Every outfit begins with underwear. Learn about the best and most comfortable types and options to match the support you need.
Underwear is the foundation of an outfit. The best one for you depends on what you find comfortable. Also, it depends on the activities you do with them. Are you looking for a pair to wear on a date or to the gym?
There are different styles, such as boxers, trunks, briefs, and boxer briefs. Also, the materials vary.
Cotton is a classic material that’s comfortable, widely available, and absorbable. Since it absorbs moisture, cotton isn’t ideal for exercise.
Instead, spandex is an excellent choice because the material is lightweight and moisture-resistant. Bamboo is another high-quality material. It’s light, strong, moisture-wicking, and has antibacterial properties.
If you need to replace old pairs or try new styles, the following are the best men’s underwear.
Table of Contents
Best briefs
Briefs are the old-school and classic men’s underwear style. They stop at the top of your thighs and cover the essentials.
Due to the length, briefs don’t get bunched when you put on pants or move around. They can also give you a streamlined feel.
The following are the top briefs for men.
Calvin Klein Cotton Stretch 3-Pack Hip Brief
Calvin Klein briefs are a classic when it comes to men’s underwear. They’re 95% cotton and 5% spandex, which makes them comfortable with a slight stretch.
The briefs have a contoured pouch, which adds support and ensures that you don’t feel pressure. Plus, there’s no fly.
The Calvin Klein cotton briefs can be worn with slimmer pants without adding bulk. You can also move around without worrying about it bunching up.
Tommy John Second Skin Brief 2.0
The Second Skin Briefs from Tommy John is a premium choice. While you can get multiple briefs for the price of one, the comfort is unbeatable.
The fabric is 90% micromodal, which is smooth, soft, and breathable. Spandex makes up the other 10%.
Aside from being soft, it also doesn’t pill. So, you don’t have to worry about lint or fuzz.
The low-rise briefs also have a functional fly and a double-layer contour pouch.
Like cotton underwear, the Second Skin Briefs are perfect for daily wear. However, they’re not ideal for exercise.
Tom Ford Cotton Blend Briefs, Set of 2
Tom Ford’s cotton-blend briefs are an excellent choice if you’re looking for designer men’s briefs.
They’re 95% cotton and 5% elastane, a cotton jersey material that’s slightly stretchy.
It has a low waist with the minimal and classic Tom Ford logo. Plus, it has a functional fly.
Not only do the Tom Ford briefs look great, but they’re also comfortable and slim. They won’t show through your pants, as they’re not bulky.
Tani SilkCut Briefs
Tani offers briefs made with 94% Micro Modal Air fabric and 6% elastane. The Micro Modal Air fabric is thinner and softer than silk.
It’s a high-end pair of briefs that are comfortable, supportive, and breathable. The generous pouch gives you enough room to feel free and not restricted.
The Tani briefs are moisture-wicking, which keeps you cool and dry throughout the day. They’re lightweight, stylish, and fit well under your pants.
Icebreaker Men’s Merino Anatomica Briefs
While many briefs are cotton, Icebreaker takes a different approach with their Anatomica Briefs.
It’s ultralight and comfortable, as it’s 83% Merino wool, 12% nylon, and 5% elastane.
Since it’s mostly wool, the briefs do an excellent job at regulating temperature.
They’re also breathable and odor-resistant, which is crucial for briefs.
If you’re looking for briefs that’ll keep you comfortable during exercise and for daily wear, the Icebreaker Anatomica Briefs are the best choice.
Best boxers
Boxers offer a loose and airy fit. They end about halfway down your thigh and are known for breathability.
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While boxers aren’t for exercise or daily wear, they’re essential for sleeping and lounging.
The best boxers for men are as follows.
Hanro Cotton Sporty Button Fly Boxers
Hanro’s boxers are roomy and breathable without being baggy. They sit slightly off of your body to ensure maximum comfort.
The boxers are 100% mercerized cotton, a premium, and super-soft fabric. =
Whether you’re wearing them to sleep or lounging around your home, you’ll want to stay in them all day.
It has a soft elastic waistband and a button fly. The Hanro boxers are also durable, as they remain in good condition and keep their color after many washes.
Nice Laundry Slim Fit Boxer
For boxers that are high quality and won’t break the bank, the Nice Laundry Slim Fit Boxers are ideal.
They’re 95% Pima cotton and 5% spandex. The boxers are durable, absorbent, stretchy, and comfortable.
With a four-way stretch, you can move around freely and the boxers won’t feel restrictive.
The slim fit allows you to wear shorts or pants without bunching up like baggy boxers.
When worn by itself, you’ll have a tailored look that’s flattering and stylish.
Sunspel Cotton Classic Boxer Shorts
Sunspel boxers are timeless and provide all-day comfort. The upscale British brand has been making the boxers since 1947.
They’re 100% poplin cotton and are an excellent choice because of how light, soft, and breathable they are.
The tight weave is what gives it a super soft feel.
With a classic and airy fit, the Sunspel boxers will become your favorite to wear at home. You’ll be comfortable when you go to bed and as you lounge around.
Old Navy Patterned Poplin Boxers 3-Pack
When it comes to a low price, plenty of choices, and soft material, you can’t go wrong with the Old Navy poplin boxers.
They’re 100% poplin cotton and have an elasticized waistband that doesn’t put much pressure on your waist.
The Old Navy boxers are also roomy, as it has a classic fit. You’ll be able to relax and rest in maximum comfort.
A pack of three is less than $30. It comes with three different patterns, which give you options based on what you feel like wearing.
Hanes Ultimate Men’s Tagless Boxer 5-Pack
Another good choice for a low price is the Hanes Tagless Boxers.
Hanes is a massive clothing brand and while they’re not known for being fashionable, they have great boxers.
On Amazon, the five-pack has a 4.7-star rating with more than 22,000 reviews. It’s also an Amazon’s Choice product.
The boxers are 55% cotton and 45% polyester. While they’re not pure cotton, the Hanes boxers are quite comfortable.
Remember that the boxers aren’t the best quality, as you may need to replace them every year or two.
However, they’re the best when you compare them to other similar-priced boxers.
Best boxer briefs and trunks
Boxer briefs and trunks are similar styles of men’s underwear. Trunks are shorter than boxer briefs. However, both types offer a slim fit and look stylish.
Generally, taller people or those with thicker legs prefer boxer briefs, while shorter or people with slim legs prefer trunks. The following are the best boxer briefs and trunks for men.
Mott & Bow Second Skin Boxer Brief
Mott & Bow’s Second Skin Boxer Briefs redefine comfort. The 6-inch inseam is an optimal length for coverage without compromising freedom. Thanks to their ride-up-resistant design, you can live your days with confidence.
The seams are also thin and provide comfort against your skin. You can’t see them through light pants or joggers. The Second Skin Boxer Briefs are perfect for lounging at home, going to the gym, or working at the office.
Subset Organic Cotton Men’s Boxer Brief
Subset is the go-to brand for sustainable underwear. The brand focuses on comfort, style, and a minimal environmental impact.
The boxer briefs are breathable, moisture-wicking, and made from organic cotton. They don’t roll when you put on your pants. They also keep you comfortable throughout the day.
The only drawback is the tag. Sometimes, they’ll scrape against your back, but it’s not a dealbreaker. The boxer briefs remain a top choice.
Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Brief
Mack Weldon offers comfortable boxer briefs for everyday wear.
The 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Briefs are cotton, modal, and spandex. You can wear them to work, the gym, or lounge at home.
Mack Weldon offers a Try On Guarantee. If you don’t like your first pair, the company will replace them or issue a refund.
There are many colors and patterns, so it’s worth testing.
Bombas Men’s Cotton Modal Trunk
While Bombas grew in popularity due to their socks, they’ve expanded their clothing line-up. One of their best items is the Cotton Modal Trunk.
It’s a blend of 46% cotton, 46% modal, and 8% spandex. Each of the materials plays a role in the softness, stretchiness, and overall comfort.
It sits nicely on many body types. It’s not too tight or loose.
Plus, the waistband has the right amount of sturdiness, as it doesn’t roll or dig into your skin.
One of the best features is that it has minimal seams. It’ll feel streamlined and comfortable on your skin.
Saxx Ultra Boxer Brief
Saxx is a well-known and popular underwear brand. They’re slightly pricier than other underwear options.
However, the Ultra Men’s Boxer Brief is worth the investment.
With a 5-inch inseam, the boxer briefs go about halfway down your thigh. Plus, they’re slim. You can comfortably wear them under any pants.
It’s 95% moisture-wicking viscose fabric and 5% elastane.
The two materials provide comfort, softness, moisture-wicking capabilities, and an excellent pair of boxer briefs.
One of the key features is the ballpark pouch. The boxer briefs have a hammock-shaped pouch designed to keep everything in place and prevent friction.
Calvin Klein 3-Pack Moisture Wicking Stretch Cotton Trunks
The Calvin Klein trunks are 95% cotton and 5% spandex. They offer the comfort of cotton and the stretchiness and moisture-wicking properties of spandex.
Calvin Klein’s trunks provide a good amount of support without being too tight. There also isn’t a fly, which makes it seamless and smooth.
The only drawback is that it has a tag. While it’s not too big of a deal, tagless underwear is better and more comfortable.
MeUndies Boxer Brief
You’d be surprised about how comfortable the MeUndies Boxer Brief is. It’s 92% MicroModal and 8% elastane.
The breathable fibers make it soft, static-resistant, and extremely cozy.
The boxer briefs have the perfect blend of soft, supportive, and strong. It also has a generous pouch that’ll form to your body.
MeUndies did an excellent job with the boxer briefs because they’re durable and stay in place. They won’t bunch or ride up throughout the day.
David Archy Dual Pouch Micro Modal Trunks 4-Pack
David Archy’s trunks are the number one best-selling men’s trunks on Amazon. It’s 92% modal and 8% spandex.
It has a soft and silky feel while also providing a good amount of stretch.
A unique feature is a dual pouch. In the front, there’s a roomy pouch that keeps you cool.
Below, there’s another pouch that provides support and reduces friction.
The trunks sit higher up on your waist than many other trunks. They also have a 2.5-inch inseam, which ends at your upper thigh.
Overall, it’s a well-designed and functional pair of men’s trunks. You’ll stay cool and comfortable, making it perfect for hot weather.
Best workout underwear
The perfect pair of men’s workout underwear must be comfortable, durable, moisture-wicking, and allows you to perform.
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From weightlifting to running or hiking, the following are the best workout underwear for men.
Alo Hero Underwear
Alo’s Hero Underwear is excellent for working out because it’s lightweight, soft, quick-drying, and has a four-way stretch. It’s a tri-blend jersey material.
It has the length of boxer briefs, which go about halfway down your thighs.
The Hero Underwear also offers a supportive and snug fit that allows you to perform your best.
Smartwool Men’s Merino Sport 150 Brief
Do you prefer briefs? Smartwool has you covered. The Merino Sport 150 Brief is 56% merino wool and 44% polyester. It’s top-notch and high-quality.
Wool makes for excellent workout underwear because it’s anti-odor, lightweight, breathable, and regulates temperature.
Combined with polyester, it provides stretchiness, durability and makes it quick-drying.
The briefs also have a double front panel to provide extra support. They’re effective in all temperatures and for various activities.
Conclusion
Having the right underwear is crucial for comfort and hygiene. Every guy needs three types of underwear.
For daily wear, choose between briefs, boxer briefs, and trunks.
When it comes to exercise, you’ll need a moisture-wicking and durable pair. For sleeping, find solid boxers.
Featured image courtesy of Bloomingdale’s, Harrods, Nice Laundry, and Saxx.