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Home / Mountain Bikes and Gear / Clothing / Shorts / Survey

Do you Wear a Chamois for Mountain Biking? [Survey]

Yes, it's a personal question, but beginning mountain bikers want to know!

By Jeff Barber
July 26, 2020 Last Updated: September 17, 2021

19 comments

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Yes, it’s a personal question, but beginning mountain bikers want to know! Of course every ride is different, so please answer for you average ride.

Tell us why you do (or don’t) wear a chamois in the comments. Just spare us the most intimate details.

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Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber has been mountain biking since 1992 and has tested hundreds of mountain bikes and components. He is the co-founder of Singletracks and serves as Editor in Chief. Contact him at [email protected].

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19 Comments

Please log in or create a free account to join the discussion.

James Rolls Massachusetts // 2019
Jul 30, 2020

Always, on MB and all other bikes. Greater comfort in the saddle. It's also good to use chamois cream or something like Aussie Butt Cream. And for beginners, if you're wearing shorts or bibs with a chamois, skip the underwear.

1 reply

Hap Proctor Florida // 2014
Jul 28, 2020

Every ride; under shorts and plenty of Butt'r.

1 reply

NeboNomad Utah // 2019
Jul 27, 2020

I just ride commando....

1 reply

C-Lo Kentucky // 2014
Jul 26, 2020

Yes, but I wear shorts on top of them.

1 reply

mtbikerbob New York // 2012
Jul 31, 2020

About ten years ago I tried bib's and I won't ride with anything else. Sometimes just bibs like for trail rides or on the trainer, sometimes with baggy shorts over them for downhill or if being in public will be part of the ride.

0 reply

Black-Man West Virginia // 2011
Jul 30, 2020

Absolutely. With shorts on top of them. As a chronic hemorrhoid sufferer... I have no choice. I know... TMI.

0 reply

roxtar New Mexico // 2020
Aug 3, 2020

Didn't realize not wearing a chamois was a thing.
Why in the world wouldn't you? That's just nazdy.
And painful.

0 reply

jstack11 New York // 2007
Jul 26, 2020

I always do, but I did the same reason I do on my road bike - comfort in the saddle. I've ridden Mistakenly without my chamois on my MTB, and I was mostly fine... Not so on my Road bike

0 reply

brokermike Idaho // 2016
Aug 25, 2020

I always wear one under baggies, it helps prevent chaffing.

0 reply

Wandering Bike Missouri // 2017
Jul 30, 2020

I do wear a chamois liner while riding. I also wonder about merino or anti microbial options with treatments like the Polygiene. Dakine has one but not sure if they stay fresh longer on epics or trips?

0 reply

Oldandrolling South Carolina // 2018
Jul 26, 2020

I find this a bit surprising. I do not wear a chamois. Never have. However, I am a older rider and grew up riding hard leather seat road bikes before I started trail riding. I have an FS and use a WTB Pure V seat. Between the suspension and padding in my seat I find that I am comfortable for long days in the saddle. When I feel discomfort anywhere on body body when riding I will shift that part of my body around or even take a short break and do some stretching.

0 reply

grumpymtber50 Florida // 2020
Jul 30, 2020

I only use a chamois when we're doing long rides that have more pedaling XC. On flow and DH sessions I don't bother with one.

0 reply

Ronin550 Missouri // 2018
Jul 27, 2020

I only wear on rides longer than 20 miles...lol

0 reply

shwrth Wisconsin // 2020
Jul 26, 2020

I wear a chamois under baggies. I have found that I prefer a thinner chamois though.

0 reply

enduroexpert78 Virginia // 2019
Jul 28, 2020

I will wear a chamois under trail shorts if I'm riding more than two hours.

0 reply

credible New Zealand // 2019
Aug 1, 2020

Maybe it's time for a comparison test on chamois creams (or similar options)?

0 reply

James Rolls Massachusetts // 2019
Aug 1, 2020

Experience with chamois cream: I've used Assos Chamois Cream for decades. The thing is, the pad is no longer made of actual chamois. A real chamois is made from the hide of a European mountain goat, processed into porous leather. When it dries after washing, it becomes stiff and uncomfortable. You could soften it and make it pliable by rubbing chamois cream into it. Today's pads are made from a variety of man made materials. You can still use the chamois cream on modern pads. It acts like a lubricant and is useful if you have chafing problems. The other approach is to apply a cream/lubricant directly to your body parts (normally includes the 'taint and also the b-hole itself if that area becomes irritated). A&D ointment works and it's inexpensive. I've been using Aussie Butt Cream. It works great. I'm sure that there are other products that are just as good. That said, I have a gal-pal who was a semi-pro MB racer in her younger years. She still logs a lot of miles and uses bikes to get around town, sometimes while wearing a dress. She has never once used any cream/lubricant at all. Go figure.

0 reply

m.krupp Kentucky // 2018
Jul 26, 2020

Most of the time especially for longer rides. If I am going for a short ride I don't bother.

0 reply

Rebus Georgia // 2005
Jul 27, 2020

Yes, every ride, under baggies.

0 reply

Tagged: chamois, mtb shorts, saddle sores, survey, gear, shorts

First published July 26, 2020 @ 4:21:00