Tractor Seat + nylon pants = PIA

[Chip]

I like the tractor seats in the two Wenonas I paddle. In combination with foot bars, I feel well locked-in on the tractor seats.

But, a problem for me is I develop a sore at the top of my butt crack. I’m pretty sure my pants are the culprit. Two seams cross at right angles a few inches below the belt line, which creates a bit of a bump in the material. Usually I wear pants of nylon blend that are quick dry and offer protection from the sun and insects. I have pants by Columbia, REI, Patagonia, and Kuhl, and they all have those intersecting seams. So do blue jeans.

I tried taping two strips of 1/2” foam to the back of the tractor seat, separated in the middle by an inch of space in the middle, right where my butt sore develops. That helped. The foam also made me realize I twist my butt in the seat as I paddle. I push with my paddle-side leg with every paddle stroke, which makes my butt move in the seat. Is that incorrect technique? The foam pads prevented butt rotation, and I didn’t like that.

It seems like a simple solution is getting pants that don’t have that seam across the back of the pants. There are no cross-butt seams on dress slacks, so perhaps I just need to upgrade my canoeing attire. However, I don’t know of any dress slacks that are made with quick-dry, DWR material either. I’m pretty sure a kilt would resolve the problem, but that would leave my legs to get sunburnt and bug eaten. Also, athletic tights usually feature flat-stitched seams, but they lack pockets and would make me feel self-conscious off the river.

Anybody else run into this pain in the butt issue, and if so, what’d you do about it?

 

[Mason]

Have you tried a complete foam seat cushion (eg blue foam)? I've put those on all my tractor seats. One thing they might do is raise your butt up 3/4 inch, which might help with your pants (less seat depth). But I've never had problems with bare seats either--foam is just cushier.

 

[Tryin']

Just put a smooth patch over the inside of your pants.

 

[gumpus]

I have trouble with long term comfort on my Advantage. I use various pads to help.

You might want to get some padded bicycle pants. No seams and some padding right where you need it.

 

[GeoBoy]

But, a problem for me is I develop a sore at the top of my butt crack

TMI

 

[tketcham]

It seems like a simple solution is getting pants that don’t have that seam across the back of the pants.

That might be the simplest solution but adding a full layer of bubble-foam padding to the seat would certainly provide some relief from the seam overlap abrasion. That and maybe tilting the seat forward a bit to shift the pressure point(s) off the back of the seat. I glued in foam padding and raised the back of the seat half an inch using seat risers and it's very comfortable for hit-and-switch paddling.

The foam also made me realize I twist my butt in the seat as I paddle. I push with my paddle-side leg with every paddle stroke, which makes my butt move in the seat. Is that incorrect technique? The foam pads prevented butt rotation, and I didn’t like that.

Sliding around on the tractor seat isn't necessarily a bad thing, or a good thing; all depends on your technique and preferences. Even with a full layer of foam padding your butt will slide a bit, perhaps enough to work for you.