Terry Peloton.

  • Sidesaddle Blog
    • Cycling Savvy
    • Brooklyn Fit Chick
    • Bikecast
    • From Georgena
  • Pressroom
    • Terry in the News.
  • Ride It Forward
  • Videos
    • How To Videos
    • Short and Sweet Videos
    • Bicycle Design Videos
    • Odds and Ends Videos
  • Terry Home
You are here: Home / Sidesaddle Blog / GETTING A GRIP ON BIKE SHORT LEG BANDS

GETTING A GRIP ON BIKE SHORT LEG BANDS

June 17, 2022 By Camarin Raine Leave a Comment

Over the course of the last decade, the technologies involved in keeping your shorts from riding up have evolved into way more comfortable options. Due to the different fabrics and panel construction we use for different types of shorts, we offer a wide variety that don’t necessarily make decision-making easy. This article will highlight the myriad options, why you might prefer one versus another and which shorts use them.

Fully Integrated Gripper

What it is: Silicone print applied directly to the bottom 2” of the short fabric, eliminating the need for a separate leg band.

Pros: Stays in place without pressure against thigh; no separate leg band (no sausage effect), no stitching, seamlessly smooth fit against leg.

Cons: Costly to apply and limited to certain fabrics. Uses silicone (an occasional irritant to sensitive skin).

Shorts that use this gripper: The Chill Series

Fully Integrated Gripper show on Chill Tri Short

Grip 700/305

What it is: Separate laser-cut leg band fabric lined with a silicone print for all-over grip

Pros: Lightweight and minimally constructed; only one seam attaching the leg band onto the short. Provides a sleek, low-profile finish with soft grip.

Cons: Requires stitching and uses silicone.

Shorts that use this gripper: Bella Prima Short, Power Short, and Peloton Short.

Grip 700/305 shown on Bella Prima Short

Woven Gripper

What it is: A classic for bike shorts and one we’ve used with many of our bottoms for many years. Elastic with rubber threads woven into the face to provide a gentle grip. This style of grip is sewn on the inside hem of the short.

Pros: Remains comfortable against the skin during long rides and multi-day tours. Stays firmly in place and won’t ride up while pedaling. Durable construction withstands heavy use. No silicone used.

Cons: Is a narrower gripper application so it can cinch thigh depending on where it falls on the leg. Requires stitching.

Shorts that use this gripper: Touring Shorts in all lengths.

Woven Gripper shown on Touring Short/Regular

Elastic with Silicone Grip Strip

What it is: Elastic band with silicone grip strip sewn on the inside hem of the short.

Pros: Offers more grip than the woven elastic grippers so it will stay firmly in place while pedaling. Durable construction will withstand heavy use.

Cons: Uses silicone. Is a narrower gripper application so it can cinch thigh depending on where it falls on the leg. Requires stitching.

Shorts that use this gripper: Bella Shorts in all lengths.

Elastic With Silicone Grip Strip shown on Bella Short LTD

Bonded/Partial Bonded Gripper

What it is: A strategic mash-up of two different finishes. The inner leg panels are folded back and bonded for a stitch-less, gripper-less, chafe-free finish. The outer leg panels feature a separate self-fabric fold over band with a silicone chain grip printed onto the interior edge of the fabric.

Pros: Provides a gentle grip; no need for restrictive elastics or extra stitching. Inner leg is free from stitching for longer distances and extended use.

Cons: Outer leg band requires seaming. Uses silicone.

Shorts that use this gripper: Grand Touring Short

Bonded Gripper shown on Grand Touring Short

Self-Fabric Fold-Over Hem

What it is: A simple, comfort-focused approach consisting of a folded over band of fabric sewn onto the short. The double layer of fabric increases compression to keep things in place without the use of a gripper. ‘Self-Fabric’ means the leg band utilizes the same fabric as the rest of the short.

Pros: Does not use grippers or elastics that could cause discomfort.

Cons: Can move around more compared to shorts that have grippers. Requires stitching to attach leg band to short.

Shorts that use it: Breakaway Short, Euro Short, Actif Short, Soleil Short, Holster Hi Rise Short, and Holster Prima Short.

Self-Fabric Fold Over Hem shown on Breakaway Short LTD

Zig Zag Fold-Over Hem

What it is: No separate leg band. The bottom edge of the short is folded under and finished with a zig-zag stitch. This seaming method has just the right amount of stretch to avoid binding/cinching the thigh. Similar to the ‘Self-Fabric Fold-over Band’, this construction results in 2 layers of fabric, increasing the compression of the leg band to keep it in place.

Pros: Uses minimal stitching, reducing the potential for discomfort. No gripper used and therefore minimal opportunity for binding/sausage effect against the thigh.

Cons: Has the potential to move around while pedaling. Does use minimal stitching, potentially reducing durability.

Shorts that use it: Wayfarer Short, Freedom 2-in-1 and Bike Bermuda Short.

Zig Zag Fold Over Hem shown on Wayfarer Short

Raw-Cut Leg

What it is: The minimalist approach designed to provide complete leg band freedom. The legs are clean cut—no hem stitching, no separate leg band, no silicone, no grip.

Pros: Forgiving fit. Completely free of restriction, grippers, and stitching that could lead to irritation.

Cons: Legs will shift a little while pedaling due to the lack of gripper. Can only be used with certain fabric type and inseam length.

Shorts that use it: NEW Easy Rider Short

Raw-Cut Leg shown on Easy Rider Short

Filed Under: Sidesaddle Blog


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

CYCLING SAVVY

Field guide to the best cycling tights
Women riding mountainbikes on snow covered trails, wearing Terry winter cycling gear
woman riding mountain bike in winter - tips for winter cycling
photo of woman climbing a hill on a bicycle, smiling, with dramatic nountain scenery in the background
Why choose a Terry bike saddle?
10,000 miles on the wrong saddle - Photo of a San Marco racing saddle
Image with art from a vintage poster featuring a smiling woman riding a bicycle with energy, and text reading 7 things you need to know for more comfortable cycling.
How to choose your go-to cycling tops
Everything you ever wanted to know about choosing bike bottoms but didn't know to ask.
Why choose a Terry bike saddle?

Copyright © 2023 Terry Precision Cycling, LLC | Shop The Best In Cycling Apparel For Women, & Saddles For All Riders.