Undergarments???

[indigoiis]

I wear no underwear under my bike shorts, however, when I am riding "around town" or commuting, I often will wear a pair of loose fitting cargo capris OVER my bike shorts. The cargo pockets hold everything, and the bike shorts serve as the "underwear."

Sports bras - I use the cheapo fruit-of-the-loom but I need to buy better ones, because wicking fabric is DEFINITELY better on long rides.

[Kuota Rider]

I understand the argument for riding "au naturel". I'm still having a difficult time thinking of NOT wearing underwear! Yikes!!! Any suggestions (i.e. brands, websites, material choice, etc.) of good underwear and bras??? I'm open to advice regarding going "au naturel", as well!

It seemed a little weird to me at first too. However...you will find that with wearing panties of any kind, they will bunch and bind and rub... Well you get the point. Believe me you will get used to it, and you will, in the long run, be much more comfortable. As far as a bra type undergarment, I just wear a sport bra. I am hardly well gifted in the breast area, so this works ok for me.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your new bike.

[SadieKate]

Hope this helps. Enjoy your new bike.

Probably a little late! This thread is 4 years old . . .

[shootingstar]

Ok...methinks there are probably alot of women who do wear light panties when cycling short to moderate distances but they aren't telling anyone.

I don't have much problem with binding/bunching panties often. I wear a moderate (meaning not a string) bikini cut panty...so that the waist elastic doesn't hit me at the same place as the cycling short/long tights. My thigh circumference is 19" , so perhaps the elastics digging/rubbing into me, is less of a problem.

I honestly cannot bear the thought of commando in cycling shorts...it's just cleaner and faster for me to change panties, etc. instead.

By now, I'm certain I've fallen waaaay behind in cycling coolness -woman-wise. Oh well, works for me. I'm comfortable, clean, not sore and no yeast infections, even though I've broken the golden rule for the past 17 yrs.

Am beginning to feel like a true UFO in the cycling world now...this and being car-free for so long ..and not having a driver's license.

[Crankin]

I know we could argue this endlessly. I never wear underwear with cycling shorts and I can't imagine wearing it. I don't wear underwear under any exercise shorts or pants when running, hiking, yoga, aerobics! It would just hurt. Heck, I get saddle sores if a chamois has seams in the wrong place! When it's cold, I wear long underwear or my Ibex boy shorts for x country skiing, hiking, or snow shoeing.
I have a couple of pairs of cycling liners that i wear under loose fit cycling capris that can also be worn under regular clothes.
Perhaps I am weird, but never occurred to me to wear underwear with cycling shorts.

[shootingstar]

I never wear underwear with cycling shorts and I can't imagine wearing it. I don't wear underwear under any exercise shorts or pants when running, hiking, yoga, aerobics!

Jeepers, Crankin you are surprising.
By the way, I seldom wear padded cycling shorts and I do cycle long distances.

[robinmarylong]

Padded shorts are not meant to to be worn with underware, but you're shorts should be washed regularly. However, I do use underware when I have my period.

-R

[Crankin]

Shootingstar, I could see how one might get used to cycling without a chamois, which is a different issue than no underwear.
What I love about about the new running shorts I have is that they no longer have those gross mesh underliner/short. Instead, they have compression shorts, without the chamois. Much more comfortable.
I am one of those people that gets irritation/lines/welts from anything tight against my skin. Being sweaty makes it worse. So, the less I wear, the better.
Maybe I am a nudist in disguise????
Living previously in a super hot climate made me learn to wear as little as possible, which is why I wear sundresses with no waist, instead of shorts when it gets super hot. And, a loose, boy short like slip instead of panties.
OK, this is getting to be TMI. Although, the cyclists i ride with are not shy at all about discussing these things...

[sundial]

Thinking about the undies......I wonder if it helps keep things tucked up so that the girlie parts aren't running free all over the saddle. Hmmm....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

...so that the girlie parts aren't running free all over...

Is that like free range chicken or something? Sounds somehow more humane...

[sundial]

Bleecker, lol!

[OakLeaf]

Seriously tempted to link to some pictures from Nude Bike Day....

[jobob]

Oh joy, another thread for the "ignore" pile

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oh joy, another thread for the "ignore" pile

Well I don't want you to ignore me , so....

i'll say the same thing I say every time there's a thread on the underwear vs. no underwear schools of thought...
I wear underwear with my chamois shorts and leggings. I have NO problems with seams or chafing etc even on 60+ mile rides. No yeast infections or rashes from it. I use a little cheap hypoallergenic hand cream, nothing fancy or expensive. Works great. My 'free range parts' can frolic about as they please.
I don't do a heck of a lot of sweating, and I'd hate to have to throw my $100 biking shorts through the laundry every time i go for a 2 hour ride. Much better to put my cheapo cotton fruit of the Loom undies through that trauma over and over and replace them as needed.

Everyone is different, and there is no 'right way' or 'wrong way' here. If it's right for you, it's right!

[Crankin]

No laundry problems here. You just have to buy enough pairs of shorts to meet your laundry schedule .