I got this idea and tested it out on my last two rides (25 miles and 106 miles) because I’ve had some chafing issues especially on long rides and was thinking about what I want to wear for IMFL.
I wore a pair of tri shorts with very thin chamois (Zoot) under a pair of good bike shorts (Assos). I figured that like WrightSocks, the two layers of fabric would rub on each other and not so much on my skin. I figured if it worked I could wear the tri shorts throughout the race, and pull the bike shorts on/off just for the bike leg.
IT WORKED GREAT! I have no idea if this would work for guys also, but the other woman’s thread on saddle comfort prompted me to post this little experiment. Anyone else wear 2 pair of shorts? Well if you have chafing probs you might try it.
Amen. We’re a coupla smart cookies, eh? Probably not the only ones.
I double bag it for every ride.
Oomph! tri short under some reg bike shorts is my current combo.
It helps, but is not a 100% cure for me. The laundry piles up that much quicker but that’s no biggie.
And maybe he’ll name them after you…“The DeSoto Tri Nic Shorts”, featuring double-layered technology to eliminate those nasty burns and boils you get when you wear the single layered shorts!
I replaced chamois cream with bodyglide and have yet to run into any problems with chafing since. I do all of my rides in desoto forza tri shorts, regardless of the distance. So much more comfortable than cycling shorts, i cant imagine two pair.
If you are having chafing issues with your shorts, chances are the shorts are too large. Another indicator of too large a short would be room enough to comfortably wear another pair of shorts underneath the first pair. Too large of shorts have extra material which can bunch up and cause chafing. Try a tighter pair of shorts and cut your laundry bills…
I wore two pair during IMLP (Craft tri, PI bike). Put both on before the swim and took off the bike shorts after the bike. Ran in tri shorts only.
I definitely wanted bike shorts for the ride, but didn’t want to have to do a full change in T2. This way all I had to do was strip off the bike shorts. Worked out pretty well for me.
I’m glad that worked for you, but like Rogueclimber, I’m more interested in why you are having chafing issues in the first place. When I started riding I had issues, too, but not now in 10 years or more. I had to find shorts that fit me properly. Medium sized Desoto Tri Shorts are it, for me. They just fit me perfectly, no chafing at all. If I wear a larger size - ouch. I have found others that fit close, but not quite as perfectly as the Desoto shorts. I think that bike shorts are probably like saddles - one size ( or 3 ) does NOT fit all. Keep trying till you find a single pair that works for you. Double bagging it isn’t probably the greatest of long term solutions - twice the wear, twice the laundry.
I did this very thing, two pairs of shorts (trishorts with bike shorts) when testing the comfort and padding when I developed the 400-Mile Bike Shorts and Bibs. So if you want that sort of padding, that is where you will find them. I will agree with Rogueclimber though, most people do not wear their shorts tight enough. This is what causes movement, bunching, and chafing.
i’m 5’8" 150 #s, waist 31-32"; just bought 400 mile short in medium (men). is that the right size? checked the chart, but just double checking due to chafing issues previously with other shorts, haven’t ridden yet. thanks in advance…
I am 5 10 165 and i wear medium. This may be the right size for you if your legs are the same size as mine. I carry most of my weight in my chest and have been told I have no ass. So try them on, if they are snug, with no wrinkle lines, they are the right size.
I would have a tendency to go with small. I have both small and medium, and the medium are just that little bit too big (and uncomfortable). I am 5’9" 150.
I haven’t tried “double bagging it”, but I’m wondering if the thin compression shorts they have now might be better than tri shorts for the bottom layer. They are thinner and are pretty slippery, and I can only imagine that they wouldn’t be as hot. I wear them (nike, I think) in the winter months under sweats or tights when running and they work great for that.
thank you for quick reply. with those measures in mind, i think i’ll try small; i’m (nor my wife) not into extra laundry! : ) thank you and badger again.
Yep, I wear liner shorts under my tri shorts and have never had any problems. I started doing this after my first tri–I only wore tri-shorts and got chaffed like a mutha!
