The 13 Best Men’s Underwear, Tested by Menswear Experts

When developing underwear, Mack Weldon claims to have spent over 10,000 hours in design and testing to perfect the best pair of underwear money can buy. The Airknitx Boxer Brief checks all the boxes you should look for when purchasing underwear. The killer combination of a supportive pouch for the boys, plus an anti-odor, anti-moisture fabric make these boxer briefs comfortable and breathable, while the no-roll waistband and secure grip at the bottom legs keep these bad boys in place.

Moreover, Airknitx is tried and true and has thus even earned an endorsement from former NFL football wide receiver Desmond Howard. “I travel a lot during college football season and I am never without my Mack Weldon Airknitx boxer briefs,” he says. “These are my absolute go-to’s for their light, breathable construction that always keeps me feeling just right.” To really hit a home run, Mack Weldon even incorporated mesh cool zones in the back to keep you feeling cool when temperatures heat up.

Read more: Best Boxer Briefs

Some guys just prefer the classics—and sometimes, the classics are where it’s at. Portland-based personal stylist Grace Thomas says that for “a top-of-the-line option, you can’t go wrong with a classic like Calvin Klein.” And while we all know Calvin Klein knows how to make a great pair of underwear, the top pick would be the Steel Micro Low Rise Trunks with a seriously smooth and attractive-looking nylon microfiber. “The cut and breathable fabric on these make them so comfortable to wear all day long,” says Thomas. And even after dozens of washes, these trunks keep their shape and color.

Moreover, what makes CK’s classic so popular is that it doesn’t increase the bulk of your thighs in slim pants. The contoured pouch and mid-thigh length are perfect for everyday comfort with great support. “These boxer briefs also help with flexibility and are excellent for working out and playing sports,” says Thomas.

The 4D Flex Microfiber mesh boxer briefs from Polo Ralph Lauren are recommended by personal stylist Stephanie Gisondi-Little. “It is a great cotton weight and quality, and stands up to many washings and dryings which not all elastic waistbands can do,” she says. They’re incredibly versatile, with a soft cotton-modal blend that’s moisture-wicking to fend off swamp crotch and swamp ass, while still maintaining a high level of everyday comfort with four-way stretch and breathability thanks to the side mesh panels. Plus, their slim silhouette feels like a second skin, and won’t ride up or bunch up under your dress pants. That means you can wear them to work, the gym, or even around the house. In our testing, we also found the pouch and gusset to be supportive and comfortable.

One note, these are a bit high-maintenance and can warp in the dryer. So make sure you either hang dry them or put on a low-tumble dryer setting to keep their shape.

Hanes is the definition of a household name, which you’ve more than likely had experience with in the past. This OG brand is still a competitor in the best underwear field, offering some innovative new features with the Sport X-Temp Boxer Brief. According to Men’s Health style director Ted Stafford, breathability is the stand out feature of this 100% cotton pair, which feel lighter in action than the natural fiber typically does. The special X-Temp weave enhances airflow without using any synthetic fabrics.

This is one the very few pairs of cotton underwear we’ve tested that can handle a workout without issue. We wore it to the gym on the way home from a long day at the office, and put it through the paces. No riding up occurred and the mesh fly patch boosted ventilation where it was most needed. The only stipulation is that we wouldn’t recommend any endurance activities that create a heavy buildup of sweat, like a treadmill or stationary bike, because pure cotton will get saturated and cause chaffing.