rperkins146

Odd question maybe, but I read in an online article where this "pro" said that padded shorts weren't meant to be worn with underwear. I have a difficult time applying this theory. I haven't tried it, and it seems like it would be less comfortable.

My question to those who wear padded shorts:

Do you wear underwear beneath, yes or no?

Shimagnolo

Oh, hell no.
The purpose of the padding is to:
- Prevent chafing.
- Wick moisture away from the skin.

Underwear would get soggy with sweat and hold the moisture against the skin.

WarrenR

If you invest in sports undershorts, that are made of wicking material,it just adds a layer to protect your chamois from some soiling.

PatrickR400

No underwear. You don't want a seam to rub against sensitive skin and the chamois is designed to wick away the moisture. Wash the shorts after every ride.

NYMXer

Only a short time ago (1 year), as a beginner, I would wear underwear and my cycling shorts because that just seemed what you do..... wear underwear between you and your outer wear, (shorts). I guess that I was lucky I never got chaffing or anything like it but when I was done riding and getting undressed to shower, my underwear were soaked with sweat and nasty.
I read somewhere to ride without underwear and just the cycling shorts, so I tried it. It did feel a little strange at first but after the first mile, I no longer gave it any thought. After the ride, I stripped down for my ritual shower and there was no sweaty nasty underwear to remove. That alone was worth giving it a try and I now ride naked under my cycling shorts.
Quick funny tale, my first few rides I wore underwear, cycling shorts and then over all that, a regular pair of sport shorts. It took a while to get used to the visible bulges wearing cycling shorts, hence the sport shorts. That was a slippery combination and it soon ended as fast as it began, lol

jfries

Only thing between me and my chamois is some chamois butter!

FullGas

you only go commando with cycling shorts.

last thing you need is your nads marinating in sweaty cotton underwear.

DMC707

LOL - I don't even wear underwear with jeans and casual dress --- much less sporting attire

MRT2

No underwear with biking shorts, ever. Don't understand why that would seem less comfortable. Cycling shorts are supposed to fit like a second skin, and wick moisture. Anything that gets between the chamois and your skin would cause chafing, which is the last thing you want.

bransom

And don't feel bad for asking. Everyone asks when starting out.

GravelMN

If you feel you must wear underwear with biking shorts, get synthetic athletic trunks that have flat stitched seams and no fly. They don't have to be compression shorts but should fit like a snug second skin. Get a let length just a bit shorter than the elastics on your cycling shorts. Take your time and make sure that there are no folds or bunches when everything is in place. While absolutely not necessary, wearing synthetic wicking athletic trunk style underwear under cycling shorts will bring none of the horrors often listed on thread such as this. If you get a leg length that comes very close to the elastic bands on your cycling shorts, nobody will be the wiser.

That said, try your cycling shorts without underwear and you will soon find that they are quite comfortable, BUT make sure you buy good quality shorts. Some of the cheap shorts are very thin and can be excessively revealing. Good shorts are made of adequate weight material with appropriate coverage for your personals. I've had good luck with Primal and Aerotech, but there are many good brands out there.

This will likely start a fire fight, but I don't put much stock in expensive chamois creams or the excessive use of them. Some people slather it on like the tubes and tubs were single use. I've used several and have found that the generic (WalMart Equate brand) petroleum jelly with cocoa butter works just as well or better and all it takes is the thinnest application in friction prone areas. If you are getting a significant amount of chaffing with or without chamois cream, you need better shorts, not more goop. I'm a Clydesdale who rides in rain, mud, winter slop or sweating like crazy on hot days, and often ride 50 to 100+ miles at a time, multiple days in a row and the only time I've had any skin problem was when I first started out with bargain basement shorts that were poorly designed and didn't wick well.

Hermes1

I never did as it always seemed counter intuitive to me, until about a year ago when I was leaving in a rush to work and was not paying attention. I forgot to take off my underwear before putting on my bike shorts. Lets say I will never make that mistake again. As others have said, the chamois in the bike shorts are specifically designed to wear against your skin.

10 Wheels

Quit wear underwear when I started bike riding.

dr_lha

It's one of the many obstacles of self-awareness you have to get over when dressing to ride you bike.

bbbean 

No underwear. That's why you invested in padded shorts/bibs.

ChuckD6421 

Right, shorts-only is SOP, just as not wearing shorts twice in a row without a wash is. At least take 'em in the shower with you, but better to have a couple and use the washing machine.
And btw, I have a couple pairs of shorts a couple years old that see normal weekly washing and drying and are holding up very well. No need to baby them.

rperkins146

Thank you all. I may give it a go this evening of the rain stays at bay.

indyfabz

And he was correct. But wear some if you want.


/thread

indyfabz

As long as you don't use the dryer's nuclear setting they should be o.k., but one worry with bibs in a top loader is that the straps can become wrapped abound the agitator and get stretched.


Everyone: Please inspect your shorts periodically. A few weekends ago I saw some serious butt crack during my rides. I actually told one dude that his shorts had seen better days. He was appreciative. Many years ago I was on the receiving end of such advice during the first day of a multi-day tour. A woman rode past me and said something like "Wow. You must have had those shorts for a long time." I thought to myself "I have, but how the hell does she know that?" After a minute or two I thought I had figured it out. When I finished the day I stretched the rear of the shorts out by hand. After the shock wore off I tossed them in the nearest trash can.

KD5NRH

Solve the problem by riding in a kilt.

Sharkbait79

Definitely don't ride while wearing thong underwear. Did this once, was in a hurry and forgot to take off before hand and the results were not good and felt it with every pedal

practical

I wear underwear. Just seems more sanitary. I wish biking shorts had front flies too. Didn't wear any biking shorts this winter and didn't miss them. Re-thinking the whole bike shorts thing. I'm not a competitor just a guy who rides for fun on rides of 25-80 miles. Needed bike shorts when I first started - sore bum. Even used a gel pad and it helped. Ditched the gel pad last year. Bum not getting sore (still get butt fatigue but that's different) so do I really need the shorts anymore?

MRT2

That is up to you. I like bike shorts, even for rides of an hour or so. Every time I go without, I notice the difference. Even for 25 mile rides. Wouldn't want to go without cycling shorts for rides of 3 hours or more. On the other hand, if you really insist on wearing underwear under your chamois, maybe cycling shorts are not for you.

indyfabz

The one time underwear is quite useful is when someone is riding in threadbare cycling shorts. I really don't need (or want) to see your crack, so please inspect your shorts carefully and cover up if need be.

MRT2

Goes without saying. Buy a new pair of shorts every so often, then retire your old shorts or relegate them to use on the trainer during the winter, or as a base layer under some tights.