Originally Posted by
livedarklions
I used to have the same conversation with cyclists online and in person because I've never worn cycling kit:
"You need it to prevent chafing."
Me: I don't chafe when I ride.
"Try riding in street clothes for 50 miles and see how that goes."
Me: I rode 150 miles a couple days ago.
Occasionally, someone would then accuse me of not riding the 150 miles "hard", which I thought was especially funny.
I have no idea if you could ride in street clothes without chafing, but I'm pretty sure you know. Telling other people what they should or shouldn't wear to be comfortable is pretty silly. What you do works for you.
I only worry that some people get discouraged from trying to ride because some salesperson has convinced them they shouldn't ride a few miles without wearing $500 in kit.
When i first took up riding, i rode in street cloths. I thought cycling cloths were silly. A few years later, I somewhow switched. And was really upset that I hadn't done so sooner. SO much more comfortable. So better at managing sweat.