Strange question.... underwear?

[joe]

I was just thinking of everything, and I've seen people talking about technical clothing such as t-shirts, shirts, shorts, trousers, and socks... but what about underwear?

I've walked a few miles in my ordinary cotton boxers and everytime I finish they are slightly damp (obviously because of the sweat, don't get any ideas haha). Are there a specific type of material for boxers/underwear that people buy?

Just trying to cover everything in my equipment... having damp cotton boxers is annoying because they stick to your legs and then you feel uncomfortable. Any suggestions or ideas?

[HuskyNerd]

My own choice is outdoor/sport boxers. Very light, very quick dry, very cool. Cotton clothing items should be left at home. They take a long time to dry, wick heat away from your body, are heavier than necessary, and are bulky to pack.

[renegade_pilgrim]

You can try Ex Officio underwear, if available in the UK. They are expensive, but you only need two pairs of underwear for the Camino. You can also try finding boxers made of synthetic material (or maybe silk?) so that they dry quicker and don't chafe like cotton. Under Armor is another brand of sports clothing that has underwear too. Or maybe consider boxer/briefs? Just a few thoughts.

[joe]

I bought 3 pairs of Under Armour underwear, they were on ebay for £13 each (I think the retail was £15.99 excluding P&P). Quite expensive but if it makes my Camino more comfortable then it's worth it.

[nathan]

i don't know about under armour underwear...but me and my kilt are going commando this summer(wind permitting)

[corrigan]

Icebreaker merino wool, comfortable, dont whiff and dry remarkedly quickly, best thing to come out of NZ, only downside expensive.

[unadara]

i don't know about under armour underwear...but me and my kilt are going commando this summer(wind permitting)

Have you walked long distances before "commando" ? I am female but very familiar with the difficulties of "chafing" , threads have referred to it and ways to prevent it.
I bought a pair of "technical" shorts (german make-big supermarket) but thought I'd be too hot, sweaty, they were brilliant and kept me cool! how do they work!
My hubbie also had a pair and "someone" left a pair behind on the washing line! so "my" pair became his (despite being womens), (little difference if you look at them closely-the undershorts, that is).

[nathan]

i walk regulary in kilts though so far only in the scottish highlands ,snowdonia and the south downs.if the weather is blowy i wear silk shorts under for comfort and have tried cyling shorts underneath during the winter on snowdon. noticed that a number of ladies and lots of aussie girls prefer skirts to shorts and was wondering .....why not chaps too? i have been lucky that chaffing has not so far been an issue...but i will take emergency underwear and a little tube of drapoline(good for boys if the weather is hot). worst comes to worst...i pick up some walking pants in pamplona.

[unadara]

The aussie girls follow a long line of practical thinking ladies, skirts preserve some dignity if you have to go in a field . Men are better equipped! to go outside and also are better at waiting till the next rest stop. Is drapoline an aussie product ? In ireland sudocrem is recommended and others vaseline. Silk is a great option and I must look out for some in the sales.

[nathan]

drapoline and sudacrem are similar. the wool fat it contains is a good moisturiser.good for sweat rashes in below stairs areas.

[Tim Campbell]

As awkward a topic this is, I'm glad it has been covered. I was thinking of four days underwear and a pair of swimming trunks (rivers on breaks?)
¡DE COLORES Y ULTREYA!
Tim

[BlackDog]

You can try Ex Officio underwear, if available in the UK. They are expensive

You can order from Orvis in the UK and it comes in from USA to the local Orvis depot. £38.00 +4.95 postage for 2 pairs of boxer briefs. Having tried them I have to say they work for me - no chafing and no bunching up :-)

[unadara]

Tim
Just looked up to see do you know when you are "pilgriming"!? I posted re the possibility of swimming last year and got advice re the rivers etc, locations. However..I do not remember passing one river that I thought oh! I could get in there!. Now some advice here maybe, I am an avid sea swimmer and love cold water..I did pass rivers, and one in particular, sat at lunch break and bathed feet, but getting feet wet during the day is not really a good idea, so rivers at the end of the day, too "knackered"..I swam at Finisterre and very glad of the costume I had carried with me all the way..no need, bra/pants would have done, equally a man, such as yourself, any boxer short, particularly the sporty ones advised here would be good, but not just for swimming..AND 4 pairs is 2 pairs 2 many, in my opinion.
I bought 2 new underpants in Melide (lovely area near hostel, shops, churches, cafes etc) and threw out old "dusty" pairs, hubbie bought 2 new pairs in Sarria and threw out his olds as well. Enjoy the planning, is the Frances you hope to do ?

[Tim Campbell]

Hey Una,
I'm in the preliminary phases of the Camino...ie: getting the money, the time, the gear and the language. It's on my list of thimgs to do before I'm 40, but the money is my biggest stumbling block so far. I want to walk the Way so as to deepen my faith life and become more attuned to my place in the global village. I made my Cursillo a couple of years ago (NH #264) anc want to connect with the aims of the original Cursillistas, leaders on the Camino. My other main concern on the river swimming aspect is if I'm hiking the CF in September, will the water levels in the rivers be high enough for wading?
¡DE COLORES Y ULTREYA!
Tim
@1Timothy315 (twitter)

[grayland]

Tim..
4 pairs of underwear is way too many. You will develop a ritual of washing socks and underwear most nights. One of the main reasons for the tech material is simply that it will dry overnight. The reverse applies to anything cotton.
The off chance that you will use swim suit is not worth carrying one in my opinion.
You may want to have a serious look at your packing list. Do not take anything that you "may need". You can buy anything you need along the way.
Get that pack weight down to 8 kilos or less. You will be much happier than the 10 kg you often see recommended.
Try this: everything that you "may need" and put it together and weigh it. I would bet that it will be a real eye opener.
Buen Camino

[Roe]

Ok, I read through all these responses; mostly men; I'd be interested in knowing what the girls do. What washes and dries overnight? And doesn't get uncomfortable during the day? And what to look for/where to buy? Braless?? Practical and modest is what I'm looking for.

[Heliman1965]

I've trawled the Internet for seamless underwear and this link below is the best deal I found.... "I liked it that much" I purchased some and yes they are very good... 3 pairs for £39.98 plus P+P

Men’s undershort cooling sports baselayer ideal for hiking and mountaineering

Happy Shopping

Bryan

[Gazza]

Roe

My wife wore lightweight sensible underwear. Made from similar "tech" stuff as mens. Just more fashionable, they dried in abt 15mins on a good afternoon. Being a Phys Ed teacher the bras were a good quality sports bra.

[tim.angelone]

Thanks Bryan, they look great! I just placed my order for the set of 3.

Tim

[StorkRN]

I only brought two pair on my month-long Camino. I love my ExOfficio underwear, mentioned earlier by renegade pilgrim! They dry in 15-20 minutes and they make several styles for both men and women. They're not cheap, but you only need two pair!

~Danette