Unmentionables

[beav]

I am not comfortable riding cherokee, but have yet to find the perfect undies for a long distance ride. I did the MS150 last year, and, let's just say, the chafing was intense. Any advice? Iam @5'10", so fit can sometimes be troublesome. I'm hoping to find a solution before this year's 150

[Tri Girl]

I'm afraid you will have chafing issues unless you go underwear-less.
You could always buy a liner with a chamois in it and wear that underneath some baggier shorts/capris. I wonder if you can't find some boy shorts that are made for working out that you could wear?

What about riding panty-less bothers you?

[loopybunny]

It seems a bit strange at first, but with proper padded cycling shorts, you won't even notice you're not wearing undies since they fit close to the skin.

As far as I know, most chamois pads out there also have antibacterial qualities which will help prevent infections on top of just general riding comfort.

It took me about a month to warm up to the idea, but once I did I've never thought about it being weird.

[TsPoet]

I ride a bent, so this could be completely irrelevent, and your previous respondents are probably right on but...
long boy cut shorts work for me. For me, the chafing comes form the spandex parts. The shorter more girlie boy-cut shorts are no help to me as the legs roll up on them.
I buy these practically in bulk when I can find them
http://www.rei.com/product/772410

Another idea along the same line might be underwear with the chamois, then you could wear jogging shorts over them and still get what you need, but no chafing?
http://www.rei.com/product/794385

[TrekTheKaty]

The point of bicycle shorts is that they are "seamless" and tight so there is no rubbing. Underwear is fine, UNTIL it causes chafing. I believe REI carries "bicycle underwear" that is designed to be worn under normal clothes. Maybe that would be more your speed.

[Zen]

I haven't worn underwear since 1974.
Nothing should get between you and your chamois.

[beav]

I'm not sure what about going without underwear bothers me...Catholic upbringing perhaps?? Thanks for all of the advice...I'll have to go with the consensus and try it without!!

[Tri Girl]

..Catholic upbringing perhaps??

hee hee... I think that's what made is so easy for me to go underwear-less. All that confinement over the years and I was ready to let loose!

[kmehrzad]

When you do start wearing those biking shorts without underwear, just be mindful of when the shorts start to wear thin in the back. Otherwise, the riders behind you get quite a view. It seems that guys are notorious for wearing biking shorts until they're threadbare.

[TrekTheKaty]

Zen,
You mean "while biking", right?

[PamNY]

Going commando is more comfortable. I didn't think much about it because I rarely do long rides, and I never really got chafing. But something started feeling not quite right during the coldest part of winter -- dry skin maybe? So I took the plunge and felt so fine that there's no going back (at least for rides more than 10 miles).

[kenyonchris]

There is nothing visually worse than panty lines under bike shorts...just as an added reason to stay away from underwear while riding. Ow.

[Sky King]

I am a Terry fan and they offer all sorts of options in shorts and liners www.terrybicycles.com Do not skimp on shorts or liners!! Life is to short to miss out due to a sore you know what!

Consider a good lubricant creme too. I really like Pura Care Active sports cream. I use it not only on my private parts but also where my sports bra band hits my chest and when it is really warm I even put in on my feet. Isn't heavy or sticky or smelly.