EZRUNMen's 3D Padded Mountain Bike Shorts Lightweight MTB Cycling Shorts

Q: Is the pad foam or gel? Is pad thick or thin? Are they good for triathlons?

It's a farm saddle type pad.The pad is thick.Perfect for triathlons.

Q: I wear size 32 or 33 waist everything, size large for all athletic shorts. i am thinking because these are from asia i should go with medium?

If anything the medium may be just a tad large on me, but I don't think anything would be better. (I wear a 33 most of the time, but sometimes a 32).

Q: How do these built-in type shorts with padding compare to buying the shorts and padding separately? less to wash? annoying? anything... thank you

Mark, I cannot compare the shorts and padding separation. But the shorts w/padding combined are great. After done riding I turn then inside out for quick drying. Then place in the basket 🧺 for wash. I have not seen the padding detach or move around when ridding. (FYI)