“Athletic underwear” can refer to any type of close-fitting underwear that is suitable for athletic activities, or it can refer to sport-specific performance underwear that is designed for comfort and safety. Athletic underwear is frequently made of synthetic materials that wick moisture away from the skin, keeping the skin dry and comfortable; however, athletic underwear can also be made of a combination of synthetic and natural fibers. This type of underwear can either be full-length or cut for short sleeves and short legs.
The design of athletic underwear will differ depending on the gender and the sport for which it was designed. Sliding shorts, for example, are a type of athletic underwear designed to protect the thighs from abrasions when sliding into a base. The shorts may also have a pouch in which a protective cup can be placed for male baseball players. The design will be different for women due to the differences in body shapes between the two genders, though many of the same features will be present in both.
Skiing and other cold-weather sports often necessitate the use of long underwear. This type of athletic underwear will be form-fitting to allow for maximum mobility and moisture wicking. This means that moisture is moved away from the skin’s surface, preventing chafing and rashes. Keeping moisture off the skin will also aid in keeping a person warm in cold weather. Hikers, backpackers, mountaineers, ice climbers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts frequently wear long underwear.
Cyclists can sometimes wear athletic underwear, but many cyclists prefer to ride in Lycra® shorts, which eliminate the need for underwear entirely. When a cyclist does wear underwear, it is typically form-fitting and includes a chamois pad in the seat to make sitting on a bike saddle more comfortable. Base layer shirts are popular among cyclists because they can help wick moisture, keep the cyclist warm in cold weather, and provide wind protection. Although windproof base layers are thicker than other types of athletic underwear, they are still thin enough to be worn under other layers of clothing. Like other types of performance underwear, they are usually moisture-wicking.