What Underwear to Wear Under Workout Tights [Loaded with Useful Tips]

There seems to be a magnetic attraction between women and tight, form-fitting activewear bottoms.

We know why some women love them: they’re convenient, fast-drying and incredibly comfortable. They’re also great for layering and can make you look good, especially once you’ve hit your goals in the toning department.

However, an unfortunate but not so uncommon dilemma we women face is deciding on what underwear to wear under leggings or workout tights. But why?

Well, if it isn’t too obvious, we’ll spell it out for you: your underwear is showing! Worse still, it could be your assets that people are seeing. It could even be the dreaded camel toe – unless, really, you don’t mind to have visible panty lines, of course (no judgement).

But if you’re one who doesn’t want their assets to be ogled at or to be the object of sneers and unpleasant attention, wearing the right underwear under leggings can make a difference.

So, if you’re wondering about what underwear to wear under workout tights to ensure your panties aren’t showing, you’ve come to the right place.

In this post, we’ll give you helpful tips on what underwear to wear under leggings. We’ll also talk about some of the best leggings to hide your panty lines as well as different types of suitable underwear, such as boyleg shorts, thongs, shapewear, period underwear and much more…

Common Issues with Underwear Under Leggings

“Undies shining through your leggings are sexy.” “Those panty lines look amazing on your butt” – said no one ever!

So, why do we bother, ladies?

It’s about comfort and looks! But let’s look at the main issues with our underwear under leggings dilemma:

• Panty lines are showing: These look fine whilst hidden underneath a long hoodie or top, but you wouldn’t be doing burpees, squats or yoga poses in those, would you?
• Colour of undies shining through: If your workout tights are see-through due to the flimsy material used, everyone’s bound to know the colour of your knickers.
• Unsightly bulges in garterised areas: Even if you still have flabs as you lose weight, there’s no reason for you to not look fab, just because you’re wearing the wrong undies.
• Sweat stains in the shape of your undies: Well, this may not be a problem with your underwear per se, but its fabric and that of your gym pants.

3 Simple Tips on Underwear Under Leggings

When it comes to your underwear-leggings dilemma, there are a few shortcuts you can try.

Rather than shopping for a whole new set of exercise bottoms (although shopping is always an option), it’s usually easier to match your underwear with your existing supply of workout tights.

You can do this by:

• Matching colours: Match the colour of your tights with the colour of your underwear, or vice versa.
• Wearing undies that match your skin colour: Stick to underwear that’s coloured tan, brown, caramel, beige, camel or any hue that closely resembles that of your skin.
• Opting for non-see-through leggings: If you have opaque or non-see-through leggings, stick to wearing those. Of course, the downside to this is you’ll be wearing those out faster than the see-through ones.

5 Best Underwear-Proof Leggings to Conceal Your Panties

If you’d be happier shopping (who isn’t) for underwear-proof leggings, then we recommend the following:

1. RunFaster

Women’s leggings by RunFaster continue to earn rave reviews because of their comfortable, supportive and sweat-wicking fabric that also doesn’t leave any room for underwear-related issues.

2. Xahara Active

With Xahara Active bottoms, you’re spoilt for choice because they got all sorts of prints and even block-coloured leggings that are designed to never give us a clue that you’re wearing underwear at all.

3. La Sculpte

La Sculpte leggings are made from smooth, shape-enhancing and form-fitting performance material that’ll keep even the sharpest eyes wondering about what underwear you’re wearing.

4. Dharmabums

If you want a worry-free yoga session or road run, opt for Dharmabums leggings made of sustainable and recycled fabric that also lets you go commando.

5. Deezi Active

Leggings by Deezi Active feature quick-drying, breathable performance fabric that combines polyester and spandex, so they feel like second skin without revealing what’s underneath.

What Are the Best Pants to Wear Under Leggings?

In tackling our little dilemma concerning the best underwear under leggings, we’ve come up with a little list.

Without further ado, here are the best pants to wear under gym leggings:

• Boyleg shorts: If you’ve never worn anything bigger than a bikini, now’s as good a time as any to try boyleg-cut underwear for pairing with your leggings or activewear shorts. The perfect boy shorts should be soft, stretchy and comfortable. They should fit just right beneath the curve of your butt cheek and not cut across it. For the best fit, they should ideally be seamless and be made from breathable, moisture-wicking material. We’re not averse to seeing a little lace on the edges, as this helps to make panty lines nearly non-existent.
• Thongs: Well, not just any thong, of course. One of the best no show panties for yoga pants, tights, leggings, etc., are thongs made from breathable, moisture-wicking mesh fabric. But since repetitive movements and rubbing during exercise can lead to chafing, opt for smooth, soft fabrics. Also, avoid lace and designs that feature any trim for thongs you intend to use during workouts, as these can irritate your crotch. To avoid these complications, choose activewear thongs, as these are designed to obliterate underwear lines on leggings and other stretchy workout bottoms. They might take a bit of getting used to, though – but what doesn’t? With activewear thongs, all you need to do is wear them. You won’t need to worry about panty lines, chafing and underwear riding up your pants. A word of warning, however: some medical experts say that wearing thongs could take bacteria and other microorganisms closer to where they shouldn’t go – your urethra and vagina. So, this may be a tough call, but you decide.
• Shapewear: Shapewear can definitely get rid of that visible panty line (VPL). It’s also a great confidence booster and usually comes with the same benefits like anti chafing shorts. However, shapewear can make breathing a little difficult or unnatural if you need to attend a Pilates or yoga class where proper breathing technique is important. For everything else, shapewear could help.
• Laser-cut underwear: This type of underwear does not have any panty lines at all! Made from nearly sheer moisture-wicking fabrics that hug your body like a second skin, laser-cut undies are the next best thing to going totally commando. However, make sure to replace these once they start to fray, crease or roll down when you wear them.
• Go au naturel: When all else fails, going commando might be a solution. Some people actually prefer this, whilst certain activewear requires you to go commando, such as compression pants that are designed to be worn on their own. Of course, there’s still the concern about moisture, bacteria and so on – which brings us to the next section of this read.

Should You Even Wear Underwear Under Your Tights?

To someone who has always assumed that underwear is a must in all instances, questions like the following may sound stupid or petty: Do you wear underwear with tights? Do you wear underwear with workout pants? Do you wear underwear with Gymshark leggings? Do you wear underwear with Lululemon men’s shorts?

But for some people, going commando is the only way to wear activewear bottoms – whether it concerns wearing knickers with tights and whatever else. By wearing tights without panties, you don’t need to worry about VPL – underwear that could ride up your pants or skirt and any other unsightly bits.

But, Is It OK to Not Wear Underwear With Leggings?

Health experts recommend cotton or moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics for workout underwear, as yeast and bacteria proliferate in moist and dark environments. Seamless underwear works best to avoid rubbing, too.

In these cases, make sure you change out of your wet workout clothes ASAP to avoid any infections.

But what if you prefer to wear tights, leggings and yoga pants sans underwear?

Again, certain activewear, like compression pants, does not require the wearing of undies. However, you need to do the same thing immediately after your workout: take them off and shower and change into fresh, clean clothes. Also, whether you go commando underneath your yoga pants, tights or leggings, make sure you launder your exercise bottoms thoroughly immediately after.

6 Best Ways to Conceal Underwear Lines in Leggings

Well, technically, the tips below apply to not just leggings but to all sorts of activewear bottoms and tight pants.

So, if you’re wondering about what underwear to wear with your fav leggings, here’s how to wear tights without underwear lines (or so it seems) at all:

1. Wear undies that hide the camel toe

One of the main reasons wearing underwear is a given for some women is that they don’t want to deal with the unexpected appearance of the camel toe. However, it can and does make its appearance even with underwear as reinforcement.

So, what do you do?

There are a couple of options available that can zap the camel toe into thin air (figuratively). There are comfortable underwear brands like Camel No and Camelflauge that feature built-in panels that keep the camel toe at bay.

Aside from underwear designed to eliminate the camel toe, there are also certain accessories like the Braza Camel Not insert and Smooth Groove that are meant to keep that area invisible.

2. Use busier prints to camouflage your VPL

Whether it’s animal prints, floral patterns, graphic or some other type of print design, busy prints work to camouflage your VPL and every other bit that you don’t want emphasised while exercising. The same principle applies if you’re wearing leggings, tights or yoga pants while running errands or attending social events.

Of course, you need to ensure you choose breathable, moisture-wicking activewear bottoms to keep you comfortable during your workout.

3. Wear black, opaque leggings

Not fond of prints of any kind? Then look for black gym tights or ones in a darker shade you like.

However, aside from the colour and opaqueness, make sure the material is sturdy and supportive and that it holds your form up beautifully.

4. Check the size of your pants and its elastane content

To avoid ending up with underwear that’s uncomfortable as it digs into your skin, make sure you buy the right size for you. Squeezing into a smaller size just because you’ve been working out is ill-advised. Make sure you know your exact measurements and choose underwear in dimensions closest to what you should be wearing.

On the technical side of things, try to find out how much elastane (aka spandex or Lycra) is in the underwear you mean to buy. Elastane is the material that’s responsible for making your undies stretch. It’s the same material used in most activewear. And the higher the elastane content, the better the fit and shape-enhancing qualities should be. Check the label to get information about this before you make a purchase.

5. Wear underwear that matches the waistband of your workout bottoms

If your main problem has something to do with underwear and activewear mismatch, there’s an easy solution: always be prepared. Just as there’s a variety of leggings (e.g., capri-style, scrunch-bum, mesh cropped, etc.), tights and yoga pants out there, there are also several underwear styles to choose from.

One thing you can do is to match low-cut activewear with low-cut bikini briefs, and high-waisted French-cut knickers with high-waisted workout pants. Prepare your athletic gear a day or two ahead so you won’t be tempted to grab the nearest pair of underwear as you hastily pack for gym class.

Of course, if you’re wearing activewear for a casual stroll around town or to go shopping, just wear a long coat, jacket or cardigan. You won’t need to worry about visible thong lines or wearing seamless invisible underwear for leggings or any kind of underwear at all with this kind of coverage.

6. Opt for squat-proof leggings

Who wants to keep worrying about how to fix see-through black leggings or what to wear with see-through pants? You can address these concerns by simply opting for squat-proof leggings.

Squat-proof leggings are not only durable, moisture-wicking and flexible. They’re also opaque so the colour of your underwear doesn’t matter, and are designed to stay in place – whether you’re wearing high-waisted or low-cut ones.

Final Word on What Underwear to Wear Under Workout Tights

Wear tights and leggings without a care. Everyone deserves to have a hasslefree workout.

You’re already pumping iron, sweating your butt off or pounding the pavement for miles in your run leggings – which is why the way your activewear top looks, the underwear you wear and VPLs should be the least of your concerns.

By considering the tips shared here, you can wear tights, yoga pants and leggings without a care in the world.