Underwear for Cycling – Without Seams That Chafe

Short answer: For cycling, underwear has to sit close, keep you dry and be free of thick seams that rub against the saddle. Close fitting bamboo boxer briefs meet all three requirements, which makes them a good choice for the commute and for ordinary rides.

Why ordinary underwear rubs on a bike

On a saddle, seams and folds are pressed against the skin at the same point thousands of times in one ride. Loose underwear gathers in the groin, and damp cotton fabric increases the friction further. Choose a close fitting model from bamboo underwear for men that lies smooth against the skin.

Check the seams first

Look for flat or covered seams, and pay particular attention to the seam running down through the crotch. If it is thick or sits proud of the fabric, it lands exactly where the pressure from the saddle is greatest. Turn the pair inside out and feel it with your fingers before the first long ride.

The leg has to reach past the saddle

The leg has to end some way down the thigh, so the opening does not sit where the thigh touches the saddle. If it ends in the middle of the contact area, it rolls up and makes a roll of fabric in the worst possible place. A longer leg is always the safe choice on a bike.

Dry skin takes more pressure

Moisture is the other half of the problem. Wet skin under pressure goes soft and breaks down more easily, while dry skin takes the same load without damage. That is why the material's moisture transport counts for so much here, and why cotton is the worst choice on a long ride.

For commuting rather than for the open road

On long training rides in padded cycling shorts there should be no underwear underneath at all, because then the seams come back. For commuting in ordinary clothes, a close fitting model is the right answer. These are two different situations, and one pair does not solve both.

Change when you arrive

If you arrive at work after half an hour of cycling, the pair is damp whatever the material. A clean pair in the bag sorts out the rest of the day, and it takes two minutes. The same goes for the ride home, where a damp pair from the morning is the most common source of chafing.

The socks count too

The feet work constantly on a ride, and a damp sock inside a shoe brings both blisters and odour. Choose a thin, moisture moving model that does not fold under the foot. See bamboo socks for men and pick a height that suits the shoe.

How to look after the pair

Wash at 30 to 40 degrees after every ride, because salt from sweat wears on the elastic if it is left sitting. Hang the pair to dry rather than tumbling it, and skip the fabric softener, which closes off the moisture transport. A pair used on the bike lasts less long than an office pair, and that is expected. See also bamboo for training and the right fit in bamboo underwear.