Does anyone want to get into ladies' briefs, or should we start a special ladies-only thread?
I'm already in ladies' briefs. Bwah!
In short: gals and guys have different equipment, and therefore different needs.
Some gals cannot live without cotton. Some gals have ongoing issues of an infectious nature that have some... icky... consequences. So they wear cotton, or synthetic with cotton crotch, undies.
There were endless arguments in a women's forum elsewhere that a couple of guys started and kept going on this subject, insisting that this wasn't true, that gals should be able to wear wool, or this or that synthetic, without a problem. But the reality remains - gals wear cotton for specific reasons, some gals can wear other stuff without issues, and it's totally personal preference. Seriously - there really is nothing wrong with a pair of cotton panties in any season as long as you keep them dry and tend to proper hygiene.
On longer outings I've used ex officio synthetics with a cotton panel. Most short trips I don't bother and just take cotton bikinis. Somehow I've managed to have sufficient base layer/mid layer/outer layers to keep my body comfortably warm despite having (gasp!) cotton underneath.
Underwear is just a little more important for anyone with lady bits. Can be a health issue. I have yet to run into anyone of a female nature who's comfortable going commando.
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"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki
Underwear is just a little more important for anyone with lady bits. Can be a health issue. I have yet to run into anyone of a female nature who's comfortable going commando.
Really? I love commando, though it does take a bit of getting used to.
MNS
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YMMV. Viewer discretion is advised.
Underwear is just a little more important for anyone with lady bits. Can be a health issue. I have yet to run into anyone of a female nature who's comfortable going commando.
Really? I love commando, though it does take a bit of getting used to.
MNS
Just because I haven't met you yet doesn't mean you don't exist.
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"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki
Another vote for shorts that have mesh liners. Dive in the lake for a swim and you wash your shorts at the same time. Plus the mesh liner is cooler than any underwear I've tried.
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6800
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Having brought up the subject of ladies' undergarments: I definitely can't do commando. I suspect that most women can't. I have tried all-cotton, nylon with cotton crotch (forget that, especially in hot weather) and the very pricey but very comfortable Ex-Officio briefs, made of synthetic fabric but in well-ventilated mesh. I now use the latter exclusively because they are the most comfortable and best-ventilated, especially in hot weather. I unfortunately am subject to the ailment euphemistically known in TV commercials as "overactive bladder" so need to wear pads. There are actually a couple of good things about that--first, it eliminates the need to carry anything in the first-aid kit as compresses for severe bleeding (in fact, my mountaineering first-aid course instructor recommended sanitary pads for this purpose). Second, I don't need to take a change of undergarments. The bad thing is having to get up several times at night. I've discovered that I'm actually better off not to restrict fluids at bedtime--restricting fluids makes the ailment worse. And no, I won't take the highly-advertised medication--one of its side effects is possible dehydration during prolonged exercise.
I have read that both NOLS and the BPL lightweight backpacking courses recommend cotton briefs for women and taking at least two pair.
Edited by OregonMouse (01/12/1012:45 PM)
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
I take one pair of Cool-max briefs. I wash them every night- do not need them for sleeping. Briefs are not essential and for those few occasions when I cannot dry the washed pair, I just do without. Cool-max works really well for me - quick drying, breathable and light too.
OM - I too have to get up at night as much as three times! This is what we get as a result of old age and birthing babies. It really is not bad - gives me a chance to look at the stars.
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6800
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
When it was bad was during my early October trip. For some reason being too cold (I didn't have enough insulation under me) made the bladder thing much worse. I would just begin to warm up when I had to go outside again. It was well after midnight before I got to sleep! The moon and stars were really beautiful but it was hard to appreciate them at 18* and with no sleep! Interestingly, I didn't start shivering again until I got back in bed (and then only on the ground side).
Edited by OregonMouse (01/13/1012:44 AM)
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
I use running shorts and cut out the liners. I just keep myself clean. I rinse the shorts out at least every other day. The extra air flow keeps away chaffing. I do have to be aware when I sitting in public.
A third vote for the underarmour briefs. I have a white and a black pair, and they have both been in operation for 4+ years. Used both for athletics and hiking.
I never liked the netted shorts though. I guess they take some getting used to.
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