If you’re a volleyball player, you’ve likely dealt with the annoying issue of volleyball panty lines. Trying to hide the seams of your undies is difficult enough with items like leggings or bodycon dresses. Now, imagine trying to conceal your knickers under a tiny pair of spandex shorts; yikes!

Is the best solution freeballing or women going commando ? No way! All it takes is knowing what to look for in a good pair of undies and choosing the style that works best for you. And, conveniently enough, I’m here to help you do just that!

Whether you’re just looking for volleyball underwear or workout underwear in general, this post will come in handy! We’ll be going over the best styles of underwear to wear with volleyball shorts and discussing the factors that make underwear comfortable for sports. But first, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of wearing underwear under volleyball shorts!

Before we begin, let’s answer an essential question: Do you actually need to wear underwear underneath your volleyball shorts? And the answer is...Nope! It’s quite a common practice for (female) volleyball players to forgo the undies. The shorts in a volleyball uniform are designed to be form-fitting so there’s little chance for an accidental flash even if you skip the extra layer.

That said, skipping the skivvies may not always be the best (or most comfortable) choice. It largely depends on your preferences and body. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of wearing underwear with volleyball shorts so you can decide which is more appealing to you!

• Provides an extra protective layer: While volleyball shorts are designed to be form-fitting and there’s no real risk of exposing your privates, some women may feel more comfortable wearing undies. It’s a habitual instinct to want that extra layer, after all, we usually wear underwear every day!

• Can keep your privates from coming into contact with synthetic fibers: The expert consensus on underwear is that natural fibers are always the best choice. Spandex shorts are typically made of synthetic fibers. Wearing that extra layer of hemp or cotton can help keep your coochie healthy and  help you avoid UTIs.  

• Can help prevent excessive sweating: Synthetic fabrics are good at trapping moisture and heat thus creating a tropical environment “down there” and allowing bad bacteria to breed. Wearing underwear with your volleyball shorts can provide an extra, breathable layer that will help you avoid  swamp crotch  and the issues that can come with it. 

• The extra layer can be restrictive: Volleyball shorts are specifically designed to be light and non-restrictive so that you can move quickly and easily. Adding an extra layer may hinder the performance aspect of your shorts and limit your range of movement. 

• Can cause visible panty lines: Spandex volleyball shorts are generally tight and clothing that’s meant to hug your body also hugs everything underneath it. This means that if your underwear has seams (which most undies do) then those seams will be easy to spot through your shorts. 

As you can see, there’s no definitive best option when it comes down to wearing (or avoiding) underwear with volleyball shorts. The choice is yours and depends on your preferences and, most importantly, which option you can play your best in!

I will say that the main downsides of wearing underwear with volleyball shorts usually boil down to the quality, material, and style of your underwear (aka factors you can control by purchasing quality undies)! In a moment, I’ll list all the best options for underwear to wear to avoid volleyball panty lines, but first, let’s give the dudes a little love. 

If this post feels a little female-centric that’s because volleyball is statistically proven to be more popular amongst women and girls, with a reported 420,208 (school-aged) girls participating in the sport compared to only 50,353 boys.  The same is true for professional volleyball. That said, the men are not to be forgotten about when talking about underwear volleyball players wear (or don’t wear)!

Of course, considering the difference between male and female privates, the benefits of wearing underwear with a volleyball uniform are not quite the same for men. While women can (and do) go without the skivvies on the court, men probably shouldn’t. That’s because you’ve got a little something extra to protect and wearing underwear for support and containment is kind of a necessity. 

After all, you’ll probably have a harder time playing your best if you’re distracted by your bits flopping around in your shorts. And think of all the possible collisions that can occur. Ouch! Yeah, I’d say a big fat no to  going commando men.  On that note, let’s take a look at the best underwear to wear with a volleyball uniform! 

Thong underwear is the most popular option for avoiding panty lines in general and the same goes for avoiding volleyball panty lines. Thongs have a minimal amount of fabric and the back panel rests between your cheeks which means that all the seams will be concealed under the tight fabric of spandex shorts. Thongs also allow for a full range of movement and their low-coverage design ensures that your hoo-ha can still breathe. 

Seamless underwear is another great choice for achieving a smooth look. However, seamless underwear is often made of polyester which defeats the purpose of adding a protective layer between your coochie and your spandex shorts! If your spandex shorts are super thin try looking for thin, seamless underwear made of organic cotton. If your volleyball shorts are made of thicker spandex, WAMA’s bikini underwear, made out of soft, flexible hemp fabric , is the perfect option!

Boyshorts underwear is a good option for those who want extra protection. Since boyshorts are a full-coverage style of underwear, it’s important that they’re made of a light, natural fabric that wicks away moisture (no sweaty vagina allowed here!). To avoid volleyball panty lines with this style of underwear, you’ll have to make sure that your boyshorts are around the same length as your spandex shorts. 

The best underwear option for male volleyball players is a jockstrap. Wearing one keeps your junk in place and protected so that you can focus more on your playing and less on protecting your groin from any accidents. 

If jockstraps are not your thing, trunks underwear is the next best option for wearing under volleyball shorts. Trunks offer the support and breathability of boxer briefs but with a slightly lower coverage. The leg openings are cut at the upper thigh, allowing for a full range of motion and ensuring that your shorts will cover your underwear completely. 

Now that we know which styles of underwear work best with spandex shorts, let’s discuss the factors you need to keep in mind to pick the best volleyball shorts and underwear.

The best volleyball shorts should be:

• Snug but not restrictive

• Not baggy around the butt or crotch

• Should not cause any bulging in the thigh (that could be a sign that the leg openings are too tight)

Here’s what to consider when buying underwear to wear with your perfect spandex shorts:

FIT

The fit of both your underwear and your volleyball shorts is super important and the guidelines for choosing the perfect fit are pretty much the same for both garments. How should underwear fit? It should be snug but not restrictive, allowing for a full range of movement without digging into your skin. The same goes for volleyball shorts! The main goal is to achieve full comfort so that both your shorts and underwear are easily forgotten when you’re on the court.

FABRIC

I’ve touched on this throughout the post but let’s say it again loud: The fabric of your underwear is the most important thing! Synthetic fabrics are known to have a detrimental effect on fertility and wearing them can lead to skin irritation and infections. If you’re opting to wear the extra layer with your volleyball shorts, be sure to go for fabrics like hemp, organic cotton, or modal. 

There you have it, all the reasons for and against wearing underwear volleyball players! The final verdict is that wearing underwear (so long as it is the right style and fabric) with your volleyball uniform can be more comfortable! However, the choice is ultimately yours.

Now, let me know your take on this topic. Do you think it’s better for your performance as an athlete to rock solely spandex volleyball shorts? Or do you think underwear is always a necessity? Share your thoughts in the comments!