underware or no underware?

[brittmix]

again, this might belong in the 'new to cycling' part, but, just wondering, am i supposed to wear underware with these cycling shorts? my fiance doesn't, but he's a boy, and i didnt know if that meant i wasn't supposed to or not. just wondering! thanks!

[alpinerabbit]

No underwear.

[emily_in_nc]

Nope, don't wear underwear! :D

It may seem odd at first, but it will keep you more comfortable and prevent chafing.

Emily

[min]

Ick...I've treid riding with out and it give me the heebee jeebies, but then again, I'm a cotton underwear kind o gal. Seems to me a perfect enviornment for a vaginal infection. Any doctors out there have an opinion?

[redrhodie]

Ick...I've treid riding with out and it give me the heebee jeebies, but then again, I'm a cotton underwear kind o gal. Seems to me a perfect enviornment for a vaginal infection. Any doctors out there have an opinion?

Do you wear undies under your bathing suit, too? It's the same thing. Take shorts off right away, and wash before the next ride, and infections won't be an issue.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I wear underwear under my biking shorts. Never had a problem and I don't have to wash the shorts constantly. Everyone is different.

[bounceswoosh]

I never wear underwear when I ride. I do bring a skirt along with me so that I can take the shorts off the instant I'm done with the trail. And despite the care instructions on the label, I wash the shorts in warm water -- cold water doesn't seem to get them clean enough (frankly very noticable using unscented detergent).

[KnottedYet]

Ick...I've treid riding with out and it give me the heebee jeebies, but then again, I'm a cotton underwear kind o gal. Seems to me a perfect enviornment for a vaginal infection. Any doctors out there have an opinion?

Yes, sweaty damp cotton underwear on the bike is a perfect environment for a vaginal (or urinary tract) infection. Be careful out there, kids.

[Zen]

What is underwear?

[Grog]

No underwear.

Take shorts off as soon as possible.

Wash before wearing again.

[BeeLady]

When I wear cycling shorts with a chamois, I don't wear underwear. One benefit of the chamois is no seams, which underwear would negate.

When I wear regular shorts, pedal pushers or jeans I wear underwear, but try to wear microfiber undies (depending on length of ride) or cotton underwear. These rides are usually under 15 miles and are running errands, not continuously in the saddle.

[crazybikinchic]

Commando! Being in Texas, I sweat entirely to much not to wash my shorts after every ride.

[Andrea]

I never wear the stuff.

A lot of chamois are marketed as being antibacterial as well. I'm not sure what they do to it to make it so, but I thinking underwear would negate it.

[spokewench]

So quick answer. NO underwear - i've been riding 20 plus years and I've never had a vaginal or bladder infection from riding in shorts with no underwear.

spoke

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Riding with underwear works just fine for some people (like me). :cool:

Try both ways and then decide for yourself.

[Tokie]

One big reason to not wear underwear with your padded cycling shorts is to avoid chafing and pressure from the seams and elastic around the legs, not to mention if the underwear ends up folded or wrinkled between the chamois (bike shorts padding) and your tender bottom. Chamois cream or chamois butter is a product used to put directly on your bottom or your chamois (or both) depending on your preference. It is nice. This type of product reduces friction between your bottom and the chamois, reducing irritation.I think using chamois cream with underwear would be yuckky. Get those soggy bike shorts off as soon as you can after a ride to avoid developing "saddle sores" or other discomforts which thrive in a warm moist environment. Tokie

[kelownagirl]

None for me and can I add something new I learned yesterday. NEVER ride with your swim suit under your bike shorts! Owie! :eek::eek: (Next time I'll just carry it to the pool. :rolleyes:)

[Trekhawk]

None for me and can I add something new I learned yesterday. NEVER ride with your swim suit under your bike shorts! Owie! :eek::eek: (Next time I'll just carry it to the pool. :rolleyes:)

Thanks for the tip kelownagirl. I have been thinking about riding to the local pool for a swim sometime soon and Im sure I would have done the same thing as you.:eek:

Oh nearly forgot the original post - no undies when riding for me either.

[Flybye]

What is underwear?

+1 commando!!!:D

[motochick]

Commando, and the same rule applies for wetsuits! It used to drive me nuts seeing people trying to put on a wetsuit with board shorts underneath. Tourists. Chamois cream is also great.

Brenda

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It is nice. This type of product reduces friction between your bottom and the chamois, reducing irritation.I think using chamois cream with underwear would be yuckky.

I don't like oil-based stuff. I just use a little non-scented hypoallergenic hand cream. Cheap, washes out easily, and works great. Nothing yucky about it.

Interestingly, chamois were originally just a patch of soft leather in the biking pants to help prevent chafing. No foam, no padding at all. After much wear and washing, the leather patch would become stiff and thus 'chamois butter' or 'chamois cream' was invented as a leather softening product intended to keep the real leather chamois soft and pliable.
Now, we buy gel filled saddles, and big foam chamois made of space age anti-microbial materials and we still get raw and chafed and then buy expensive lube products to ease our raw bits! :o

[bounceswoosh]

I don't like oil-based stuff. I just use a little non-scented hypoallergenic hand cream. Cheap, washes out easily, and works great. Nothing yucky about it.

Interestingly, chamois were originally just a patch of soft leather in the biking pants to help prevent chafing. No foam, no padding at all. After much wear and washing, the leather patch would become stiff and thus 'chamois butter' or 'chamois cream' was invented as a leather softening product intended to keep the real leather chamois soft and pliable.
Now, we buy gel filled saddles, and big foam chamois made of space age anti-microbial materials and we still get raw and chafed and then buy expensive lube products to ease our raw bits! :o

Neat idea.

I'm starting to develop the notion that I do better with a thin chamois than the big thick type. Maybe it bunches up. My issue is definitely chafing. But then, not surprising, even wearing a skirt I can sometimes end up chafing ... or pants that are too loose ...

[kelownagirl]

Commando, and the same rule applies for wetsuits! It used to drive me nuts seeing people trying to put on a wetsuit with board shorts underneath. Tourists. Chamois cream is also great.

Brenda

But I'm assuming, not if you're doing a tri??

[alpinerabbit]

well you do not go top to bottom commando :eek: under a wetsuit in a tri - LOL !

but a tri suit or shorts&top will suffice.

[imdeanna]

What about 'that time of the month'?

anyone have any hints/suggestions for someone who doesn't use tampons?

or is that just the way to go?

(tad bit off the underware topic...but I didnt' want to open up an entire thread for this question) :o

[Tuckervill]

I rode my bike to the pool last summer, with just my suit on, and my suit has a little skirt. It was okay on the way down, but when my suit was still wet on the way back....Let's just say that saddle was a little too close to the parts.

Karen

[Tokie]

Imdeanna - there is a whole thread somewhere here about these cup things which you wear internally to catch menstrual flow. TE'ers like them is what I recall. Tokie

[Blueberry]

Search for diva cup. But be prepared - could be TMI for some:)

[Resi]

Noooooooooo underwear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have never worn undi's under the cycling shorts, why do they have a chamois...

Also about the chamois buttr...full of chemicals...woudn't use it. If I had to use something like this, then only organic unrefined coconut butter -> no chemicals. Well lucky me, I never had to us this staff, not even on over the 100 miles rides...

But everybody is different, experiment and pick what your are comfortable with...good luck

Resi

[Geonz]

+1 ... But to each her own... I won't check yours if you don't check mine, though sometimes the lycra gets so worn *everybody* knows too much...

[smilingcat]

I must be overly modest!!!

Never in my mind about going commando. I always had my undie's on. Can't imagine going without. I don't think I could do it??

Then again proper ladies in ages gone by, they would never step outside without a pair of gloves and a proper hat as part of proper attaire. :D

[shootingstar]

Can't do this commando thing. Accidental, rare bladder and other discharges..sorry can't do.

And I rarely ride with padded bike chamois tights/shorts. yea...90 kms. in 1 day, no chamois. Possible.

No, my saddle is not an overstuffed freddie thing.

Why not? Clock in 5,000 kms. annually for some years...no chamois.

I'll get around to..some day. :D Just like getting around to cycling socks.
By now, I feel very freda. :D I might as well admit all this..after all these years of regular cycling. My "cool" factor now has dropped ..probably quite alot. Oh well, might as well to continue cycling on the edges of the inner circle.

[Aggie_Ama]

None for me, but I agree some people just can't do it. Persoanlly, being in Texas I like as little on as possible. If I was small chested, I would only wear those shelf bra tops.

I take off my shorts immediately (sometimes in the car after a ride :eek:) and wash every time. Only one bladder infection in 4 years riding and I have had one every few years for the last 13 years. I think it was just time for one, not anything to do with my bike shorts.

If you are going to wear undies I would recommend finding some for working out. They generally do not have noticeable seems and are moisture wicking. My friend swears by them for running. She won't just wear running shorts with the little built in liners.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

By now, I feel very freda. :D I might as well admit all this..after all these years of regular cycling. My "cool" factor now has dropped ..probably quite alot. Oh well, might as well to continue cycling on the edges of the inner circle.

Don't you know that being uncool actually makes you the coolest of all? This is a well proven phenomenon. :cool: :D

[tiffany Hart]

I've ridden Europe and the California coast. So I've got a few miles on the road. I didin't wear anything under this cycling tights, however I carried three pair to do those several thousand miles and always washed them like crazy. Sanitization is critrical for any gal when riding. When riding with diferent groups, I was amazed how alot of women & men didn't really wash there cycling clothes on those 6+ day rides and thats crazy> I guess I'm a sanitization nut, but I recommend that is the way to go. Cycling tops and sports bras also need to be cleaned alot. My boy friend, now husband is pretty good about washing and we stay pretty healthy with regards to sanitization.
Tiffany on riding.

[bounceswoosh]

How do you wash them on multi-day trips? Always stay at a hotel so you can use the bathroom facilities?

[Crankin]

I know everyone is different, but I could never wear underwear under cycling shorts... I don't wear it under any workout wear--running shorts, unpadded lycra, yoga pants. One, because of the chafing and potential for infection, and two because it shows through most of these clothes. I tried the wicking thong from EMS and it's really high waisted, like mom jeans and very tight on the sides. The next size is too big. I wanted to wear them under my hiking pants or shorts, but I'll keep going commando, unless it's LONG underwear, which doesn't bother me at all.
I knew nothing about cycling shorts when I started cycling, but I never even considered wearing underwear..

[brittmix]

is it worth the extra $60+ dollars to get a wicking chamois? i've been looking at the pearl izuma micro something pro - they're like $125 but the lady at my LBS said they would be so worth it because i would have a much lower chance of getting a yeast or UT infection. what are your thoughts?

[OakLeaf]

Just me, but I wouldn't buy a pair of shorts on the basis of any supposed health properties of the chamois. I see where they're impregnating them with silver threads and triclosan and all sorts of things I wouldn't necessarily want near my lady parts, all in the name of killing (omg) germs. Having a healthy immune system, a good diet and keeping yourself "reasonably" clean are more important IMO. Any chamois is going to be absorbent - the amount of fluid it can absorb depends more on the thickness than the material; but thick chamois can be uncomfortable as well as obviously being less well ventilated.

[cyclinnewbie]

Ok since we're on the topic of chamois, I'm going to risk hijacking this thread.....I just bought bike shorts because I just learned you're not supposed to wear undies. Here's my issue...the chamois looks like a diaper, and gets all folded in the middle. Folds almost in half:eek:. Really not attractive. I know I know....spandex shorts are NOT attractive anyway, but they're truly not cute (or comfortable) with a huge hunk of stuff folded in half between my legs. So here's the thing...are the chamois supposed to be huge, or do they come in different sizes? What's the deal?:confused:

[OakLeaf]

Newbie (you know you're going to have to change that handle sooner or later ;)), two things. There are all different kinds of chamois - mostly these days they're thick, except for tri shorts and spinning shorts, but some manufacturers' chamois are thicker than others, and many manufacturers offer more than one type of chamois. How thick you like your chamois is a matter of personal fit and preference. Some people like the extra padding, some find that it chafes.

BUT if it's actually folding in half, it sounds like the shorts may be too big for you. Cycling shorts are supposed to fit like a second skin. They shouldn't pull or bind, but there shouldn't be any space between your skin and the shorts, and they shouldn't slide or bunch up when you move your legs. Hard to tell without actually seeing the shorts on you, but you might try on a smaller pair (and/or a different pair with a thinner chamois).

ETA: unfortunately, with cycling shorts, you pretty much get what you pay for. Good, comfortable shorts are expensive. More panels are better (and more expensive) because each panel stretches in a different direction with the part of your body it covers, allowing a more precise fit. You really want a minimum of six panels. Most riders prefer at least eight; top-of-the-line shorts have ten panels, maybe some brands have even more.

[KnottedYet]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vrc6akk4ZjI&feature=related

[shootingstar]

I know everyone is different, but I could never wear underwear under cycling shorts... I don't wear it under any workout wear--running shorts, unpadded lycra, yoga pants. One, because of the chafing and potential for infection, and two because it shows through most of these clothes. I tried the wicking thong from EMS and it's really high waisted, like mom jeans and very tight on the sides. The next size is too big. I wanted to wear them under my hiking pants or shorts, but I'll keep going commando, unless it's LONG underwear, which doesn't bother me at all.
I knew nothing about cycling shorts when I started cycling, but I never even considered wearing underwear..


Well, can't imagine wearing a thong, cycling.. :confused: It actually sounds potentially ..painful. I don't even understand the comfort level of thong for everyday underwear anyway...probably for another reason for everyday wear. But I digress..

Really could care less if a slight outline of panty shows..anyway I wear mostly black and I'm small boned, hence, have a smaller bum.. and I walk into a workplace in cycling gear, where there are alot of men. No one cares ..they just notice the jacket, lycra from afar..

YOu know, this is one subject that several women cyclists I've known personally (in person) over the years, just don't want to discuss in person...going commando or not.

[brittmix]

Ok since we're on the topic of chamois, I'm going to risk hijacking this thread.....

i'm glad you're talking about chamois, because that has been my main concern when purchasing a pair of cycling shorts. these shorts i'm thinking about have a denser pad, which the lady at my LBS said provided the same amount of padding, but was less bulky. the other pads compress when you sit on them, and this one is already compressed. i'm looking at the pearl izuma micro pro short. anyone have any objections, or praises for these shorts?

[VeloVT]

is it worth the extra $60+ dollars to get a wicking chamois? i've been looking at the pearl izuma micro something pro - they're like $125 but the lady at my LBS said they would be so worth it because i would have a much lower chance of getting a yeast or UT infection. what are your thoughts?


i'm glad you're talking about chamois, because that has been my main concern when purchasing a pair of cycling shorts. these shorts i'm thinking about have a denser pad, which the lady at my LBS said provided the same amount of padding, but was less bulky. the other pads compress when you sit on them, and this one is already compressed. i'm looking at the pearl izuma micro pro short. anyone have any objections, or praises for these shorts?

Brittmix, that lady is trying to get you to buy the most expensive shorts, and she's full of BS. I am moderately prone to UTIs but I've never gotten one from cycling, with good shorts or cheap shorts, and I just can't imagine how the chamois would have any impact on your likelihood to get yeast infections (I am lucky that I just don't get them -- I've never had one in my life -- but I really don't think it's because of my chamois choice).

As for the "compressed padding" thing... this a line as well... It's not quite as bad as the Estee Lauder lady who, when I told her I don't like tinted sunscreen because it rubs off on my clothes, told me that THIS wouldn't because even though it is visibly tinted, the color actually comes from my skin, not the sunscreen... but almost.

That said, the PIs you're looking at are nice, good quality shorts. Unfortunately, finding shorts that work for you is a bit like finding a saddle -- it's usually an expensive process of trial and error. You may like the Microsensors, or you may not. PI shorts tend to have a stiffer, bulkier chamois than many other brands (even the "compressed" pro chamois is stiffer and bulkier. I don't have those particular shorts but I've tried them on). Some people find that this chafes or just feels like "too much", but others find them to offer good protection. It's very much a matter of personal preference and people differ considerably in their preferences, and you can't always tell if you'll like a chamois until you've actually ridden in it (I'm not crazy about the chamois in Sugoi RS Flex shorts but it felt great when I tried the shorts on, for instance...).

So yes, it is worth spending more to get higher quality shorts, but spending more does not necessarily guarantee that you'll get a pair that YOU like (and it definitely doesn't guarantee that you will have fewer UTIs or yeast infections :rolleyes:)...

Good luck!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm still trying to figure out how a chamois can bunch up and fold in half like a diaper while your'e wearing it...:confused: Something doesn't sound right if it does that. My chamois would never be able to do that- they are anchored down well and are foam that can't bunch or fold. I wear SheBeest, Terry, and Louis Garneau padded shorts/knickers.

[Crankin]

Shooting Star, I didn't buy the wicking thong for cycling. Like I said, I never wear underwear with cycling shorts. But I wanted to wear them under my hiking shorts or pants in warmer weather. In cold weather I wear long underwear.
I am short and small (5' 1", 105), too, but I guess my bum must be bigger than yours! I do care about vpl and I think it looks gross. Wearing thongs with regular clothes doesn't bother me at all. It took me a long time to find 2 brands that fit me and didn't show anywhere. To me, the point of wearing a thong is so nothing shows and you have no lines anywhere. I finally went to a real lingerie store to find what I wanted.
And Lisa, you are right. Any chamois that folds like a diaper has something wrong with it. I wear Terry and Sheebest and have no issues. The Sheebest feels a little thicker, but it's in different places.

[cyclinnewbie]

Ok after a few day's absence due to having an injured child at home, I am back to respond to the responses to my question (that was a tad redundant, eh?). So my chamois folds in half not because it's separating from the shorts, but I think maybe because it's too thick. My thighs (which are NOT thin) kind of squish the chamois together and it folds in half length-wise.:confused: And my shorts may be too big, like someone said, because they do not fit like a second skin. I dunno, they are just uncomfortable. I tried wearing them yesterday on a short 10 mile ride, and my bum hurt worse with those shorts that without. The thing I did like, however, was that my skin was not irritated by sweaty underwear (sorry for the bluntness), so didn't have to deal with a rash. So, I guess I'll need to keep shopping for shorts. I hate shopping....I do like some of the Terry shorts that I've seen online, so maybe I'll try those. But did I mention that I hate shopping????

Anyhoo, thanks for the advice, and sorry for the hijack!:p

[Kano]

Kristen --

When I bought my shorts, they fit like skin. For a while, I'd put something on over them to keep from being seen, then I realized that male people would go out riding in flapping open shirts with hairy bellies hanging out, so my butt, held together with lycra wasn't the nastiest looking thing out there. Anyway, eventually, they got too big, and the chamois getting in the way was how I knew that I really needed to abandon them for some new shorts. Personally, I've found I need to buy a size smaller than my measurements tell me -- at least on my favorites -- in order to have them stay put!

Karen in Boise

[cyclinnewbie]

Kristen --

When I bought my shorts, they fit like skin. For a while, I'd put something on over them to keep from being seen, then I realized that male people would go out riding in flapping open shirts with hairy bellies hanging out, so my butt, held together with lycra wasn't the nastiest looking thing out there.




Ok, point taken. That actually made me laugh and spit my coffee out! Thanks Karen. I do need to get over some body issues, which is where the biking comes in, but you know, lycra is really hard to swallow sometimes!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I do need to get over some body issues, which is where the biking comes in, but you know, lycra is really hard to swallow sometimes!

You're not supposed to eat it! :eek:



Yep, sounds like your shorts are too big and can shift/bunch around too much.
It took me a while too to get over the idea of people seeing my butt, thighs, etc. Now if it's hot out, I just don't care what they think anymore. It's a great feeling of liberation. :D

[ima_bleeder]

I hate shopping....I do like some of the Terry shorts that I've seen online, so maybe I'll try those. But did I mention that I hate shopping????


I share the loathing of shopping. Completely. What a waste of time, when you could be out riding, right?! The good news is that once you've found the short that works for you, you can get a bunch of them and you're done for a while.

I was a fiend about looking for jus the right chamois. I wandered around feeling the chamois of every pair of bike shorts I could get my hands on. I ended up with a Shebeest and a PI. The Shebeest had a chamois that was really thick, but I only planned to use it for 3+ hour rides. As it turns out, the PI chamois just didn't fit me well, and now I have 3 pairs of those Shebeest shorts.

As far as the undies or no, chamois or no, sort of debates ... I really thought I was fine with just about anything. And then this winter, when I was riding about 50 miles a week on the mountain bike, 30 miles a week on the road, in wet and sometimes muddy bike shorts (where'd that damned fender go?) ... without getting into TI territory, I'm thankful for having found a chamois that works for me, a saddle that works for me, and finally finding the "butt'r" of choice that works for me. That was a painful 6 weeks of training and trial and error, and adding underwear to that situation would have made it infinitely worse. :(

[DDH]

I don't wear underwear with my shorts either, unless it's that time of the month and then I have to.

I did wear underwear with my shorts when I first started becasue I didn't know any better. I was like many others and thought I would feel very akward without them, but once I tried it, I decided it was best for my purposes because I wear cotton underwear and did not think that wearing wet sweaty underwear under my shorts that are trying to wick away the sweat was very sanitary. You have to understand though I sweat a LOT, so for me it was best.

[cyclinnewbie]

I'm one of those people who have freakishly sensitive skin, so just about everything gives me a rash. Throw in sweaty undies, and I'm in prickly heat hell. Anyhoo, yesterday I went to the LBS and got a pair of PI shorts, super tight (ugh) second-skin-like, went home and washed them then rode for a bit, and I think they're better. No bunching, no rubbing spots, no pain on the bum. I think they're ok. Next payday I think I'm goign to get another couple of pairs.

[alpinerabbit]

I don't wear underwear with my shorts either, unless it's that time of the month and then I have to.

Erm... you don't have to... you just stuff the thread up there and any overflow goes in to the chamois.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Erm... you don't have to... you just stuff the thread up there and any overflow goes in to the chamois.

Well, to each their own. But i can't see scrubbing blood stains out of my $100 shorts if I can find some other way. :eek:

Personally, I'm not sure why everyone is so vehemently anti-underwear... as though cotton undies are some evil infection-inducing thing to have next to your skin. Modern chamois pads are made from unidentified non-natural man-made stuff chock full of nasty chemicals and/or petroleum-based ingredients, I betcha. Is that so much 'healthier' to have pressing against your delicate parts for hours on end? Speaking for myself, I don't get yeast infections or bladder infections at all from riding my bike for hours with undies under my shorts.
As to wicking- hmmm, I find that polyester/lycra/foam stuff gets just as wet as cotton and doesn't seem to 'wick' anything in any spectacular way. Then again I don't sweat a great deal. But it sure gets stinky fast, I'll say that much! :cool:
Real wool, on the other hand, wicks VERY well and does not get stinky.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I'm in the middle of a huge chamois shift.

I don't wear underwear because it just causes more sanding o the bits. Doesn't matter what kind they are. And once someone turned me onto going 'commando' I haven't turned back. Haha...

I had to stop riding during TTOM because I get sanded from the pad. I can't wear a tampon due to all the surgeries I have had on my cervix.

I found that actually riding without a chamois and using the same saddle on all of your bikes is the best. It's kinda costly or a pain to swap it out all the time, but it seems to work.

Chamois butter anyone?

[echidna]

>>But i can't see scrubbing blood stains out of my $100 shorts if I can find some other way.<<
Did you ever notice that a lot of womens' chamois are RED? Wanna guess why?
I live in Oregon. If I took THAT week off, in addition to every weekend day it rains, I'd be in danger of never riding at all! (Yes, I do ride when raindrops fall, too.)
Bottom (hehe) line: treat your shorts as well as you can, without yielding too much to Mom Nature, and they'll treat you well too. But do, do, do get that string out of the way.

[KnottedYet]

I found that actually riding without a chamois and using the same saddle on all of your bikes is the best. It's kinda costly or a pain to swap it out all the time, but it seems to work.


Ditto. (but now I have 3 of my favorite saddle, so no more switching between bikes)

And I've got a mongo uterine prolapse, so tampons don't work for me, either. I sincerely doubt a Diva cup would, as all my innards are awry. I've found that plain ol' super-absorbent thin pads in a pair of UnderArmour compression shorts work really well.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I will definitely try that out. I just rode today and the chamois is starting to get looseygoosey on my new shorts bc I'm dropping weight. I feel like I just have been sanded. Compression shorts are on my list.

[Natural Beauty]

So general opinion is no underwear but yes chamois cream of some kind? I wash shorts everytime but am still having problems...increased my cranberry extract intake but that could be neither here nor there.