Hello. I like to ride a bike for exercise several times per week and like to wear regular gym shorts/basket ball shorts while riding. Lately I have been noticing all my boxer briefs I wear underneath are tearing at the inner thigh area and believe this to be from cycling. I understand most enthusiasts wear biker shorts, however I am just not into them. I was wondering if anybody had advice on what to wear underneath basketball shorts for cycling as I have never worn bicycle shorts and really don't want to go that route. Thanks.

You can get cycling "underwear" which are basically shorter versions of cycling shorts that are meant to be worn underneath regular clothing.

But, understand that people wear cycling specific clothes for a reason... and it's not because people think they look good.

60,000 miles in Bike Shorts w No Underwear.

When I go on solo training rides I have always worn bike shorts. However lately my rides have been reduced to pulling my toddler daughter in a trailer buggy. I feel uncomfortable wearing my bike shorts to pull her on the MUP. So I wear bike shorts and basketball or running shorts over them. I'm experienced enough to know the benefits of cycling shorts but modest enough to wear shorts over them if I'm not in training mode.

check mountain bike shorts. they come with a removable liner. I didn't like the liner they came with so I use thin lined Zoot 9" Tri Shorts. not cheap but perfect (& no one knows I'm wearing them!) just size UP. i.e. for pants I get 38W, boxers XL, but these I get XXL

I generally use travel underwear (such as that by ExOfficio) which is thinner and all synthetic. Seems to last longer than cotton but is also more expensive so I'm not sure which is a better value. The thinner material appears to result in less chafing. It also dries much quicker which is a plus on bike tours (can be washed in the evening and dry by morning).

Compression style athletic trunk-style underwear is available at any big box store or online. They are very similar to the cycling underwear but with no chamois. I wear them a lot under trekking or jean shorts, often on rides of 30-50 miles, even in hot, humid weather.

Here is a brand that works well for me https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0117ERVI6...ing=UTF8&psc=1

I do wear bike shorts quite often, especially on club, charity or other organized rides, but contrary to what some may say, you won't suffer any dire consequences from riding in a good pair of tech fabric athletic underwear. Just make sure the legs are long enough and don't ride up, this is where the light compression is helpful.

The compression shorts idea isn't bad. Otherwise, just go with bike shorts. Would you play basketball in wing tips or work boots? I imagine not. If cycling is your thing, why not wear cycling apparel?

I wear a bathing suit when I go swimming.

I wear cycling shorts when I go cycling.

Right tool for the job.

I'm not about to give up my bib shorts for road cycling, but occasionally I go without bike shorts for quick rides, so I know what you mean. I've worn cycling underwear too - that's inexpensive, but you get what you pay for.

Anyway, I made a list of all the athletic underwear I like. One of my favorites are the Champion C9 line you can find at Target. They're tough (durable), supportive, and smooth.

Thanks for all the helpful replies, you'all are great!

[MENTION=465695]mrmontana[/MENTION], if bike shorts look immodest to you, you can get some shorts made for mountain biking. They're a bit floppy, and they have an interior like road bike shorts. They look normal on the outside.

I wear regular briefs under bike shorts and gym shorts over that. I wear underwear because it feels more hygienic to me. I wear bike shorts for padding and to keep the junk tucked in. I wear the gym shorts because it feels more natural to me and they have pockets. I should probably wear mountain bike shorts but the are too long.

This...
After my first ever bout with heat rash last summer I began wearing Champion tech fabric boxer/briefs on almost every ride, based on the recommendation of another bike forums member. They're extremely thin, skin tight except for the mesh pouch for Johnson and the twins, and help wick perspiration better than padded shorts alone.

Usually I just wear the Champion shorts under baggy shorts, jeans, whatever I'm wearing. Occasionally when I wear my AeroTech or Pearl Izumi padded shorts on my road bike to cut down on wind resistance on really windy days, I still use the Champion shorts as a liner. They air dry quickly on my body and reduce the soggy diaper feeling with padded shorts on hot, humid days.

I don't use any creams, butt butter, Glide, etc. Don't need it. I did use those decades ago with merino wool shorts and chamois pads, mostly to keep the chamois leather pliable through multiple washings. But I don't need 'em with the current synthetics.

Give 'em a try.