underware or no underware?

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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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..

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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.

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Originally Posted by cyclinnewbie

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

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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?

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Originally Posted by 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?

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Originally Posted by brittmix

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?

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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!

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.

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.

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

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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!

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Originally Posted by cyclinnewbie

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!

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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

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Originally Posted by cyclinnewbie

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????

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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. :(

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.

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.

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Originally Posted by DDH

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

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

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Originally Posted by alpinerabbit

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

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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.

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?

>>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.

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Originally Posted by TahoeDirtGirl

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.

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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.

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.

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.