Embarrassing sweat problem

May 3, 2015 2:49 PM

I have a semi-embarrassing question about sweating during sports activities. Details below.

So, a long time ago, I asked here about learning golf. Now I've finally decided to dedicate a significant amount of time to learning, and I'm making great progress. But I'm having an embarrassing problem. When I'm out in the sun for a while, especially at the driving range, my crotch seems to sweat A LOT. Enough that I can end up with an incredibly embarrassing wet spot between my legs. I'm trying to figure out what I need to wear and/or do to avoid this. I've never been especially athletic, so I haven't really learned about athletic clothing.

I'm a guy, on the heavier side of average, and usually I wear cotton bermuda-type shorts (or sometimes cargo shorts if I'm feeling sloppy/lazy) and boxer-brief type underwear. I need something that looks acceptable on the golf course (so no basketball shorts or that kind of thing). I can just go buy some golf shorts, but I'm not sure if that will solve the problem. Is there also some other kind of underwear I should consider? Are there specific materials I should look for? Am I just a sweaty person doomed to look like I peed my pants?

posted by primethyme to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (15 answers total)

This isn't exactly "swamp crotch", but here's a discussion of what works best with a similar situation.

When I was in Iraq, I had a friend who absolutely swore by just taking a handful of Gold Bond and getting it all up in your nethers.
posted by Etrigan at 3:00 PM on May 3, 2015 [4 favorites]

What colours are you wearing? Is it still obvious if you wear black shorts?
posted by billiebee at 3:02 PM on May 3, 2015

Yeah, Gold bond or baby powder. Lots of it. I don't leave the house without it if the temperature is over 75. When I'm planning physical activity, I toss a travel sized bottle in my pocket so I can reapply when necessary.
posted by uncleozzy at 3:28 PM on May 3, 2015 [1 favorite]

something that looks acceptable on the golf course

Kilt?
posted by XMLicious at 3:32 PM on May 3, 2015 [10 favorites]

In addition to underwear, I would suggest maybe switching up or thinking about socks. I personally noticed that wearing flip-flops or wearing shoes without socks vastly reduced my own sweating.
posted by mrmanvir at 3:45 PM on May 3, 2015

Another vote for copious amounts of Gold Bond. I also use jock itch spray as a backup.
posted by lobstah at 3:50 PM on May 3, 2015

You might also try shorts in fabrics that are supposed to wick away moisture.
Look for camping friendly clothing or maybe those "dry on the fly" shorts that Duluth Trading Co. advertises?
posted by calgirl at 4:11 PM on May 3, 2015

I think you want to only wear clothes that are designed to wick away moisture, including your boxer briefs or whatever (get athletic ones). NOT COTTON. I'm not sure about linen shorts but I'd look into it.
posted by J. Wilson at 4:36 PM on May 3, 2015

Do you wear antiperspirant? I've heard possibly-apocryphal tales that if you prevent your armpits from sweating, OTHER areas of your body will pick up the slack. Might be worth switching to a deodorant-only (NOT antiperspirant) product to see if it makes a difference?
posted by julthumbscrew at 5:33 PM on May 3, 2015

I use corn starch-based baby powder.
posted by megatherium at 6:01 PM on May 3, 2015

You can use antiperspirant pretty much anywhere on your body.
posted by MexicanYenta at 6:44 PM on May 3, 2015

My crotch usually makes it through a round of golf, but I get the dreaded buttcrack sweats.

Companies actually make golf shorts designed to wick moisture. Pair them with some boxers/briefs that do the same—you want to avoid cotton because it'll get wet and stay that way. I just got some by Walter Hagen, and although I haven't had a chance to try them out in hot weather yet, I think they're going to make a big difference.

In the meantime, stick with black or navy shorts and the problem should be minimized.
posted by dondiego87 at 7:32 PM on May 3, 2015

I take Ditropan for something else, but it's most commonly prescribed to control sweat. I wound up on a sweat forum once and it sounds like it lasts 4-6 hours and you can take as needed. It's prescription, but it's out there. I take it 24/7 with negligable side effects.
posted by jrobin276 at 7:58 PM on May 3, 2015

Moisture wicking underpants! These are the thing you need. If you get those with the gold bond, that should work. Disclosure: I'm female, but my husband is an active guy who works in a gym all day every day.
posted by Attackpanda at 8:04 PM on May 3, 2015

You can get sweat stopping antiperspirant towelettes- sweatblock is one brand- that clog your sweat glands for a week. Search "sweat + bra" on here- someone asked a question about sweating under the bra band about a week ago that yielded some good answers and product recommendations.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 5:49 AM on May 4, 2015