Found: Comfortable Boxer Briefs You Can Actually Wear All Day

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WE MIGHT BE living in the age of going commando under grey sweatpants, but nothing quite beats the old-school choice of wearing the OG underwear: Boxer briefs. This hybrid underwear for men looks like boxers, '80s Dolphin shorts with their long legs, but fits tight like briefs to hug your skin and support your “crown jewels.” That best-of-both-worlds quality is exactly why boxer briefs are the best. That is all to say: If you can’t remember the last time you bought some new boxer briefs for men, it’s probably time for a refresh.

Best Boxer Briefs for Men

In recent years, the best boxer It's not just about the size. First, consider the pouch design. Does the brand make an effort to give you enough room for the boys to move around and breathe? If not, skip the try-on phase and go right to the next. And don't underestimate the benefits of finding the right leg and the right leg length, otherwise known as inseam. Though it all depends on your preference, you'll want legs or inseams that won't move around or bunch in the skin, and don't add extra bulk when you're wearing pants.Fit and PouchThe longer the inseam, the less a boxer brief will move around. As such, boxer briefs with lengths longer than five inches are great for fitness activities.briefs have become more advanced thanks to better stitching designs and semi-synthetic fabrics made with performance in mind. Which is why the best boxer briefs for men nowadays often boast moisture-wicking or odor-resistance feat. As for comfort, the very best men's boxer briefs abandon a full-cotton made to let you bid farewell to chafing for good, and in the meantime put on waistbands and even leg bands to stay put and snug. And the style of the best boxer briefs for men? From sleek monotone to vibrant prints, it varies but seldom disappoints.

What to Consider

Fabric

Never opt for full cotton! Unless you want your skin down there to be chafed 24/7. "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 Gihan Amarasiriwardena, co-founder of apparel brand Ministry of Supply. "Look for briefs using materials like Tencel and Merino, both known for breathability, moisture management, and odor control."

Nylon or nylon-blend are thus also great stretchy, moisture-wicking options that aid movement and provide comfort. And then there is modal: buttery soft, lightweight, and almost silky, this fabric is also shrink-resistant and will last your junk for years.

Fit and Pouch

It's not just about the size. First, consider the pouch design. Does the brand make an effort to give you enough room for the boys to move around and breathe? If not, skip the try-on phase and go right to the next. And don't underestimate the benefits of finding the right leg and the right leg length, otherwise known as inseam. Though it all depends on your preference, you'll want legs or inseams that won't move around or bunch in the skin, and don't add extra bulk when you're wearing pants.

Length

The longer the inseam, the less a boxer brief will move around. As such, boxer briefs with lengths longer than five inches are great for fitness activities.

How We Selected

For the past 18 months, we consulted with Men's Health's editors and writers on the best boxer briefs for men. Experts, including our Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollayan, and our Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, put a number of boxer briefs to the test and evaluated their style, comfort, price point, and durability. We also considered top-reviewed boxer briefs with high praise on e-commerce websites we trust.

Now all you have to do is to find the skivvies that fit you best. We tested and reviewed some of the best men’s boxer briefs in the market and present them below. Regardless of your preference or untie-wearing needs, these 18 best boxer briefs for men are good for every individual.

AIRKNITx Boxer Brief

These briefs from Mack Weldon embody the brand's dedication to quality and design for all things underwear-related. You can expect their breathable design and material to keep you dry, cool, and comfortable all day. Highlights include a specially designed ventilation patch that sits along the back, just below the waist band, in a - lets say - very useful spot, as well as the most effective elastic leg bands that we've tested.

AIRKNITx is also very sports-friendly and has earned the approval of athletes like 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," Howard says. "These are my absolute go-to’s for their light, breathable construction that always keeps me feeling just right."

Read more: Best Menswear Brands

Long Cut Stretch Cotton Trunks

Admittedly, this is a lot to spend on a single pair of boxer briefs, but Sunspel offers an attention to detail typically reserved for premium items like dress shirts and trousers. To begin with, it is made from a sturdy jersey cotton, blended with elastane to keep things nice and snug. When you touch it, it feels more like a high quality T-shirt fabric than lean brief fabric.

This boxer brief is produced in Portugal, which has become a hub for high-quality garment manufacturing in recent years. The craftsmanship shows in the tight flatlock stitching, which reduces friction from body movement. It is a pair of underwear that will hold up for a long time.

Read more: Best Pajamas for Men

Cotton Boxer Briefs

Underwear isn't something we recommend skimping on. However, a low price doesn't always equate low quality. Uniqlo uses a soft and sturdy cotton-spandex blend fabric with smart construction and a super comfortable waistband. What makes the waistband so comfortable is a combination of a soft texture and an unusually wide design. This keeps everything in place, especially when you sit down.

Uniqlo uses short staple cotton for these boxer briefs, which is woven tightly to prevent pilling and creates an extra smooth surface. This avoids the pitfalls of traditional cotton underwear. The Japanese retailer doesn't sell multipacks, but there is often a discount available for buying two or more at a time, making it even more affordable.

Always In Motion Boxer Briefs

Designed for those who are always on the move, these briefs by Lululemon feature an ergonomic design and soft modal fabric for quick-drying comfort while walking or working out. In fact, they will move with you instead of restricting your movement. With an extra long seven inch inseam, the effect is similar to compression underwear or biking shorts, where the extra fabric keeps the brief in place and fights friction discomfort on the inner leg.

Breathability and moisture regulation become especially important during the warmer months. Since Lululemon designed this brief for athletic activities, it handles those two factors really well. Bottom line, of all the underwear tested for this list, the Always In Motion handles sweat and heat the best.

Read more: Best Compression Socks

Stretch 4" boxer briefs in stripe

Underwear is one of those products where when you find something you like, you tend to stick to it forever. J.Crew boxer briefs have been my go-to for well over a decade because every detail hits just right. Fortunately, the brand has not tinkered with the design in that time. Using a flat stitched pattern, with a fly opening, a wide and soft exposed waist band, and not-too-tight leg opening elastic has stood the test of time.

To keep things interesting with such a consistent design, the New York retailer introduces a few new patterns every season. There are the annual standbys of black, navy, white, gray, and blue-and-white stripes. If you care to spice it up, fun seasonally appropriate patterns are always available.

Cotton Modal Blend Boxer Brief

Modal is a textile made from beech tree bark that has a texture similar to silk, but functions more like a lighter version of cotton. Bombas made an even modal and cotton blend to create a fabric that is far softer and lighter weight than pure cotton, but more affordable than pure modal. This fabric makes for a very comfortable and breathable boxer brief, with just enough elastane added to keep things snug.

Along with the fabric, we found that the most comfortable feature of this boxer brief is the lack of seams. Two flat stitch seams create the pouch and hold the leg panels together, but there are no seams on the back or sides where the most friction happens.

Cool Dri Boxer Briefs

If you are the type of guy that doesn't let his underwear overstay its welcome, then you should probably buy in bulk. We appreciate the emphasis on freshness and one of the best brands to stock up with is Hanes. This soft cotton knit brief from the old school, household name of underwear is a modern spin on a traditional design.

We're not kidding when we say over 88,000 five-star Amazon reviews have been given to these boxer briefs. Reviewers had high praise for their breathable and moisture-wicking, and we do too. And the fact you can get a 12-pack in all-black at this price point is simply too good.

Read more: Best Menswear Brands on Amazon

Microfiber Stretch Boxer Briefs 3-pack

Perhaps the most iconic brand in men's underwear, Calvin Klein has a classic, timeless style, and these microfiber briefs are no different. Featuring added stretch for maximum comfort and enhanced movement, you can wear these for any activity—and look dang good doing it. It is probably the only underwear that you actually want peeking out of the top of your pants.

Microfiber fabric isn't typically found in underwear. It is super soft to the touch, which is why it is used in polishing cloths like the ones that come with glasses. Wearing that on your most sensitive parts is definitely worth the investment.

Quest

"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 e-commerce and retail expert Jessica Kats. Created for travel, the Saxx Quest 2.0 boxer briefs are designed with lightweight, quick-drying, pin-dot mesh fabric. "There is little to no chafing, so your private parts remain unscathed and go through the day without a tingle," adds Katz, making them great for active guys.

The best part about the Quest is the patented ball pouch that keeps the boys separate. Because nothing annoys you more than balls being squeezed against each other, right? "Once you go Saxx, there’s no going back," says Katz.

Second Skin Mid-Length Boxer Brief

One of the most effective ways to fight underwear from riding up is to go with a longer inseam. Tommy John offers the silky soft Second Skin boxer brief in a mid-length model with a six inch inseam. This will extend down to the mid-thigh area for most men. For a lot of guys, extending the amount of elastic fabric that covers the leg is a more comfortable alternative to getting a tighter fitting elastic band. This is especially true for guys with relatively wide thighs compared to their waist.

Modal is the primary ingredient that makes this boxer brief so soft to the touch. The solid color and printed models use a 90% blend, balanced out with 10% spandex for structure. Just avoid the heather colors because they only use 47% modal.

What Is the Best Fabric for Boxer Briefs?

The best place to start when finding the ideal fabric for your boxer briefs is what not to wear. As mentioned above, the fabric you want to avoid is 100% cotton. Some type of stretch textile is required to keep everything in place.

Instead, the best fabric for boxer briefs should contain some sort of stretch and breathability. Fabrics like Tencel and Merino, fabrics that Amarasiriwardena pointed out, are great because they're breathable, moisture-wicking, and have natural odor control. Other fabrics to consider are nylon and nylon blends: they're stretchy, moisture-wicking, and provide easy movement and all-day comfort.

If you're looking for high-end goods, modal is the way to go. It's insanely soft, breathable, and resistant to shrinking. Modal boxer briefs have a great lifespan too.

What Are the Most Supportive Boxer Briefs?

Boxer briefs are supportive by design, but the most supportive pairs pay especially close attention to one thing: pouch design.

The pouch design on a good pair of boxer briefs should give you just enough room and support for your goods to move around. Pick a pouch design that's too roomy and you start losing support. Pick a pouch design that's too restrictive and, well, we all know that's a fit we definitely don't want.

And to touch on another quality we mentioned, your boxer brief inseam is important. In terms of how inseam relates to support, a short to medium-length inseam will give you the most support, as the less length you have on your legs the closer you get to briefs, which is the most supportive kind of underwear you can buy. A longer inseam (say anything 7" or more) can create less support, as you start bringing some of the fabric away from your skin.

But with a longer boxer brief inseam, you reduce the risk of chaffing (shorter inseam fits closer to the skin), so that's the trade-off you're getting when going longer.

Shop More of Our Favorite Menswear Essentials

Best Underwear Brands for Men | Types of Underwear | Best Swim Trunks | Best Underwear Brands | Best Moisture-Wicking Underwear | Best Thermal Underwear | Best Undershirts for Men

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