‎

At Hincapie, we take the guesswork out of the process. With over 15 years of experience designing performance chamois for elite cyclists, we’ve developed a full range of options tailored to different body types, disciplines, and distances. From the pad’s shape and density to how it’s positioned within your shorts, every detail is crafted to match your ride.‎

Here’s how to select the chamois that fits your needs:

How long does a chamois last?

A chamois can last 6 months to two years, depending on how well you care for them and the frequency and length of your rides. To increase the longevity of the chamois in your Hincapie cycling bibs or shorts, follow the washing and drying instructions carefully. Turn your shorts inside out, wash after every wear, and line dry to preserve their structure and fit.

Here’s how you know it’s time to replace your chamois:

- It feels flat and heavy
- It’s unraveling or shifting in the shorts
- It smells even after washing
- It’s stretched out or misshapen

When it’s time to replace your chamois, there’s no patching things up. Once the structure breaks down, comfort and performance go with it. That’s why every Hincapie chamois is built with premium, durable materials—so your gear keeps up with your ride, season after season.

Outfit your team in shorts and bibs with a chamois that stands up to high mileage and intense training

Every detail of your chamois—from pressure relief to moisture control—impacts how your riders perform. Hincapie chamois are designed to give you an edge in endurance, efficiency, and recovery. Because when your chamois performs as it should, your whole team does too.