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SPY

The 16 Best Men’s Underwear of 2022 – Find the Best Briefs, Boxers & Boxer Briefs

Oscar Hartzog, Alex Aronson and Tyler Schoeber
26 min read
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Our editors independently select the products we recommend. We may earn a commission on items bought through our links.

Let’s keep it real: finding the best men’s underwear for your privates can involve a lot of trial and error. Whether you want athletic underwear, classic boxers, boxer briefs or anything in-between, you can find them online for a reasonable price. The only catch? Scoring the best men’s underwear requires some research. But, who wants to put in the effort by picking up underwear after underwear to find which pair of men’s underwear is best for them? No one. So, that’s why we did — so you didn’t have to.

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Over the past few years, we’ve become obsessed with testing products. And we mean it when we say obsessed. We’ve tested everything from the best bald head shavers to the world’s coolest adjustable dumbbells to settle debates once and for all. And, in our testing, we absolutely didn’t forget about men’s underwear.

Testing the best men’s underwear has been a top priority for us in the past couple of years. Mainly because we as editors began to unwantedly notice, “Hey, why do my boxer briefs have little holes at the crotch?” And the sad answer to that was because we’ve owned them for way, way too long. Plus, the majority of the underwear we were wearing was not even quality. That said, we’ve been dedicated to testing underwear in hopes to find the world’s very best pair. And, do you want the honest truth? We found it.

We’ve had countless editors testing underwear over the course of the past year and a half, but the man with the most-packed underwear drawer has to be our E-Commerce & Special Projects Editor Tyler Schoeber. He’s collected so many pairs of underwear from different brands that he can’t even keep track of them. So much so, that if you ask him if he’s tried a really niche underwear brand, he’s likely to say, “yeah.”

After months and months of underwear testing, we’ve tested over 25 different underwear brands from popular picks to ones you’ve never heard of. That’s not all, collectively, we’ve tested over 100 different pairs of underwear to settle the debate of all debates. What really is the best pair of men’s underwear?

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Below, we break down everything you need to know about the best men’s underwear and share our favorite products from brands like Under Armour, Calvin Klein and MeUndies. And be sure to check out our in depth brand review of Lululemon here. It’s time to toss those worn-out boxer shorts because your family jewels deserve better, man.

  






The Best Men’s Underwear At a Glance

1. Best Overall: SAXX Boxer Briefs — $32.00 at SAXX

2. Runner Up: Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Brief — $28.00 at Mack Weldon

3. Best Upgrade: Jockey ActiveBlend Boxer Brief — Starting at $21.90 on Amazon

4. Ultra-Soft: Banana Republic Supima Stretch Boxer Briefs — $20.00 at Banana Republic

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5. Best Underwear Subscription: MeUndies Boxer Briefs — Starting at $18.00 at MeUndies

6. Extremely Breathable: Shinesty Boxer Briefs — Starting at $16.99 at Shinesty

7. No-Stink Option: BN3TH Boxer Briefs — $35.00 at BN3TH

8. Best Anti-Chafe: Hanes Sport Men’s X-Temp Boxer Brief — $18.48 for 3 pairs on Amazon

9. Eco-Friendly Pick: In Common The Better Boxer Brief — $50.00 for 5 pairs at In Common

10. Best Boxers: Hanes Ultimate Woven Boxers Pack — $21.62 for 6 pairs on Amazon

11. Best Briefs: Los Angeles Apparel Baby Rib Brief — $12.00 at Los Angeles Apparel

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12. Solid Choice: Everlane Boxer Brief — $24.00 at Everlane

13. Affordable Single Pair: Uniqlo Supima Cotton Boxer Briefs — $6.90 at Uniqlo

14. Best Value Multipack: Gildan Boxer Brief Multipack — Starting at $12.89 for 5 pairs on Amazon

15. Best OG: Calvin Klein Cotton Boxer Briefs — $39.80 for 3 pairs on Amazon

16. Best Pocketed: Jambys — $35.00 at Jambys

  

1. SAXX Boxer Briefs

BEST OVERALL

Best For: Anyone who wears underwear. Period.

Why We Chose It: We’ve been testing SAXX for years and haven’t found one issue with any pair we’ve ever owned.

  • Material: Materials vary per pair — below choice is 95% moisture-wicking viscose, 5% elastane

  • Comfort Level: The perfect pair

  • Longevity: Years and years

best men's underwear — SAXX Boxer Briefs
best men's underwear — SAXX Boxer Briefs

SAXX Boxer Briefs

Price: $32.00

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We don’t even have words to describe just how comfortable SAXX’s underwear is. Every pair of underwear the brand has ever made has knocked it out of the park over and over again. We’ve been testing SAXX for years at this point and every pair we own (which is, like, a lot) has held up the test of time throughout multiple wears and washes. SAXX uses what they call a BallPark Pouch to give men enough room for a non-sweaty, roomy fit for their junk. Comfort, breathability and longevity seem to be SAXX’s main priority and it truly shows with each wear. Sure, they’re a bit pricy, but these are the best men’s underwear your money can buy, full send. We’ve found ourselves only ever wearing different brands when we run out of clean SAXX.

Pros:

  • Extremely comfortable

  • Long-lasting

  • Hundreds of patterns

  • BallPark Pouch

  • Moisture-wicking

Cons:

  • A little pricy

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2. Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Brief

RUNNER UP

Best For: Those looking for a great-feeling underwear that’s soft to the touch

Why We Chose It: They have an incredible fit that perfectly form to your body

  • Material: 47.5% cotton, 47.5% modal, 5% spandex

  • Comfort Level: Extremely comfortable

  • Longevity: Years and years

best men's underwear — Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Brief
best men's underwear — Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Brief

Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Brief

Price: $28.00

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Unless you’re unfamiliar with us at SPY, you’ll know that we’re absolutely obsessed with everything Mack Weldon. For real. So, don’t be so shocked when we tell you that these are some of the softest, most comfortable underwear we have ever had the experience of wearing. They’re built with cozy jersey fabric with cool mesh zones to keep you comfortable and sweat-free. We weren’t so sure about it, but it’s true — each pair has a non-roll waistband so your boxer briefs will stay in the same spot you pull them up to in the morning. That’s right, sun up to sun down, your underwear will never roll-up. These are the kind of underwear you can wear the entire day and completely forget about. No fixing, no discomfort, nothing. The only thing we wish were slightly different is the pouch that holds your family jewels, we simply wish it was just a little more like SAXX’s. Nonetheless, the second you slip these on, you’ll never want to take them off — even if you’re on day three of wearing them.

Pros:

  • Extremely comfortable

  • Long-lasting

  • Lots of colors

  • Moisture-wicking

Cons:

  • Pouch needs a little more support

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3. Jockey ActiveBlend Boxer Brief

BEST UPGRADE

Best For: Those looking for affordable underwear that looks and feels great

Why We Chose It: Jockey really updated their underwear game and it can’t go overlooked

  • Material: 60% cotton, 40% polyester

  • Comfort Level: Very comfortable

  • Longevity: Estimated shelf life of one year or more

Jockey ActiveBlend Boxer Brief
Jockey ActiveBlend Boxer Brief

Jockey ActiveBlend Boxer Brief

Price: $43.97

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Jockey’s ActiveBlend Boxer Briefs are like music to your ears. You know, if the music was men’s underwear and your ears were your legs and crotch. These boxer briefs offer full coverage with a mid-rise design, which is essentially a Goldilocks zone in terms of boxer briefs. In the past when we’ve worn Jockey, the moisture-wicking abilities were relatively sub-par, but what impressed us most is how well they are able to wick moisture. Talk about a great upgraded pair of boxer briefs for folks who work out frequently or get sweaty downstairs more often than not. They fit us like a glove and they even come in a pack of four to help you save money. Plus, there are a variety of colors to choose from per pack.

Pros:

  • Extremely comfortable

  • Comes in a four-pack

  • Affordable

  • Moisture-wicking

Cons:

  • They do tend to bunch at times

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4. Banana Republic Supima Stretch Boxer Briefs

ULTRA-SOFT

Best For: Anyone looking for a comfortable pair of underwear with a soft consistency

Why We Chose It: The pair is super soft and constructed nicely

  • Material: 93% SUPIMA cotton, 7% lycra

  • Comfort Level: Very comfortable

  • Longevity: Estimated shelf life of one year or more

Banana Republic Supima Stretch Boxer Briefs
Banana Republic Supima Stretch Boxer Briefs

Banana Republic Supima Stretch Boxer Briefs

Price: $20.00

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You might think of Banana Republic as a formal wear destination, but don’t sleep on the brand’s boxer briefs. Actually, scratch that. These boxer briefs are so comfortable you actually could sleep on them. We’ve been long-time fans of Banana Republic’s Supima stretch underwear, which is comfortable and long-lasting. In our experience, you can wear and wash this underwear for at least a year before they need to be replaced.

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You can find these boxer briefs in fun prints if you stop by a Banana Republic store, but if you buy them online, you can often save money on your purchase because they’re on sale a ton of the time. Like all of the best underwear for men, it’s all about the material. These shorts are made from 93% Supima cotton and 7% lycra for stretch.

Pros:

  • Extremely comfortable

  • Relatively affordable

  • Very soft

Cons:

  • Definitely loses shape after a bit of time

    

5. MeUndies Boxer Briefs

BEST UNDERWEAR SUBSCRIPTION

Best For: People who love subscription services

Why We Chose It: Those patterns are incredibly fun and it’s easily one of the softest pairs we’ve laid our hands on

  • Material: 92% MicroModal, 8% elastane

  • Comfort Level: Very comfortable aside from front seam

  • Longevity: Estimated shelf life of one year or more

best men's underwear — MeUndies Boxer Briefs
best men's underwear — MeUndies Boxer Briefs

MeUndies Boxer Briefs

Price: $Starting at $18.00

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MeUndies is an underwear subscription service that delivers premium underwear to your door each month. It’s a great way to ensure that you never end up procrastinating on buying new undies and wearing those gross old ones. It’s also a very flexible service with no long-term contracts, so you can skip a month or cancel any time. But if you’re not into the subscription, you can also buy MeUndies normally and enjoy the incredible quality without the delivery service.

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Of course, MeUndies is best known for its fun prints, as they have dozens of stylish designs to choose from in addition to classic solid-color underwear. But, that’s not what sold us. When trying them for ourselves, we were blown away by how soft they are. Their underwear is made from a super-soft MicroModal fabric that will keep you cool downstairs, especially compared to 100% cotton briefs and boxers. Additionally, we noticed that they don’t roll up to much and have a great fit. The only thing we didn’t love? That front seam. It’s somewhat uncomfortable at times.

Pros:

  • Lots of great styles

  • Super soft

  • Stays put

  • Cooling

Cons:

  • Awkward front stitch

  

6. Shinesty Boxer Briefs

EXTREMELY BREATHABLE

Best For: Folks who get a little too sweaty down below

Why We Chose It: These boxer briefs have an excellent construction from the brand’s Ball Hammock to the breathable material

  • Material: 100% MicroModal

  • Comfort Level: Very comfortable

  • Longevity: Estimated shelf life of one year or more

Shinesty Boxer Briefs

Price: $Starting at $16.99

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Like MeUndies, Shinesty is an excellent underwear subscription service, but the biggest callout (aside from their eclectic and occasionally NSFW patterns) is the brand’s mastering of breathability. When testing, we noticed the best place to wear these is in the gym on the hottest day of the year. They’ve got an exceptional ability to air out your downstairs and wick away sweat like it was never there to begin with. Each pair is complete with a Ball Hammock that’s similar to SAXX’s BallPark Pouch, we just noticed you have to fix your junk a little more than you ever have to with SAXX. Nonetheless, it still allows your jewels to sit comfortably and cozily. Although this is a subscription service, you don’t need to subscribe and can buy separately.

Pros:

  • Subscription options

  • Ball Hammock

  • Moisture-wicking

  • Breathable

Cons:

  • Ball Hammock gets slightly uncomfortable at times

  • Can ride up at times

  

7. BN3TH Boxer Briefs

NO-STINK OPTION

Best For: Guys worried about smelling downstairs

Why We Chose It: Because in our experience, the no-stink really works and they also stay put

  • Material: 82% polyester, 7% IONIC+? polyester, 11% spandex

  • Comfort Level: Very comfortable

  • Longevity: Estimated shelf life of one year or more

best men's underwear — BN3TH Boxer Briefs
best men's underwear — BN3TH Boxer Briefs

BN3TH Boxer Briefs

Price: $35.00

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Hear us out when we say it: the IONIC+? NO STINK Technology used by BN3TH is the real deal. We don’t know how, we don’t know why, but we decided we’re not going to ask any questions. It’s a big claim to say something isn’t going to stink, but you can wear these boxer briefs all day and feel fresher than fresh. That said, we love working out in these because it keeps us feeling clean throughout our entire workout. They’re also very comfortable when on and stay put all day. Here’s the catch: they’re extremely long. Like, if you enjoy wearing short shorts, they’re going to peak out of the bottom. This is definitely something to keep in mind before purchasing because they aren’t necessarily a warm-weather pair in that case.

Pros:

  • Anti-stink

  • Comfortable

  • Stay put

  • Great for working out

Cons:

  • Way too long

  

8. Hanes Sport Men’s X-Temp Boxer Brief

BEST ANTI-CHAFE

Best For: Guys looking for an affordable pair of great underwear from a brand they’re familiar with

Why We Chose It: Hanes surprised us with this one, these are some of the most comfortable pairs of underwear you can buy and that’s something we never thought we’d say from Hanes

  • Material: 92% polyester, 8% spandex

  • Comfort Level: Very comfortable

  • Longevity: Around 8 months to a year

best men's underwear — Hanes Sport Men’s X-Temp Boxer Brief
best men's underwear — Hanes Sport Men’s X-Temp Boxer Brief

Hanes Sport Men’s X-Temp Boxer Brief

Price: $19.00 $16.98

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Don’t get it twisted, we know you’ve worn Hanes once or twice. But, the problem is that you probably have gotten them twisted at least once or twice. Hanes is a brand known for quantity over quality, but recently, they’ve changed that notion with their new Sport Men’s X-Temp Boxer Briefs. Unlike the ghosts of Hanes’ past, we’ve tested and proven that these boxer briefs won’t ride up or leave uncomfortable chafing rashes throughout your thighs. They come in an affordable variety pack and are built to be long-lasting, but the material is a little thinner than we’d like, so we’re not sure they will last as long as they claim. Nonetheless, it’s time to stop sleeping on Hanes!

Pros

  • Comfortable

  • Anti-chafe

  • Variety pack

  • Affordable

Cons

  • Thin material

  • Not as stretchy as you might think

  

9. In Common The Better Boxer Brief

ECO-FRIENDLY PICK

Best For: Those looking for a sustainable pair of underwear that’s actually cozy

Why We Chose It: They’re sustainable, comfortable and super soft

  • Material: 93% modal, 7% recycled spandex

  • Comfort Level: Comfortable

  • Longevity: Around 6 to 8 months

best men's underwear — In Common The Better Boxer Brief
best men's underwear — In Common The Better Boxer Brief

In Common The Better Boxer Brief

Price: $60.00 $50.00

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If you’re looking for a great pair of sustainable men’s underwear at a solid price, you’ve found them. In Common’s The Better Boxer Briefs come in a variety pack of 5 at just $10 a pop, which is excellent for something made with modal and recycled spandex. Each pair is beyond soft to the touch which is a curse and a blessing. Why? Because they don’t exactly wick moisture as much as we want them to. In Common claims that these are moisture-wicking and maybe we’re sweatier than others, but we didn’t really experience this when wearing. They definitely get pretty wet. But, again, that softness has us going back. We suggest these for wearing at home when you simply just want to lounge in your undies all day. No sweating, just chilling in front of the TV. It’s comfort you’ll have to understand for yourself.

Pros:

  • Sustainably-made

  • Affordable

  • Super soft

Cons:

  • Not as moisture-wicking as we’d hope

  • Not many color options

  

10. Hanes Ultimate Woven Boxers Pack

BEST BOXERS

Best For: Guys who just can’t stand boxer briefs

Why We Chose It: They’re affordable, comfortable and pretty great quality

  • Material: 55% cotton, 45% polyester

  • Comfort Level: Comfortable

  • Longevity: Around 6 to 8 months

Hanes Ultimate Woven Boxers Pack
Hanes Ultimate Woven Boxers Pack

Hanes Ultimate Woven Boxers Pack

Price: $23.98

Buy On Amazon

Once you left your tighty whities stage as a child, there’s a solid chance you went straight to boxers. Not boxer briefs, boxers. Here’s the thing: they aren’t as comfortable as we wanted them to be. Eventually, we found ourselves in a hybrid tighty whitey/boxer combo when we stumbled upon the world of boxer briefs. But, if you’re still stuck on boxers, one of the only options we can suggest right now is probably a pair you’re very familiar with. Yep, Hanes.

These are the classic pair of boxers you grew up with. They’re comfortable, loose around the legs and crotch and have a soft-to-the-touch material you’re familiar with. Although they claim to be moisture-wicking, this isn’t something we necessarily agree with. Like, come on, they’re boxers — how much moisture can they actually wick? In addition, these aren’t the longest lasting. You’ll find some pilling toward the crotch after just a few washes. And, of course, some holes as you continue on wearing for months. Nonetheless, they’re affordable, comfortable and super easy to replace.

Pros:

  • Comfortable

  • Affordable

  • Loose

Cons:

  • Not long-lasting

  • Not moisture-wicking in our experience

  

11. Los Angeles Apparel Baby Rib Brief

BEST BRIEFS

Best For: Guys more into briefs than anything else

Why We Chose It: Because these are a comfortable pair of briefs that come in an array of fun colors

  • Material: 100% combed cotton

  • Comfort Level: Comfortable

  • Longevity: Around 6 to 8 months

Los Angeles Apparel Baby Rib Brief
Los Angeles Apparel Baby Rib Brief

Los Angeles Apparel Baby Rib Brief

Price: $12.00

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If you’re an elder millennial who remembers classic American Apparel briefs, then Los Angeles apparel briefs will feel very familiar on your bum. For Gen Z or Boomers, American Apparel was a controversial clothing brand that pretty much singlehandedly revived briefs. In fact, American Apparel drove a ton of trends in the late aughts and generally sounded the death knell for the atrocity that was early Y2K fashion.

The briefs are comfortable as far as briefs go, although the fabric isn’t as soft as what you’ll find with most modern men’s underwear. The briefs keep your unmentionables secure without being too cramped, and the waistband held up well for the first few months of wear. The color options are probably the best feature of these briefs.

Pros:

  • Many color options

  • Comfortable for briefs

  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Not super long-lasting

  • Not everyone loves briefs

  

12. Everlane Boxer Brief

SOLID CHOICE

Best For: Guys looking for a classic pair of boxer briefs

Why We Chose It: We’ve been big fans of these for a while now and love Everlane as a whole

  • Material: 93% Supima cotton, 7% elastane

  • Comfort Level: Comfortable

  • Longevity: Around 6 to 8 months

best men's underwear — Everlane Boxer Brief
best men's underwear — Everlane Boxer Brief

Everlane Boxer Brief

Price: $24.00

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Everlane’s Uniform collection of boxer briefs are some to geek over. Not only is this necessity comfortable and affordable, but it’s backed by a 365-day warranty. So, if you find holes at the crotch after a couple of washes, you can get a brand-new pair without any questions asked. Each pair of boxer briefs is created to withstand the test of time, meaning fewer underwear replacements in your life. Each pair of boxer briefs uses a soft waistband that refuses to roll to maximize coziness. One pair of these will cost you $24 with two being $40. We loved Everlane’s Boxer Briefs so much last year that we named them the best underwear of the year in The 2021 Man, our annual product awards. But, here’s the thing — we don’t necessarily know if they hold up as much as Everlane says they do. Maybe we over-loved them, but these have shrunk a ton and don’t stretch nearly as much as they used to. Nonetheless, we’re still big fans.

Pros

  • Year-long warranty

  • Easy colors

  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Not as long-lasting as claimed

  • A little expensive for nothing exceptionally special

  

13. Uniqlo Supima Cotton Boxer Briefs

AFFORDABLE SINGLE PAIR

Best For: Those looking for an affordable, comfortable pair of boxer briefs

Why We Chose It: They’re incredibly fair-priced for what they are

  • Material: 93% cotton, 7% spandex

  • Comfort Level: Comfortable

  • Longevity: Around 6 months

Uniqlo Supima Cotton Boxer Briefs
Uniqlo Supima Cotton Boxer Briefs

Uniqlo Supima Cotton Boxer Briefs

Price: $6.90

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Not only are these Uniqlo boxer briefs some of the best men’s underwear in the world right now, but they’re also some of the best men’s underwear under $10. When it comes to boxer briefs, we strongly prefer underwear made with soft and stretch Supima cotton, and these undies offer the perfect balance of comfort and value. Unlike most men’s underwear, they don’t feature any branding on the waistband, which offers a unique look if you prefer it to logos. In our experience though, these again aren’t the most moisture-wicking underwear you can throw on. In addition, we notice they do tend to shrink and pill a bit after a couple of washes. To be honest, this isn’t something we’re too upset with due to that incredible price.

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Comfortable

  • Simple

Cons:

  • Not super long-lasting

  

14. Gildan Boxer Brief Multipack

BEST VALUE MULTIPACK

Best For: Those looking for an affordable, comfortable pair of boxer briefs

Why We Chose It: They’re incredibly fair-priced for what they are

  • Material: 100% cotton

  • Comfort Level: Comfortable

  • Longevity: Around 6 months

best men's underwear — Gildan Boxer Brief Multipack
best men's underwear — Gildan Boxer Brief Multipack

Gildan Boxer Brief Multipack

Price: $16.89

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Some guys just want underwear of any kind – and that’s fine. If that sounds like you, we suggest saving some coin and picking up this 5-pack of Gildan boxer briefs for just $15. They’re very affordable, but according to almost 70,000 5-star reviewers, the boxers are still very well-made and comfortable. Plus, they feature moisture-wicking capabilities to keep your downstairs dry on hot days. After testing these ourselves, we were shocked to know that Gildan really holds up, but again, we wouldn’t consider these truly moisture-wicking. They definitely get a little wet if you sweat, but they’re cheap. What did you expect? The whole truth? Regardless, these are actually pretty comfortable for classic solo cotton boxer briefs and can hold up more than a few washes.

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Variety pack

  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Don’t last too long before showing their age

  • Not moisture-wicking or breathable

  

15. Calvin Klein Cotton Boxer Briefs

BEST OG

Best For: Those looking for an affordable, comfortable pair of boxer briefs

Why We Chose It: They’re incredibly fair-priced for what they are

  • Material: 95% cotton, 5% spandex

  • Comfort Level: Somewhat comfortable

  • Longevity: Around 2 to 4 months before losing shape

best men's underwear — Calvin Klein Cotton Boxer Briefs
best men's underwear — Calvin Klein Cotton Boxer Briefs

Since their famous ad campaign with Mark Wahlberg in 1992 (and the re-creation with their iconic new Pride Campaign from last year), these Calvins have been the modern underwear to make guys look and feel better. This status is thanks to two key features: the recognizable logo waistband and balanced cotton-spandex construction. This fabric provides both support and stretch, which keeps the family jewels comfortable. Here’s the truth, though: Calvin is outdated. Sure, they’re a must in every underwear drawer, they just do not hold up by any means the way we thought they used to. They lose shape after just a few washes and are plain in terms of comfortability. Sure, you should have a pair for recognition purposes, but that’s really it for these ones.

Pros:

  • Iconic

  • Variety pack

  • Must-have

Cons

  • Loses shape quickly

  • Pills

  

16. Jambys

BEST POCKETED

Best For: Anyone who loves to lounge

Why We Chose It: They have pockets — how cool is that?

  • Material: 95% modal, 5% spandex

  • Comfort Level: Extremely comfortable

  • Longevity: Years and years

best men's underwear — Jambys
best men's underwear — Jambys

Jambys

Price: $35.00

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Yeah, that says pocketed. Jambys have become our newest obsession this year because of just how damn comfortable they are. You know when you want to wear underwear around the house but the time doesn’t really call for it? Maybe Grandma’s in town? Maybe you live with some roommates you don’t know too well? Maybe you want to grab the mail outside? That’s where Jambys come in. Each pair has pockets to make them socially acceptable to wear in events like these. Plus, soft is an understatement. This is single-handedly the coziest article of clothing we’ve placed on our bodies, hands down.

Jambys have become a SPY favorite in the last year, so we named them one of the best products of the year in The 2021 Man, our end-of-year awards.

Pros

  • Pocketed

  • Incredibly comfortable

  • Super soft

  • Fun colors

Cons

  • Doesn’t make the most sense for wearing out and about solo or under pants

  






What to Consider Before Buying the Best Men’s Underwear

One of the most important things you need to remember before buying men’s underwear is which style works best for you. Keeping underwear styles straight is still tricky for most guys, so here’s a refresher:

  • Briefs are short and tight (the classic tighty-whities design)

  • Boxers are loose around the thigh and gonads (for the best breathability)

  • Boxer briefs are a tighter form of boxers that fall mid-thigh (supportive, athletic and flattering)

  • Trunks are in a spot between boxer briefs and briefs (they’re a little longer than briefs but not as long as boxer briefs)

Among modern men, boxer briefs are far and away the most popular. An estimated 58% of guys prefer boxer briefs, according to an AskMen/Huffington Post survey. However, that style doesn’t fit everyone. While tighty-whities were going extinct, brands such as Los Angeles Apparel resurrected the look with their trademark colorful briefs.

If you haven’t tried each style we suggest giving each a shot — you might be surprised which is actually your favorite. If you already know which is your favorite, that’s great. Because we’re massive boxer briefs fans and that’s the majority of what most men wear, that’s why we mainly chose boxer briefs.

In addition to style, you’re going to want to look at material next. The exact way your preference matters for style, it simultaneously does when choosing the right fabric. For example, some guys swear by silk underwear, while for others, it quite literally rubs them the wrong way entirely.

While you might be used to cotton underwear due to its unmatched comfort, you’ve probably come to realize that 100% cotton underwear doesn’t hold up quite as well in the wash. This is something to keep in mind if you’re the tried-and-true type who doesn’t want to go out and buy a new pair of skivvies every couple of months.

The most comfortable underwear nowadays typically use varying cotton blends to maximize an ideally long-lasting fit. You might see nylon, spandex, modal and more. These fabrics all add different qualities to men’s underwear that might allow for extra stretch, shrink-resistance, moisture-wicking properties and more. Try getting that from any pair of underwear you purchased ten years ago. We’re living in the future of men’s underwear, folks!

When shopping for the best underwear for men, we generally recommend fabrics such as Pima cotton (also called Supima cotton), cotton/spandex blends, lyocell and cotton/elastane blends.

  






How We Tested the Best Men’s Underwear

The two W’s — wearing and washing.

We wore each pair of underwear countless times, have washed them more times than we can remember and lived our day-to-day lives the way we normally would. They’ve come to the office, they’ve flown across the country, they’ve been to the gym, they’ve gone to the bars and they’ve laid on stranger’s floors thereafter. They’ve gone through it all through testing because that’s how regular people wear underwear. We wanted to ensure each pair went through it all before we could clarify which underwear is the best underwear for our readers.

During our testing efforts, we considered a number of different categories to ensure greatness. For each of these categories, we decided to weigh differently depending on how important we felt each variable was. After scoring every product, we compare the final results to determine the overall best pair of men’s underwear. Check them out below.

  • Color Options: You want to look good in your underwear, don’t you? We decided whether or not some of our top picks were to be considered based on color and pattern options because we want you to not only feel good in your undies, but look good, too.

  • Special Qualities: Did these underwear options have any special qualities like moisture-wicking properties, anti-chafe efforts or more? We took this into consideration because in 2022, they should.

  • Softness/Comfort: Need we say more? You want to be comfortable in your underwear.

  • Breathability: Because nobody likes a sweaty downstairs.

  • Longevity: You don’t want to purchase a pair of underwear for it to fall apart after one wash, do you?

  • Fit: Your underwear should fit you, especially after a few washes.

  • Material: Because, again, you need to be comfortable!

The SPY team has tested around 100 different pairs of underwear and over 25 different brands in the past few years. Yes, you read that right. One hundred. For this guide, we chose the 16 best options. We will continue to update this guide as we test new products.

  

About the Author: Tyler Schoeber

Tyler Schoeber is SPY’s E-Commerce & Special Projects Editor. In addition to testing men’s underwear and grooming products such as bald head shavers and men’s razors, he also is the brain behind our social media pages and even shoots a number of photo projects for SPY. In his time at SPY, Tyler has reviewed men’s cologne, the latest products from YETI, and the best men’s t-shirts in the world. Before joining SPY, Tyler covered stories relating to grooming, men’s fashion, travel gear and more at travel sites such as Jetsetter and Smarter Travel.

  

Updates: This review was last updated on June 23, 2022. Prior to this date, we only offered boxer brief options and Jambys. We have decided to include one boxer option in spot #10 for consideration, which is the Hanes Ultimate Woven Boxers Pack. In addition, we added one brief option to spot #11 for consideration, which is the Los Angeles Apparel Baby Rib Brief. Our editors have tested both of these options to ensure they’re worth your purchase in 2022. As we continue testing more men’s underwear, these might be subject to change given how very few boxers and briefs our team has tested.

  

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