I know you shouldn't wear underwear under bike shorts BUT:

You are wearing the wrong shorts for you if the chamois hurts you! You need something that's less padded, or with less seams. Shorts are not supposed to hurt and there are infinite varieties of chamois, just like saddles.
Please try other brands! Call customer service at TE and they can assist you if you describe what is bothering you now.

Ditto on not wearing padded shorts. I tried them and had terrible chaffing. I switched over to wearing tight seamless stretchable underwear beneath my shorts and have been riding that way for over 25 years.

I recently tried on some padded shorts at Performance - felt like I had a diaper on (Gees, I'm old but not quite at the stage where I need Depends yet!) and they were hot and not very breathable. I can see why padded shorts were de rigueur when saddles were leather and/or hard shelled, but in these days of well-thought-out padded saddles (closed cell and gel), padded shorts don't make sense to me.

To each his/her own...

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Originally Posted by mariposa

I n conclusion: The No Underwear Rule was written by/for men...

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I'm sorry, but that is simply not true.

Cycling shorts are designed to be worn without underwear by both men and women. Anytime you introduce a layer in between, you are creating an opportunity for chafing and rubbing. The last place you want to add an extra seam/edge is where your butt meets the saddle.

If your shorts or chamois are causing you to have chafing issues, you are either wearing a pair that is not appropriate for your shape, or you are wearing a pair that is too big. Shorts should fit SNUGLY but without being so tight as to be restrictive. Chamois should fit snug to your bottom, so that there is no shifting or moving around when pedaling.

I understand that some people are wearing underwear or other undergarments successfully, and for their sake, I am happy that is working for them. But they are in the minority. Shorts are NOT designed to be worn that way.

Susan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas

I understand that some people are wearing underwear or other undergarments successfully, and for their sake, I am happy that is working for them. But they are in the minority. Shorts are NOT designed to be worn that way.

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The gospel has been spoken. Thank you Susan! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas

If your shorts or chamois are causing you to have chafing issues, you are either wearing a pair that is not appropriate for your shape, or you are wearing a pair that is too big.

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Or too small. There is such a thing. When you're half suspended over your saddle with your parts sawing back and forth over the chamois, it will chafe...