chamois shorts UNDER or OVER knickers?

[shopGirl]

I have a few pairs of knickers and long tights that are made for either cycling or running, although none of them have a built-in chamois. I have been wearing my shorts UNDER the knickers or tights, and so far that works just fine.

I have seen a few Ladies around my way wearing their chamois shorts OVER knickers or tights. I was wondering why....until my boyfriend just this morning went out for a ride and did the same. He said a little hole was developing in the seat area of his tights, presumably from spending time in them on a saddle, and was trying to avoid furthur damage by wearing shorts OVER tights. I don't get it, I want my chamois right next to my skin, but will it really make a difference? What do you all suggest? This will be my first winter of riding, and I'd like to get my cold-weather apparel options dialed!

[Crankin]

I've never seen them worn over tights...

[SadieKate]

Are you sure you are seeing tights under the shorts? Could they be knee- or legwarmers?

Every once in a while I have seen people wear tights under their shorts but it seems to me to defeat the purpose of the chamois -- to put it between you and any seams. Ow. Ow. Ow.

[Eden]

Ouch indeed... also if it does perchance warm up if your tights/knickers are on over your shorts you can just take them off. Under your shorts and you'd have to do the full monty to get them off.

[Trek420]

Are you seeing shorts at all? Some tights have the chamois built in:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/apparel/bottoms/tights/with-chamois/c1-c24-c124-c21.html

[Eden]

Personally I like shorts with tights on top - it means the tights stay basically clean and I can wear them more than once between washings or if they get soaking wet (as often happens around here) or muddy and needing a wash they dry much quicker.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I sometimes wear shorts over tights in cold weather. Then again, I often seem to do things against the tide. No 'OWs' involved. to each their own.

[shopGirl]

ok well good to know it's not a faux-pas either way...

I will continue to wear shorts under tights...until I get a sweet pair of cold weather tights with a chamois built in!

http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=107&product_id=1445644

[Crankin]

I have 2 pairs of unpadded tights; one regular fleecy lined and one Ibex wool. I wear them for all different kinds of sports, cycling, running, hiking, x country skiing, snow shoeing. If I wear them riding, with shorts underneath, I like not having to wash them every time, since I am wearing them a lot, for a lot of different sports. Much more cost effective.
I do have a pair of padded knickers, which I wear if the temperature is cooler, but not going up much. If that happens, I wear knee warmers (which on me are essentially leg warmers).