[Closed] Clothes for touring - bottom half in particular. What do you do?

For a single overnight out-and-back trip I would just wear what I already own. No need to spend any money at this stage I'd suggest.

But FWIW, for multi day touring I use padded undershorts (decathlon I think) with a casual short over the top. The rapha touring (over) shorts I had were quite flattering but they don't make them any more and I haven't replaced the last pair after they wore out.

Why would you wear casual shorts on top of bibs? Why add chafing and friction? The only reason to do it on a mountain bike is to protect yourself and your expensive bibs in case of a crash.

I just wear existing comfortable bibs and a set of a baggies that look more causal then all out gnar - but mainly because they dry quickly and I can wear them into the pub with some clean underwear (merino boxers are good choice for this and sleeping in) if I want. Tbh unless you’re fine dining, places and trains don’t really care what you are wearing - especially as the moment, they are grateful for any cash!

Are you planning on adding a plaid shirt as well to make everything harder for yourself by adding 30W of aerodynamic drag?

When touring we're normally on the tandem with panniers. During the day it's bib shorts, evenings it's long trousers out of the panniers. I only wear "casual" shorts over bibs when I'm MTBing, and then only to protect the bib shorts from mud / damage

Baggies/causal cycling shorts. Sod anything without pockets.

Nothing underneath. Best way to avoid chafing IME.

I normally wear 3/4 padded tights and a pair of "simple" baggies over the top. They're DHB softshell, nothing fancy and plain black. Similarly I wanted something that "blends in" a bit on cafe stops etc. I don't like wearing just lycra at the best of times.

I guess I can either go with cycling bibs or shorts/padded under shorts I with a casual short over the top (recommendations?!) or buy something like endura humvee’s with the removable liner. If I bought a second liner I’m covered then for two days travel.
Could be a bit expensive but I don’t mind if that did the job. They’d get used for commuting too during the year.
I’m only concerned that the pads aren’t great for 6/7 hours on the bike. Is that a fair comment?

If you have the right saddle I don't think padded shorts are as important as is assumed. Fitted sports (non-cotton) boxers and a bit of chammy cream is fine. YMMV etc but I've found I'm comfier w/o padded shorts on long repeated days - boxers are airy enough and I'd rather be wearing conventional shorts than lycra generally.
Not sure you need a fresh pair every day either, depends on the individual. Chammy cream is anti-bacterial.

Are you planning on adding a plaid shirt as well to make everything harder for yourself by adding 30W of aerodynamic drag?

Might as well? Probably not too concerned with watts and aero when touring with panniers or bags. Maybe for the TCR. Seriously though, when it's hot I'd wear a shirt rather than a bike top. Feels breezier, the long sleeves can help with that as well as sun protection.

I'm not saying one is better than another, wear what you like. Lycra, bibs etc doesn't need to be the go-to though.

Are you planning on adding a plaid shirt as well to make everything harder for yourself by adding 30W of aerodynamic drag?

I'm not going fast enough for aero to be an issue 🙂

Fairly svelt shorts, riding shirt or jersey over bibs is my preference. I'd prefer people not to have to look at my unsightly frame shrink-wrapped in lycra when I take my leisurely pub lunch or pop to the shop.

Why would you wear casual shorts on top of bibs? Why add chafing and friction?

If you get chafing with a pair of shorts over bibs then you've made some incorrect clothing choices.

Baggies/causal cycling shorts. Sod anything without pockets.

Nothing underneath. Best way to avoid chafing IME.

Similar for me but some comfortable boxers. Much nicer than the nappy for all day wearing.

The new Galibier trail shorts looked good for this sort of thing so do feedback if you go for it.  I was thinking about them to replace some worn out Endura shorts.

https://www.galibier.cc/product/trail/

Plus, bib shorts are a right faff when you go the loo, taking off a top layer to get the bibs off etc.

Couple of pairs of padded shorts you already own on rotation, the most normal looking pair of riding shorts you own over the top. At least, that’s what I’ve settled on. I usually have a lightweight set of hiking trousers as a ‘spare’ set of legs for evenings if it’s colder.

I'd rather having to take my top off to have a poo than saddle sores that make riding agony.

And it doesn't matter how fast you're riding - that check shirt is being worn because you're a victim to gravel fashion over comfort.

What about a nice merino jersey from torm?

Get the handbags out, he’s coming for our plaid shirts.

When touring we’re normally on the tandem with panniers. During the day it’s bib shorts, evenings it’s long trousers out of the panniers

+1. You could always put a pair of baggies over your bibs for lunch stops, if you're feeling self conscious though I don't bother personally. This has been my setup for LEJOG and the Med to the Channel, and it works very well.

I have three pockets on the back of my jersey so a lack of pockets on the shorts isn't an issue.

If you have the right saddle I don’t think padded shorts are as important as is assumed.

This. Have been very pleasantly surprised at how comfortable I've been with just a pair of Icebreaker boxers under a pair of shorts.

Endura make a Lite version of the Hummvee 3/4 which I've found is great for touring (the liner it comes with is horrific, but replace it with a cheap pair of lycra waist shorts with a thin chamois—or even just pants if you have a suitable saddle—and all is well). It's the right shape for cycling but looks like a normal cargo short (more so than the regular Hummvees), has useful pockets, and the thin fabric means it's easy to wash and dry and packs down small.

Seems some people's idea of touring is head-down and bashing out a century every day. Which is fine. But if you're just plodding around, hopping on to disused railways with plenty of tree cover from the wind, stopping at cafes and so on, causal clothes really are just fine to ride in as long as you've got the saddle area sorted.

Why would you wear casual shorts on top of bibs? Why add chafing and friction?

I've always found it slightly more comfortable for long days. I don't see how it would add any more chafing - lycra stays next to your skin and doesn't move any more (perhaps a little less, as there's another layer it can slip over, rather than getting dragged by the saddle).

I’d rather having to take my top off to have a poo than saddle sores that make riding agony.

You know you can get padded shorts without bibs, right?

And it doesn’t matter how fast you’re riding – that check shirt is being worn because you’re a victim to gravel fashion over comfort.

I assume when you go to the supermarket you're in full athletic kit rather than being a slave to high street fashion over comfort? 😉 Come on… there is a point where just doing stuff in everyday clothes is perfectly fine and you really don't need the Tour de France kit, in the same way that I can go for a few hours' walk in the hills with my family in jeans and trainers and not need the fancy trousers and jackets and boots that I'd use for a day in Snowdonia. I don't think I'm "a victim of high street fashion" just because I haven't brought walking poles and a Gore-Tex jacket.

there is a point where just doing stuff in everyday clothes is perfectly fine and you really don’t need the Tour de France kit, in the same way that I can go for a few hours’ walk in the hills with my family in jeans and trainers and not need the fancy trousers and jackets and boots that I’d use for a day in Snowdonia.

Yeah but what jacket for walking my dog?

Thanks all. Some good advice and a few recommendations. Cheers for those.
I won’t be in a rush .. I plan to stop .. rest .. eat .. see the sights.
Isn’t that the point?!
Hence why I’d prefer a more casual looking pair of shorts over the padded shorts. Personal preference I guess but clearly I’m not alone with that.

My go-to shorts for off road/slow touring are these Decathlon ones, recommended by @Jameso if I remember correctly. As others have said, having the right saddle means less need for padding, just a decent wicking boxer underneath. I think the most important think for multi day tours is to change and give your undercarriage a good clean with some wet wipes as soon as you stop for the day. Standing around in sweaty underwear is a recipe for saddle sores! Ask me how I know... 🙄

I’ll be taking a look at those @steezysix they look like something I had in mind 👍🏻

I’d rather having to take my top off to have a poo than saddle sores that make riding agony.

I have neither problem these days but I certainly had both when racing multi-day in bibs - YAMV.

And it doesn’t matter how fast you’re riding – that check shirt is being worn because you’re a victim to gravel fashion over comfort.

My riding shirt is 10+ years old and it's worn for comfort, comfier in the south of France or Italy than a bike jersey ime.

What about a nice merino jersey from torm?

I ride in merino Ts from Decathlon, are they acceptable? : )

Seems some people’s idea of touring is head-down and bashing out a century every day. Which is fine. But if you’re just plodding around, hopping on to disused railways with plenty of tree cover from the wind, stopping at cafes and so on, causal clothes really are just fine to ride in as long as you’ve got the saddle area sorted.

tbh + fwiw my idea of touring is often is 100+ a day, my preferences for boxers and thin baggies came after realising that (for me) padded shorts simply do more harm than good for repeated long days. Them being more casual/normal/whatever for easier tours is just a benefit. You're right about really casual touring, civvies would be fine.