Underwear for riding
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
- thenorthwind
- Posts: 2609
- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2016 6:07 pm
- Location: Newcastle
Underwear for riding
Before we start, I should point out that I've just spent half an hour Googling "boxers" so I've seen every sort of "male lingerie" going, so there's no need to share any more, children (try it if you don't believe me - no special keywords required!)
Having tried tried different combinations of padded shorts, bibs, liners, saddles, chamois creams, etc. I've come to the conclusion that plain old boxers under whatever riding shorts are just as comfortable as anything else. A recent 135 mile road/gravel ride with cotton boxers under cotton/polyamide shorts has convinced me of this.
I don't think I've quite reached optimum long-distance comfort though, so I'm looking for recommendations for boxers. I tried some seamless synthetic ones from Decathlon but they were awful - they roll up and bunch up and chafe more than anything else I've worn. I've got some normal bamboo boxers for normal wear but don't see much difference.
These just popped up in an advert (damn targeted advertising), which is what reminded me of this: https://uk.stepone.life/pages/underwear They look like they would be quite comfortable with the lycra panel. Plus, bamboo (though admittedly unsold on that point). Quite expensive though.
Any other recommendations?
Having tried tried different combinations of padded shorts, bibs, liners, saddles, chamois creams, etc. I've come to the conclusion that plain old boxers under whatever riding shorts are just as comfortable as anything else. A recent 135 mile road/gravel ride with cotton boxers under cotton/polyamide shorts has convinced me of this.
I don't think I've quite reached optimum long-distance comfort though, so I'm looking for recommendations for boxers. I tried some seamless synthetic ones from Decathlon but they were awful - they roll up and bunch up and chafe more than anything else I've worn. I've got some normal bamboo boxers for normal wear but don't see much difference.
These just popped up in an advert (damn targeted advertising), which is what reminded me of this: https://uk.stepone.life/pages/underwear They look like they would be quite comfortable with the lycra panel. Plus, bamboo (though admittedly unsold on that point). Quite expensive though.
Any other recommendations?
Re: Underwear for riding
If my shorts are padded, baggy or lycra doesn't matter, then I go commando.
If they're not, then I wear my cheapo padded boxers from Amazon.
I once wore silk mix boxer shorts under lycra shorts and nearly garrotted my own bollocks off. Be warned. Nature's way is the best way.
If they're not, then I wear my cheapo padded boxers from Amazon.
I once wore silk mix boxer shorts under lycra shorts and nearly garrotted my own bollocks off. Be warned. Nature's way is the best way.
- Bearlegged
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:00 pm
Re: Underwear for riding
FWIW I'm very happy with Björn Borg "shorts" in some sort of synthetic fabric.
I suspect however that this subject is very much like saddles - everyone's arse is slightly different.
I suspect however that this subject is very much like saddles - everyone's arse is slightly different.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Underwear for riding
Have you tried wearing nowt underneath Dave? You might be surprised. I don't wear padded shorts and I don't wear anything beneath my baggies and 'tis comfy ... let 'em breath and get some air round it.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Underwear for riding
Go commando.
Re: Underwear for riding
i just wear cheap primark cotton undies. perfect
https://www.primark.com/en/categories/m ... /127905808
https://www.primark.com/en/categories/m ... /127905808
- thenorthwind
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- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2016 6:07 pm
- Location: Newcastle
Re: Underwear for riding
Admittedly I haven't. I will try and summon the courage to try. Suspect the results then become dependent on your shorts - have you tried many different ones?Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Thu Jul 16, 2020 4:26 pm Have you tried wearing nowt underneath Dave? You might be surprised. I don't wear padded shorts and I don't wear anything beneath my baggies and 'tis comfy ... let 'em breath and get some air round it.
Probably very true.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Underwear for riding
Yeah, can't think how many different pairs I've had over the years and don't recall problems with any.Admittedly I haven't. I will try and summon the courage to try. Suspect the results then become dependent on your shorts - have you tried many different ones?
May the bridges you burn light your way
- fatbikephil
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Re: Underwear for riding
Tried isobaa merino boxers under baggies - fine for up to 6 hours, not so fine thereafter.....
Re: Underwear for riding
Really like under armour tech boxer jocks. Made of very stretchy base layer type fabric. Works well with baggies if you don’t want a pad but you want ‘something’.
- Cheeky Monkey
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Re: Underwear for riding
I found merino gave me an itchy ring but bamboo boxers (BAM ones) were lovely and comfy. I can't imagine regular-style cotton boxers would do anything other than garot my nuts, form awfy sharp creases and just generally be a sore, sweaty, wet mess.
Though as others have said, it's an entirely personal thing.
- Bearlegged
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Re: Underwear for riding
There's folk who'll pay good money for that sort of treatment.garot my nuts, form awfy sharp creases and just generally be a sore, sweaty, wet mess.
- stevewaters
- Posts: 217
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- Location: Dark Peak
Re: Underwear for riding
Dare I say I usually now wear bib shorts (usually 3/4 length in the northern UK) !
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/best-of-bib-shorts
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/best-of-bib-shorts
- thenorthwind
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- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2016 6:07 pm
- Location: Newcastle
Re: Underwear for riding
Well I went out for a short (maybe 10 mile) bimble yesterday and thought I might as well dip my toe in the commando pool. I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable it was with just my heavy polycotton touring shorts. Will reserve judgement til I have the chance to try a longer ride, but I have high hopes.
So, probably this again:
Depends really. I have some cotton ones from M&S (because I'm so edgy ) that I've found pretty comfortable on 100 mile+ rides, whereas my cheap-ish bamboo ones are so comfy - I think they're too soft and they bunch up.I can't imagine regular-style cotton boxers would do anything other than garot my nuts, form awfy sharp creases and just generally be a sore, sweaty, wet mess.
So, probably this again:
everyone's arse is slightly different
Re: Underwear for riding
I’ve been wearing UA boxers under my chamois, but I’ve read this week that it’s not recommended.
Last time I was riding a bike regularly was thirty odd years ago and as a teenager I just wore whatever.
Now I find after a full days riding I’m getting a bit tender down there so I’ve had to enlist the help of said chamois.
So kegs or no kegs, the latter sounds gross for multiday trips
Last time I was riding a bike regularly was thirty odd years ago and as a teenager I just wore whatever.
Now I find after a full days riding I’m getting a bit tender down there so I’ve had to enlist the help of said chamois.
So kegs or no kegs, the latter sounds gross for multiday trips
Re: Underwear for riding
I generally wear bib shorts, but when I'm not in lycra then I've found that the breathable mesh ones on Groupon are good.
Four- or Eight-Pack of Breathable Mesh Boxers
https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/breatha ... eferral_ma
Four- or Eight-Pack of Breathable Mesh Boxers
https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/breatha ... eferral_ma
Re: Underwear for riding
For shorter mtb rides i've gone to undercrackers and baggies, but the boxers need to be snug or elasticated, nobody wants their plums squashed!
Anything else, it's bib shorts and baggies and never worn anything under bibs, it's what they're meant for!
Anything else, it's bib shorts and baggies and never worn anything under bibs, it's what they're meant for!
Re: Underwear for riding
Nothing under bibs, I've done 5 days with one pair, only taking them off at night. I was racing so you tend to go a bit feral. People go longer than that without clean bibs on longer races.
I had some antibacterial wipes I used to wipe my bits down with each night and also gave the chamois a wipe over.
Adventure without risk is Disneyland - Bikemonger
Re: Underwear for riding
Saw these today. Interesting alternative for the normal pad vs not debate. I'll be giving them a go to see if they keep things nice and dry in the bollock department.
https://www.bikemag.com/gear/apparel/fi ... e-chamois/
https://www.bikemag.com/gear/apparel/fi ... e-chamois/
- Cheeky Monkey
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Re: Underwear for riding
Interesting, though why he can't just say/use/write "scrotum" or "bollocks" instead of "boys"
Re: Underwear for riding
BN3TH (pronounced “beneath)
I am not a marketing expert but if you need to explain how to pronounce the name of your product you have probably not done a great job naming it .
I am not a marketing expert but if you need to explain how to pronounce the name of your product you have probably not done a great job naming it .
Re: Underwear for riding
Apparently they're quite popular already, so in this case I think it was more the journalist feeling the need to explain.
Also, I'd argue it's pronounced b-neath, but what do I know?
Also, I'd argue it's pronounced b-neath, but what do I know?
- Cheeky Monkey
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Re: Underwear for riding
Needs photos
Re: Underwear for riding
Re: Underwear for riding
Started wearing nothing under baggies it was fine for the wrt.
Trying to ride bikes.