How to Wear Bike Shorts

Cyclists are known for wearing tight clothes of Lycra or other form-fitting materials. Though they may look showy or silly, these clothes truly are perfectly designed for cycling long distances in many weather conditions. Beginners, though, may be mystified by how to wear bike shorts that contain padding and fit tightly. It's easy to make these shorts comfortable, though, whether you're riding 10 miles or 200, if you know a few keys to prevent common problems.

Things You'll Need

• Body Glide, Chamois Butt'r or similar product Sunscreen

Instructions

1. Remove your underwear. Yes, it may seem unusual, but going commando is definitely the way to go for all bike shorts. The padded "chamois" section that lines the crotch of bike shorts is designed to be worn against the skin. Adding more fabric to that area will result in bunching, chafing and a shorter ride than you had planned--guaranteed.

2. Apply the Body Glide or other anti-chafing product. Body Glide looks like a deodorant stick, but it is an unscented solid lubricant that feels dry and that will reduce the possibility of chafing from the movement of cycling and the rubbing of the shorts against delicate skin. Use plenty of Body Glide on your inner thighs, genital area and the area of your buttocks that will come into contact with your bike seat. You may be able to skip this step on shorter rides, but for long rides or especially sensitive skin, anti-chafing products are incredibly helpful.

3. Pull on the shorts. Be sure that the chamois of the shorts aligns with the areas you will want padded during the bike ride. Pull the stretchy fabric of the legs into the correct place on your legs; like pantyhose, the shorts don't always immediately move into the right position.

4. Apply sunscreen to your legs, particularly the gap between your knees and the cuff of the shorts. Be sure to add a little sunscreen below the cuffs and slightly above them, then move them back into position. The cuffs will inevitably move up as you ride, and you don't want a sunburned stripe where the sunscreen didn't protect you.

5. Adjust the placement of the chamois and the legs of the shorts once you sit on your bike seat to ride. As long as the pad is not bunched up under you and you align the pad with the seat, you should be able to ride many miles in comfort.

Tips & Warnings

• Some cyclists prefer to flip the rubberized edge of the cuffs of the bike shorts up instead of having them in contact with the skin. You can do this if you find it more comfortable, but your shorts may ride up a bit more while you're on your bike.

References

• Cycling Shorts: A Primer

Resources

• How to Wear Cycling Shorts