One of the most common questions asked is “do you wear underwear with bike shorts?”
Short answer? No.
If you’re still curious, read on.
Why You Shouldn’t Wear Underwear When Cycling
To understand why you shouldn’t wear underwear with bike shorts, it’s important to know the mechanics of cycling.
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The pressure exerted on your seat when cycling is what differentiates a bike seat from a regular seat.
This pressure forces your pelvic muscles to contract and can cause increased blood flow.
Due to these facts, wearing underwear with bike shorts can lead to swelling and discomfort. Your underwear collects sweat and causes saddle sores.
Most cycling shorts are padded with a chamois, which is designed to wick away moisture and create a comfortable surface.
For maximum comfort, you can wear your cycling shorts without underwear.
Reasons Why Cyclists Wear Padded Shorts
Wearing cycling shorts with a chamois (built-in padding) is essential to comfort while riding.
A padded short with a moisture-wicking fabric smooths out the surface of your body against the fabric of the shorts, so you don’t experience chafing.
Wearing underwear with bike shorts actually increases the amount of pressure on your seat by trapping moisture between your skin and cycling shorts. Uncomfortable chafing is inevitable, which leads to sores, discomfort, and even abrasions.
Wearing underwear with cycling shorts can lead to the bacteria in your underwear rubbing against your skin, causing infection and irritation.
Cycling Shorts Types
When it comes to purchasing your first pair of cycling shorts, you will find three different types: bib shorts, knickers, and spandex.
Bib shorts go up to your ribs and have suspenders on them. Bib shorts are the most expensive of the three, but they provide the most support.
The next type is knickers, which are shorts that don’t go up high enough on the thigh and don’t have suspenders on them.
They provide some support, but not as much as bib shorts.
The last type of shorts is spandex. Spandex is typically what most people think of when they hear the word “shorts.”
These are the least expensive, but they are the least supportive.
Bib shorts are typically worn by professional cyclists, so for casual riders, knickers or spandex will be more suitable for your needs.
Padded Cycling Shorts vs. Regular Shorts
Most padded shorts are made of polyester and feature a chamois.
A chamois is a foam pad that allows for maximum comfort while riding on a bike. This pad is made of varying densities of foam that are designed to provide comfort for long periods of time.
Wicking fabric helps keep the rider dry and comfortable.
Regular shorts are typically not padded or made from a fabric that doesn’t wick away moisture, which is why they should never be worn with cycling shorts.
Padded cycling shorts are designed to stay on the body securely while biking, so don’t wear regular shorts over them.
