Panties under bike shorts?

**ColleenT** · 08-30-2006, 01:46 PM

someone told me no panties under bike shorts. is this the norm?

**SadieKate** · 08-30-2006, 01:53 PM

Search for the word underwear or commando or panties. You'll find tons of discussion.

**ColleenT** · 08-30-2006, 02:07 PM

ok thanks

**Cari** · 08-31-2006, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by ColleenT

someone told me no panties under bike shorts. is this the norm?

No panties is the norm. Bike shorts are designed to be worn that way, and panties get in the way of the chamois pad's job of wicking moisture away from your body. I'm a convert myself, and have been for a little over a year. It took getting pretty chafed with cotton panties on the night before a time trial for me to... see the light.

Now I go commando and use chamois creme every time I ride.

Some women disagree with "the norm". Nanci favors wearing undies under bike shorts, and the woman definitely knows a thing or two about biking. She's done centuries (100 mile rides) and brevets (200-600 Km) that way. Check her previous posts for the counter argument.

I think no undies works for most people, but in the end you have to do what works for you.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.

~Carissa

**ColleenT** · 08-31-2006, 01:18 PM

thanks..i don't plan to do long distance or racing, just trying to get into shape. but ask me again in a year, Who knows..maybe i'll get hooked big time..

**mimitabby** · 08-31-2006, 01:21 PM

on shorter rides, i do not go commando. It's not worth it. then i can
wear the same shorts the next day (for a 4 mile ride)

when you start doing longer rides, a lot of this stuff becomes an issue.

**DeniseGoldberg** · 08-31-2006, 02:12 PM

I can't imagine wearing anything under my bike shorts, even for short rides. Just the shorts!

**bcipam** · 08-31-2006, 04:09 PM

I tried one time (can't remember why I even felt the need) to wear panties under my shorts and ugh, I felt awful. It nothing else, panties got wet and retained water while the bike shorts would normally wick away the wetness. Plus there was bunching and binding and all that. Just felt like I have on a big wet diaper.

I do have several pairs of shorts (well maybe more than that) so I never wear a pair again until they are washed. But I tend to get sweaty even on short rides.

Why would you wear panties under shorts? Is it a modesty issue? The shorts are designed to be modest enough. I do have some older shorts that are getting thin ( so see through in the back) so I make sure I use those for spin class or under a pair or hiking shorts while mountain biking.

I do have a friend who regular wears two pairs of bike shorts for both modesty and comfort. Try that instead.

**Nanci** · 08-31-2006, 05:34 PM

Cari, geez! I'm not saying wearing panties is _better_, but going commando grosses me out. That's my reason. I don't not wear panties no matter what I'm wearing. But some people are comfortable that way. Good for them! (But I'm not wearing cotton panties under my bike shorts- I wear Patagonia technical fabric seamless ones. They're nice for sleeping in, too- no tugging them down!) Ooh, just the thought of all that "stuff," natural and man-made, getting on my lovely RS Flex chamois- eewww!! Not that Friction Zone doesn't soak through and make the saddle all shiny anyway...But you should err on the side of the general population, I think. But if you don't, you're in good company!

Nanci

**bcipam** · 08-31-2006, 08:07 PM

Nanci... I hear where you are coming from but I can't imagine any of my woman juices getting through the chamois... Lordy I would have to be aflooding!!!

My friends and I do joke about the fact if stuff does get through it just keeps the saddle nice and lubricated and better still keeps others off my bike. Can't imagine sitting on some other person juice. Gross!

**KnottedYet** · 08-31-2006, 09:24 PM

Undies under bike shorts give some folks I've ridden behind some really unflattering panty-lines.

I've worn UnderArmor compression shorts under my bike shorts. It was pretty comfy, kept stuff fairly clean, and no pantylines.

But I generally prefer to go commando in my Terry commuter skort and Ibex capris. I have two very old pairs of plain bike shorts, and they have become so large on me that I don't wear them anymore. Save 'em for laundry emergencies now.

I like my Terry skort so much that I'll probably buy another one instead of a pair of shorts. (and how long can a girl go with just 2 things to bike in? gotta shop!)

**Nanci** · 09-01-2006, 05:19 AM

KY, you know what's worse than panty lines- too-see-through shorts so you have to look at someone's crack and shiny pink cheeks for miles!! Especially if they are wearing light blue or gray shorts!!

**ColleenT** · 09-01-2006, 05:49 AM

ok warning TMI in my next Question..look awaya now if you don't want to see it..

ok what do you do when it's that time of the month? minipad on Chamois? i really don't know enough about all this ..I am an active type of person, i see no reason to stop riding for one week a month, so what are my choices?

**bcipam** · 09-01-2006, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Nanci

KY, you know what's worse than panty lines- too-see-through shorts so you have to look at someone's crack and shiny pink cheeks for miles!! Especially if they are wearing light blue or gray shorts!!

Nanci - funny story about that. Was mountain biking with my best friend - a guy. I asked him to take a photo of me going down this trail. He used my camera and when I got home I put the photo on the computer to look at it and to my surprise, all I was saw were two big shiny pink cheeks and what appeared to be, but lordy I'm hoping was not, my crack. In my defense I was wearing a really old paid of shorts that day. I asked my friend if he had noticed the rear view and he said "yes" and was one reason why he was giggling when he took the photo. He knew I would discover when I got home what he was watching all during our ride.

I have since asked another friend (a woman) to photo my behind wearing newer shorts and thankfully that lovely pinkness does not show through but now, I will always be checking!!!

**Grog** · 09-01-2006, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by ColleenT

ok warning TMI in my next Question..look awaya now if you don't want to see it..

ok what do you do when it's that time of the month? minipad on Chamois? i really don't know enough about all this ..I am an active type of person, i see no reason to stop riding for one week a month, so what are my choices?

NUMEROUS conversations on this topic on this board. Search for the keyword 'diva' to find them all!!!

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