What kind of underwear do cyclists wear

You can choose between traditional shorts that are held up by a waistband or go with bibs, which forgo the waistband and are held up by straps that slip on over your shoulders like suspenders. The biggest drawback of bibs is during bathroom breaks. For men, most brands cut the bibs low enough in the front that you can pull them down for a pee stop without much trouble.

That said, there are still riders who prefer the ease of shorts or who prefer to not have straps over their shoulders. There are plenty of quality non-bib shorts to choose from if you find yourself in that camp. Lower-end cycling shorts tend to have a plain chamois pad that is uniform all the way around. It will support you better and keep you comfortable for the duration of the ride. Oh, and just like swimsuits, keep your skivvies on while trying on cycling shorts for obvious hygiene reasons.

Finally, once you have a pair of cycling shorts you love, a little TLC will ensure that they last. To clean your shorts , either hand wash or machine wash on the gentle cycle.

Use detergent with no additives. Residue from these additives, as well as fabric softeners, can clog up the fibers and interfere with the wicking ability. After washing, hang your shorts to dry inside out. UV exposure can cause the fabric to break down prematurely.

While this may seem like a lot of information for a simple pair of shorts, one of the most important factors of riding happy is being comfortable, and the right pair of shorts that fit well and suit your style of riding can make all the difference.

Bikes and Gear. United States. As you ride, the saddle can cause chafing and discomfort when you wear your regular underwear with cycling shorts. Wearing underwear with padded shorts could render them useless. The chamois, which is the thicker piece of equipment that runs along the crotch of the shorts, is engineered to keep seams away from your bottom. The chamois helps offer extra padding for comfort during long rides while protecting you from chafing due to underwear.

If your shorts have a chamois, avoid wearing underwear if possible. While you can certainly bike without underwear in regular, unpadded bike shorts, the addition of padded underwear, usually with gel or fabric inserts, can help cushion your bottom and help you avoid sores during long rides.

Instead, look for soft, natural fabrics or gel inserts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sign in. Aoife is an experienced journalist, editor and product tester.

She enjoys putting the latest products through their paces, helping riders find the right kit for them and sharing the best advice, hints and tips to help them get the most out of riding. Home Features Should I wear underwear when cycling? Do you wear underwear with cycling shorts? This can also contribute to painful saddle sores The shorts are designed to hug your body and keep the chamois pad in the right position while you ride The pad is designed to absorb sweat.

Wearing underwear can affect how well it can do this, which in some cases can lead to a greater chance of developing a urinary tract infection UTI. The pad in cycling shorts is designed to sit against the skin. Alex Evans.

Bibshorts are held in place using shoulder straps. Aoife Glass Contributor.