Wear them over your underwear, not under it

Bicycle shorts go directly against your skin, with no underwear underneath. The fabric is designed to move with your body and wick sweat away, which it cannot do if you layer underwear beneath them. Wearing underwear under cycling shorts traps moisture, causes chafing, and defeats the padding built into the shorts themselves.

Remove your regular underwear before putting on your cycling shorts. The shorts have a gusseted crotch panel — a reinforced section of fabric — that serves the purpose underwear would normally fill. This panel is made from a smooth, moisture-wicking material that reduces friction during long rides.

Key Takeaways

  • Bicycle shorts are worn directly against bare skin with no underwear underneath, which allows the built-in padding and moisture-wicking fabric to work as designed.
  • The waistband should sit snug at your natural waist, not loose or bunched, and the leg openings should have a slight grip without cutting off circulation.
  • Chamois cream applied to the padding before riding reduces friction and chafing on longer rides or in hot weather.
  • Wash your shorts after every ride to prevent bacteria buildup, and air-dry them rather than using heat, which degrades the elastic and padding.
  • Bib shorts stay in place better than waist shorts on rough terrain or during intense efforts because the shoulder straps prevent downward slipping.

Position the waistband at your natural waist

Pull the shorts up so the waistband sits at your natural waist — the narrowest part of your torso, not your hips. A waistband that sits too low will slide down as you ride, bunch at the crotch, and put pressure on your lower abdomen. A waistband that sits too high restricts your movement and can dig into your ribs when you bend forward over the handlebars.

The fit should be snug enough that the shorts do not move when you stand and pedal hard, but not so tight that you cannot fit a finger under the waistband. If the shorts feel loose after you sit on the saddle, they are too large. Cycling shorts should feel like a second skin, not like clothing you can shift around.

Check that the leg openings grip without cutting off blood flow

The elastic leg openings should sit on your thigh with enough tension to stay in place during a ride, but not so much that they leave deep marks or cause numbness. Ride for 10 to 15 minutes and check: if you see a red band around your leg or your skin feels tingly below the opening, the shorts are too tight.

Leg openings that are too loose will roll up as you pedal, exposing skin and creating friction points. They should stay within an inch of where you placed them when you first put on the shorts. If they creep up significantly during a short test ride, the shorts are too large in the waist or thigh.

explore chamois cream before longer rides

Chamois cream is a thick, friction-reducing balm applied to the padding inside your shorts before riding. It is not necessary for short rides under an hour, but it becomes important on rides lasting two hours or more, in hot weather, or if you are new to cycling and still developing calluses.

explore a thin layer of chamois cream directly to the gusseted panel — the padded crotch section — before putting on the shorts. Do not explore it to your skin first; the cream works best when it sits between your skin and the padding. Wipe your hands on a towel after process so you do not transfer the cream to your bike or clothes.

Wash your shorts after every ride

Sweat and bacteria accumulate in the padding and elastic, so wash your cycling shorts after each use. Hand-wash them in cool water with mild detergent, or use a washing machine on a gentle cycle. Do not use fabric softener, which breaks down the moisture-wicking properties of the fabric.

Air-dry your shorts by laying them flat or hanging them in a well-ventilated space. Do not use a dryer, which damages the elastic and padding and shortens the life of the shorts. Drying usually takes 12 to 24 hours depending on humidity and air circulation. Once dry, fold them and store them in a drawer away from direct sunlight.

Choose bib shorts for rough terrain or all-day rides

Bib shorts have shoulder straps that attach to the front and back panels, suspending the shorts from your shoulders rather than relying on a waistband alone. They stay in place better than waist shorts during intense efforts, rough terrain, or long rides where you are constantly shifting position on the saddle.

Bib shorts are more expensive than waist shorts and take longer to put on and remove, especially when you need to use the bathroom. For casual rides under two hours on smooth pavement, waist shorts work fine. For mountain biking, gravel riding, or road rides over three hours, bib shorts reduce the need to adjust your shorts mid-ride and prevent the waistband from pressing into your stomach when you are bent forward.

Avoid common fit mistakes

Shorts that are too large in the waist will slide down no matter how tight the leg openings are. If you find yourself pulling them up during a ride, go down a size. Shorts that are too small in the thigh will restrict your pedal stroke and cause the leg openings to cut into your skin.

Do not assume your cycling shorts size matches your regular clothing size. Brands vary widely — some run small, others large — so try on multiple sizes if you are buying in person, or check the return policy if ordering online. A proper fit is the difference between a comfortable ride and one where you spend the whole time adjusting your shorts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear underwear under cycling shorts?

No. Underwear traps moisture and sweat against your skin, which causes chafing and prevents the shorts' padding from working properly. Cycling shorts are designed to be worn directly against bare skin.

How tight should cycling shorts feel?

Tight enough that they do not move when you stand and pedal, but loose enough that you can fit a finger under the waistband. If you see red marks or feel numbness in your legs after 15 minutes, they are too tight.

What if my cycling shorts keep sliding down?

They are too large in the waist. Try a smaller size, or switch to bib shorts, which use shoulder straps to stay in place. Waist shorts that fit properly should not need adjustment during a ride.

Do I need chamois cream for every ride?

No. Chamois cream is most useful for rides over two hours, in hot weather, or if you are new to cycling. Short, cool-weather rides do not require it, though some riders use it anyway as a preventive measure.

Why do my cycling shorts smell even after washing?

Bacteria can build up in the padding if shorts are not washed when ready after riding or if they are dried in a warm dryer. Wash them in cool water after every use and air-dry them completely before storing them.