I have been wearing Pearl Izumi Pro shorts for many years. Recently the prices keep getting higher and the pads are too bulky where they don't need to be. The CASTELLI MEN'S ENDURANCE 3 SHORT has plenty of padding in the sit bone area. But there is a relief channel, down the center and to the front of the short, that prevents the numbness that I was getting on road rides with the Pearl Izumi shorts. The Castelli shorts are also more compression and do not "creep down" your leg. This keeps the chamois in close contact and eliminates friction.
The good: I love the outer fit and fabric (they do run a little small). The chamois is just the right thickness for comfort and performance. Now the bad: the fabric that covers the chamois is excessive, more than any shorts I've ever owned in many years of riding, to the point that I wonder if I got defective shorts. The excess fabric tends to bunch up, sometimes right near my ischial tuberosities, which is about the worst thing for long-distance comfort and performance. Overall disappointing for this price.
I wear a size medium in multiple other quality name brands (Assos, Pearl Izumi), but this shorts size medium was too tight. The chamois is excellent. The fabric seems a little less stretchy than others.
Love these cycling shorts! Loaded with all the best of Castelli's comfort and compression technology. The only concern I have is they seem a bit high waisted compared to earlier comparable Castelli shorts of equal quality. I wash them in cold water and medium spin after each ride and they seem to last well over 300 long rides. Comfort worth the price!
Ordered these nice shorts in large, same nominal size as my previous Castellis.
Pair I received was labeled Large, but they were tiny
on me.
(I�m 150 lbs, 5�11�, 34 waist) and they also had that annoying (to me) low cut waist now popular.
Had to return (which, btw was zero problem).
I�ve had sizing problem b4 w/ other Castelli products.
I�ll go two sizes larger, see if that works, as I really like these shorts
These are great shorts with an excellent chamois and tight legs with great let grippers at the bottom. They seem even smaller than other Castelli shorts, though, so order one size larger. I normally wear large shorts and other Castelli large shorts fit, but I needed an XL in these.
By far the most padding I've ever had in a short. I would never wear these on a regular ride, but I do have a big ride coming up so I'm giving these a try. For long rides it sounds like the common wisdom is to have two different shorts, these are about as different from my Pearl Izumi's as I can imagine.
These shorts run way too small. Unfortunate because otherwise it would be a fine product. Ordered the XXL for my 36" waist, could barely get them on. Might consider the 3XL if they become available.
Very well made, but the only issue was the cuff was too loose for me and this is because I have thin knee joints. Why did I give it 5 stars? Because the quality is very good (and nothing ticks me off when reviewers trash a product b/c of a fit issue, as if everyone is made the same).
