What is chamois pad grading?

A chamois pad is graded by ride duration — typically 2, 4, 6 and 8+ hour pads. Longer-duration pads have thicker multi-density foam (10–14 mm), perforated top-sheets for airflow and larger sit-bone support zones. Short-duration pads are thinner (6–8 mm) and lighter for crit racing.

Race fit vs club fit — what changes?

Race fit is cut in an aerodynamic position — sleeves finish past the elbow, hem is longer at the back to cover the lower back on the drops, and the fabric is more compressive at 220 GSM. Club fit is upright — 2 cm more ease at the chest, standard hem line and a lighter 170 GSM fabric that is easier to wear off the bike.

How is a jersey panelled?

Modern race jerseys use 8–11 sublimated panels — front, back, two side panels, two sleeves, collar, hem band and 3 rear pockets. Side panels are cut from a lighter mesh for airflow. Sublimation is done on flat panels before cutting, so graphic bleed and colour bars are printed into every panel.

Product Guides · Sportswear Encyclopedia

Cycling Kit Guide

Cycling kit is the most engineered garment in sportswear. Eight-hour rides, high sweat loads, aero-critical fit and a pad that has to sit correctly at 90 rpm — every centimetre of a jersey and bibshort has to earn its place.

Fits

Race + club

Aero vs upright

Panels

8–11 per jersey

Sublimated, mesh side

Chamois

2 / 4 / 6 / 8h

Multi-density foam

Fabric

170–220 GSM

Poly-spandex, mesh

Jersey construction — panel by panel

A modern cycling jersey is a system of specialised panels, each doing one job:

Front / back panels — 170–200 GSM poly-spandex, primary sublimation surface, tight enough to sit without ripples.
Side panels — 120–140 GSM open-weave mesh for airflow through the ribcage.
Sleeves — laser-cut raw-edge cuffs with silicone hem gripper on race fit, hemmed with band on club fit.
Collar — self-fabric collar folded and cover-stitched, 2–3 cm high, low-profile for aero.
Rear pockets — three pockets with reinforced binding, optional 4th zip pocket for phone/wallet.
Hem — 3 cm silicone gripper band keeps the jersey from riding up on the drops.

Chamois pad — grading by ride duration

Grade	Foam depth	Density zones	Ride duration
2-hour	6–8 mm	Single density	Crit, indoor training
4-hour	8–10 mm	Dual density	Club rides, gran fondo
6-hour	10–12 mm	Triple density, perforated top	Century rides, race day
8h+	12–14 mm	Multi-density, gel insert, wide sit-bone zone	Ultra-endurance, brevet

The chamois is stitched onto the bibshort with a zig-zag or cover-stitch that follows the pad edge. A cheap pad glued in place peels within twenty washes; a stitched pad lasts the life of the garment.

Bibshort — where the ride actually happens

Main body: poly-spandex 82/18 at 210–230 GSM for firm muscle support and 4-way stretch.
Bib straps: open mesh, seamless bonded edges, laser-cut so nothing sits under a jersey.
Leg band: 5–7 cm silicone gripper band, raw-edge or bonded — no elastic bite mark at the quad.
Chamois: stitched on all four sides, contoured to match the target ride duration.
Rear panel: often a darker colour to hide inevitable saddle marks after a wet ride.

Custom cycling kit programmes

Findup Sports produces sublimated cycling jerseys and bibshorts for clubs, sportives and cycling brands — full race and club fits, chamois options across the ride-duration ladder.

Request a cycling catalogue Back to encyclopedia