yes i will admit to riding commando. not sure that no padding would work but i suppose it is worth a go. i have also seen specific cycle underwear and wondered about giving them a try but i know that this contradicts the no knickers rule. i am not sure if the pads are at fault or maybe the seems. my newest pruchase are the
altura gel shorts so no seems around the padding on the inside of the shorts bit there are seems on the outside
I have just got back from a 13 day cycle tour and had similar issues - I knew I had an issue with the saddle and had been to a bike shop and got everything setup correctly and changed the stem on my mountain bike etc. On the tour by the end of the 3rd day, I had sores in places I really wish I did not know about.
I had purchased some new bib shorts before we left (to replace some ancient shorts where the elastic has perished) that had foam/gel inserts (and zips at the back to make nature calls easier for women) but still found that my winter bib-longs (different make, but with gel inserts) were more comfortable until I went commando - it was better, but still sore. Which leaves the hygine question of wearing the same thing day in day out without the ability to change.
For me the issue is simply that I do not have enough natural padding between my sit bones and the saddle. I have tried various saddles, been measured to confirm that the saddle is the right size etc, but still get this issue. What I have found is that the ladies seats that have the hole in the middle for ladies private
really are better for me and not wearing underware assists considerably, but I have get to actually completely resolve the issue. I also now have an expensive saddle that is not being used!
