A too soft trouser pad has the same effect as a too soft saddle: the sit bones sink in so far that it usually becomes very uncomfortable and the sensitve soft issue such as muscle and tendons are aggravated and a dull deep pressing pain sets in. Besides the pressure the shear forces caused by the pedaling motion are more decisive. That´s why the SQ-Pads have a very thin layer of orthopedic TPE gel. This gel was specially developed to absorb shear forces in the medical field.