The 5 Best Travel Underwear of 2024

Best Overall Travel Underwear

32 Degrees Active Mesh Boxer Brief 4-Pack

Measured Inseam (Size M)	5.25 in
Material	88% nylon, 12% spandex
Measured Weight (Size M)	2.79 oz
Air Dry Test	45:0 min:sec
Dryer Safe	Tumble dry low

Sheer, stretchy, and simply stitched: the 32 Degrees Active Mesh Boxer Brief pleasantly surprised us with just how excellent such a boxer brief could perform. Between its 1.38-inch thick waistband and the bottom of its 5.25-inch long inseam, one finds a stretchy 88% nylon/12% elastane fabric that breaths well. The nylon-heavy base also doesn't hold onto odor as bad as other fabrics like polyester, which is something you'll appreciate when you're wearing these waiting around at the gate for a rescheduled flight or trapped in an Italian mountain refugio waiting out a storm. Their drying time is excellent as well. So, while they are sold as a four-pack, it is safe to say you could reduce your carry weight to just two pairs and then wash and swap out daily while still staying fresh on almost any adventure.

Price is also performant for the 32 Degrees Active Mesh, but if money were no object, we would love to see more odor control tech baked into these undies as we see on much more expensive pairs. For how breathable this pair is, durability remains quite good. That said, there are times when we wouldn't mind sacrificing a bit of strength as a trade for even more airflow in our boxer briefs. The Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Briefs is a great example of a very lightweight pair that breathes better, but we have to point out they retail for much more. And if odor is a top concern, you may want to steer clear of synthetics. A Merino blend boxer brief like the Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief will be the ultimate in odor control.

Best Bang for Your Buck

Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs 3-pack

Measured Inseam (Size M)	5.50 in
Material	93% polyester, 7% spandex
Measured Weight (Size M)	1.61 oz
Air Dry Test	37:8 min:sec
Dryer Safe	Tumble dry low

The light, thin, sheer fabric found on the Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs is what makes this set of underwear a real standout. They rate best in their class for breathability and dry time, yet they feel pretty good next to our skin as well. The thick, 1.44-inch waistband keeps them from dropping down, while the 5.5-inch inseam keeps them from riding up. We especially love the fully gusseted crotch, without any seams in the way of sensitive areas.

This excellent fabric choice used in the Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs does come with some compromises, mostly because of its polyester build, which has a greater chance of holding onto odor longer than other materials like nylon or wool. Being so thin, we can also imagine there might be future issues with abrasion. Although we did not experience this in testing, the possibility of holes seems legitimate whenever we encounter such a thin mesh weave. But when looking at price vs. performance, these are clear winners. Another excellent value option is the Hanes Total Sport Support X-Temp, which features some additional support up front as well as standout breathability.

Best for Hot and Humid Conditions

Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs

Measured Inseam (Size M)	3.00 in
Material	88% polyester, 12% spandex
Measured Weight (Size M)	1.55 oz
Air Dry Test	37:8 min:sec
Dryer Safe	Line dry only

Gram counters unite! The Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs are the travel undies for you. Whether you're looking to pack as light as possible for a thru-hike along the AT or targeting the weight cut-off to be sure your bag will be allowed onto your small plane for a flight into the Alaska bush, this lightweight model with a narrower waistband and short inseam won't add up to much. The flyweight fabric also comes with some of the best breathability and drying speed of any boxer briefs we may have ever found, making these undies perfect for when the temp and humidity start to creep high.

The slimmer fit of the AIRism won't work out for everyone, especially if you have a body like a powerlifter. The legs will tend to ride up. The wispy fabric also won't be the best if you live a rough and tumble life since it's bound to abrade a little faster than most. But these are among the compromises we make if we aim to go truly ultralight. The Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Briefs have proven to be another excellent travel companion when weight and space are at a premium and when temps start rising. Similarly, the Hanes Total Sport Support X-Temp 4-Pack are also almost as lightweight and breathable as the Uniqlo AIRisms but will have a longer inseam for those who prefer such a fit.

Our Favorite Merino

Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief

Measured Inseam (Size M)	4.25 in
Material	88% Merino wool, 12% nylon core
Measured Weight (Size M)	3.20 oz
Air Dry Test	90:0 min:sec
Dryer Safe	Tumble dry low

If it's not too hot and humid, we instinctually reach for the Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief. The wool feels lush underneath our jeans, and the natural fibers are mixed with 12% nylon to give the fabric even more stretch without the boxer briefs losing their shape. This blend also adds some much-needed durability to such a thin fabric. Stitching is minimal, staying away from sensitive areas and utilizing flatlock seams throughout. If we're traveling in winter, the Merino Boxer Brief is really hard to beat.

Given they are made of wool, we expect the price to be steeper than what we see on some of the synthetics. Not every budget will be ready to make such an investment. We also need to point out that wool tends to hold onto heat and moisture a little longer than synthetics as well. The Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief is also a pair of undies that should be handled with some care when washing and drying to prolong their life. Among the top benefits of wool is odor control. Smells just don't build up and linger in the ways they may in synthetic options. So, these are unlikely to require a thorough wash quite as often as other pairs in your drawer --- perfect for backpackers or skiers. Another strong pair of wooly boxer briefs we recommend is the Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer with Fly, which may breathe even a little better than these Smartwools.

Our Favorite Cozy Everyday Boxer

Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer with Fly

Measured Inseam (Size M)	3.50 in
Material	83% Merino wool, 12% nylon, 5% elastane
Measured Weight (Size M)	2.90 oz
Air Dry Test	60:0 min:sec
Dryer Safe	No

At first blush, the Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer with Fly could come across as a conventional pair of cotton boxer briefs. But that casual look belies the fact that the wool, nylon, and elastane blend provides good breathability, odor control, durability, and stretch — far more so than a cotton pair of undies. This classic boxer brief style is made with the benefits of Merino wool fabric, delivering quite the one-two cozy punch.

A downside of the Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer is in the seams. They are bulkier than many of the other travel pairs we've tested because the thread is wool, and wool filaments are generally thicker than synthetic material. Thankfully for you, the Anatomica Boxers are also much softer and should conform to your body without you even noticing this extra thickness. Still, Icebreaker's use of a pipe seam rather than a flatlock seam in some areas is somewhat of a head-scratcher for us. The Smartwool Merino Boxer Briefs are another solid pair of wool blend briefs that our testers very much enjoy putting on first thing in the morning. In both cases, the body contouring softness of the stretchy Merino wool makes the perfect foundation for a long day conquering the world, be it in a work meeting or snuggled in our favorite chair with a cup of coffee.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	76	32 Degrees Active Mesh Boxer Brief 4-Pack Best Overall Travel Underwear	$64
	74	Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs 3-pack Best Bang for Your Buck	$20
	73	Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs Best for Hot and Humid Conditions	$15
	73	Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Briefs	$32
	72	Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief Our Favorite Merino	$48
	72	Under Armour UA Tech 6" Boxerjock	$20
	72	Saxx Quest Quick Dry Mesh Boxer Brief	$34
	72	Hanes Total Sport Support X-Temp 4-Pack	$42
	71	ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0	$32
	68	Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer with Fly Our Favorite Cozy Everyday Boxer	$45
	67	Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh	$38
	66	REI Co-op Merino Boxers	$40
	59	Meriwool Merino Wool 160 Boxer	$29

How We Test Travel Underwear

We aim to conduct the most thorough, comprehensive, and objective reviews available, be it in men's outdoor apparel or any number of other indoor or outdoor gear categories. We start by independently purchasing all our equipment and clothing to ensure objectivity. We then use a rubric of measurable qualities and testing metrics to assess and rate each pair of underwear fairly. Our team of experts conducts long-term field testing in a wide variety of situations to dissect the nuances between each product in our lineup. We've hiked these pairs of underwear to the tops of mountains and the bottoms of canyons to get to the core of what matters. We also incorporate timed tests to assess drying speed, weigh each pair on our scales, and continue wearing them all well beyond our standard testing period to report back on durability. And, of course, we stuffed each one of these into our travel packs and hit the road and airways to see how they stand up to the job. To get a deeper dive into our testing process, check out our testing article.

Our travel underwear testing is divided into five different metrics:

• Comfort (35% of overall score weighting)

• Breathability (20% weighting)

• Odor Control (20% weighting)

• Durability (15% weighting)

• Drying Time (10% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab

Our latest tests were led by Justin Simoni, an all-around self-powered mountain athlete and adventurer. Justin spends a lot of time on the trail in the Colorado backcountry, sleeping in bivies for many consecutive days during the summer and winter before returning to town to rest, refresh, and resupply. He knows firsthand that a good pair of underwear can really make the difference between a comfortable and carefree adventure and a surprisingly stinky and sweaty experience.

Ethan Newman, an AMGA-certified climbing guide with a bachelor's in Adventure Education, also contributed extensively to this review. He's traveled around the American West – especially the Southwest – testing gear along the way and has spent over a thousand days climbing in the US, Mexico, Canada, and Argentina. His testing process has run the gamut: ice climbing in slot canyons, climbing big walls in Zion, cross-country skiing in the La Sal mountains, and hiking through Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. He made sure all travel underwear was tested not only at bone-chillingly cold belays but also while running under the sun of southern Utah.

Analysis and Test Results

While there are plenty of options for men's underwear, we narrowed the scope of our review for the sake of focus and optimal comparison. We specifically focused mostly on boxer briefs, which tend to be more adaptable and less chafe-inducing than boxers or briefs. They are also the most popular cut among our testers and friends. However, many of these products also come in brief or boxer styles. If that's your preferred cut, this review will still be helpful. On occasion, we may include a boxer style if we see it is among those in the highest demand, and we understand our community may want to know more about how it shakes out against the competition.

We also ignored any underwear made solely from cotton, as cotton holds up to 27 times its weight in water. In contrast, wool, cellulosic fabrics, and synthetic fibers absorb substantially less and insulate when wet. All the underwear we tested is constructed from wicking fabrics. We evaluated each pair for comfort, breathability, odor control, durability, and drying time to determine the best.

What's the Best Value?

At first glance, you might think that some of these prices for a single pair of underwear are insane, especially when a standard three-pack of cotton boxers is 15 bucks or less. But for underwear, as in most things, you get what you pay for. Sure, you might not need the super spendy wool skivvies for the average day, but if you're looking to keep chafing, odor, and “swampiness” down, your cotton underpants simply won't cut it. For a solid, entry-level pair of high-quality underwear, take a good look at the Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs for synthetics and the Meriwool Merino Wool 160 Boxer for natural fibers.

Materials play a large part in the price of all these pairs of travel underwear. The most expensive models are made out of Merino wool, which is much finer – and thus softer – than standard wool. We like it for base layers because it's cushy, breathable, and naturally minimizes body odor without additional anti-odor treatment. However, Merino typically isn't cheap. Some of the most expensive options are the Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief and the full-wool Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer. Many of the other boxer briefs in this review are made out of nylon, polyester, and viscose (a fabric that comes from processing cellulose-rich plants like bamboo). Synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics are generally less expensive and dry faster but tend to gather and hold onto odor. If this is worrisome to you, consider a pair with anti-odor treatment.

Comfort

If a pair of underwear isn't comfortable, there's no way you'll ever wear them. It won't matter how wicking or lightweight they are if they feel like a sandpaper-coated trashbag (but don't worry, no pair we tested turned out that bad). To determine comfort, we field-tested each pair in a variety of settings. We considered attributes such as fabric softness, chafing (especially at seams), waistband feel, and how likely the legs are to roll up. Our ideal pair of underwear is so comfy that it is practically unnoticeable. All the pairs we tested were reasonably comfortable, with a few absolute standouts.

Aside from the fabric's feel, its construction plays a significant factor in comfort. Most of the boxer briefs we tested had flatlock seams, which lay flat on the skin everywhere but on the hems. We also noticed when seams ran through the middle of the crotch or at other odd places, causing rubbing and chafing, especially under thicker pants or multiple layers. A few companies got creative with the seams, like the Icebreaker Anatomica, which used piping for a more aesthetic but ultimately less comfortable pair.

The Under Armour UA Tech 6" Boxerjock is one of the more comfortable pairs we tested. It intelligently uses stretchy fabric instead of multiple fabric panels and additional stitching. It ditches the inseam running to the bottom of the brief, which can typically be an annoyance for those who straddle bicycles, motorcycles, and horses.

For a slightly more athletic fit, try either the Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Brief or the Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh. Both are quite comfortable, if not a bit more snug, and the comfort of the Saxx undies is mostly a result of the thin, stretchy fabric. The Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs are a good budget option if either of these choices seems too pricey to fill your undie drawer.

The Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh were the most supportive pairs we tested. The BallPark Pouch kept everything centered and chafe-free, and it was quite pleasant for how supportive and “cupping” it felt. If the price tag scares you away, the Hanes Total Sport Support X-Temp has a similar supportive feature.

We also recognize that the support might be a bit much for some folks. The ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 and the 32 Degrees Active Mesh Boxer Brief have an athletic fit on the legs with a baggier crotch -– a less flattering, albeit comfortable compromise.

The Meriwool Merino Wool 160 takes a markedly different approach to comfort than the other pairs we tested, which are tighter and fit well when deployed for active use. This pair's generous, soft fabric introduces a much more relaxed fit. From work to airports to just lounging, we loved these skivvies. However, due to the looser fit, they tend to bunch up when worn under tight-fitting clothes, losing a lot of ground in comfort for athletic or other tight-fitting clothing.

Breathability

Inferior breathability is one of the quickest ways for underwear to go from undetectable to making you squirm in your seat –- nobody wants a swampy pair of undies. We tested this metric through extended field sessions of high-aerobic activities like biking. Again, each pair performed relatively well, with some notable outliers.

The Hanes Total Sport Support X-Temp claims top honors in our lab air permeability test, which measures how easy it is to blow air through the fabric.

Many other undies come in as runner-ups, including the Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs and Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh. These are made with very thin synthetic fabric that allows air to move through easily. The Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Brief and Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs breathe almost as well and are built with lightness in mind, so not only are they permeable, but they'll also dry pretty fast.

The Wool blend boxer briefs in this lineup, like the Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer, Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief, Meriwool Merino Wool 160 Boxer, and REI Co-op Merino Boxers may not all breathe quite as well in our lab tests, but wool has excellent wicking properties and will feel much dryer when resting against your skin even when it is wet.

Odor Control

When traveling, either in the backcountry or urban settings, days can pass before you're able to wash your clothes well, so garments that can last a while without smelling too much are clutch. We should keep the funk to our dance moves, not our underwear. In addition to field testing, we also used our bike test (wear, ride, remove, whiff) in concert with our breathability metric to determine the scores in this category.

Merino wool doesn't hold body odor nearly as much as synthetic fabrics, and all the wool underwear was performed according to this test. While wool will eventually smell like the body part it covers, the stink won't build up as much, reduces when aired out, and disappears with washing. This is because wool has a rough microscopic texture that discourages bacterial growth, and each wool fiber is naturally coated with lanolin, an antimicrobial waxy substance. If you want a pair of underwear that you can wear multiple days in a row without offense, aim for these Merino wool pairs, like the Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief, Meriwool Merino Wool 160, or Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer.

Synthetic fibers retain odor because of their oleophilic properties, which hold onto skin oil and body odor. In our experience, nylon seems to fare better than polyester. Some fabrics use antimicrobial (usually silver, which can irritate skin for some) or other proprietary coatings to reduce odor buildup. However, the fact is that these eventually degrade with repeated use and washings and just aren't as effective as wool's natural anti-odor composition.

That said, the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 is one of the few pairs in our review that features a one-two punch to help with odor control. First, they're made out of nylon rather than polyester, which could be less of a breeding ground for the microorganisms that create smells. Secondly, they are treated with an antimicrobial coating, which kills bacteria when in contact. The Saxx Quest Quick Dry Mesh Boxer Brief also came out fresher to our nose, being made mostly out of nylon, but does lack a chemical anti-odor treatment.

Durability

If you spend a good amount of money on a single pair of underwear and plan on traveling with said boxer briefs into the fair hinterlands of this world, then that pair better last a while. After all, this isn't delicate lingerie. We cycled through our lineup for two months and repeated machine washing and drying to put as much wear on each pair as possible. Our testers have worn most of these pairs for over 18 months. The two things that make the biggest difference in durability are fabric and seam quality. We looked for and occasionally saw runs in fabric, pilling, seams starting to fray, and wrinkled waistbands. Some of the pairs had waistbands better bonded to the interior elastic than others, and some had better craftsmanship around the stitching, which showed after extended use.

Often, synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics last longer than wool, but we didn't find that to be the case during our testing period with the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0. While these are fully synthetic, they also quickly developed pilling and run in the nylon mesh.

The Under Armour UA Tech 6" Boxerjock surprised us with how well it stood up to our adventurous pursuits. This pair has the widest waistband of all the briefs we've tested and an awesome tough-but-soft fabric that stretches and hugs your legs and buns.

The 32 Degrees Active Mesh Boxer Brief delighted us with its resiliency, as the fabric reminded us of much less affordable pairs but performed admirably under aggressive testing. The super stretchy material resists snagging and tearing. The Saxx Quest Quick Dry Mesh Boxer Brief is not quite as stretchy but is made with some of the toughest fabric of our lineup for its weight, making these an exceptional value that could find themselves in your underwear drawer as daily drivers between globe-trotting adventures.

Two of the Merino wool boxer briefs used “core-spun” wool, meaning the wool fibers are wrapped around a thread of nylon fabric to unlock the best of both fabrics. Even without that technology, the Merino wool underwear we tested generally held up well. The Smartwool Merino Boxer Briefs are one of the burliest pairs in our lineup. The waistband is thick, and neither the band's elastic nor any of the flatlock seams showed signs of wear during our testing period and many months beyond. Although we're pretty confident that wool blend skivvies will be burly enough for almost anything while wearing them, be mindful while washing and drying. If at all possible, line dry or dry flat. Excessive abuse will strip the wool from the nylon core, leaving you with threadbare undies.

Drying Time

We like to travel light, and we like to go far. Sometimes, that means having only one or two pairs of underwear while also being far away from the nearest washing machine. This means we often end up hand washing our underwear and line drying it, whether in a hostel bathroom or at an advanced base camp.

We soaked each pair of boxer briefs in water, wrung them out, and hung them to test dry times. We did this test twice, once in the sun and once inside. Taking an hour or less in the sun, the fastest drying pairs in our lineup excelled thanks to their nylon and polyester materials. These fabrics don't absorb water as readily as natural fibers.

Many pairs of undies dried fast, but the fastest were also the lightest. The 1.55-ounce Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs and the 1.61-ounce Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs 3-pack beat out the pack drying in under 40 minutes in our tests. These are some of our favorite pairs to bring for town days while backpacking.

Several other pairs showed great performance on the line and gave just as impressive performances when wearing them. The 32 Degrees Active Mesh Boxer Brief and the Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Brief and ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 are all made with similar lightweight four-way stretch-wicking fabric that likes to dry fast and keep that moisture away from your skin, preventing chafing.

Not to be forgotten, the Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh and Under Armour UA Tech 6" Boxerjock also dry quickly. They're comprised of a variety of different fabrics, some that are thinner and more breathable than others, which helps them shed moisture quickly. These pairs would easily dry out overnight in a hotel room without you needing to worry about their use the next day.

For the most part, you should be OK throwing all the underwear in this lineup tumbling in the dryer on “low,” but a few explicitly ask you to hang them up to dry, including the Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs and the Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer. If you are looking for a wool blend pair, the Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief doesn't dry fast on the line but is spec'd by the manufacturer for the dryer at that low setting.

How to Pick the Best Travel Underwear

Here are four important considerations, including material, comfort, and budget, to help you choose the right pair of underwear for your next trip. This summarizes our complete Buying Advice article.

What Separates Travel Underwear from Ordinary Underwear?

Travel underwear is designed with materials and features that enable someone to travel further and longer without worrying about their underwear. Essentially, the less you think about your underwear while away from home or civilization, the better. When looking for travel underwear, the first step is to identify the length of trips you have planned and prioritize what matters most to you, whether that's breathability, odor control, or quick drying. From there, you can begin to narrow down your preferred options.

How Important are the Materials?

The biggest difference between normal everyday briefs and travel underwear is the material used. Most brands offer a blend of merino wool and/or synthetic materials to enhance performance and comfort. Typically, a synthetic-based pair of underwear, such as polyester, will offer the best breathability and quickest dry time, but briefs with merino wool offer natural odor protection and great comfort characteristics while still providing excellent levels of breathability. It's also worth noting that Merino wool-style briefs tend to be pricer than their synthetic counterparts. Choosing between materials will depend on performance preferences and the different price points between synthetic and Merino-based underwear.

What to Look for in Comfortable Underwear

Not all underwear is made equal. When searching for your next favorite pair of briefs, it's wise to consider a few important characteristics. Ideally, if you can feel the material and determine its softness, that's a surefire way to get an idea of the fabric. If not, look for seam construction and briefs that avoid unnecessary panels and spots that could lead to chafing or rubbing. It's also worth considering how constructive and tight-fitting you'd like your underwear to be, whether that's more supportive or more relaxed. Taking a little bit of time to identify the key points of what makes a comfortable pair of underwear will go a long way in avoiding discomfort while out on the trail.

Do You Need Fast-Drying Underwear?

Another crucial aspect of travel underwear is its ability to dry quickly. Whether hand washing and hanging to dry during your travels or just wanting to take a quick dip during a hot hike, it's important to find underwear that can dry quickly. As previously mentioned, material will play a large role in determining the drying capabilities. If you need fast-drying briefs, consider underwear made out of nylon and polyester.

Conclusion

Proper layering starts at the skin level, so a quality pair of underwear is the best place to start for high performance. We sought out skivvies that are comfortable, durable, breathable, and can be worn for a while without getting gross. To create this in-depth review, we tested the most comprehensive selection of the best men's travel underwear. We hope our expert advice helps you with your purchase decisions –- because we know that while your car may take regular, your body deserves premium.

If you find yourself planning a new trip every weekend, check out our packing list and travel backpacks to make it even easier to pack up and go. We've also got women's undies covered in our top women's travel underwear review, in case any of your travel companions need quality recommendations before you leave, too.