Is there a way to avoid saddle sores when riding in regular pants/shorts? I would guess boxers would be better than briefs, at least. Anything else?

I don't think there's much you can do. Try getting a decent saddle if you don't have one. I rode 80 miles in boxers and shorts over the course of two days without any saddle issues.

I used to go 40+ miles without any cycling shorts and the way to minimize the pain was to change my riding position a lot. Getting out of saddle a lot and stuff like that. I used to do this for like 2 years with decent success and only the last 10 miles or so would be real unconformable as I got used to it.

I never got any saddle sores but I was getting fed up with discomfort towards the end of the rides.

So recently,,,, I got some shorts,,,, and now its just a breeze and I feel like I can go 50 more miles with no discomfort.

I feel like riding without shorts on long rides has thought me a lot about fitting my self and how to minimize discomfort.

I was wearing briefs which would explain my discomfort...which gets pretty extreme after a few miles, since the edges of the garment are in the highest friction spot of your legs. I guess if I change to boxer briefs or boxers it will be better.

i do ride in regular stuff if i ride on weekday evenings. I find the lack of padding isn't an issue and i don't get any chafing for the short distance. what does happen is if the shorts are too loose they will bunch up and garotte my tender regions. boxers are worse for this reason.

Actually, briefs are better for me. It holds, umm... things.... more securely. With boxers things tend to move around more and leads to chafing. The best I've found for riding in street clothes are the "bicycle" style undies at Target, which are kind of like thigh-lenght long johns. Tight enough to prevent movement of the essentials, and don't bind like briefs do at the leg holes.

Boxerbriefs FTW

I tend to ride my other bikes in normal clothes and use boxer briefs with a lycra blend designed for sports. Meaning no irritating seams and my junk stays in place.

You can stand up.

I commute in regular clothes, but it's really short. If can do think things to keep you cooler it helps as sweating will increase chafing problems. I do remember having to readjust positions a lot when I was doing that 40mile 2 day tour.

I have two pairs of padded underwear specifically for riding in street clothes. One are boxer style, the other, brief style. Both are awesome and allow me to dress decently for a ride to the museum or restaurant. I got them from Performance about 12 years ago and they're holding up just fine!

I find slippery type fabrics like nylon work best for shorts. Cotton shorts are a big no for me.