It’s funny the things you talk about when running with a friend. This weekend, while enjoying a couple of beautiful coastal runs with my friend Kay in the north-east of Scotland, we chanced upon the topic of underwear. More specifically, comfortable underwear for runners.
Coincidentally, we were both wearing Runderwear pants! Kay’s were black and mine were cyan. We both talked enthusiastically about the benefits of underwear that supports without chafing. I was also wearing a Runderwear sports bra and baselayer.
I will spare you the full look of me in the pants but here I am wearing them for a run and beneath my fave running skort. The words on the pants say: “Don’t run commando.”
So, let’s talk about pants
There is nothing worse than pants – and bras – that rub and annoy when doing sport. The repetitive motion of, for example, running coupled with sweat easily irritates the skin. I have had my fair share of chafing problems so I choose my knickers and sports bra carefully before heading out for a run.
Runderwear, a company that designs and creates underwear for runners, is also aware of these issues. They specialise in making pants for men and women, sports bras and long-sleeved baselayers that promise to be chafe-free, seamless and moisture wicking.
I had heard about Runderwear thanks to the story I published about two women running 500km in their underwear for charity. However, despite promises to myself, I had never got around to buying any of the products until now.
On test: Runderwear
Over the last couple of weeks I have been testing:
- Runderwear women’s low-rise hipsters (£16)
- Runderwear low-impact crop top sports bra (£25)
- Runderwear long-sleeved women’s baselayer (£45)
(They also sell men’s underwear, by the way.)
See Runderwear
Cyan low-rise hipsters
Runderwear pants
Without doubt, the pants feel brilliantly comfortable. I chose the low-rise pants because I do not like the waist of anything I wear to be too high.
The waist is not what I would call low, either. It’s sort of mid-rise. But there is a higher rise version of these pants called briefs if you do prefer a bigger pant.
There is also a G-string version for people who prefer no back to their pants. (Personally, the thought of a bit of fabric between my butt cheeks while running makes me shudder! But, each to their own…)
Anyway, the low-rise pants fit beautifully and brilliantly. They are wide at the sides for good coverage and comfort. There are no seams or edges to dig in because the product is made on a 360-degree seamless machine and constructed in a circular motion.
The fabric is soft and breathable, as well as being moisture wicking.
Kay agreed that the pants are very comfortable and her first choice for running. She complained that they give her a bad VPL (visible panty line). I haven’t found this but I expect it depends on your shape.
Kay, you need to check out Runderwear’s Anti VPL briefs!
There is also a new Merino version of the briefs made with 45% Australian merino.
I have run many miles in my Runderwear pants and felt no chafing issues at all. They don’t feel sweaty for long and they offer good all-over-bum support. They are now firmly my go-to pants for running. (I’ll need to buy a couple more pairs for when these are in the wash.)
Runderwear low-impact sports bra
Runderwear sports bra
The fit and feel is lovely. I am very fussy about the bras I wear for running because I have suffered with underarm chafing.
The bra is fine for me but only because I am small chested. The bra is sold as low-impact so many women will need to reserve it for activities such as yoga but I found there was very little bounce in the chest area when running.
I felt the bra was firm and tight enough to support my size 34A chest. The seamless construction is the same as the pants and this means there are no nasty edges or seams to dig into skin.
There is more to this bra than the basic requirements. It felt longer and had wider straps than many other bras of a similar cost. Everything about it says quality and lots of thought. I wonder if they might think about designing a similar bra for larger chested ladies, although I can see that the seamless construction will be difficult to solve with a bra that needs to offer more support.
I like that the bra and pants match, too, even if I was wearing different colours.
Runderwear baselayer
Runderwear Long Sleeved Baselayer Top
This is designed to offer support and comfort. The top is also made with a 360-degree seamless construction and has “connection flat lock edging” to finish.
It’s a nice product to wear. I think I would probably be better with a smaller size – I have the medium – to give a neater fit and therefore full support but even so I can tell this is a top I will choose to wear time after time.
It is perfect for chillier days, especially thanks to the added finger warming mitts that you can wrap over your hands when you first start out.
It offers the same breathability and moisture wicking benefits of the pants and bra and feels like it is made of very good quality materials.
The details state that is offers “improved core temperature control” and I think this refers to the breathability and moisture wicking properties. In any case, it’s easy to wear and a good choice for comfortable, irritation-free running.
It would be good to see this product in brighter colours, such as the cyan and pink that Runderwear offer for their pants and the pink choice for the bra. The top costs £45 so this might put some people off buying it but I think it will prove to be durable and long-lasting.
Anyway, suffice to say I wish I had bought some Runderwear products before now. I am off to add more to my shopping basket.