ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Bikini Review

The updated ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 scored high marks for its overall next-to-skin comfort and four-way stretch material. However, it came up short in our rankings due to a longer drying time, thicker fabric, and heavier weight. The more affordable price tag, as well as high quality construction, still makes the Give-N-Go 2.0 one of our favorite pairs of travel undies on the market.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

After extensive side-by-side testing and multiple trips, we decided that comfort is paramount when selecting the best pair of undies to bring on your next adventure. We paid close attention to how each garment felt next to skin, the type of materials each garment was made from, as well as the overall breathability.

ExOfficio is a brand known for its travel apparel and we were not disappointed by the newest version of the Give-N-Go 2.0. However, we were not overly impressed by this bikini option either. While the material is silky soft, it is noticeably thicker than other competitive models, made from 89% nylon and 11% elastane fabric. We recommend sizing down if purchasing this garment to accompany you on your next adventure.

Fit

The fit of any garment is almost as important as the overall comfort, especially during high-performance activities when you can't be bothered to constantly adjust your undies. To evaluate the fit of each garment, we paid close attention to the coverage, shape, and stretchiness as well as whether or not the underwear was a flattering cut.

The Give-N-Go 2.0 appears to be right on trend, featuring a high-waisted, flattering cut with a solid waistband very comparable to the waistbands on some of our favorite travel underwear options. It was difficult to give this model high scores because we found ourselves constantly making adjustments during trail runs and full days of rock climbing. While we still think of this garment as a great full coverage option, featuring four-way stretch synthetic material, we found it difficult to recommend over other flattering models that stayed in place so we could maintain our flow.

Drying Time

We understand that nobody wants to waste precious vacation hours waiting for their underwear to dry on the line, so we set out to determine the amount of time each garment required to fully dry to give a confident recommendation for the highest performer. We decided to take a more scientific approach for this metric and tested each pair of undies side by side on a beautiful spring day in Victor, Idaho with partial sun, low winds, and 50% humidity.

At 58 minutes, the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 took almost twice as long to dry as other competitive synthetic models which required only 30 minutes. We attributed this longer drying time to a much thicker material and bulkier flatlock seams. Despite a longer drying time on the line, we found that these undies were able to keep us dry while we were in motion, and effectively wicked moisture away from the body, perhaps just not as efficiently as some of our other favorite synthetic blends.

Packability

To select the appropriate pair of travel undies, you must consider both the weight as well as the amount of space each garment will require within your backpack. For this reason, we weighed each pair of undies on our scale and then compared our notes to the manufacturer's specifications. We also compared each model side by side to determine which models required the least amount of space.

Inevitably the thong models took up the least amount of space while full-coverage options like the Give-N-Go 2.0 had noticeably more bulk. Weighing in at 1.23 oz, this was one of the heaviest pairs of underwear that we tested. If you are not concerned with going as light as possible and counting grams isn't your thing, the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 is a solid choice at a more affordable price.

Value

The Give-N-Go 2.0 is worth its extra weight, providing a more affordable and high-performing option on the market. While it does not dry as quickly as some of the travel underwear that we tested, nor is it the best choice when considering ultralight travel, you still would not be disappointed by the overall quality and performance if you purchased this garment for your next extended trip or backpacking adventure. Adding to its value is our expectation that this pair will last longer than most other pairs with regular wear and tear.

Conclusion

While our testers really liked these undies, they didn't score as highly as the competition. We loved the high-waisted look and fuller coverage but were disappointed when it came time for these undies to perform and we constantly had to stop and adjust for wedgies. Nonetheless, the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 would be a great, more affordable option, even if you have to sacrifice a bit more time to dry and carry a slightly heavier weight.