Might be tmi but between the pinching at the legs of every kind of panties I’ve tried and the pinching of the knee patches, I’ve got to do something different. I’m using tropical rider enduracool tights, and I love how cool the fabric is, but they aren’t so friendly to riding commando. Is there anything in a similar fabric that works for long rides?
I don’t know how they compare to Tropical Riders but Saddle Bums are designed for commando (you don’t -have- to go commando) and are somewhat padded at the knee in a funny shape that, at least for me, doesn’t pinch. The folks are easy to work with and the tights are pretty hard-wearing.
Also, talk to Evelyn at xxxxxx She runs/owns the business and loves to custom make tights. Occasionally it can take awhile but I like her tights enough to continue to order from her. She will make them with whatever patches you do/don’t want, and can pad/line them for commando use. She has a variety of fabric types and patterns.
hmm not sure if I’m allowed to post her website. Do a search for <“the tights lady” evelyn>
Ditto Saddle Bums… you can get whatever you want, however you want it. Plus they’re super tough and long-wearing.
Being that I have had a serious compound fractured leg while on a ride, and I had to peel off my endura cools, I would NEVER ride commando. Ya, just never know when you will have to sit on a park bench, in your under wear waiting for the paramedics. Or have the paramedics cut your endura cools off, or have THEM peel off your tights and be “comando” underneath. When I was sitting there, the fire department, paramedics, and a large crowd gathered. I was happy I had on some underwear, also not sure I would want to sit and be bare butted on a picnic table.
Try Hanes Her Way Hipsters 100% cotton undies. They come in a 3 pack, do not ride up, and the leg seams are very nice. 3 pack, they are thicker, not the 6 pack or whatever else, they come in a 3 pack only. Get at Walmart, or Target. 3 pack, remember that, the 3 pack ones.
You may try a wool seat saver. I have one, love it. Covers just the top of the saddle. Not fleece, wool.
You will never find a cooler, longer wearing tight. I have tried saddle bums, and a few others and my legs burned with all the heat they kept in. Also they were so difficult to get off. They wick moisture the best. IMO once your ride in Tropical Rider Endura Cools, you will never use another tight, they just do not compare.
TMI? Ha ha ok my bum, and where my socks are gets very sweaty when I ride, my undies that is. And these tights do not show the wet bumm I have and they will dry my undies/socks out pretty quick. Also you can just peel these off like a banana peel when you are wicked hot sweaty dirty. I wish my socks would peel off as easy.
During competition I usually change my socks, undies, shirt, bra, but put the same pair of tights back on, or switch to a different pair. Feels so nice to be dry on the next loops. If I am at an away check, I take undies and socks with me, maybe a shirt.
No such thing as too many pairs of undies or socks!
BTW I live in the S-SE also. I KNOW humidity and heat. Oh, yes. Whew!
I may have to try the panty recommendation. I hate the idea of commando but all the panties I have are miserable. I have a sheepskin seat saver over a cashel, and my saddle isn’t terribly hard. Its just how my legs move when I post. It was like this pre-baby too but I got pregnant before I fixed the problem. I have some of the smartpak panties but they no longer fit. I never got to try them either.
I do love my enduracools. But this will seriously limit my ability to ride more than 3 miles if I don’t find some kind of answer.
There is nothing like your huggies holed up in box canyon!
Maybe you have too much padding on top your saddle? Maybe you need a size larger or smaller on the TR’s? I have a pair of the endura cools with the endurance patch. I like it. Also have knee patch, love those, and full seat - detest! But they are for cold weather. I would suggest some Ariat Terrain half chaps. They are comfy, COOL wearing, easy to get on and out of, go over most all shoes, including running shoes, and last a long time. Not sure of your exact problem, but these will secure your leg better perhaps. What fixed my umm, “saddle rubs” was going from an AP Crosby Olympia II 17", medium width to a Solstice 18" wide width. I also was 115 and went to 130, so I was a different size, I took a couple years off and gained weight :-(. But my horse (new one) was a wide width. And this smaller saddle just didn’t fit right on him, made too much movement. Different saddle, worked. But alas on some training days, things can rub for no reason at all. But, I have my body rubs fixed 98% of the time.
Good Luck!
The under armor bike short undies (longer than boy shorts but not mid thigh either) are awesome.
For the knee patch pinching, have you tried BodyGlide?
I wear TR tights with these http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix;jsessionid=1DAA5179AD9212F69BD017E7F00D9C04#ip/Sweet-Nothings-Get-the-Skinny-Lace-Trimmed-Thighslimmer/22259040?type=search22259040 underneath. They are not boa constrictor tight like Spanx :eek: and the long length/lace ends make them comfy.
For commando I would reccomend a ribbed fabric - Kerrits and Tuffrider make ribbed breeches (but with knee patches). I like the Kerrits bootcut style.
The crotch rubs is right at the legs of my panties. Its like they pull up when I ride. It happens with other breeches too. Panties range from small to way too big, bikini, hipster, boy shorts, with fabric, elastic, or lace legs. Breeches have done this at a range of 20lb and with various saddle padding. I may try to adjust my padding to make more of a twist. The knee thing is new after my year off riding. Sheepskin leather covers didnt help. Same half chaps as before. I think that is due to my skin not being as tough
Under Armour; http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens-ua-ultra-7inch-compression-short/pid1216685-001
Awesome. They have tights too.
Try some triathlon shorts… They should have no crotch seems like bike shorts but they have a smaller less intrusive pad and the legs should have a bit of grip at the ends to keep them down.
FWIW I was just having your same thought last night after a ride because the breeches I wore had a kind of “saggy crotch” if you know what I mean, as well as, big seems and it seemed to keep catching on my saddle and causing rubbing in my nether regions 
seamless!
I went through a lot of trial and error on what would be comfy for long fast rides… Seamless is the key. Avoid cotton. I like the knee length seamless bicycle shorts for extra long rides, and for normal training rides I’ve been using Champion seamless boyshorts from Target:
http://www.target.com/p/c9-by-champion-women-s-seamless-boyshort-2-pack-assorted-colors/-/A-14541812
A couple endurance riders have suggested the Under Armour Cheeky style, I haven’t tried them yet, but sounds promising:
http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens-ua-pure-stretch-cheeky/pid1237012-001
Also, Body Glide is a life saver for preventing and/or treating any rubs so you can keep going down the trail.
I bought a pair of the target version of the under armor shorts linked above. They do have a seam, but the seams never bothered me much. I’ve yet to ride in them because Mr Arab pulled a hind shoe. No clue how but I can’t find it. I shoe my own horses and I’ve never had one lose shoes like he does. Since these plastic shoes are so pricey I’m about to give up and put him in steel and just avoid pavement.
