The 25 Best Underwear for Men 2023, Tested by Experts

When developing their underwear, Mack Weldon claims they took 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

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 fashion designer Holly Reimer. Really, it's hard to beat a pack of Calvin's when you consider how long the legacy underwear lasts.

What you do in a pair of undies also matters a whole lot. And if that involves a lot of moving, sweating, and calories-burning, clinical sexologist and certified sex educator of Philadelphia Weekly Sharon Sanders recommends Gold Standard's Athletic Underwear which 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."

All in all, Gold Standard provides great fit and comfort even during gym sessions, holding things together without feeling noticeable on your thighs.

Uniqlo has some of the best underwear for the price. While their boxers are just as good, we love the AIRism Boxer Briefs. "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 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.

"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.

The name says it all with this great pair of briefs for men—it'll feel like wearing no undie 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 micro modal 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 long 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. Hence, it's more than just a pair of gym underwear. With material that resists bunching and upward shifting, it's made for running, everyday errands, pickup hoops, or a fun night out.

Allbirds, the footwear company beloved by cool dads and the sustainable style savants, surprisingly has the perfect boxer brief for the sizzling days of summer. Soft and breathable, the Trino boxer brief is our editor's favorite for hotter days or days that really require gearing up with thick pants. In fact, one editor says that "it’s probably the first pair of underwear I’ve ever worn where I almost forgot I was wearing anything down there."

The genius of Trino, which stands for the combination of the Eucalyptus tree and merino materials, is that the fabric combines all the functionality you want in top-drawer underwear—breathable, moisture-wicking, and cooling. To be specific, the Tree material takes care of the cooling and airflow, while merino wool naturally wicks away moisture and provides a soft texture. (Really, what more can a man want?) Guys with thicker thighs will love it more because its smooth feel hugs the muscles but doesn't cling in an uncomfortable way, and the seams on the legs won’t constrain.

Read more: Allbirds Trino Boxer Briefs Review

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.

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. Thus, it’s a best-of-both-worlds situation that you will want to slide into, and the waistband will keep you there nicely.

If we tell you that Aquaman wears this, canonically, like in the Atlantis fight against Black Manta, would you believe it? Because that's what we can assume since Jason Momoa personally wears BN3TH's boxer briefs. Why? Because it's damn innovative with its own patented MyPakage Pouch Technology™—a three-dimensional internal pouch that supports the boys without chafing their skin—and those boys definitely include Aquaman's. "These are the undies I wear because they've got this awesome pouch up in there," says the Hollywood star. "It's like angels. If you've had a hard day, it's alright. Angels... We got you."

But what makes BN3TH's Infinite option a cut above the rest is that it's also incredibly soft and movement-friendly. It's made with Modal for the ultimate skin comfort, and its no-stink, moisture-wicking fabric will keep you fresh even during the sweatiest hours. Its gusset allows the undie to contour around your body. And you won't get bothered much by seams—there's hardly any.

If you're going to come for the increasingly saturated underwear, market, you'd better not miss. Luckily, Tom Brady did just that with his new underwear collection, which is drawn from the same playbook as the rest of the GOAT's eponymous menswear line: lean, clean styles that are made from premium fabrics.

Our fashion director Ted Stafford loves BRADY'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-polyester fabric that's both breathable and fitted, along with a bit of stretch for extra mobility. If it's good enough for Brady, the man, it's probably good enough for you.

While some of the old-school underwear brands you sported in your youth might not be on your radar today, brands like Superdry have seriously stepped up their game in recent years with affordable underwear options that have the modern trimmings you want. From its catalog, the Organic Cotton Boxer is 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. And it really is, offering softness and a snug fit, in a fabric made from material that is better for the world.

As for the style, these come in trunk and boxer lengths, as well as "multiple great saturated colors, and bands that are more bold or less so, offering something for everyone's personal taste."

Sure, your full cotton graphic boxers from your high school days might look nice, but they can never feel as cozy as these. So if you think know comfortable boxers, think again. These in fact basically double as pajama shorts to be the only layer you need at night. The awesome part about them is the fabric which is made of everything you need in boxers and nothing you don’t. The durable micro-porous structure of bamboo viscose fiber makes the fabric extra breathable and score high at moisture-wicking and odor resistance. The spandex also gives the right amount of stretch to its relaxed fit. Lastly, the cotton amps up the softness and smoothness.

You’ll also enjoy its bells and whistles, like the button-fly closure and the elastic waistband that stays put. So if you like to feel free as a bird down there, these bamboo boxers are what you’ll need. (Really, with pockets, you can wear these as lounge shorts.)

Read more: Best Boxers for Men

Did you know merino wool naturally wicks away moisture and helps to regulate your body temperature? Not to mention breathable while fighting against odor? That makes merino a great fabric choice for the most comfortable men’s underwear. Smartwool goes the extra mile by wrapping merino fibers around a nylon core so this pair keeps its shape with greater durability, with fabric that holds up after multiple washes. Designed with a double front panel and a flatlock seam construction, you’ll feel extra support without the chafing as you wear this boxer brief all day long.

Made from ultra-soft Supima cotton, these form-flattering 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 and flatlock seams that minimize chafing also help level up the comfort level. And for $25 ($12.50 per pair), you simply can't go wrong with these bad boys as your wardrobe basics.

If you want an update from your cheap classics like Hane or Goodfellow & Co., this is it. These no-fuss boxer briefs don't stretch out easily and don a clean, non-branded waistband. Made from organic cotton and cut, sewn, and assembled in Los Angeles, Flint and Tinder's boxer briefs are truly a cut above the rest. Yes there a bit expensive, but 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.

An underwear drawer full of monochrome, neutral options can feel downright boring. That's why we recommend always adding a few fun styles that show some personality. Enter J.Crew's famed printed boxers, which are constantly replenished with seasonal patterns (spring clovers, pelicans, or palm trees, anyone?). Plus, given that it's J.Crew, these boxers come in a variety of sizes. The one downside: given how fast these unique styles sell out, you'll want to grab them as soon as they come in stock.