Details
Softail Pad delivers unparalleled comfort for those gnarly long days in the saddle. Differential density, multi-level foam construction provides additional padding at pressure points without increased bulk. 3D anatomical shaping and seamless construction hug your body for a performance fit. Polyester-knit face fabric against your skin disperses heat and moisture. Anti-bacterial finish maintains hygiene. Dries rapidly after washing.
Reviews
What Mountain Bike (UK) - Jun 03
We're never afraid to recommend kit from Anzac web boutique Ground Effect, and the Sputniks are no exception. As usual for GE simplicity is the key, but the six-panel fit is spot on, with high back to keep kidneys and spine cosy and a broad waistband and leg cuffs to stop them digging in. The matt Nylon/Lycra blend fabric is super durable and the moisture moving treatment stops them getting soggy. A small inner pocket takes care of keys and a credit card, and the trademark puncture repair patch is in there. Reflective logo on the side enhances nocturnal survival, The pad is big and basic, but gives plenty of support and comfort at the expense of slight heat and sweat build up. Pairs we've had for years still aren't looking tired either which makes them look even better value. Also available in women's Jitterbug version.
Performance: 8 /10; Value: 9/10
Verdict: Big pad but good durable performance at a great price.
Cycling Plus (UK) - Sep 01
Named after the space satellite, the Sputniks are Lycra shorts you can wear all day without noticing them well, almost. If you're riding an endurance race it's probably better to use classic race shorts rather than bib shorts as it's easier to take a roadside pee and they're cooler in the hot weather.
While some manufacturers choose to us elaborately stitched seating pads (Assos's Campionissimo bib shorts, for example), Ground Effect use a plain seamless synthetic chamois pad which works almost as well as the Campionissimos provided talc is applied to the pad to absorb sweat in hot weather. The cut is on the small side which suits slimmer riders, and the 'high rise' at the back ensures that not gaps appear between your shorts and jersey. The best part of these shorts is the Lycra - dense, high quality material that's soft to the touch. The reflective Ground Effect logo gets you seen at night, and there's a tiny internal rear pocket for an emergency phone call coin.
Verdict: 8/10
Highly durable shorts and outstanding value for money.
What bump? Dave rolls through a ditch on his 29er, Reefton.
Photo: Ditte Van der Mulen
ShockWave™ Lycra®
4-way stretch nylon with a non-shiny finish. It’s soft against your skin,
yet is incredibly tough and dries quickly. Blended with 16% Lycra® to deliver
body-hugging performance and durability.
> Composition: 84% nylon; 16% lycra
Sizing
This chart is a guide only – if you fall in-between sizes, the right size for you will depend on your body shape and how loose or tight you like to wear your clothes. It's no hassle to swap it, if your first choice is not the best fit.
| Unisex | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XS |
S |
M |
L |
XL |
|
|
Height |
154 -
164 cm |
163 -
172 cm |
169 - 178 cm |
175 - 185 cm |
183 - 191 cm |
|
Chest |
84 - 90 cm |
91 -
97 cm |
98 - 104 cm |
105 - 111 cm |
112 - 118 cm |
|
Waist |
66 - 72 cm |
73 - 79 cm |
80 - 86 cm |
87 - 93 cm |
94 - 100 cm |
|
Hips |
78 - 86 cm |
87 - 95 cm |
96 - 103 cm |
104 - 111 cm |
112 - 120 cm |
Unisex vs Women's Sizes
Most Ground Effect designs are unisex. The jackets, tights
and baggy tops generally fit both men and women equally well.
Fitted garments like cycle shorts and some tops are more gender
specific so there is generally a women's version in the Outskirts
range.
Expedition issue cycling shorts as worn by Vladimir under his spacesuit on the ill-fated 'Tour de la Lune'. Constructed from non-shiny ShockWave Lycra with a Softail pad to deliver plush, long range comfort and durability.
> Softail Pad - 3D anatomical shaping, multi-level foam, rapid drying, seamless synthetic 'chamois' pad with anti-bacterial finish.
> 'Contour fit' with s-shaped seams allows the lycra to stretch freely with your body.
> Flat seams for enhanced comfort.
> 8-panel construction.
> Hardwearing, quick drying, non-shiny ShockWave Lycra.
> HighRise rear ensures a generous overlap with your cycle top.
> Wide elastic waistband for maximum comfort.
> Hazard! reflective label.
> Made by us in New Zealand.
> Supersonics and Sputniks are made from Nylon Lycra with a high Lycra content (16%) giving the fabric heaps of stretch and memory. In addition it is treated with a moisture management solution which disperses moisture - which makes them less 'sweaty' than conventional nylon shorts and they dry very quickly (overnight if you're touring).
> The Supersonics and Sputniks share the same multi-level Softail pad. The Supersonics boast a 10-panel design with twin s-shaped seams compared to the Sputniks 8-panels and single s-shaped seams. The additional panels in the Supersonics allow for more shaping in the design, providing a firmer performance fit. The Supersonics also have an internal rear pocket and reflective Ground Effect logo for side-on visibility.
Tell me about the pad in these shorts.
> Softail™ Pad delivers unparalleled comfort for those gnarly long days in the saddle. Differential density, multi-level foam construction provides additional padding at pressure points without increased bulk. 3D anatomical shaping hugs your body for a performance fit. Ribbed polyester-knit face fabric against your skin disperses heat and moisture. Anti-bacterial finish maintains hygiene. Dries rapidly after washing.
> It requires no special care and dries very quickly after washing (it loves a warm wash!).
> There are two main differences between the women's-specific and men's-unisex versions of the Softail pad. While the molded part of the pad remains the same the pad is shorter at the front in the women's version. The position of the pad in the short is also gender specific, with differently shaped Lycra panels in the short's gusset supporting the pad.
Should I wear underwear with these shorts?
> Hell no. You want to have as smooth an interface as possible between your bum and the saddle. The seams on your underwear will inevitably be in the wrong place - causing rubbing and saddle sores. Also underwear is generally cotton - nice for everyday use but damp skin below is more susceptible to chaffing.
Washing Instructions?
> Ground Effect shorts enjoy a warm machine wash. Try to avoid cold-water detergents and those with bleach. The cold-water varieties have little enzymes that are super-charged to brave the cold but can damage technical fabrics and may cause skin irritation. Bleach strips dye and can also cause irritation.
> With shorts in particular, cold-water detergents and those with bleach can cause 'nappy-rash' so if you're experiencing issues in that department try a warm wash and a change of cleaning brew. As a rule of thumb, product that is easy on the planet is also easy on your body. Plant based soaps like Ecover or specific sport wash formula are recommended.
> Hand washing is sometimes the only option on tour, but a washing machine rinses more thoroughly and is preferable if you have the choice.
> The shorts and pad dry super-fast, so drying on the line or hanging over the bedpost does the trick. Or use a dryer on a warm (not hot) cycle.
> UV rays accelerate the decay of Lycra. Our fabric is knitted so the Lycra component lies on the inside of the fabric - shielding it from the sun when you're out riding. Consequently you should avoid drying these shorts inside-out. It's not a bad idea to do so occasionally as the sun does help keep the pad hygienic - although it is treated with an anti-bacterial finish anyway. But drying in this manner is a trade-off with the damage done to the Lycra.
> It's common practice to not wear underwear with your riding shorts so you need to wash your shorts daily.