Should women wear undies, knickers, pants or nothing?

[RedFeend]

I've read in a few threads posted by the men folk that padded cycling shorts are designed to be worn 'commando' as they put it ie with no underwear.
What about us women? I've just bought some Altura Pro Gel shorts and the only instruction is not to wash in biological powder or fabric softener.
TBH they feel more comfortable 'au naturel', but what to do.

I'm a bit hesitant about pressing the 'create thread' button with all these blokes around, but here goes.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Go for comfort (and I don't mean the fabric conditioner). If there are no hygiene or visibility issues, where is the problem?

 

[vickster]

Whatever is most comfortable. I can go either way, riding to work or just pottering around I wear underwear, long weekend rides, more likely to go commando

Just make sure you wash them after each ride, non bio, 30 or 40deg

 

[potsy]

Commando is the way to go

I only very recently plucked up the courage to wear my lycra shorts out in the open

 

[Sara_H]

If I'm wearing padded shorts I don't wear underwear, though I do wear liner shorts if I know I'm going to need to wear them again the next day before I can wash them.

 

[tadpole]

How far do you ride, if it's not far say less then 20 miles I'd say underwear is not going to be a problem,

 

[outlash]

TBH, who's going to notice if you're wearing underwear or not? Only you...


Tony.

 

[PK99]

I've read in a few threads posted by the men folk that padded cycling shorts are designed to be worn 'commando' as they put it ie with no underwear.
What about us women? I've just bought some Altura Pro Gel shorts and the only instruction is not to wash in biological powder or fabric softener.
TBH they feel more comfortable 'au naturel', but what to do.

I'm a bit hesitant about pressing the 'create thread' button with all these blokes around, but here goes.

My wife and daughter both eventually took my advice and tried commando and now would do nothing else.

 

[fimm]

I've never tried wearing padded shorts with underwear! They are comfortable without, as that is how they are intended to be worn. They do have to be washed after one wear (or one day's commute).
(I am female.)

 

[Mo1959]

Definitely no undies. If they get bunched up you end up getting rubbed.

 

[xxmimixx]

When I started cycling I used to wear 'undies' that were like seamless tiny shorts. But then had chafing issues so these days I always go without. Only thing I am careful is, if I go unpadded (for anything up to 40m) then I make sure that they are no damaged (check stitching) or see through!

 

[RAYMOND]

If there padded you do not wear anything underneath be you man or woman.
Also washing is down to the individual, i wear mine 2 days then wash,but i'm a very clean boy x

 

[bianchi1]

Male or female, don't forget to occasionally check the transparency of your shorts. Lycra has an unfortunate habit of becoming see through, and the wearer is often the last to realise!

 

[Shaun]

I think it's the same for us fellas too; given enough time on the bike your undies under your padded lycra shorts / bibs will eventually begin to chafe, and it's a most unpleasant feeling and can leave you sore for days.

Once you get past the initial "this feels a bit odd" feeling you actually find it's quite comfortable.

Personally it's undies for short journeys where I'm not "lycra'd up" - commando for any time I'm wearing lycra shorts / bibs.

Oh, and I never use conditioner on any of my proper cycling gear - tops / shorts / bibs / buffs - just pop 'em in the washer, pop some powder in, and a quick 15 min. sports-wash and they're good to go the next day.

 

[subaqua]

Male or female, don't forget to occasionally check the transparency of your shorts. Lycra has an unfortunate habit of becoming see through, and the wearer is often the last to realise!

regardless of undies or not ! It often means i have to ride harder to pass someone showing the world their pants.