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After about 9 years of not running on medical advice (knackered hip, that was operated on but told I should not consider myself a runner again afterwards), I've thought **** it you only live once and started doing a bit of light running once or twice a week again. Lordy I've missed it - that faff free simplicity and exercise fueled endorphin buzz - not sure anything else does that.
So, back in the day I never got to the bottom (or crack, or indeed sack) of the dilemma of what to wear under your running tights? Commando works for some but not for me (too much chaffing and the boys free swinging is uncomfortable). I've done briefs before, but you've got to get the material right or it becomes a chaffing sweatfest. I also currently don't own any briefs because I'm, well, not a mentalist. Boxers - just no. I used to wear triathlon shorts back in the day but they are big money, no longer really a thing and, I'm no longer a triathlete so don't own any.
So what works for you?
Runderwear, the boxer type for me but they do a few styles.
Long leg, wicking trunk style things.
I particularly like the Reebok Ainslie.
Under armour compression shorts. Really comfy and supportive. Also have a phone pocket that doesn't rattle around.
Decathlon Kalenji running boxers . £5.99. No loss giving them a try at that price.
Another Runderwear vote here - the long boxers. The Decathlon boxers rode up and chafed me really badly in longer runs, the Rundies stay put.
I either wear shorts with built in pants or dryflo boxers like these
Shirley it's a bit too warm for tights yet (assuming UK).
Runderwear - the trunk fitted ones.
The other bit I found is that they keep your bits so much warmer too in really cold weather without making you sweaty !
Decathlon running boxers. Keep everything where it needs to be, no chafing and very comfy. Cheap too.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-breathable-running-boxers/_/R-p-121488
Edit, tights? Surely as it’s not below zero yet you mean shorts?
Rudderwear - new one for me - I'll have a look - ta. And a few quid on the decathlon version probably worth a punt too.
Shirley it’s a bit too warm for tights yet (assuming UK).
Highlands of Scotland - was 3C on my run at 10am this morning. Mates have had their first (admittedly a bit crap) ski touring trips...it's coming!
and
Edit, tights? Surely as it’s not below zero yet you mean shorts?
Clearly I'm a woose.
Highlands of Scotland – was 3C on my run at 10am this morning.
Ya poofter. That's still shorts weather 🤣
Ya poofter. That’s still shorts weather 🤣
🙂 I'm a revirginised newbie - give me a break!
🙂 I’m a revirginised newbie – give me a break!
Fair enough. In that case, my humble appologies... Mebbies not a good idea to call random people on the Internet names 🙃
🙂 more than happy to be insulted! And still have functioning knees!
I’ve got a few pairs of Lycra trunks that I wear under tights for general runs. In winter, I’ve got some X-Bionic running shorts that are made from a woven, wicking material that I wear under a heavier tight - good for down to -20C without getting clammy.
Runderwear for me, nothing ive found is as good. Tried Decathlons Kalenji briefs and they were amongst the worst I've ever tried. But clearly they work for some and are a cheap option to try.
Also Under Armour compression shorts. Started wearing them as I was getting hamstring pulls, but wear for running and reffing all the time now. SportPursuit have a bunch of them pretty cheap.
I recently went through a few options. I bought Runderwear briefs and Comfyballs boxers after the PSA on here for Pete Bland Sports. Both are meeting requirements.
As regards the current temperatures, for the event I'm running on Saturday, full length legwear is compulsory.
I always wear running shorts with a liner, with or without leggings on top. For one thing, it means I can set off without wondering if it's a bit too warm for my trusty ron hills. The shorts themselves are fairly flimsy lightweight things, so I don't get too hot and sweaty (outside of summer when everything is hot and sweaty).
I've never got on with tights, most of the year it's shorts or some Nike running trousers when it gets cooler. Proper winter here (in Norway) I'll use XC ski trousers with wind proof fronts. All with just decent running undies, quite liking the H&M ones at the moment, cheap and they keep everything where it should be!
Nothing - if there's chafing the tights don't fit. ymmv!
Nothing – if there’s chafing the tights don’t fit. ymmv!
nah - that's not it. Fit is good. It's the seams inside rubbing. I guess some are finished differently so this is less of an issue, but I've probably had 15 or 20 different pairs over the years and they all rubbed for the same reason.
Nothing – if there’s chafing the [s]tights don’t fit[/s] your undercarriage is different from mine. ymmv!
FTFY
Decathlon Kalenji running boxers . £5.99. No loss giving them a try at that price.
That's what I use, good for all distances.
Commando works for some but not for me (too much chaffing and the boys free swinging is uncomfortable)
My boys don't swing free in running or cycling tights #humblebrag
My boys don’t swing free in running or cycling tights #humblebrag
Your humblebrag......is an exceedingly diet conscious meat and two veg?
That is indeed humble. 🙂
Another Kalenji vote here. I used to go commando but found I was sometimes getting changed in a car park and the world wasn’t ready for that.<br /><br />
I have some unbranded equivalents which are actually even better (waist band is minimal) and are my “everyday wear”.
hmmmm - just tried decathlon - They want £7.99 delivery for a pair of pants because of my location. I need to warm myself up to the concept before paying that!
Yep. Bit of a joke that. You can get cheaper delivery to Asda in Inverness if you think you'll be passing sometime soon.
I bought the Kalenji lined running shorts 8n Medium but had to cut the inner leg off as they barely fit over my thighs (in Ron Hill lined shorts I wear a Small). Based on that I'd definitely not want to order and have to do a return.
I have both the Runderwear and Kalenji briefs and hipsters / boxers. TBH I prefer the Kalenji ones, the fabric is much softer and doesn't bunch up as readily as the Runderwear's, however this is not relevant to the briefs of either brand.
The runderwear are thicker for winter wear, but for that I have a pair of the Helly Hansen Lifa / Merino mix boxers. The runderwears do have a bit more 'shaping stitching' in them that may improve the fitting, but its negligibly notic
For everyday use I'd go for the Kalenji. I think that chafing is probably more likely with the briefs (any brand) than boxers as they have an overlapping stitich as opposed to a fold of material, but I expect chafing varies from person to person.
Mind me asking what was up with your hip - knackered hip here - too painful to run since about Feb - luckily can still cycle. Trying to battle the various gates stopping me getting an orthopaedics appointment.
I used to wear just briefs under longs (if it was really cold) and shorts with a liner built in usually
I had a cam hip impingement. Basically a mis-shapen femur head and a hip socket that was too small. Years of life and exercise meant I ground the labrum cartilage to bits. Surgery reshaped the head and socket but sadly the damage to the labrum cartilage was too severe to repair so my right side now has none - all the knackered stuff was cleared out as that was causing most of the pain. I was warned that if I resumed running I was liable to end up with arthritis very soon, but a few head clearing short runs would probably be ok. After I got over the surgery (about 9 months) I just never went back to it because I'd wanted to properly run. Older and maybe less stroppy about not being able to be a 'proper runner', the prospect of a few shorter steady runs is now appealing. However, I can already tell keeping a lid on it is going to be hard - not going too far or too frequently. I find it so addictive.
I never got huge amounts of pain actually running (though since diagnosis we worked out other injuries I got, like a dodgy knee cycling were probably linked as my body adjusted actions to accommodate restricted motion in my hip), but the pain afterwards was severe - mostly down my leg and limping and unable to get up stairs. It took a few years of misdiagnosis to get someone to get to the bottom of the problem - an arthrogram finally got the full picture.
Buy me a pint and you might find out 😉
cheers Convert - I think I'm just looking for light at the end of the tunnel and the hope that I can go out for a run again someday. OA of one hip so walking is a challenge at the mo
Pants. What ever I am going to wear for the rest of the day. Makes not a bit of difference.
Ewww. Maybe now I'm a lightweight jogger there might be a bit of life in my skids post exercise, but after a proper run they'd be run through with sweat. Not nice ladylike perspiration, proper bollock sweat. Maybe I've got a particularly sweaty sack. Or maybe yours don't sweat - you've not got some royal blood in you by any chance?
What ever I am going to wear for the rest of the day.
Now we're all built different.
But, without getting into too much detail, mine are rather damp after a run.
I really couldn't wear them the rest of the day...