Stop Wearing Bad Underwear. These Are Worth Making Room for in Your Drawer

Out of the hundreds of skivvies we’ve tested since 2018, the Airknitx Boxer Brief came out on top for its comfort, support, and breathability. I’ve worn it to work, during workout classes, and everywhere in between. One feature I appreciate is the supportive pouch, which comfortably cradles the family jewels without suffocating them. It skips the front fly that gives you quicker, easier access when using the bathroom, but the tradeoff is a cleaner, sharper fit. The polyamide-elastane fabric has a mesh-like texture that keeps you cool and dry, instead of soaking up sweat during intense movement. Even during a four-mile run on the treadmill, this pair never once felt overheated, swampy, or in a rush to change. The waist feels secure without rolling, while the grippy leg bands keep everything in place without squeezing your thighs.

Like the name suggests, the brief feels light as air. It’s insanely soft on the skin, and the cut is also flattering on the thighs for guys with beefy quads. To really seal the deal, Mack Weldon even incorporated mesh cool zones in the back to boost airflow and help prevent odors when temperatures climb. Overall, it’s a functional pair built for everything under the sun: daily wear, hot weather, sleeping, gym workouts, long-haul flights, outdoor adventures, and the list continues. Plus, there’s a vast color selection of solids and heathers, which go with just about any casual and business casual fit.

Read More: Mack Weldon Airknitx Boxer Brief Review

Sometimes, sticking with an OG brand is the smartest move. And when it comes to underwear, it’s impossible to fail with a pair from Calvin Klein. As the pioneer of sexy basics that won us over with celebrity campaigns, we love its stretch boxer brief for its seriously smooth cotton-spandex fabric.

Our testers say this boxer brief is super comfortable and breathable. The stretch is another big win. Gollayan has used this during leg day and yoga and found that the fabric moves well with every activity. Plus, he’s been using these boxer briefs since 2022 and found that they look good as new after countless trips to the washing machine.

What makes CK’s classic so popular is its ability to keep things sleek—it doesn’t increase the bulk of your thighs in slim pants. The contoured pouch and mid-thigh length are comfortable and deliver ample support.

If what you do in a pair of undies involves a lot of moving, sweating, and calorie-burning, we highly recommend the UA Tech 6-inch Boxerjack Briefs, a pair of running underwear that packs a lot of features for guys with very active lifestyles. It has an anti-chafing feature, providing maximum comfort and fit, even if worn during athletic activities. And thanks to the neat polyester-spandex blend, these boxer briefs have a super breathable fabric, meaning you’re receiving maximum airflow and comfort.

These boxer briefs proved themselves on active days too—holding things together during intense HIIT sessions without feeling noticeable on your thighs. In our testing, we found that the four-way stretch material moved 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 you run.

Read More: Best Moisture-Wicking Underwear

The 4D Flex Microfiber mesh boxer briefs from Polo Ralph Lauren will keep you cool from sunup to sundown. Essentially, that’s their objective and we found they follow through on it with a soft cotton-modal blend that’s moisture-wicking to fend off swamp crotch and swamp ass. They do this while still maintaining a high level of everyday comfort with four-way stretch and breathability thanks to the side mesh panels.

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 and comfortable.

In terms of cleaning, it can handle multiple cycles of washing, but drying is where the waistband has an issue. We recommend air drying or putting on a low-tumble dryer setting to help the elastic retain its shape as we’ve noticed it can lose its stretch on a couple rounds of high heat.

Kim Kardashian expanding her Skims into men’s underwear might’ve been one of the best things to happen to our top drawers. The brand’s Stretch collection, which I’ve been testing, nails that sweet spot between function and finesse. The fit is nothing short of chef’s kiss, sculpted enough to look great under jeans and hold my crown jewels in place. It’s the kind of boxer brief that’s so comfy you almost forget you’re wearing it, yet still gives you that sleek, athletic silhouette.

What really sets it apart is the stretch. It’s tuned just right: never saggy, never constrictive, and it stays put whether I’m hitting the gym, playing tennis, or running errands. The cotton-modal-elastane blend has solid recovery, snapping back into shape after every wash and wear like it’s brand new. The waistband never gave me any problems; it has this velvety texture that sits gently against your skin, so no digging or irritation.

And yeah, even with the celebrity name attached, the hype checks out. I’ve worn this brief under everything like chinos, joggers, running tights. Every time the takeaway is the same: You can barely feel it. Plus, the color selection is pretty broad with classic shades and limited-edition tones including deep chocolate, green, and desert tan.

The first thing that stood out to us with Abercrombie’s Boxer Brief is the old-school look, consisting of a solid color cotton with a white sewn-on waistband, subtly emblazoned with the brand’s logo. Speaking of which, the waistband sits comfortably without rolling down whether you’re bending down to tie your shoes or stretching out across the bed. Plus, it stays put—meaning there are no awkward adjustments needed.

The cotton and elastane blend fabric has a soft washed feel that usually takes some time to break in new underwear. While it fits like a boxer brief should, it wasn’t tight like a compression short, providing a little wiggle room. If you’re a boxer brief guy and you need a quick, easy, and affordable refresh of your collection, this is the way to go. It comes in a five pack, each offering five distinct colors, with the exception of the all-black set. For the price, it’s also one of the best values we’ve come across in men’s underwear.

Tommy John earned the crown for the best overall pajamas due to their übersoft second-skin fabric, so it’s no shock that the brand’s underwear exceeds our expectations, too. What sets these apart from others is the micro modal and spandex blend, which feels unreal—like ridiculously smooth against the skin. We’re talking a fabric so luxurious that it makes regular cotton feel rough in comparison. Based on our testing, this pair of trunks nails the perfect balance of stretch and structure with their four-way stretch, so they move with you no matter how active (or lazy) your day gets.

Unlike other trunks that call for constant tugging or readjusting, these stayed perfectly in place, whether we were sitting, standing, or running errands around town. The quick-draw fly makes using the bathroom easier and faster in the middle of the night. On humid days, these are a lifesaver. Despite us breaking a sweat, this underwear stayed fresh, which speaks to their exceptional level of odor resistance. And even after multiple washes, the softness doesn’t diminish—a true sign of premium quality.

Sunspel’s Classic Boxer Shorts are hands down some of the best out there, and once you try them, you’ll get it. This pair is made by a U.K. brand with over a century of experience perfecting the essentials, so it’s time-tested. These boxers are cut from long-staple cotton, meaning the fibers are longer, the fabric is softer, and it’ll last for the long haul. Basically, it feels ridiculously comfortable—like you’re lounging in luxury every time you put it on—and it stays that way wear after wear.

One standout feature is the distinctive back panel. Sunspel uses a single smooth panel across the rear versus an uncomfortable central seam running down the middle. For us, that meant no chafing, no awkward pressure, and no irritation, even when we were sitting at our work desk or running quick errands. The fabric is lightweight but strong, so it breathes well and never bunches under pants. During testing, it held up all day, no matter what: long commutes, walking tours on vacation, or casual bike rides. We don’t recommend wearing this pair under gym shorts, but you can reserve it for days of less sweat-inducing activity since it’s all cotton.

They’ve got this easy, relaxed fit that gives you full range of motion, but the tailoring keeps them from feeling baggy or sloppy. And then there’s the design: They’re finished with a super gentle waistband that sits comfortably. We also love that there’s solid colors as well as striped patterns. It’s the kind that makes you rethink the whole category. They’re built for comfort but stylish enough to feel special, which is exactly what you want from a pair you’ll wear day in and day out.

I normally wouldn’t trust underwear that costs under $10 to compete with premium pairs, but Uniqlo’s trunks are the exception. The Japanese retailer offers some of the best basics around, delivering impressive quality at an affordable price, including these boxer shorts, which are especially comfortable in the heat. They’re made with a breathable woven cotton fabric, which feels much lighter than any knit underwear I own. When the temps went up to 100 degrees in New York last week, these kept me cool all day.

The fit is more open and roomy than my briefs, so my crown jewels had plenty of breathing room and even caught a breeze when I was lounging around. I also love how they lie flat under shorts and linen pants, though I would skip wearing slim trousers since the fabric can bunch. Even though the waistband is scrunched, it sits gently against my skin without causing any irritation. When my Sunspel pair is in the laundry, I’ll even wear it to bed on warm nights. For such an inexpensive style, it holds up over time. I’ve washed it multiple times without seeing a single loose seam or noticing any shrinkage. Plus, the striped pattern looks timeless, so it doesn’t feel like a bargain-bin underwear.

Read More: Best Boxers for Men

I can always count on mesh fabric to keep me cool when I need it most, which is why I love this underwear. SAXX uses a polyester-elastane mesh with an open, dotted texture that lets heat and moisture escape, so I never feel clammy. Even when I sweat, the fabric never gets waterlogged and dries incredibly fast. It’s one of my go-to pairs for workouts, especially on heavy cardio days. The hammock-style pouch keeps everything secure and supported while I’m biking or running on the treadmill, and the fit is snugger than most boxer shorts, specifically around the butt, thigh, and legs.

The 6-inch inseam stops mid-thigh, while the high waist sits right under your belly button. I can wear them under just about any pair of pants without worrying about bunching or visible lines. The compression-like fit may feel too snug if you prefer a roomier boxer short. And the mesh fabric isn’t as soft or natural-feeling as cotton or modal, so it may not be everyone’s favorite pair for lounging all day. The good thing is the pack of three can get you through half the week, especially if you stock up.

If you’re ready to upgrade from basic cotton underwear, CDLP is where I’d start. I love the Tencel Lyocell fabric that has an incredibly silky, almost cooling feel against my skin. It’s surprisingly breathable, too, so I never feel overheated on days when the temps spike to 90 degrees. It strikes a nice balance between feeling luxurious and being practical. The snug fit hugs my body without squeezing too tightly. It rests just below the waist and has a 3.8-inch inseam that sits high on the upper thigh and hides under my short shorts. Some of the more expensive pairs tend to pill, but the fabric on this one keeps its smooth, premium feel even after multiple washes. The only real drawback is the price, but if you’re willing to splurge on a single pair of underwear, the comfort makes it feel well worth it.

Quality underwear doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Take Uniqlo’s Airism Ultra Seamless Boxer Briefs, which clock in under $20 and also fit like a glove. During my testing, the cutoff waist felt invisible, sitting flush against the skin without squeezing or rolling, like it was made just for me. Despite its close-hugging cut, there’s a fair amount of stretch to accommodate you running up the stairs, twisting in your chair, or walking briskly through crowded city streets.

Overall, I found this pair to be lightweight, super breathable, and packed with new moisture-wicking technology that helps to keep you fresh, cool, and dry around the clock. Whether it’s a hot day or you’re working up a sweat at the gym, Airism pulls moisture away from your skin, making sure you don’t feel swampy down under.

Every Sunday at my house is wash day, but this underwear has survived through every last cycle without losing its allure. Our only gripe is that Uniqlo Airism sells out very fast, which means you have to wait for the occasional restock—so get them now.