why do elite women run in knickers?

Gym knickers were responsible for my hatred of exercise for years!

I can never work out how the professionals' knickers don't work their way ... errr up!  They just stay neatly in place the whole time!

I don't know, it's always been that way although I think in the past 5 or so years there's been more of a shift away from gym knickers.

On a related note about gym knickers I once went to a race and was given the uniform the night before and the gym knickers were yellow. I didn't want to wear them (and one of my teammates actually refused and wore the men's shorts instead. they were yellow too. she had a shouting match with the team manager about this).

I dont think I've worn them for about 5 years and I wouldn't be in a hurry to do so again. Like plodding lady says they don't have any effect on performance else all of the men would be wearing them too

Its an interesting question.  One that pops up regularly on RW and never seems to get a sensible answer.

Surely someone knows why elite female rurners run in knickers?

No JW, the navy ones were the best - better than the burgundy ones, anyway!  Cycling shorts are even better!

I think you're right Johnny, wonder if women would like that lol!

ummmmm - nope!

CB - I can see ur a connosieur of the gym knicker!

In answer to the original question it's down to heat and a little bit of aerodynamics.  Having ran in crop top and knickers myself I don't overheat nearly as much as running in a vest & shorts.  I do like to think that there's less wind restistance wearing less kit too, but I prolly don't run quickly enough to make a difference, but for the elite athletes every little helps, so like the elite swimmers choosing the best costume (even if it only makes a tiny difference) it's still worth the effort.

..and no, the knickers don't 'ride up'

Plus - if you had the body for it wouldn't you want to show it off?

Vicki - really? do you feel like the knickers make you less hot/more aerodynamic than v short, tight shorts?

I can understand that a crop top rather than a vest would help but just can't get my head round those teeny knickers?

lol - why am I so obsessed with this question? I have no idea...just intrigues me!