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IB13: Descente Introduces Poron Xrd Chamois – Creates Body Armor for your Bits?

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Descente poron XRD chamois shorts (2)

Ok, we’re pretty sure Descente’s intent was never to create a protective chamois, but in the pursuit of comfort that’s basically what happened. In one of the more innovative approaches to chamois design we’ve seen in a while, Descente looked to Poron XRD – the same material used in body armor like G-Form’s reactionary knee pads. When Descente investigated using Poron XRD for chamois they found that it was great at absorbing low speed vibrations for long term comfort, but under hard impacts (think potholes, mounting your CX bike, etc) the added protection of the instantly stiffening material was a welcomed bonus.

Just how do you go about adding impact absorbing foam to a chamois? Descente has the details next.

Descente poron XRD chamois shorts (3)

Poron XRD is an incredible material, but an entire chamois made out of the stuff would be heavy, and honestly probably horrible. To make it work, Descente uses a thin foam cover and then sandwiches the black foam pictured to the left and the Poron XRD as seen by the yellow sections. The result is a chamois that Descente says is probably the most comfortable they’ve tried.

Descente poron XRD chamois shorts (4)

In 2014, the Poron XRD chamois will only be found in their top of the line Full Gas bib short. In addition to the technologically advanced chamois, the shorts have a race cut combined with their Compress Tech fabric for a high end short worthy of the term “Full Gas.”

Descente poron XRD chamois shorts (1)

Instead of silicone grippers of any kind, the Full Gas Bibs use a 2.5″ compression band around the thigh. Both men and women get a Full Gas design, each built with the same technology with the men’s short going for $200 and the women’s at $180.

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NASH
NASH
10 years ago

All my shorts are “Full of Gas”

Jack Luke
10 years ago

This is a fantastic idea, but $200 seems ludicrously steep considering the knee pads come in at £40~

dirty
dirty
10 years ago

Someone should make a saddle with this stuff!

Aaron Lieberman
Aaron Lieberman
10 years ago

@jack. Have you looked at other high end bibs. That is about this par for the course.

Mindless
Mindless
10 years ago

Good idea.

Gillis
Gillis
10 years ago

This would make more sense in a pair of mtb shorts

Bas
Bas
10 years ago

am i the only one that reads “porn chamois”?

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