The 14 Best Men’s Underwear, Tested by Style Editors

When developing their underwear, Mack Weldon claims they spent over 10,000 hours in design and testing to perfect the best pair of underwear money can buy. The AIRKNITx checks all the boxes you should look for when purchasing underwear. The killer combination of a supportive pouch for the boys, plus an anti-odor, anti-moisture fabric make these boxer briefs comfortable and breathable, while the no-roll waistband and secure grip at the bottom legs keep these bad boys in place.

Moreover, AIRKNITx is tried and true and has thus even earned an endorsement from former NFL football wide receiver Desmond Howard. “I travel a lot during college football season and I am never without my Mack Weldon AirknitX boxer briefs,” he says. “These are my absolute go-to’s for their light, breathable construction that always keeps me feeling just right.” To really hit a home run with Mack Weldon’s underwear, they even incorporated mesh cool zones in the back to keep you feeling cool when temperatures heat up.

Read more: Best Boxer Briefs

Pros

• Timeless design and affordable
• Great for a lay of relaxing and lounging at home
• Comfortable on skin and supportive

Some guys just prefer the classics—and sometimes, the classics are where it’s at. Portland-based personal stylist Grace Thomas says that for “a top-of-the-line option, you can’t go wrong with a classic like Calvin Klein.” And while we all know Calvin Klein knows how to make a great pair of underwear, the top pick would be the Steel Micro Low Rise Trunks with a seriously smooth and attractive-looking nylon microfiber. “The cut and breathable fabric on these make them so comfortable to wear all day long,” says Thomas. And even after dozens of washes, these trunks keep their shape and color.

Moreover, what makes CK’s classic so popular is that it doesn’t increase the bulk of your thighs in slim pants. The contoured pouch and mid-thigh length are perfect for everyday comfort with great support. “These boxer briefs also help with flexibility and are excellent for working out and playing sports,” says Thomas.

These mesh boxer briefs from Polo Ralph Lauren are recommended by personal stylist Stephanie Gisondi-Little. “It is a great cotton weight and quality, and stands up to many washings and dryings which not all elastic waistbands can do,” she says. They’re incredibly versatile, with a soft cotton-modal blend that’s moisture-wicking to fend off swamp crotch and swamp ass, while still maintaining a high level of everyday comfort with four-way stretch and breathability thanks to the side mesh panels. Plus, their slim silhouette feels like a second skin, and won’t ride up or bunch up under your dress pants. That means you can wear them to work, the gym, or even around the house. In our testing, we also found the pouch and gusset to be supportive.

One note, these skivvies are a bit high-maintenance and can warp in the dryer. So make sure you either hang dry them or put on a low-tumble dryer setting to keep their shape.

What Do Buyers Say? “They’re very stretchy. They also are moisture-wicking to keep me cool. They have a comfortable, supportive pouch to keep things where they need to be. The waistband is comfortable and doesn’t fold over or cut into me,” says one nordstrom.com customer.

“Uniqlo specifically launched this line of briefs to enhance performance,” says fashion blogger and costume designer Susan Gagnon. “These undies have new moisture-wicking technology installed that helps to keep you fresh, cool, and dry. They are breathable and lightweight, making you feel like you don’t even have anything on. They are also stretchable while still providing enough support.”

These briefs are also recommended by menswear stylist Patrick Kenger as “by far the best bang for your buck.” For $15 you get a breathable pair of underwear that’s bound to last through multiple washes. And this one’s seamless build and sleek shape can be your underwear’s holy grail, providing support where it’s needed and a smooth stretch throughout your movements. “The Uniqlo Airisim line is my go-to for breathable, soft underwear, that doesn’t break the bank,” Kenger adds. The only qualm is that Airisim sells out very fast, so you have to wait for the occasional restock.

Pros

• Form-fitting with anti-roll waistband
• Patented BallPark Pouch™ for the boys
• Moisture-wicking and odor-resistant
• Many whimsical patterns available

“Forget readjusting your underwear in front of colleagues; once you go Saxx, there’s no going back,” says e-commerce and retail expert Jessica Kats at Soxy. Not only can the Quest cover all kinds of movement you can possibly perform with your thighs, but it also provides the utmost comfort. “If you want your boys to experience a comforting night out or smoothen the friction between the fabric and the ever-present genitals, opt for Saxx,” says Kats. “There is little to no chafing, so your private parts remain unscathed and go through the day without a tingle.” This is all thanks to the Quest’s built-in tech feats like flat-out seams, anti-roll waistband, three-d fit, and Saxx’s signature BallPark Pouch™ engineered to keep your crown jewels in place like in a hammock.

Moisture-wicking and quick-drying, the wear-all-day Quest is for guys who are going places to, well, complete quests of their daily life, whether it’s an outdoor excursion, daily gym grind, or just constant commuting. You’ll also love how form-fitting they are.

What Do Buyers Say? “They are the best man hammocks I have ever worn. They support, divide, breathe, and rock,” says one saxxunderwear.com customer.

Your go-to athleisure brand launched a pack of oh-so-soft underwear that has the innovative fabric for maximum comfort you’d expect from Lululemon. And when this fabric meets boxer style, you get a pair of underwear that actually delivers. While Always in Motion might look at first like boxer briefs, these made-for-movement skivvies are actually boxers made with performance fabric. As such, they feel as freeing as boxers but can do a lot of hardcore tasks.

Their crazy-soft modal fabric, for instance, is both naturally breathable and sweat-wicking, with an ergonomically shaped pouch that provides roomy space to keep the boys in position. The four-way stretch makes it perfect for your daily pursuits and your legs’ ebbs and flows. And the quick-drying makes it so that you can actually exercise a bit in them without having to change after the session. It’s the underwear you’ll want accompanying you whenever you’re on the go.

If what you do in a pair of undies involves a lot of moving, sweating, and calories-burning, clinical sexologist and certified sex educator of Philadelphia Weekly Sharon Sanders recommends the UA Tech 6-inch Boxerjack Briefs, a pair of running underwear that packs a lot of feats for people of very active lifestyles. “It has an anti-chaffing feature, providing maximum comfort and fit, even if worn during athletic activities,” she says. And thanks to the neat polyester-spandex blend, these boxer briefs have “a highly breathable fabric so it allows for maximum airflow and comfort.”

These boxer briefs provide a great fit and comfort even during hardcore gym sessions, holding things together without feeling noticeable on your thighs. In our testing, we found that the 4-way stretch material moves easily with our legs and is breathable and ultra-soft to boot. But what truly makes it stand out is the extremely supportive design: The combination of a performance waistband and an articulated mesh fly panel and gusset keep your goods in place, no matter how hard the run.

Read more: Best Moisture-Wicking Underwear

The name says it all with this great pair of briefs for men—it’ll feel like wearing no undies at all. Not at all tight, but packed with all kinds of punches, Tommy John’s Second Skin Brief is incredibly light like a feather, and you probably won’t even notice until the occasion comes for you to take it off—hence, the horizontal fly for quick access when No.1 visits. Designed to be worn all day, it’s also incredibly durable, with a non-pilling, quick-drying micromodal fabric.

Fit-wise, it stays put with a waistband that won’t roll around or pinch your sensitive areas. And for your “crown jewels,” these have a contour pouch to keep them in place—no awkward adjustment in public. Really, this brief is one you’ll have no problem wearing for 24 hours with superior comfort.

When it comes to underwear, lightweight breathable bottoms are a must for conquering leg day and the rest of your intense workouts. For men with an active lifestyle, Rhone’s Everyday Essentials Boxer Brief is the fitness wardrobe basics you need. Certified trainer and our own Fitness Director, Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., even swears by it, especially for leg days. “[It’s] the first pair of underwear I’ve found that moves with me without bunching up, and manages to feel comfortable from the beginning of a workout until the very end,” he says. “[It hits] right at my hip and [goes] down about halfway on my thighs for added coverage that’s extra-comfortable.”

That is all made possible by Rhone’s soft blend of Pima-cotton and elastane that allows for ease of movement, and the no-roll waistband that provides comfort and coverage for all activities. With material that resists bunching and upward shifting, it’s made for running, everyday errands, pickup hoops, or a fun night out.

Read More: Rhone’s Everyday Essentials Boxer Briefs Review

Pros

• Close cut and form-fitting for better support
• Light, breathable, and stretchy
• Seamless comfort
• A close-cut that flatters your body

This isn’t your ordinary pair of cotton underwear, folks. In our testing, we found that Sunspel’s cotton creates a smooth, silky feel against our skin while being stretchy and flexible enough to keep up with our movement. The fabric also felt breathable to boot, and I’ve in fact worn it for hours on end during the day, such as during a long-haul flight or a long day trip, without feeling a bit of discomfort down there: the smoothness and performance of this trunk’s fabric just kept on giving, and the stretch moved with my thighs at each step of the way.

I wear the Stretch Cotton Trunks to travel or commute in and I find them very comfortable and, after a few washes, very soft. I love that the waistband doesn’t sit high at all and is in just the right place. The support for the boys is adequate, and the fit is extra flattering. While the fabric is a bit thick, it is still very light and breathable.

Known for their eternally wearable socks, CDLP makes some equally cozy trunks that are life-changing. As trunks, these hit all the right places with a lower waist cut and shorter legs that cover just enough skin. As underwear in general, this performance skivvy is quite the prize. First, made with lyocell and no tag (because there’s nothing more annoying than an itchy tag on your underwear), it feels smoother than even silk and much softer than cotton on the skin. The fabric is as such also breathable and moisture-wicking; and, with some spandex that lends just the right amount of flexibility to your thighs, it won’t fit too tight and is great for moving about.

And can we talk about the health benefits? The trunk is naturally anti-bacterial, and the enchanted pouch offers extra support to your crown jewels while reducing friction.

Pros

• Oh-so-soft fabric that provides great stretch
• Bang for your buck and easy style
• Low rise
• Quick-drying with breathable mesh panels

Made from an ultra-soft, cool-to-the-touch nylon blend, these form-flattering, supportive briefs have just the right amount of stretch to provide comfort all day long, despite being, well, briefs. At the right size, they won’t fit too tight and definitely won’t suffer your two gems. Subtle features like a smooth waistband, breathable mesh panels, quick-drying performance, and flatlock seams that minimize chafing also help level up the comfort level. And for $18 a pair, you simply can’t go wrong with these bad boys as your wardrobe basics.

In my testing, I found that they are cut to allow legs full range of motion and sit in just the right place on the waist. The material feels like a second skin that is neither too thick nor too thin, and I love that they have a pouch in front that provides the right amount of room while still giving you good support.

Pros

• Pre-shrunk for a better fit
• Ultra-soft cotton
• Worth the money

If you want an update from your cheap classics like Hane or Goodfellow & Co., luckily, Flint and Tinder did just that with these boxer briefs in a lean, clean style and made from premium fabric and quality. These skivvies don’t stretch out easily and don a clean, non-branded waistband. Made from organic cotton and cut, sewn, and assembled in Los Angeles, the value of the briefs is worth the investment. We’re talking brushed cotton, a soft waistband, and durable stitching that holds up over time. It’s also pre-shrunk for a flawless fit.

Our fashion director Ted Stafford loves Flint and Tinder’s boxer briefs. “It gives a lot of support, but is still very easy to move in,” he says. That’s because of its cotton-elastane fabric that’s both breathable and fitted, along with a bit of stretch for extra mobility.

What Do Buyers Say? “I have struggled to find a good pair of boxer briefs. I typically wear boxers as a result. My primary limitation has been that I want them to be all cotton for breathability. With the 2% spandex, these are breathable with just the right amount of stretch,” says one huckberry.com customer.

What Else to Consider

Support: If you’re looking to keep your precious cargo secure, then briefs provide the most security. However, if you want to let the package breathe, then boxers are your best bet. Though do be warned: boxers tend to ride up when you’re wearing slim pants but should give you less trouble if you’re wearing them under looser, more relaxed silhouettes.

If you’re looking for extra support, Dr. Susie Gronski, a specialist in men’s pelvic health and sexual health, recommends underwear with a pouch or a snugger fit around the waistband and a high-leg opening. “For some men with testicular pain or discomfort, they may want to find a style that fits well and doesn’t ride up or bunch as this could aggravate their symptoms,” she says.

Stretch: Consider getting underwear that you can move in easily. “Underwear should really move with a man versus squeezing everything to his body,” says Billy Barba, Founder and CEO of male underwear brand, UnderGents. “We like to say comfort not compression because men don’t need to be squeezed in order to have something not bunch up.”

Function: “Consider any special features you may need, such as moisture-wicking properties for sports, added groin protection for high-impact sports or combat, or extra comfort during long periods of sitting,” says Dr. Gronski.

You’ll also want to consider factors like activities. “Choosing the right pair of underwear surrounds what adventures or activities the day will consist of,” says Ford. “For example, jocks are great for fitness activities. Boxers are perfect for lounging at home.”

“Ultimately, the best underwear for you will depend on your personal preferences and needs,” Susie Gronski, a specialist in men’s pelvic health and sexual health. “Sometimes it will take a little trial and error to find your favorite pair to fit the activities and needs of your individual lifestyle.”

How to Find the Right Underwear Fabric

If underwear is a man’s wardrobe foundation, then the fabric is the foundation of underwear where all its comfort comes from. Gihan Amarasiriwardena, co-founder of apparel brand Ministry of Supply, believes that optimizing for comfort begins with materials. “Moisture, softness, temperature all depend on finding the right fabric,” he says.

Cotton

“100% cotton has been the default for years. While cotton is known for its breathability, it isn’t great for moisture management, and there are a ton of other options on the market today,” says Amarasiriwardena. Not to mention a pair of undies that’s 100% cotton tends to lose shape over time and can give you that swamp-ass feeling.

This is why menswear stylist Patrick Kenger recommends against full cotton underwear. “In general, I try to stay away from 100% cotton and opt for blended fabrics that are more moisture-wicking and comfortable,” he says. For briefs, Amarasiriwardena also recommends looking beyond to “materials like Tencel and Merino, both known for breathability, moisture management, and odor control.”

Blend

If you’re looking for something a little more modern, go for a blend with nylon and some spandex. Nylon is moisture-wicking and the fabric won’t pill or stretch out. However, a little spandex in the fabric helps for movement with ease and extra comfort. And if blends aren’t your thing, Kenger recommends 100% merino wool as an alternative since it’s naturally moisture-wicking and more breathable.

Modal

“Fabrics like micro modal also wick moisture away but don’t lock in the bacteria like polyester does,” says Barba. Made from beech trees, this incredibly soft fabric feels like nothing your junk has ever felt before. It’s lightweight, has a silky feel to it, and also is shrink-resistant and moisture-wicking. Most of the best men’s underwear on the market that you’ll hear guys rave about will have modal in its fabrication. A better alternative to modal, by the way, is lyocell which is stronger, more tear-resistant, softer, and lighter than modal, but more expensive.

Bamboo

The go-to fabric of Justin J. Houman, MD, a Los Angeles-based urologist, “Bamboo is a natural fiber that is known for its softness and antibacterial properties,” he says. “Bamboo underwear is often marketed as eco-friendly and sustainable, and it is a good choice for men who prefer natural materials.

Which Type of Underwear is Best for Men?

“Underwear is the one item most men wear day in/day out for 12-16 hours per day,” says Barba. “To have comfort, men must choose a style that feels great for them and there is no right or wrong style.”

Boxer

Every man has worn one at some point; they’re light and loose and so freeing! They’re the classic underwear style for men that feels very relaxed with short legs. “Boxer shorts provide the freedom and carefree feeling that is almost like going commando but with some protection, but you want to avoid bulky boxer shorts that bunch under clothes,” says Barba. Perfect for lounging around the house on the weekend.

Brief

Think speedo. Think swimmers. Think upside-down triangle. Briefs provide the required coverage and optimal support while exposing more skin for ease of mobility. They can, however, fit a bit tight around the crouch. “Briefs provide the most support and hold everything in place and offer snugness, but you don’t want them pressing and oversight,” Barba adds.

Boxer brief

Perhaps the most popular one, it’s a hybrid of loose-fit boxers and tight briefs. “Boxer briefs are the blend of both of these styles with more support than boxer shorts but less support and lift than a brief,” says Barba. If you’re not a fan of underwear that rides up too high, go for boxer briefs that have a longer leg and a snug fit, like compression underwear that’s perfect for the gym. “With boxer briefs, you want to make sure they skim the leg versus squeezing you too tight,” adds Barba.

Trunk

A trunk is like boxer briefs but with a shorter leg and provides an overall shorter fit that covers less thigh skin. For some visual assistance, think of trunks as the underwear style that most CK models wear on big billboards.

Should Guys Wear Tight or Loose Underwear?

According to Dr. Houman, the tightness or looseness of underwear will have an impact on a man’s fertility. “Tight underwear, such as briefs or compression shorts, can increase scrotal temperature, which can affect sperm production and quality,” Houman says. “On the other hand, loose-fitting underwear, such as boxers or boxer briefs, can help to regulate scrotal temperature and promote better sperm production.”

How to Prevent Underwear Waistbands From Stretching?

If you want to protect the structural integrity of your underwear’s waistband, the best way to keep them from stretching is to hand wash them, then and hang them dry. But given how impractical that is, the second best option is to stick in the washing machine on cold water and use a low dryer setting so the elastic doesn’t warp. However, our testers say that most of the skivvies they’ve tried have kept their waistbands’ shapes even after several trips to the laundromat. In other words: if your underwear’s waistband has lost its shape, you’re probably overdue to replace it.

How to Prevent Underwear Waistbands From Stretching?

If you want to protect the structural integrity of your underwear’s waistband, the best way to keep them from stretching is to hand wash them, then and hang them dry. But given how impractical that is, the second best option is to stick in the washing machine on cold water and use a low dryer setting so the elastic doesn’t warp. However, our testers say that most of the skivvies they’ve tried have kept their waistbands’ shapes even after several trips to the laundromat. In other words: if your underwear’s waistband has lost its shape, you’re probably overdue to replace it.