Bike shorts??? I've got a ton of questions...Help??

So I just do casual rides...5 miles.  Maybe 4-5 miles, take a break then back home.  Just wondering if I am ready to go with bike shorts?  The last time I weighed I was 217.5  Am worried I will look strange (stupid) in these...Muffin top.  What do I look for?  How tight do I want and need?  I don't race. 
Any...and I really do mean any help would be greatly appreciated.  When and how did you buy your first pair?  I like loose clothes on.  Will these keep me warm?  Do they absorb the moisture?  Is it a waste of time and money??  Thanks, Brian  PS I tried and don't like Underarmor...Too tight.

I got them as soon as I could. I figure why pass up the opportunity to be comfortable? LOL

Just get a size that you feel comfortable with. There are no technical rules like there are for, say, compression wear. It's all about comfort.

I often go up a size in my bike shorts compared to street clothes because of how they are cut. I can sort of just tell if the shorts are too big or too small. I can't explain it and what I like may not be what you like.

 I got them right away as well.  I bought a couple of pair.. a cheap pair from Ebay and a pricey pair of specialized from the bike store...  I can't say I can tell the difference.  I also have a pair of "tri specific" shorts which have a little less padding. 

I'd highly recommend getting a pair - assuming you are riding around 30 minutes, its going to make you feel a lot better (and your parts will appreciate it :)  ) .

I wear normal size as I would for any shorts.  I have a bit of the mushroom thing going on with the loose skin, I just stick it in as best I can.  Do I look a bit funny?  Probably, but in my own head I feel like Lance Armstrong :)

 I wont even get on my bike for a short ride, 5 miles with the kids, with out a pair of bike shorts.  I like a good pair with gel for cushion.  I wair a pair of underarmor under them to keep all the loose skin in place, then a pair of bike shorts, then up til mid summer last year a pair of regular shorts.  Once I was comfortable, I done away with the outer shorts and now just wair the underarmor and bike shorts.  

Funny story.  I was on a bike ride and was at a gas station getting more water and this guy came up in his $50 pickup truck (picture the biggest redneck you can find, no teeth, and had not bathed in about a week) and told the group I was with we all looked rather "gay" in our little bike shorts.  I told him at least we could ride a bike.  He flipped me off and drove back out, without denying the fact he couldn't not ride a bike.  Right then it occurred to me that I wore them for comfort and not what ever body else thought.

I started wearing bike shorts without outer shorts around 250 lbs....no worry friend. Have fun and screw what everybody else thinks!

ROY
www.roytyson.com

Cycling shorts have a Chamoise in there to absorb moisture and provide padding. I would absolutely recommend them. If you are not planning on increasing mileage and or intensity, and have not had a problem with being "Saddle Sore" before, I would save the money. If you DO want cycling shorts, and are worried about "Muffin Top, I would recommend a Cycling BIB. I wore those exclusivey before Plastics for that very reason. Best of luck...

also, compression top under your bike jersey or whatever shirt you are wearing tucked into your bike shorts works as a poor man's bib.  that's what i do for biking and running.

 You have 3 options when it comes to cycling shorts.

1.  The standard "road" shorts are the skin tight ones that most people are familiar with. The material of choice for these type of shorts are made from a Nylon/lycra material that provides the classic stretch and compression. The material weight is (in the United States) measured in onces per yard of material, example 8.4 oz is a thicker version than a 6.5 oz version but the shorts can be any ounce weight. Thicker is a bit heavier, less revealing and provides more support. But in hot/humid conditions may be a bit much. The heavier weight/ounce are somewhat more pricey. Roads shorts have or should have a polyester pad sewn in the sitting area to provide a little padding but is there to mainly transfer moisture away from your skin. 

2. Then you have what is called "mountain" shorts which are basically a road short with some kind of "cargo" short attached or sewn together. The "liner" or inner short fits fairly tight next to your skin is basically a road short with a padding of some sort and the material usually weighs in the 4.5 to 6.5 oz. range. The outer short is of a baggy cargo variety that  has pockets with an almost to the knee length. The mountain type sounds like the style of riding that you are doing by your description. On the bike, maybe off and stopping here and there.

3. The 3rd is basically the same as the liner of a mountain short but is separate and resembles a very light road short and weighs around 6 oz. It can be warn under any shorts, pants or sweatpants that you wish. This is probably the most functional, versatile and cheapest option of the three.

Hope I helped some. Go to  www.nashbar.com  and take a look at their online catalog. They even have a toll free tech line that you can call for sizing information as short sizes do vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. 

If you have a local bike store go and try on the shorts, different brands, different sizes.  Even if you use the sizing in the catalog/web site it is not always 100% accurate, hell, not even 90% accurate.  I bought a pair on-line that were, by the sizing, bigger than I needed, because I did not want to feel too squeezed in.  They were way too small and I had to send back for two sizes bigger.  And all brands are different.  Once you find some brands and the associated sizes then I would buy on-line (usually can find them a *****eaper on-line).  But I would not trade mine, I ended up with mountain biking shorts because I am still not comfortable with how I look in skin tight things.  I regretted not having bought some sooner and I don't know how I was riding without the padding.

I think you will be happy with them when you get them.
Enjoy!
-Angela