INONI Cycling Pads – A Comprehensive Guide and Comparison
The pad in your cycling shorts is one of those pieces of equipment that literally determines whether you're still smiling in the saddle after a three-hour ride or already mentally cursing your purchase. A good pad isn't a luxury. It's the foundation of cycling comfort. But a pad alone—even the best in the world—won't perform miracles without two things: proper positioning on the bike and saddle cream.
Cycling Position: The Underrated Key to Comfort
Before investing in a more expensive seat pad, consider something fundamental: is your position on the bike correct? It's not about spending 1,500 PLN on a professional bike fit. A professional's guidance – from a trainer, a more experienced friend, or a quick visit to a good bike shop – can work wonders. An incorrectly adjusted saddle (too high, too low, too far back, at the wrong angle) will cause even a 300 PLN seat pad to cause pain and chafing. Correct position on the bike is crucial, whether you're riding a one-hour ride or a multi-day marathon. Get it right first.
Saddle cream: a must, not an option
On long rides, a pad alone is no longer enough. This is where chamois cream comes in handy – it eliminates friction, protects the skin, and prevents chafing. INONI offers SMARRR Chamois Cream – a cream designed for cyclists, which can be applied both to the body and directly to the pad. If you're planning a ride lasting longer than 3-4 hours, a saddle cream is an absolute must-have. Remember: even the best pad won't provide complete comfort in a position unaccustomed to long distances – but the cream will significantly extend the pain threshold.
INONI inserts – overview and comparison
INONI offers six different cycling pads, each designed for a different type of cyclist and different distance. Below you'll find a graphical comparison, followed by a detailed description of each.
Insert
Driving time
Discipline
Thickness
Level
Grey Concept Comfinoni
9 hours +
Road / Endurance
★★★★★
Pro
Mortirolo 2.0
6 hours +
Road / MTB
★★★★☆
Advanced
Long Distance N3X 3D
24 hours
Ultra / Bikepacking
★★★★★
Ultra
PowerPace 2.0
6 hours +
Road / Gravel
★★★☆☆
Active
Speed
9 hours +
Endurance Road
★★★★★
Pro / Demanding
Ultra Ride
9 hours +
Gravel / Bikepacking
★★★★★
Ultra / Gravel
⚠️ Important: Even the best chamois won't replace proper cycling position and skin conditioning for long distances. If you're just starting out on long rides, start with shorter rides and gradually increase your ride time. The chamois will do its job, but your body needs time to adjust.
Detailed description of each insert
9 hours +
Grey Concept Comfinoni
Road · Endurance · Pro Tour
★★★★★
INONI's flagship chamois for demanding road cyclists. The Grey Concept Comfinoni features precise ergonomics and a multi-layer construction that ensures complete comfort for over 9 hours of riding. Special memory foam conforms to the cyclist's anatomy, and moisture management works reliably even on hot days.
Perfect for cyclists undertaking long road courses and athletes competing in gran fondos or ultramarathons, this insert is designed to provide comfort where others fail – in the final two hours of a very long ride.
The Mortirolo 2.0 is an improved version of one of INONI's most popular inserts ever. Version 2.0 features improved geometry and materials, making the insert more abrasion-resistant and better at wicking moisture. It guarantees comfort on rides lasting six hours or more.
An excellent pad for road and mountain bike cyclists who regularly ride 4-6 hours a day. It combines solid comfort with good ventilation, performing well on both asphalt and more challenging terrain.
The Long Distance N3X 3D is a pad for ultras. Designed for non-stop trails, bikepacking races, and cycling marathons, it guarantees comfort for 24 hours of continuous riding – but with one important caveat:
Note: The N3X 3D chamois performs optimally when the rider weighs over 75 kg. At lower body weights, the foam may not cushion as effectively, reducing comfort over very long distances.
3D technology means a three-dimensional foam structure that adapts to the shape of the saddle and rider, rather than just providing vertical cushioning. This is crucial on 12- to 24-hour rides, where the body changes position hundreds of times.
Recommended for: ultra cyclists, bikepacking, minimum weight 75 kg · Ride time: 24 h · Technology: N3X 3D
6 hours +
PowerPace 2.0
Road · Gravel · Basic Premium
★★★☆☆
The PowerPace 2.0 is INONI's excellent entry-level pad, easily lasting 6 hours or more of riding. Ideal for cyclists looking for solid comfort without the expense of top-of-the-line models. Excellent value for money.
The pad performs well on both road and gravel. For many cyclists who ride up to 5-6 hours a day, the PowerPace 2.0 will be the perfect choice – stiffer and lighter than ultra models, while still providing full comfort throughout the entire day.
Recommended for: active cyclists, road, gravel, recreation and sports · Ride time: 6 h+ · Character: light, airy
9 hours +
Speed
Road Endurance · Challenging cyclists
★★★★★
Speed is a chamois created for demanding endurance road cyclists. Designed to provide complete comfort for 9 or more hours in the saddle—without compromise. Thin in the front section, denser where needed, with excellent ventilation.
The Speed chamois combines anatomical precision with the performance of premium materials. It's the choice for cyclists who know what they want and don't settle for saddle soreness on long road rides. Ideal for gran fondos, endurance events, and sporty one-day rides.
Recommended for: demanding road cyclists, endurance, gran fondo · Ride time: 9 h+ · Style: sporty-endurance
9 hours +
Ultra Ride
Gravel · Bikepacking · Meaty, long distance
★★★★★
The Ultra Ride is a gravel pad for tough guys. "Meaty" is the best word to describe it. Thick, sturdy, and built for long-distance gravel and bikepacking. It guarantees comfort for nine or more hours of riding on gravel, cobblestones, and forest roads.
The Ultra Ride chamois shorts are the choice of ultras like those competing in the Parle Gravel Adventure Race. The chamois absorbs vibrations from uneven surfaces better than road models, ensuring comfort even on the most challenging sections. Ideal when paired with SMARRR cream for rides lasting over 6 hours.
Your choice of pad depends on three factors: distance (how many hours you spend in the saddle), discipline (road, gravel, MTB, ultra), and your body weight (the N3X 3D pad requires a minimum of 75 kg). For short rides (up to 3 hours), PowerPace 2.0 will suffice. For 4-6 hour rides, Mortirolo 2.0 or PowerPace 2.0. For road endurance over 6 hours, choose Grey Concept Comfinoni or Speed. For gravel and ultra, choose Ultra Ride or N3X 3D.
🧴 SMARRR Chamois Cream – a must-have for every cyclist
Regardless of which pad you choose, for rides lasting over 3-4 hours, saddle cream is an absolute must-have. SMARRR Chamois Cream, available from INONI, is a proven cream developed with cyclists in mind. It eliminates friction, protects skin, and extends comfort for hours. Apply to your body and/or directly to your pad before every long ride.
Also remember that a pad in an unfamiliar position—regardless of the model—will not provide full long-distance comfort. Start with shorter rides, build endurance gradually, maintain proper cycling position , and choose a pad tailored to your goals. Then, every ride will be a pleasure, not a struggle with pain.
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