2XU are some of my favorites for plain black bottoms, and I have pretty big thighs. I like that they come in longer coverage options, cause I like more support and protection for my legs. Some of the ladies bottoms are really getting too short for me. I also have a pair of pearl izumi's that look great, but seams and panel aren't the best construction for long distance....however, they do have a tie strap up top that I like. Favorites are squadra brand which are used on our custom kits, but ladies short has gotten too short, so I wear the mens variety.

I have some SheBeest capri length that I love. I have some Pearl Izumi shorts that I haven't worn yet that seem like they are going to be an OK fit, but might prefer just a smidge more thigh room.

I have big thighs and full hips. I have a pair of Endura capri length that I cannot wear. They are for someone with relatively thinner thighs and bigger waist than I have. This causes the pad to be too loose from the bigger top portion/ride down too low since the pants don't want to go up my thighs any further, and it gets caught on my seat when I try to get back on the seat after stepping down for stop signs. It's a safety issue.

It's a small sample that I have - one of each brand - and I need to see if the way the fit is designed is consistent across each of them.

I plan to look for more SheBeest, but I also want to find some 2XUs. I don't know about the Zoots at all yet, so I have to see where they are on the fit spectrum for me.

I was given advise to invest in a pair of tri-shorts. I've decided to do my 1st duathlon in August - 1 mile r/12.4 mile b/3.1 mile r - and I'm not even sure I will do another one yet. All the shorts I see are expensive, especially for someone who is trying this out. Nor do I have an athlete's body, I would not look "smooth" in them, and several I've seen on-line are too small for me, even in the largest size they have.

Question is - are they really worth it? Or would I be ok using my Wal-Mart rack clothes in August and then if I decide later invest away?

Keep in mind, each brand makes a few different shorts that will vary in cut, compression, etc. So simple brand recommendations are tough to go by.

That said, I've had reasonable luck with 2XU, TYR, Orca, Sugio, and Blue Seventy, and would recommend those brands as broad generalizations with the suggestion that you try on a few pairs to see what fits/feels best.

Speaking more specifically, my favorite (and it's not even close) is the DeSoto Forza line. I raced/trained/lived in their tri bibs last year and bought a tri suit for this year. Probably the best piece of tri clothing I own.

My go to brand is 2XU but that's largely a function of the lines carried by triboutique.ca and they're frequently on sale (last year's model etc etc)

i got a pair of pearl izumi tri shorts for my first tri because i love my pear izumi bike shorts. however, they are not the same fit - the tri shorts are low waisted and have no draw string, so i don't recommend. they have several fits though so you might go to a good store and try some on. i did find that i had to size up in the tri clothes for the most part. i'm not satisfied with mine and will likely buy a one-piece for my next tri in august.

good luck!

If I were a woman I'd look at SOAS and Coeur as they're designed specifically for women.

Tri shorts were the only thing I jumped in on for my first race. You can find good brands cheap at places like Sierra Trading Post or Discount Tri Supply. They tend to be last year's model, but who cares?

I got my new SheBeest ones from Sierra Trading Post. I used them (finally) last week, and I am in heaven. I have loved all of their products - well, the ones I bought, anyway. The particular pair I got is not labelled a tri-short, but a bike short. However, the pad is thinner than my bike pants/shorts, and it's stretchy/flexible and I can barely feel it is there and will be able to run in them. It might not provide all the padding I need for long rides (if I was ONLY into riding), but since I've also got that run portion, I can't go for the bulky ones... (Need to get myself callused-up, I guess.) Plus - very important here! - they co-ordinate with the tri top I already had.

While it's true that the fit across a brand is usually not the same, generally a brand makes their products to fit a particular body type so it's easier to find more products within a brand once you find one that seems to fit your build. I wish I could wear REI brand pants, but I simply cannot. One in a great while will fit, but it's not worth my time when there are other brands that consistently fit.

Having been a woman who could not fit into the largest sizes (and even almost sized out of the larger of the women's sizes), I understand where this question is coming from. (And I know I'm not the only one around here who does. ) Taking into account that last comment about wanting all sorts of things for your bike, Dreamer, I'd say you are going to be looking for bike shorts fairly soon. They do make some in women's sizes, although they are expensive and harder to find in discount places like STP. It sounds like you are smitten with your bike. If you think it will be a while before you fit into "normal" sizes, and you can afford it, you might want to consider getting some now (though I still think you can make do with whatever you want to run in and adding a gel seat if you need one). But if you are changing sizes fairly rapidly, you might want to wait. They need to fit snuggly, otherwise the pad can get hung up on the seat when you are positioning yourself on the bike. This can become a safety hazard.

I have a pair of Saucony tri shorts. I think they were only 20 dollars on Amazon, and I am cheap, so that was a winner. They are comfortable and dry out quickly, just enough padding for the bike that you know something is there.