When I first started practicing yoga I remember realizing how comfortable it was to practice in yoga pants. There was no adjusting or rolling up required. But given how form-fitting yoga pants tend to be, then came the question, do I wear underwear with yoga pants?
As a general rule, you don’t have to wear underwear with your yoga pants. The benefits of not wearing underwear include no visible panty line and a reduction in infections and injury. However, if you choose not to wear underwear, it is important that you wash your yoga pants after every use.
In my very early days of practicing yoga, I wanted to avoid any visible panty line so I remember searching for the best underwear to wear with yoga pants.
The thought of not actually wearing any underwear never even crossed my mind.
And in fact, I know people who would never consider going commando and others who don’t feel comfortable wearing any when practicing.
*My Top Picks*
Best Boyshorts: Hanes Women’s Comfort Flex Fit Seamless Boyshort Underwear
Best Seamless Thongs: VOENXE Seamless Thongs for Women No Show Thong Underwear
Best Seamless Hipster: Finetoo Seamless Hipster Underwear No Show Panties
Best Seamless High Waisted: FallSweet No Show High Waist Briefs
Ultimately, whether you wear underwear or not with your yoga pants it’s what you find to be the most comfortable. And so hopefully this article will help you be the most comfortable for your next yoga practice.
What To Consider When Not Wearing Underwear With Yoga Pants
There are several benefits to not wearing underwear with yoga pants. It avoids any visible panty lines and from a more hygienic point, it can protect you from allergic reactions, injury, and even infections. However, this is only if you wash your pants after every yoga practice.
Let’s now have a look at the things to consider if you do choose to go commando.
Wash Your Leggings After Every Practice
This may seem totally obvious. However, do we actually do it?
Now think about it this way. We wear undies to protect our bodies from coming into contact with surfaces that may cause potential irritations and infections.
But let’s have a look closer. These surfaces may even be in our underwear.
As Everyday Health pointed, “a healthy vagina also secretes small amounts of discharge”.
And so if we have any discharge or sweat from our yoga practice, this can potentially become a playground for bacteria to grow and lead to all sorts of irritations and infections.
In order to make sure you are staying as safe and healthy as possible, if you wear leggings and especially if you have a sweaty practice, aim to wash your yoga pants after every use. That way, you remove any bacteria that may have accumulated and you reduce the risk of contracting an infection.
Choose Moisture-Wicking Fabrics
Most yoga pants are made of synthetic materials, such as nylon and spandex. Yes, these are great to exercise in and do our yoga practice in.
However, the problem with these is that if you don’t wear underwear, they don’t allow your sensitive area to breathe.
And this, in turn, may trap moisture, which unfortunately may create the ideal environment for yeast infections.
For anyone looking for the best material for workout underwear, you’ll notice that nylon and spandex are not mentioned.
Instead, cotton is generally recommended as the best underwear fabric.
The reason for this is that it is breathable and absorbent. Both these factors may minimize your risk of any potential yeast infections.
And so if you want to go commando and you are looking for some cotton yoga pants then these EttelLut Cotton Spandex Basic Leggings may be a good option for you.
This particular pair comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes ranging from S to XXXL. Plus, they are made from breathable 92% cotton, meaning that they are a good option to choose if you are looking for cotton leggings that you don’t have to wear underwear with.
Another option of fabric to choose from is silver-infused fabric.
The reason for this is that silver is an antibacterial agent.
Fabrics containing engineered nanosilver are “used to kill odor-causing bacteria in socks and sports clothing”
This means that this type of fabric will reduce any bacteria buildup making this type of fabric another good option to go for.
One company that not only is a sustainable activewear brand but also uses SilverTech technology is Organic Basics. Their yoga pants not only look and feel great, but they are also ethically made, and according to their website:
“Our activewear is treated with a safe, permanent, bluesign® approved recycled silver salt called Polygiene® – which stops the growth of odor-causing bacteria on the fabric. Polygiene® is not a nano-silver and it has no harmful effect on the environment when washing.”
I recently made a review video of Organic Basics, so be sure to check it out if you are considering this brand. They have beautiful ethically made activewear and underwear to choose from, for both men and women.
Choose Thick-Enough Material
Choose thick enough material for your workout leggings. This is because you ideally want to protect your sensitive parts from any bacteria on surfaces.
These surfaces could be a communal yoga mat, a chair, or a piece of exercise equipment. And so a thicker material will provide just that extra bit of protection that under other circumstances your underwear would offer.
Plus, thicker material will provide better coverage, from a visual perspective.
Change Out Of Damp, Sweaty Yoga Pants
The area that our underwear normally covers is extremely sensitive.
Ideally, we want to keep the fabric surrounding it as dry as possible in order to prevent bacteria from growing. For this reason, especially if you sweat a lot, make sure you take your sweaty clothes off after practice.
This way we help minimize the risk of yeast infections plus any potential and uncomfortable chafing.
Of curse, it goes without saying that even if you choose to wear underwear, it is also important to remove your underwear after a sweaty practice.
Things To Consider When Wearing Underwear With Yoga Pants
So, we’ve discussed what to consider when not wearing underwear with yoga pants.
Our sensitive parts really do require some taking care of and so it is very important to make sure we protect them in order to be safe and healthy.
But now how do you choose good underwear for yoga pants?
There are a lot of options on the market and it can be hard to know what is safe for us, whilst looking and feeling good.
Choose Underwear Made From Breathable Fabric
The first thing you should look into for your yoga pants lingerie is the fabric of your underwear.
Underwear come in a wide range of fabrics and styles, so you want to make sure that you buy a pair that is hygienic and also that doesn’t leave a visible panty line.
As was discussed above regarding the fabric for yoga pants, aim for a breathable fabric.
And so avoid any synthetic fabrics like polyester as it is not breathable.
Instead, aim for cotton. Or at least, make sure it has a cotton panel in the crotch which will help to wick moisture away from the body during your potentially sweaty yoga practice.
In the next section, I will give you a few of the best underwear for yoga pants.
Wash Underwear After Every Practice
This is extremely important, especially if you sweat a lot.
As was discussed above, bacteria thrive in warm and moist environments. And so if w sweat, our groin becomes that exact type of environment.
And so in order to prevent that, change out fo your wet underwear, shower if possible, and put on a fresh pair.
What Is The Best Underwear To Wear With Yoga Pants?
As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of choices for you to explore when you’re looking for the best underwear for workout leggings. It can be hard to find the style that you like that is also hygienic.
In over a decade of practicing yoga, I have been there and tried that. I generally like to avoid any visible panty line and so I try to look for seamless underwear.
Additionally, I used to practice in thongs, however with time I have gravitated away from them. Now I prefer to wear boy short underwear. There is something about being totally covered.
And so now as a yoga teacher, I don’t worry about anything showing when I’m demonstrating poses in my classes.
It really is a personal preference. However, here are my top tips for the best underwear for yoga pants:
If you don’t want your underwear to show under your leggings:
- Get underwear that is skin-colored. This is my advice if your leggings are any other color than black. You can wear black if your leggings are black.
- Get underwear that is cotton or at least that has a cotton crotch. This will help them be breathable so as to minimize any potential infections.
- Get underwear that is seamless so as to avoid any visible panty line (unless of course, that’s the look you’re going for).
- Bend over in front of a mirror. The reason I’m adding this is that I have taught several yoga classes where I had students whose leggings were so thin you could see everything underneath. And so to be sure, check yourself in the mirror. Alternatively, always aim for the boy shorts as then you’ll be sure that nothing will be visible. That’s what I do anyway!
And so to help point you in the right direction, I’ve collected information on a few types of underwear that you may like. Obviously, you need to make sure that these match your needs and style, but they’re a good place to start!
Fruit of the Loom Cotton Brief Panties
This pair is for those yoga practitioners who want the most coverage in their underwear. Honestly, it’s all about choosing what’s going to be the most comfortable for you during your practice. But sometimes you want underwear that can be great for everyday wear on your days off, too. These cotton briefs are great for both.
For more information including customer reviews and additional pricing information check them out on Amazon here.
Hanes Women’s Comfort Flex Fit Seamless Boyshort Underwear
After years of practicing yoga, I will say that this type of underwear is by far my favorite. The key reason is that I feel protected and also I know there will be no visible panty line, something that I personally always try to avoid!
And so if you are looking for underwear that won’t be visible under your yoga pants and that you will feel comfortable practicing in, then this may be the type for you.
For more information including customer reviews and additional pricing information check them out on Amazon here.
Wetopkim Women Seamless Thongs Panties Cotton Breathable Stretch T-back
This is a great choice if you are used to wearing thongs. They may not be cotton, however, they have a 100% cotton crotch. Plus, they are seamless which is always a bonus when it comes to underwear for yoga pants!
For more information including customer reviews and additional pricing information check them out on Amazon here.
Related questions
What underwear should you wear with yoga pants?
As a general rule, aim for cotton underwear to wear with yoga pants. Or at least, make sure it has a cotton crotch. The reason it is best to aim for cotton underwear is that it is both breathable and absorbent. Both these factors may minimize your risk of any potential yeast infections.
Are you supposed to wear underwear with yoga pants?
There is no counter indication to not wearing underwear with yoga pants. It really is a personal choice. However, if you do choose to not wear underwear, make sure you wash your yoga pants after each and every practice. This way you minimize any potential risks for infections.
What underwear is best for leggings?
As a general rule, cotton and seamless underwear is best for yoga leggings. Cotton is both breathable and absorbent making it the ideal fabric for underwear. Additionally, if you would like to minimize any potential visible panty line, aim for seamless underwear.
Should you go commando in leggings?
As a general rule, you can go commando in leggings. Yet, there are things to consider. Firstly, always wear a clean pair so as to minimize any potential infections. Secondly, make sure the fabric is breathable. Finally, make sure the fabric is thick so as to protect you from bacteria on surfaces.
