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

Best Overall

Mack Weldon AIRKNITx Boxer Brief

Best boxer

Lululemon Always in Motion Boxer (Pack of 3)

Credit: Maverick LiConsWaistband can fold and shrink

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.

TypeBoxerMaterial91% Modal, 9% ElastaneSizeXS-3XLPouchFlyless

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Best athletic underwear

Under Armour UA Tech™ 6″ Boxerjock® – 2-Pack

Best value underwear

Flint and Tinder Heritage Boxer Briefs

Credit: Flint and TinderConsNo athletic support

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.

TypeBoxer briefMaterial95% organic cotton, 5% elastaneSizesS-XXLPouchVertical fly

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.”

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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.”

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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.