Like many women, I cannot wear a skirt or dress without a layer underneath to protect my inner thighs from the much-dreaded chub rub, the delightful chaffing that happens when friction meets skin. When it's cooler out, I just wear Spanx or tights and those do the job. But when it gets warmer, I definitely want cotton. I know that cotton/spandex bike shorts are pretty easy to find but I feel like regular bike shorts would be too thick to layer when it's 110 degrees with 100% humidity. No thanks!
I've been looking for a good option and so far, the best candidate I can find are the cotton lace under-bike short
from Junonia.
At $25, these are more expensive than any panty I've ever purchased and are a little bit of an investment. But I am willing to pay for quality and I've heard nothing but good things about Junonia's products.
I ordered two pairs, in black and in ivory. I tried on the black pair right out of the package (I'm impatient!) and I noticed that the lace at the thigh and waist were a little itchy. Luckily, that went away after washing. I do wish they made the same shorts without the lace, just as on option to wear under closer-fitting knits when you want a more streamlined undergarment.
After wearing these a couple of times, I can say that they're very comfy and do exactly what I want them to do. I really like that there's a double layer of cotton right in the inner thigh, where you need the most protection and are bound to see wear first. These are made of nice, soft cotton so I don't see having to replace them any time soon.
The only downside I can think of is that they tend to stretch out a tad after a couple of hours. If you're between sizes at all, go for the smaller size. These aren't shaping garments by any means. They're definitely intended to provide cottony comfort that's perfect for warmer weather.
I'd recommend these if you're looking for reliable chub rub protection this summer and don't mind splurging a little on quality undergarments.