Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more
We busted our buns looking for the best boxer briefs on the market today. After researching dozens of pairs, we bought and tested the top 13 options, making sure to include a variety of materials and styles. We compared each pair in daily wear, working out, and washing and drying. Our scoring system is based on how comfortable they are, how well they breathe, their durability, and odor control. While many pairs of underwear look similar, subtle details make a huge difference in performance. After a thorough assessment period, we awarded our favorite pairs for various uses, below-average price points, and overall performance.
Wool's natural odor repellent keeps the stink down
REASONS TO AVOID
Bulky waistband
Small fly
It's hard to beat the Smartwool Merino 150, which has nearly everything we could want in a pair of underwear. The merino wool is soft against the skin, even under the waistband. The legs aren't too long, and they never rode up, whether we were sitting in an office chair or going for a run. The wool is burlier and higher quality than cotton and fares well over the long haul. Wool also has a natural odor-fighting coating called lanolin, which helped keep the stink down when working in triple-digit heat. This model is exceptional for travel, of either the urban or backcountry variety. If you need to wear them multiple times between washes (no judgement, we've been there), their excellent odor control allows you to do so. One tester has owned a single pair of these for over two years, and they're still going strong — no holes, pilling, or rumpled waistband, attesting to their quality.
One of the few things to nitpick about this Smartwool pair is that they're almost too burly. At an inch and a half wide, the waistband is huge, and quite thick. It doesn't ride up, but under other layers, it could get a touch bulky. We also think the fly could be improved by a slightly larger opening. Although this pair will cost you more than most in this review, we believe that they are the best skivvies for any situation you might run into and will surely last a long time.
The Smartwool Merino 150 are our favorite pair of underwear, whether working or playing.
The Tommy John Second Skin boxer brief takes the cake as the silkiest dang underwear we've ever worn. The modal fabric is buttery smooth against our skin, and the weave keeps things breathable. The No-Ride-Up claim is true to form, and despite the longer legs, they didn't bunch up under our pants. The waistband, hems, and seams are also all very low profile, which helped things from rubbing or shifting during wear.
We tested the 8" inseam. Our tester is 5'8" with a medium waist, and the legs of the Tommy John's seemed way too long, almost reaching to his knees. For taller people, the version we tested might work fine, but shorter folks may like to go with the mid-length cut or the trunk. The odor control capabilities left something to be desired, as we noticed some odor lingering after high-output activities. In our experience, modal or synthetic fabrics do not perform as well for odor control as natural fibers. Still, we thought these were a seriously luxurious pair of underwear, and we'd recommend them to anyone that wants something really soft next to their skin.
The Tommy John Second Skin are the softest pair of underwear we've ever put on.
Cotton-poly blend retains odor control while adding some wicking capability
REASONS TO AVOID
Leg hems caused some ride up
Hip seams noticeable under thinner pants and shorts
The Columbia Performance Cotton Stretch took us by surprise. Initially, they seemed like a standard cotton-poly blend pair of underwear, and they are — but Columbia manages to combine the best of both cotton and synthetic fabrics for a very reasonable price. The cotton majority of the fabric keeps these drawers comfy and reduces potential lingering odors, while the polyester fibers wick enough moisture away to prevent a cottony, swampy feeling.
We wish the seams were more thoughtfully placed, as two seams run from the top of the seat to the back of the crotch, which could serve as potential chafe points. These might not be the best choice for fellas who like to wear pants with a tighter fit because these undergarments will leave those undesirable lines showing through. We also wished the leg hems were lower profile so they wouldn't ride up while running or engaging in other athletic activities. Regardless, we still think this is an excellent pair of underwear for any situation at a great price.
The Columbia Performance Cotton Stretch drawers are surprisingly sporty, and don't ride up due to well-made hems and waistbands. We like the fabric blend too.
The Fruit of the Loom CoolZone Boxer is a standard cotton pair of underwear with a slight twist. The inside of the fly has a panel of cotton-poly blend to wick moisture away, keeping things cooler and drier than your average cotton undies. These were a little cooler than the all-cotton pairs we tried out, and the inside of the waistband is also pleasantly soft against the skin. These briefs are typically sold in a multi-pack at a very reasonable price, and they perform better than the products we tested in the same price range.
Considering Fruit of the Loom markets this as a pair that is designed for any activity, we were not pleased to find that the legs were constantly riding up. Additionally, the fly managed to keep things dryer in the front, but the seat of the CoolZone felt swampier than some of the rival boxer briefs in this test, particularly when faced with hot climates. However, these are affordable and perform quite well for a pair of mostly cotton underwear. If funds are tight and you need some new drawers, these are worth your purchase.
We turned this pair inside out you can see the wicking panel of the Fruit of the Loom CoolZone's synthetic fly.
We've been fans of ExOfficio products in the past, and their Give-n-Go 2.0 Sport is another win. For active outdoor pursuits, this is our favorite product in the bunch. The crotch is more form-fitting than most other pairs, but for activities like running, this is ideal to reduce movement and jostling. We appreciate the fabric's breathability; we never felt unnecessarily overheated when wearing these. The cut and hems are also thin enough that the boxer briefs didn't ride up much on our testers.
Although we like the fit of the crotch for running, biking, and other activities, we liked it less on casual days. It hugs the anatomy, and we felt more of its presence than we generally prefer from our undergarments. Also, like most synthetic underwear, we found the odor control somewhat lacking. While nylon isn't as much of an offender as some other fabrics, we think there's room for improvement in this category. When we expected to sweat, though, these were the first pair of underwear we reached for.
The ExOfficio Give-n-Go Sport 2.0 has lightweight, breathable fabric and a center that hugs the anatomy to keep everything in place. Both aspects make this model our favorite for high-output activities.
It's rare to see innovation in the men's underwear department in regards to shape, but the SAXX Vibe takes it head-on to give us something new. The Ballpark Pouch is essentially two fins of soft mesh fabric to separate one's private anatomy from the legs. This prevents chafing, keeps things very much in place, and provides a sort of "cupping" sensation. For some, this can be uncomfortable and unusual and could take some getting used to. The soft viscose fabric also does an admirable job of wicking moisture away from the skin.
We wouldn't necessarily say that the Ballpark Pouch style is for everyone; if you're used to "riding side-saddle," it's a very unusual sensation. The Vibe also leaves something to be desired in the odor control department, as viscose acts more like a synthetic fabric than a natural fiber and tends to let odor stick around. We'd recommend the SAXX Vibe for those who want a supportive pair of underwear for sports or everyday wear, or anyone looking for an expressive pair — these come in a wide array of colors and patterns.
The Saxx Vibe has a Ballpark Pouch which is a feature unlike anything else we've seen in men's underwear.
The New Balance 6" Fly Front is a surprisingly slick pair of skivvies. The polyester fabric is smooth against the skin and lets layers slide past without causing them to ride up. The three-dimensional pouch in the front is both supportive and comfortable, and the plain seam in the middle is a nice touch to reduce chafing. Our head tester especially liked the wide but flat waistband that kept everything in place without the bulk.
Like most polyester underwear, this New Balance pair doesn't excel in the odor control department. New Balance's website claims that these are odor resistant but doesn't offer any details on how they achieve this. We weren't particularly impressed with its odor control when we tested them, although, for a daily driver, these are a solid pair of boxer briefs for work or play.
We like how wide and low profile the New Balance waistband is.
Double fabric in front without a fly seems unnecessary
Although just putting these on won't make you as ripped and skinny as the model on the packaging, the Calvin Klein Microfiber Stretch is still a stylish, comfortable pair of underwear. We like that they have minimal seams on them, reducing potential chafe points, and the smooth fabric slides past other layers to reduce ride-up. The thin polyester also wicks moisture and keeps things breathable.
The double-layered crotch on the Calvin Klein boxers seems unnecessary, as a single layer would likely give more breathing room, and it would eliminate a seam in the middle. We also wish there was some sort of odor control coating on the polyester, as synthetic fabrics get stinky quickly. This pair proved to be no exception, but we still found them sleek and great for everyday wear.
The shaped front pouch with the smooth fabric of the Calvin Klein Micro Stretch make these a sleek, stylish pair of skivvies.
The Lucky Brand Stretch are a snazzy take on an otherwise straightforward pair of cotton skivvies. With low-rise jeans, boxer waistbands often rise above the pants. These boxer briefs have a textured waistband that allows you to show off a little extra style, while the inside of the waistband is soft on the skin.
The quality of these drawers is nice, but we wish there was a little bit more going on with them. The all-cotton construction helps with odor but tends to get soaked with sweat in the heat and doesn't wick very well. The large hems on the bottom of the legs tend to ride up as well. This pair of underwear seems to have put form over function.
The Lucky Brand model is the most stylish of the cotton options.
The Adidas Sport Performance is a simple, sleek pair of synthetic underwear that wicks away moisture well and stays soft after repeated washings. The lack of a seam through the inside of the front was a nice touch to reduce chafing. The svelte fit and low-profile legs also don't ride up while running or biking.
While this is a decent pair of underwear, it isn't as durable as similar pairs; we noticed fraying after a few wash cycles. We also weren't impressed by the odor control, as there appears to be no attempt to keep these from acquiring the dreaded polyester stink. Also, the crotch has just a flat panel instead of a supportive but unrestrictive pouch that some of the other sport pairs had. We used this pair for days when we were going to be working or playing outside, but it wasn't the first pair we reached for.
The Adidas Sport Performance wicks away sweat well, but could have better odor control.
For those looking for an all-cotton boxer brief, the Amazon Essentials Tag-Free is just that. It doesn't have any more bells and whistles than most of the other drawers we reviewed, besides more colorful options. It does have nice low-profile legs for less ride-up than some of the other cotton skivvies, but the roomier cut tends to bunch up while working out or under tighter pants.
One nice thing about all-cotton underwear is that cotton tends to fare better than synthetics when it comes to odor. While we liked that the cotton helped control body odor, and they were comfy to lounge in during lazy weekends, we liked some of the other options more.
We like that the Amazon Essentials underwear has a nice thin waistband to fit under thicker pants and shorts.
All cotton construction controls too much body odor building up
REASONS TO AVOID
Fabric bunches up when layered
Prominent waistband seam is uncomfortable
Oddly high waist
The Hanes Classic boxer brief is just that, a classic shape cut with all-cotton fabric to maintain the prototypical men's underwear feel. This is a durable pair of underwear that will last through repeated washings and wearing, and the cotton weave keeps the odor under control.
While the cut is classic, it isn't our favorite. The waist is especially high and doesn't jive well with more modern low-rise pants and untucked shirts. We also found that the Hanes underwear ended up being a somewhat undesirable mix of bunchy and swampy. The waistband's seam was scratchy and was one of our least favorites in the review, rubbing our hips while moving about. Sweating on top of that only made it worse. We think there are better options elsewhere in this review for a quality all-around boxer brief.
The Hanes Classic fit much higher waisted than most of the other pairs.
The Gildan Covered Waistband is far from our favorite, possessing a lot of characteristics that we typically don't love about men's underwear. The waistband is bulky and frequently got pushed up or down by our tester's pants. Similarly, the bottom leg hems are bulky, and every time our tester would step up or squat, they would ride up. We also found the fly annoyingly small when nature called.
With their roomier cut and thicker fabric, they're a decent pair to hang out in. However, we found them to be hot and swampy when working out, bulky under our pants, and not as comfy as some of the others. The price can be tempting, but outside of saving a couple of bucks, we'd recommend you look higher in this review for other options.
We didn't love how the Gildan Covered Waistband underwear fit under work pants, adding unnecessary bulk to our waistline.
Credit: Ethan Newman
Why You Should Trust Us
Before we could start testing, we did market research, digging through dozens of pairs of underwear to find the best ones to include in our review. We then chose the top products, purchased them independently, and evaluated them to find the supreme skivvies for each situation. We field-tested them both in our day-to-day activities and during high-output activities. Our test team noted how each pair performed throughout each situation, as well as through our objective tests. Each pair was sent through the washer and dryer multiple times to see how they hold up to this wear and tear. In all, we've spent months in these boxer briefs. From sitting on the couch to running down the trail, we made sure we put each pair through the paces.
As a jack of all trades, Ethan Newman never knows what he might get into next, so he needs clothes that can adapt with him. He owns and operates several vacation rentals, which means he may need to look professional or get dirty fixing something, often on the same day. This adaptability taught Ethan to carefully pick his tools and his clothes to suit multiple occasions, and he brings this mindset to every product he tests. He's been reviewing daily and travel underwear for two years, totaling over 22 pairs tested side-by-side overall.
A slew of undergarments hanging out to dry between rounds of testing.
We made sure to test our underwear with repeated cycles of wearing, washing, and drying. Make sure to always check the manufacturer's instructions to get the most longevity out of your clothing.
The waistband on the Gildan was builky and didn't fit well under thicker work pants.
Analysis and Test Results
We always rigorously assess the products we review, both in the field and using measurable analysis to test them as objectively as possible. We evaluated each product under four metrics we think are important in boxer briefs: comfort, breathability, durability, and odor control.
Comfort
We can't think of a good reason to choose less comfy underwear over more comfortable underwear, and we're guessing you feel the same way. Underwear covers a sensitive place on the body, so we think comfort is the most important metric. Smoother fabrics and seams, wide and soft waistbands, and a thoughtful fit all contribute to our assessment in this metric. We also looked for how comfortable each pair of underwear remains throughout the day and across many situations. For example, we looked for how well they fit under thicker work pants as well as lightweight fitness shorts. The comfier they fit, and the comfier in a broader array of situations, the better they scored.
We like underwear with thinner leg hems so they didn't ride up under pants.
Credit: Ethan Newman
The comfiest pair we tested is the Tommy John Second Skin. The sleek fit works under thick work dungarees but also moves well under lightweight shorts, and in both situations, they don't bunch. The modal fabric is silky soft and feels nice, even after going through repeated washing and drying cycles. This material rides the line nicely between the silkiness of synthetic fabrics and the weight of natural fibers. We also found the Smartwool Merino 150 to be excellently comfortable. Don't let the wool fabric fool you — these are not scratchy. On the contrary, they feel great against the skin, and the design is neither baggy nor skin-tight on our testers' legs or waist.
The width of a waistband can make a huge difference in both comfort and how well the boxer briefs move with you.
Credit: Ethan Newman
Breathability
Boxer briefs offer varying levels of breathability, as we experienced in the many pairs we have tested hands-on. More breathable models are especially appreciated in warm weather and during moderate to high-output activity. Because you, too, likely care a lot about keeping things fresh and airy, we have breathability as our second metric. Fabrics that wicked away sweat and moisture and prevented heat from building up scored higher. Underwear that left us feeling hot and sticky scored lower.
Both natural fibers and synthetic fibers can be breathable, but each has its own upsides and downsides. Cotton is breathable until it's saturated, as cotton can absorb up to 28 times its weight in water. Synthetics tend to do a better job of wicking moisture away from the skin, but then the weave and texture come into play, so it doesn't feel plasticky. Wool can be breathable, too, but often comes in thicker weaves, as the fiber itself is thick.
The Exofficio Give-N-Go Sport 2.0 fabric is light enough to see through!
Credit: Ethan Newman
We found the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport to be the most breathable underwear we tested. The texture of the fabric lifts it away from the skin, so it doesn't feel sticky, even when we were working in the desert summer sun. The nylon does a great job wicking sweat away from our lead tester's body, and he reached for the Give-N-Go 2.0 every time he was going to be sweating a lot. If you want a pair of briefs for training indoors or outdoors, we strongly recommend this pair.
The Columbia Performance Cotton Stretch also did surprisingly well in this category, as the cotton pulled the moisture away from the skin, and the polyester pulled the moisture away from the cotton. We like that the almost all-cotton Fruit of the Loom CoolZone has a synthetic fly panel to allow greater breathability in the front, although it might have benefited from a similar fabric on the bottom and in the back of the briefs.
Durability
We wanted a way to quantify all the little details that make a pair of underwear nice, and that keeps it nice day in and day out. This metric assesses durability through repeated wearing and washing cycles, as well as the quality of stitching and construction.
Sloppy stitching can lead to additional chafe points.
Credit: Ethan Newman
The Smartwool Merino 150 tops the charts in this metric. The folks at Smartwool know what they're doing, and it shows. The stitching is clean and unfrayed even after months of use, the waistband is as snappy as ever, and the wool hasn't pilled up noticeably. One tester has a pair that gets weekly use and has lasted two years already without holes or much noticeable wear at all. The Tommy John Second Skin drawers were made of high-quality materials. The caveat is, of course, that both pairs cost significantly more than most of the competition, but their quality construction correlates to longevity, increaseing their value. The ExOfficio Give-n-Go 2.0 Sport also impressed us with its potential in longevity. We have tested older versions of this model and had them outlast many other boxer briefs in our underwear drawer, and we expect this model to hold up similarly.
Some pairs had stiches fraying after just a few washes.
Credit: Ethan Newman
Odor Control
One should never dread undressing after working out or a long day for fear of a rising stench from below. Some fabrics and fibers deal with odor better than others, and our testing proved this correct.
Sometimes line drying garments can be less hard on them than a dryer, but you have to be conscious of sun-bleaching.
Credit: Ethan Newman
Again, the Smartwool Merino 150 rises as the cream of the crop. Wool has a naturally occurring coating called lanolin that is antimicrobial and helps to prevent body odor from building up. Wool also tends to dry faster than cotton, as cotton absorbs 28 times its weight in water. The all-cotton drawers performed in the middle of the pack in this category. Synthetic fabrics tend to hold odor more than natural fibers, so unless they have some sort of odor-fighting additive in the weave, they tend to hold onto body odor between washes. Even when they do feature odor-resistant antimicrobial linings, it's been our experience that we don't notice a great difference in their odor control compared to synthetic pairs without such a lining.
Proper washing is key to controlling odors, but some pairs keep the stink around.
Credit: Ethan Newman
Conclusion
Our team of testers put every pair of underwear through the wringer to find the best boxer briefs out there. We looked for high-performing products with quality materials and construction to find the underwear that will work best for your body and lifestyle. We considered comfort, breathability, durability, and odor control to provide the most accurate first-hand information you can find without having to try a pair on yourself. We hope you found this review helpful, informative, and comprehensive and that you find the best pair of skivvies to add to your drawer collection.
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
