I became sensitive to the silicone grippers after a couple of seasons. At first they'd only bother me on long rides in hot weather, now it's all the time. So far I can still wear the shorts as long as I turn the grippers up, although it's kind of an issue with the Shebeest SSS which are awfully short to begin with.

+1 on it only happening on the tops. Weird.

I think sensitivity to the grippers is pretty common, actually.