No. Cycling knicks and bib knicks are made to be worn on bare skin, and undies underneath only add seams and trapped sweat where you sit. Padded undershorts are something else: a thin padded layer you wear under normal shorts or trousers for commutes, café rides and bike paths.
In short
- Knicks and bib knicks are worn on bare skin, with no undies underneath.
- Padded undershorts are for riding in normal clothes: commutes, café rides, the trip to the beach.
- Never wear padded undershorts under padded knicks. Two pads slide on each other.
- Warm-weather sweat makes washing after every ride even more important.
Do you wear underwear with cycling knicks?
Not with padded knicks or bibs. The chamois (the padded insert in the seat) is shaped to sit against your skin and move with you. Add a pair of undies between you and the pad and the pad can no longer do its job.
How bibs should fit and how to put them on is covered in our bib shorts vs knicks guide. This article answers the follow-up question: why the no-undies rule exists, and where padded undershorts come in.
A sports bra under the jersey is normal, and so is a thin base layer. Neither sits between you and the saddle, so neither breaks the rule.
Why don't cyclists wear undies under knicks?
Spring rides in Australia get warm quickly, and warm rides show the problem fastest.
Sweat stays put. Cotton undies soak up sweat and hold it against your skin for the rest of the ride. A 2020 review in Methods and Protocols describes saddle sores as coming from a mix of friction, heat, pressure, moisture and bacteria in the saddle area. A hot morning in damp cotton supplies the heat and the moisture.
Seams press in. Elastic edges and stitched seams run right where your sit bones and inner thighs meet the saddle. Turn the pedals for an hour and those seams press in thousands of times. Knicks use low profile stitching around the pad for that reason.
Layers move. Silicone leg grippers hold knicks in place on your thighs. Undies are a loose extra layer that can bunch and creep, and a layer that moves is a layer that rubs.
A ten minute ride to the shops in your usual undies is fine. The rule is for padded kit on rides long enough for small things to add up.
What are padded undershorts for?
Riding in your normal clothes with some padding underneath. Padded cycling undershorts look like fitted trunks or briefs with a gel pad in the seat, and you wear them as your underwear for the day.
They suit:
- Commuting in shorts or work trousers, then sitting at a desk.
- Weekend café rides and bike paths in casual gear.
- Mountain bike and gravel rides in loose baggies.
- Holidays where you hire a bike and hop on and off all day.
- Spin classes and short sessions on the trainer.
The Men's OCG Soft Mesh Gel Padded Cycling Underwear-Shorts are made from a soft, quick-dry mesh in a Lycra, spandex and polyester blend, with a contoured silicone gel pad. The product page says they suit casual and work clothing, and they come in black or white. With longer, warmer days on the way, the breathable mesh is a better match for summer commutes than a cotton pair.
Undershorts or knicks: which do you need?
That comes down to the ride. Plenty of riders keep both in the drawer and choose on the morning.
| Padded undershorts | Knicks or bib knicks | |
|---|---|---|
| How you wear them | Under normal clothes | As the outer layer |
| Undies underneath | They are the undies | None |
| Good for | Commutes, café rides, baggies, spin | Road rides, bunch rides, anything over an hour |
| Pad (ours) | 3D silicone gel pad | 9D contoured silicone gel chamois |
| Leg | Soft mesh, low-profile cut | 45 mm silicone leg grippers |
| Looks | Invisible under clothes | Cycling kit |
For a Saturday bunch ride or a long road loop, cycling knicks or bib knicks do the job better. The Men's Pro-Band Classic Gel Padded Cycling Shorts are a typical example: 80% polyester and 20% Lycra, a 9D contoured silicone gel pad and 45 mm silicone leg grippers. Undershorts win when you would rather not look like you are in kit.
Can you wear padded undershorts under knicks?
No. Two pads stacked together do not make a softer seat. They shift against each other, fold and create pressure points of their own, and the extra layer holds even more heat on a warm day.
Choose one layer of padding for each ride. If your knicks still feel uncomfortable, look at the fit and your saddle position before you reach for more padding.
How do you choose and care for padded undershorts?
Pick the shape first. Men's undershorts are fitted trunks. Women can choose the Women's OCG Soft Mesh Gel Padded Cycling Underwear Shorts Bundle (3 Pack) for a short leg, or briefs such as the Women's Plain Gel Padded Cycling Underwear-Briefs. Printed briefs are in our women's cycling underwear collection.
For size, the pad only works if the undershorts sit close. Read the size note on the product page and check the size chart before you choose.
Count your rides, too. Padding gets washed after every ride, and summer sweat makes that non-negotiable. Daily commuters will want a rotation, which is what the Men's OCG Soft Mesh Gel Padded Cycling Underwear Shorts Bundle (3 Pack) is for. Its product page says the pack costs less than three single pairs.
Looking after them takes a minute:
- Machine wash at 30°C after every ride, as the care label says.
- Use a little liquid detergent, with no fabric softener or bleach.
- Hang them in the shade to dry. No dryer, no iron, no dry cleaning.
If plain black feels too serious, the Men's Must Be Bananas Gel Padded Cycling Underwear-Shorts bring some colour. Everything is in cycling underwear.
Non-customised items come with 60-day store-credit returns. Our returns policy has the details.
Padded cycling underwear
Online Cycling Gear
Men's OCG Soft Mesh Gel Padded Cycling Underwear Shorts Bundle (3 Pack)
$99.99$119.99
Shop Now
Online Cycling Gear
Women's OCG Soft Mesh Gel Padded Cycling Underwear Shorts Bundle (3 Pack)
$99.99$119.99
Shop Now
Online Cycling Gear
Women's Plain Gel Padded Cycling Underwear Briefs Bundle (3 Pack)
$99.99$119.99
Shop Now
Frequently asked questions
Do cyclists wear undies under bib knicks?
No. Knicks and bib knicks go on bare skin. A base layer on top or a sports bra is fine, because neither sits on the saddle.
What is the difference between padded undershorts and cycling knicks?
Undershorts are a padded inner layer worn under normal clothes. Knicks are the outer layer, with a contoured chamois and silicone leg grippers, made for longer rides in kit.
Are padded undershorts good for summer commuting?
They suit it well. Ours use a breathable, quick-dry mesh, and they stay hidden under shorts or work trousers. Wash them after every ride.
Can I wear undershorts under my knicks for extra padding?
No. Two pads slide on each other and cause the rubbing you were trying to avoid. Use one or the other.
What if I still get sore spots?
Check the fit of your knicks and your saddle position first. For sores that do not heal or keep coming back, see a doctor or health professional.
Sources
- Prevalence, Prevention and Treatment of Saddle Sores among Female Competitive Cyclists (Methods and Protocols, 2020)
- Online Cycling Gear Australia, Men's OCG Soft Mesh Gel Padded Cycling Underwear Shorts Bundle (3 Pack)
- Online Cycling Gear Australia, Men's OCG Soft Mesh Gel Padded Cycling Underwear-Shorts
- Online Cycling Gear Australia, Men's Pro-Band Classic Gel Padded Cycling Shorts
- Online Cycling Gear Australia size chart
- Online Cycling Gear Australia returns policy