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
Cycling Plus (UK) - Dec 09
Silky smooth and stretchy, these leggings with a fleecy inner feel wonderfully soft and elastic as soon as you put them on. They're made from Hotshot Lycra designed to keep out winter chills - and they do keep your knees cosy on cool rides. The styling is flattering and also very comfortable for riding, the eight panel construction with long s-shaped flat seams stretching freely as you pedal. They only proviso is that the hems are quite tight, so if you have big calves you might want to go up a size. The Softail pad is also one of the most comfortable we've tried on and off the bike. It's anatomically shaped, with varying levels of foam, without feeling like a bandy- legged cowgirl.
Overall: Comfortable and flattering - what did you wear before? 9/10
What Mountain Bike (UK) - Jan 07
A tight is a tight is a tight. Except when it's a knicker or three-quarter. And with the Witches Britches it's the detail that sets them apart from the rest, keeping multiple pairs in the wardrobes long beyond the point where they're indecently see-through and holey. Fluffy fleece-lined knees keep delicate ligaments happy, a wide, high, elastic-free waistband keeps kidneys warm while ensuring the post-Christmas guilt ride is far more comfy than it should be, and the funky moulded, anti-bacterial, synthetic pad does a good job of channelling air and moisture to their separate destinations. The fabrics weight's spot on: not too light to wear alone when it's a bit nippy, not too heavy to under a pair of tights for really grotty days. Plus it's tough enough to withstand the ravages of the worst hedges we could find to crash in. Ground Effect's trademark longevity should see this tweaked incarnation of an old classic on the knees of hardy riders for years to come.
UnderGround - Feb 06
Ants in Your Pants
I've been the lucky owner of a pair of Witches Britches since their birth some year's ago from the cauldron that is the Ground Effect skunk works. As I get older and my knees become my most attractive and treasured body part, the Witches Britches have taken on a new importance. No longer do they hide in the rarely exposed back section of the drawer that is home to my cycling wardrobe. Nope, they have moved up to pole position - front left hand corner, easily grabbed in the pre-dawn dank.
So why do I love them so? Well, their 8-panel construction fits great and conforms to my body while maneuvering technical rocky sections. But for me the ace is their 3/4 length - covering my knees with a fluffy insert. Ah... warm knees. Such comfort when rushing through dank, twisty, beech forest - or commuting home in the rain on a day that couldn't have looked finer and more settled (you know, the one when I left my jacket at home). I also chuck in a pair as my preferred riding short when on holiday as you can just never tell with New Zealand weather.
Pah... who needs a broomstick I say.
Helena Parsons
Outwitted, outlawed and... out riding
Bloop bloop. Ditte does the fish. Lake Heron, Mid Canterbury.
Photo: Dave Mitchell
Hot Shot™ Lycra®
4-way stretch nylon with a brushed inner for winter warmth and a tightly woven,
hardwearing outer. Dries quickly and is blended with 13% Lycra® to stretch
and move with your body.
> Composition: 87% nylon; 13% lycra
Sizing
Check out the chart to suss out where you fit. This 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.
| Women | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WS (8-10) |
WM (12) |
WL (14) |
WXL (16-18) |
|
|
Bust |
88 - 92 cm |
93 - 97 cm |
98 - 102 cm |
103 - 107 cm |
|
Waist |
63 - 69 cm |
70 - 76 cm |
77 - 83 cm |
84 - 90 cm |
|
Hips |
89 - 95 cm |
96 - 102 cm |
103 - 109 cm |
110 - 116 cm |
Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble... genuine black magic for piloting broomsticks and fighting winter chills. Witches Britches combine 8-panel performance with below-the-knee styling and Hot Shot Lycra to keep you and your knees toasty warm.
> HighRise rear ensures a generous overlap with your cycle top.
> Wide elastic waist band for maximum comfort.
> 'Contour fit' with s-shaped seams allows the lycra to stretch freely with your body.
> 8-panel construction.
> Flat seams for enhanced comfort.
> Softail Pad - 3D anatomical shaping, multi-level foam, rapid drying, seamless synthetic 'chamois' pad with anti-bacterial finish.
> Hardwearing, quick drying, non-shiny Hot Shot Lycra.
> WXL size option.
> Made by us in New Zealand.
> The Witches Britches are constructed from 4-way stretch Hot Shot thermal Lycra for increased warmth.
> The Short Cuts are summer shorts for women made from standard weight ShockWave Lycra.
> The Witches Britches are a bit longer than the Short Cuts - reaching to mid-calf - and have flat seams for additional comfort.
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.