Many cyclists prefer the relaxed style of casual or athletic shorts for their rides, but comfort on longer journeys often requires padding. The search for the perfect solution can sometimes feel confusing, especially when looking for dedicated “Bike Underwear.” You might be asking, just like many others, how to get that essential padding without resorting to full-on cycling shorts or bibs as outerwear.
The term “bike underwear” might seem a bit misleading because what you’re essentially looking for are padded undershorts – which, in many ways, are very similar to cycling shorts, just designed to be worn as a base layer. Instead of thinking of them as fundamentally different, consider “bike underwear” as cycling shorts in an undershort format.
One approach, if you already own cycling bib shorts that are past their prime for public rides, is to repurpose them as your base layer. Wearing mountain bike shorts, or similar casual shorts, over bib shorts provides the padding you need under a more relaxed outer layer. However, as one cyclist discovered, this combination can sometimes lead to the outer shorts sliding around. Simple fixes like adjusting the waistband might compromise comfort.
A clever solution to this slippage problem involves a slight adjustment to suspender straps, if you’re using bib shorts as underwear. By attaching the front suspender straps slightly ahead of the rear straps, you can effectively keep the back of the outer shorts in place and prevent the front from riding up. This simple tweak can significantly improve the comfort and practicality of wearing bib shorts under casual shorts.
Ultimately, whether you opt for dedicated padded undershorts (bike underwear) or repurpose older bib shorts, the goal is to achieve comfortable padding beneath your preferred casual cycling attire. Exploring options like padded liners or specific “bike underwear” products designed for this purpose can also lead to finding your ideal combination for comfortable and casual cycling.
