Knickers ... and socks

... or underpants and socks for any of our chums from the US.

Now this may be seen as a slightly delicate subject, or even a taboo one, but for me it is important. 

Although I have walked three Caminos previously I still have no final answer to my dilemma of what underwear to go for. 

I'm pretty much sorted on the socks front - I war two pairs. One thin pair as liners and another slightly thicker pair over the top. These are of the little ankle (sports /running) socks variety. To date these have left my feet hot at the end of the day, but in general problem free and lacking in blisters, which for me is the best thing. Folding them down over my trainers to cover the laced up part of the laces also seems to allow a bit of breathing. 

Overwear is fine- I shall be taking/wearing two pairs of shorts and two t-shirts, with a fleecy for early mornings and later evenings. 

In the past I have tried boxer shorts - too much freedom of movement and ended up with sore thighs/ chaffing. So I tried fitted boxers - not a lot of difference, and maybe just a little too hot and sweaty by the end of a good day's walk. 

Briefs are far too restrictive and they ride up where you don't want them to ride up and get hot and sweaty too. 

Specialist sports underwear have been no better and ended up in a wayside bin soon after a couple of day's walk.

I've tried wearing a jock-strap during my training but felt a little too exposed behind (not literally of course). 

Going commando  (where does that expression come from?) felt OK for a while but by the end of the day also left me chaffing. - perhaps I need to slim down my thighs before I go, but then I'd have skinny ones by the end of a walk. 

It has been suggested that Vaseline applied to the nether regions before setting off each day would help, but that sounds a little too slippery and uncomfortable to me. 

I have tried talcum powder, and that eased the soreness, but wasn't perfect as it settled in clumps by the end of the day, and was not pleasant. 

This year I shall be trying cotton fitted boxers with talcum powder, but am still open to suggestions....