underware or no underware?

[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.

[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. Just like getting around to cycling socks.
By now, I feel very freda. 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 ) 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. 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.

[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. 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?

[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.. 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 )...

Good luck!