I’ve got a couple of pair of protective shorts- hip’s a bit ****ed so for harder riding it’s nice to have the reassurance. 661’s Bomber Evos are barely any more noticable than a plain lycra short- they get sweaty over hte course of a day but that’s all really. Thin so they go under regular kit. No chamois though. Downside is the protection isn’t that complete, there’a fair few gaps in the padding, but there’s coccyx protection. These I can wear all day for XC riding if I feel like it.
But also got another pair of those- Pros? Not sure of the model. Much bulkier and more complete coverage, better protection of the ends of the femur and a bit more coccyx padding as well. But a lot sweatier, and bulkier. I only wear these for downhill, wouldn’t want to pedal or even push up in them.
POC’s shorts do have a tiny wee chamois, which spoiled them for me but might be more your thing. They feel much more protective with the hardshell but are more noticable and bulky.