Is this key piece of workout clothing missing from your wardrobe?

There’s one thing that has always confused me about the whole workout clothing thing. We make sure to always have the best quality moisture-wicking duds for every season—tops, bras, tights, socks, shoes—so why do we constantly forget about workout undies, which are probably the most important piece of all?

There’s nothing worse than the post-workout discomfort that comes from wet underwear, never mind the lovely crotch-wide sweat stain that follows. We’d have to have the conviction of Billy Madison to make crotch sweat a thing.

Mind you, navigating the underwear market is pretty complicated these days (someone please explain what the eff is up with c-strings), so to add fitness underwear to the mix… I think I’ve gone cross-eyed.

Here’s the 411 on how to add fitness skivvies to your workout clothing repertoire (you know, without breaking out in sobs):

1. Thongs are evil

Yes, even more evil than underwear lines. They seem like the obvious choice, but can lead to your vagina retaliating. “[Thongs] are usually tight fitting and tend to slide back and forth while you exercise,” David Bank, M.D., told Shape. “All of this friction and heat can lead to urinary tract infections and vaginal bacterial infections, regardless of the fabric.” Oh goody.

2. Avoid 100 percent cotton undies

The cotton soaks up sweat, causing chafing and creating a damp, germ-infested environment for your vajayjay, which can lead to icky things like yeast infections.

3. Look to your workout clothing for inspiration

If you’re not sure where to start when buying workout undies, look to the qualities you love most about your workout clothing. Chances are, you’ll want to score the same benefits from your underwear. Most fitness brands sell comfy, sweat-sapping skivvies, so make sure to keep them top-of-mind during your next shopping spree.

4. Go au naturel

No, not commando: Wear workout undies made from organic bamboo. Word is it’s non-irritating to the skin, has excellent moisture-wicking and absorbing qualities, is uber-breathable, and contains a naturally-occurring anti-microbial agent that prevents bacteria from setting up shop. (In other words, no more smelly vagina.)

5. Go seamless

Many a woman has taken on the thong-versus-bikini debate and failed, so meet in the middle and go seamless. Not only will you not have to deal with underwear lines, you won’t have to deal with the rectal archeology that comes after happy baby pose.

When you shop for workout clothing, do you remember to buy undies?

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Image: Woman exercising photo via Shutterstock

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