The Best Men's Athletic Underwear to Keep You Dry and Comfortable During Any Activity

Graham Averill
·11 min read

Nothing ruins my day like bad underwear. Get a pair of skivvies that bunch or can't handle moisture or are too constrictive in the sensitive areas, and my whole game is thrown off, whether I'm sitting in an office or slogging through miles of single track. So much depends on that first layer of clothing that protects the family jewels, and yet most men overlook their underwear entirely, opting for a 10-pack of whatever is on sale at the same box store where they buy light bulbs and dog food.

I know, because I used to be that guy, but let me tell you, wearing crappy drawers is no way to go through life. I've seen the light, and that light is made from stretchy fabrics and has just the right amount of support. So, take your pick from this list of the best men's athletic underwear, which I tested over many months—from walking the dog to hiking through the jungle.

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Related: The Best Work Boots of 2024: Certified Tough From Brunt, Keen & More

Best Men's Athletic Underwear at a Glance

Best Men's Athletic Underwear of 2024

Best Men's Athletic Underwear Overall: Vuori V1 Boxer Brief

There's nothing groundbreaking about the construction of the V1 Boxer Brief. No space-age tech or materials from the ancient Mayans—these are just beautifully built with a mix of polyamide, elastane, and polyester that is lightweight and breezy while still offering just enough support to keep everything in place. There's plenty of stretch in the build, and the V1 wicks moisture well, but honestly, these are my top overall pick because they're so comfortable.

I found myself reaching for the V1 for long travel days, humid rounds of golf, and the occasional date night. This is the kind of underwear you forget you're wearing altogether, which is the ultimate compliment I can give.

$32 at Vuori
$32 at Vuori

Best Men's Athletic Underwear for Hard Workouts: Arc'teryx Norvan Liner

OK, the Norvan Liner ain't cheap. It's literally twice the price of most other undies in this article, but Arc'teryx knows a thing or two about performance apparel, and this liner, built to wear beneath shorts or pants like a base layer during hard efforts, is no exception. The Norvan is made from a stretchy mesh designed to enhance airflow on hot trail runs, with low-profile seams and an articulated body-mapping pattern shaped to enhance the natural stretch of the fabric. The result is an airy, barely-there layer that doesn't chafe and dries super fast.

I've worn the Norvan on long runs and longer rounds of golf in 90-degree heat and been very impressed with how they've handled moisture and their ability to dry quickly after the effort.

Arc'teryx
Arc'teryx

Most Supportive Men's Athletic Underwear: Saxx Quest Quick Dry Mesh

Saxx changed the game when the brand introduced its "Ballpark Pouch," which separates your junk from the rest of your body, while holding it all in place, no matter what you're doing. That pouch runs through all of its underwear, but the Quest Quick Dry Mesh is made from a performance-minded blend of elastane and poly that is built for movement in hot temperatures.

The Quest is form-fitting without being too tight and has flat seams that don't chafe or constrict when you're moving. If you like the idea of your boys being cradled throughout the day, these are the undies for you.

$34 at Amazon
$34 at Amazon
$34 at Saxx
$34 at Saxx

Best Merino Wool Men's Athletic Underwear: Icebreaker Anatomica Boxers with Fly

I love the feel of merino wool, and Icebreaker's Anatomica boxers offer the most merino on this list. The brand's Corespun fabric is mostly merino wool with just enough nylon and elastane to add stretch and durability. What that gets you is thin, lightweight boxer briefs that are breezy, even on the hottest days, and easy to wear.

Consider the Anatomica a great, merino wool-based ultralight option for the steamiest days of summer. A couple key details to note: The contoured pouch is comfortable, without being too gimmicky, and I like the addition of the fly for quick access.

$45 at Amazon
$45 at Amazon
$45 at Icebreaker
$45 at Icebreaker

Related: The Best Watches for Running: Top Picks for Tracking Miles in 2024

Most Eco-Friendly Men's Athletic Underwear: Exofficio Everyday Boxer Brief

The majority of the fabric that goes into the Exofficio Everyday is a wood-based material called Lenzing Ecovero, which uses 50 percent less water and generates 50 percent less carbon emissions than other fibers. Not only is the fabric more eco-friendly than some other options, it's comfortable as well thanks to a smooth waistband, flatlock seams, and four-way stretch from the small amount of elastane.

I find these boxer briefs to be great for the sort of travel where I have to pack light and wear the same undies multiple days in a row; they dry fast, suppress stink, and feel good day after day. Don't judge.

$30 at Amazon
$30 at Amazon
$30 at Exofficio
$30 at Exofficio

Best Chamois Men's Athletic Underwear: Club Ride Johnson Ultra Light

Cycling-specific chamois underwear are typically bulky and uncomfortable. They're fine when you're on the bike, but step off to get a drink at the bar and it's like wearing an adult diaper. Club Ride's Johnson is a slim, ultralight version of chamois and has become my go-to option for in-town rides and hot summer bike efforts.

The four-way stretch material is comfortable regardless of your position and the 3mm single-density chamois provides enough protection to keep your, uh, undercarriage safe, but doesn't overdo it with unnecessary bulk. And it's made from perforated foam to help with ventilation. I have a dozen chamois in my closet, but this is the one I reach for the most.

$40 at Amazon
$40 at Amazon
$40 at Club Ride
$40 at Club Ride

Best Men's Athletic Underwear for Next-to-Skin Feel: Free Fly Apparel Elevate

Free Fly Apparel, based in Charleston, S.C., makes some of my favorite warm-weather layers, and its Elevate Boxer Brief has become a go-to option for me this summer. Built with odor control and moisture management in mind, the Elevate is softer than most technical skivvies thanks to the addition of plant-based lyocell in the fabric weave.

If you love the soft feel of cotton, but can't stand that fabric's moisture retention, the Elevate is the boxer brief for you. The flat seams help eliminate hot spots, too.

$38 at Free Fly
$38 at Free Fly
$38 at Backcountry
$38 at Backcountry

Related: Our Favorite Slip-On Shoes Are Stylish and Functional—Perfect for Men on the Go

Best Men's Athletic Underwear for Cold Weather: Smartwool Intraknit

Smartwool makes some amazing underwear, and the Intraknit is its most technical boxer yet, using a blend of merino wool, lyocell, polyester, and elastane for a boxer brief that is soft to touch, but has all of the performance properties you need for active pursuits.

It's a longer fit, with a six-inch inseam, and minimal seams to reduce chafing, and even though the undies have mesh panels to promote airflow, I found the material to be thicker than the rest of the options on this list, so I like them for colder-weather pursuits like skiing or fall/winter hikes.

$40 at Amazon
$40 at Amazon
$50 at Smartwool
$50 at Smartwool

Best Men's Athletic Underwear for Light Compression: Mack Weldon Stealth

Mack Weldon's boxer briefs have been a staple in my dresser for years, but the Stealth have become my favorite option from the brand because they're lightweight, but offer a secure fit throughout a workout. The body-mapping technology pairs mesh in certain areas with a tight fit in others, creating a light compression effect in your quads and offering more support where you need it without compromising mobility.

The entire package is made from a recycled nylon and spandex combo that moves moisture well enough to keep up with even high-intensity workouts.

$38 at Mack Weldon
$38 at Mack Weldon

Best Men's Athletic Underwear for Everyday Activities: Paka Alpaca Underwear

I've become a true believer in the benefits of alpaca wool—not only is it a sustainable material, it's ridiculously soft with a next-to-skin feel that tops even merino wool, while being slightly more durable. Paka makes some amazing alpaca-centric base layers that I love, and these Alpaca boxer briefs carry on that tradition, using a blend of materials that includes 14 percent alpaca. The result is a light boxer brief with a barely-there feel that ventilates heat and resists odor with the best of them.

Paka's drawers have a loose fit, but manage not to bunch, even during a painfully long recent road trip. The addition of cotton in the blend will keep me from choosing these boxers for a long run, but for light activities and everyday business, you can't beat the comfort.

$38 at Paka
$38 at Paka

What to Look for in the Best Men's Athletic Underwear

The actual cut of the undies is strictly a matter of preference (are you a boxer or brief guy, or a boxer brief guy?), but there is some consistency in materials that you need to keep an eye out for. Most performance-minded underwear is made from synthetic materials like polyester and elastane, which give the fabric moisture-wicking capabilities and four-way stretch. But manufacturers will also incorporate natural fibers like merino wool, which handles moisture and breathes like a champ, or lyocell, which adds a next-to-skin softness. Alpaca wool is a relative newcomer on the scene with similar properties to merino, while adding bamboo to the fabric recipe can add a buttery-soft feel.

Pay attention to the seams as well. Bulky seam construction can add a constrictive element to the underwear and potentially chafe, so look for seamless construction or flatlock seams. Many boxer briefs offer some sort of supportive pouch that cradles your delicates. I've found this feature to be a matter of personal preference; some guys love it, others want more freedom for their boys. A quick-access fly, which is a small flap on the front of the drawers that opens when you need to pee, is another feature you might consider.

Why You Should Trust Me

I've been testing gear and performance apparel for two decades, so I've been monitoring the trends and evolution of men's undies during that time. I reached out to the best companies in the underwear business and asked for their most performance-focused skivvies, which I then put through the rigors of my everyday life. Some of the pairs in this article have been in my personal rotation for about a year. Others are new to me, but every single pair on this list performed well over at least a month of intense testing.

I rotated through all 10 pairs for the last month, testing them in real-world situations, from walking the dog to hiking through the jungle to sitting in a cramped airplane seat for several hours. I also took them all on a weeklong trip to Puerto Rico where I went from the trail to the beach to the taco shack repeatedly during one of the hottest summers in the island's history.

In other words, I put these pairs through the ringer. Some did better than others in certain situations, but they all have their purpose and deserve a home in your underwear drawer.

Related: I Spent 3 Months Searching for the Perfect White T-Shirt. Here's the Best Tee

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next