loimpact

So for anybody else who gets Bicycling magazine, there's a page in there of Q & A stuff & I noticed one was, "Why can't I wear underwear under my riding shorts?" And the answer part goes on to say definitively that you simply can't to avoid saddle sores, chaffing, etc.

I was like....WTF? I've been wearing my tighty whities under my bib shorts for as long as I've been riding. (Plus, bare @$$ junk up against a bunch of nylon & spandex? )

I admit I'm probably a bit naive in the matter as it pertains to cycling but in my running career folks used to say the same crap about running shorts, yet I've worn my tighty whities every run for 6 years running, in everything from 5K up to Half Marathon distance right up to this very day and I've never regretted the decision.

What say ye?

dtrain

I agree that one shouldn't wear any...but can do whatever he or she personally wants. If it works for you, fine.

To clarify, it's bare junk against a chamois or (in the case of running shorts) built-in briefs...right?

zymphad

I wear underwear running, no compression spandex. I don't do marathons, only up to half marathons.
- I didn't wear compression when I was doing 400m and sprint medley relays either.

For cycling, I don't wear underwear, I did get shafing. Unless you don't wipe your butt and keep yourself clean, I don't see an issue. After a ride, I'll fill the sink, throw clothes in with a slight dash of detergent, rinse and hang it up. Takes about 10 minutes. And then throw 'em in with the rest when I do my weekly laundry.

Edonis13

bare ass with a liberal coat of chamois cream. i wont have it any other way.

zymphad

Slippery moist crotch. Ewww.

Reynolds 

Cycling shorts/bibs are designed to be worn without any underwear.

bbattle

Yes, otherwise known as going commando.

Many years ago, the Underwear Nazi roamed these parts. He'd set you straight real quick. See post #7 below

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...ur-shorts.html

caloso

You're doing it wrong.

datlas 

Correct.

You could use underwear with them but that would be user error.

BillyD

Right, wrong, whatever, who cares. If it has been working for you, keep on doing it, don't worry about what everyone else says.

zymphad

At least if you ever start to get shafing as you increase your riding distance, you know what to do.

bt

right, wrong, whatever keep it to yourself.

Reynolds 

True, but why not try for it to work better? The other day in a group ride one of us was on her big/small, at about 40RPM into a headwind. It worked for her, but not for long I'd guess. Some of us recommended her to use a higher cadence/lower gearing, and that worked much better.

Homebrew01

Pics or it didn't hap.... oh, wait, nevermind.

rpenmanparker 

Besides it is his junk and his shorts. I fail to see the problem. OP, you do wash them after each ride, right?

hamster

I put on chamois cream for really long distances (300k and double centuries) but more out of habit than for any specific reasons. I did lots of centuries without it. I need lip balm more than I need chamois cream.

As for underwear, you probably can ride while wearing underwear under the shorts, but I don't see why you'd want to.

rpenmanparker 

Just wondering, how do you get in the habit of doing something for 300k and double centuries? I mean if you only do it for rides of 185 miles or more, wouldn't you actually be in the habit of NOT doing it. Just askin'.

I couldn't resist. Just pulling your chain.

loimpact

Precisely! I can't see how it would really help but I'm open to the idea. (Runners will recall that anything over about 5 miles are worth patching the nipples. Why? Because nipples rubbing up against nylon after a while = bad!!)

So why is it ok with bike shorts?

Why not a thin layer between your most sensitive area and layers of nylon? (Remember, that blue crap ISN'T chamois. The chamois is sandwiched underneath)

Besides, the underwear will certainly better retain a guy's "junk" than some bike shorts that may or may not fit your anatomy as well as your underwear do, no?

(shrug)

hairnet

Protect yourself with soaked cotton? OK

I ride with underwear plenty too because I commute on my bike and do long rides around the city, but I was already in my jeans and it does start to chaff after a few hours.

rpenmanparker 

All wrong. The underwear are the fabric you DON'T want rubbing on you. The chamois is made for that purpose, and with some lubricant it is innocuous. As for retention, the underwear are not nearly as retentive (I don't mean anal-retentive all you arm-chair psychologists.) as the compressive cycling shorts. Give it up. Go commando or go home.

climberguy

I wear Jockey sport briefs. Stretchy, wicking, compressive, no seams in the seat, and definitely not cotton. They work fine under my bib shorts or tights.

As to why, I've had several operations in the groin area in the last 3 years, including tissue grafts that are part of a long-term procedure. I ignore articles like the recent one in Bicycling.

02Giant 

Hopefully it isn't the kitchen sink...that would be disgusting.

wallrat

Do whatever works for you. If you can ride 100 miles in jeans or corduroy, go for it.

Reynolds 

It's different, I think. A runner's nipples are rubbing lightly and are very prone to irritation, much more than butt skin. And it's been established over many years of trial and error - runners tape nipples, cyclists don't wear underwear.

bt

remind me to never borrow your chap stick