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Naming any product as the best men's underwear may seem like a fool's errand. After all, a good pair of men's underwear should be comfortable, supportive, and durable. A stylish look is also valuable. And for athletes, functions such as moisture wicking can be musts. Trying to determine a single pair of underwear that checks all these boxes can be challenging, especially since some of these categories are fairly subjective.
Nevertheless, the ACTIVE Reviews Team has done our due diligence, researching dozens of bestselling men's underwear products in search of the best bets. We've put together a list of our top 10 best men's underwear selections, featuring recommendations in a variety of categories.
The Best Men's Underwear - Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Men's Underwear: adidas Performance Mesh Boxer Briefs
- Best Men's Underwear for Running: adidas Performance Long Boxer Briefs
- Best Men's Underwear for Working Out: Born Tough Essential Underwear
- Best Breathable Men's Underwear: New Balance Dry and Fresh Briefs
- Most Comfortable Men's Underwear: adidas Stretch Cotton Boxer Sport Briefs
- Best Men's Briefs: Fruit of the Loom Tag Free Briefs
- Best Men's Boxers: Tommy Hilfiger Multi Pack
- Best Budget Men's Underwear: Wirara Men's Boxer Brief
- Best Men's Underwear Multipack: Polo Ralph Lauren 5-Pack
- Best Support Men's Underwear: Copper Compression Base Layer
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated.
Best Overall - adidas Performance Mesh Boxer Briefs
SPECS
- Material: Polyester and elastane
- Quantity: 3
- Size range: S-XXL
- Style: Boxer briefs
The adidas Performance Mesh Boxer Briefs were made with athletes in mind. They're tough enough to handle even the hardest workout, offering a breathable design, moisture wicking, and super-stretchy polyester to ensure a full range of motion. But really, they're a good option for any dude who's in the market for undies, boasting a no-ride-up design and a comfortable tagless waistband. The sleek style is an added bonus.
What We Like
- Moisture wicking
- Breathable
- Very stretchy
- Soft, tagless waistband
What We Don't Like
- Polyester isn't quite as durable or sturdy as cotton
- We'd love to see a broader selection of colors
BUY: adidas Performance Mesh Boxer Briefs
Best Men's Underwear for Running - adidas Performance Long Boxer Briefs
SPECS
- Material: Polyester and elastane
- Quantity: 3
- Size range: S-XXL
- Style: Boxer briefs
Runners often prefer a longer leg on their underwear, which helps prevent the sensation that the underwear is riding up (and also helps control chafing). The adidas Performance Long Boxer Briefs are an excellent choice, made with stretchy polyester to ensure unrestricted motion. Smooth stitching and flat seams keep you comfortable and prevent anything from distracting you in the middle of an intense run. The quick-drying fabric is also handy should you work up a sweat or get caught in a deluge.
What We Like
- Very stretchy
- Long legs help control chafing
- Smooth, flat-seamed feel
- Quick drying
What We Don't Like
- We'd love to see a broader selection of colors
BUY: adidas Performance Long Boxer Briefs
Best Men's Underwear for Working Out - Born Tough Essential Underwear
SPECS
- Material: Viscose and elastane
- Quantity: 1
- Size range: S-XL
- Style: Boxer briefs
The Born Tough Essential Underwear is an excellent, no-nonsense option that any gym enthusiast will love. Though they're basic in their design, they're made with a viscose and elastane blend that's both sturdy and flexible. Flat seams ensure comfort, and a front pouch offers extra support where you need it the most. For the low price, it's well worth trying a pair.
What We Like
- Modestly priced for a single pair
- Flat seams for comfort
- Supportive front pouch
What We Don't Like
- Shorter than some will prefer
- Style is very basic
BUY: Born Tough Essential Underwear
Best Breathable Men's Underwear - New Balance Dry and Fresh Briefs
SPECS
- Material: Polyester
- Quantity: 2
- Size range: S-XL
- Style: Boxer briefs
If you're super active or live in a particularly warm climate, breathability is key when buying a new pair of underwear. To keep you from overheating, we recommend the New Balance Dry and Fresh Briefs, made with a thin yet durable polyester that naturally promotes air flow. These briefs are also made to wick away moisture, helping you to prevent any chaffing or other sweat-related issues when you're engaged in vigorous activity.
What We Like
- Moisture wicking
- Breathable
- Stretchy fabric
What We Don't Like
- A little on the pricey side
- We'd love to see more color options
BUY: New Balance Dry and Fresh Briefs
Most Comfortable Men's Underwear - adidas Stretch Cotton Boxer Sport Briefs
SPECS
- Material: Cotton
- Quantity: 3
- Size range: S-XL
- Style: Boxer Briefs
For sheer comfort, it's tough to beat cotton. The adidas Stretch Cotton Boxer Sport Briefs offer you all the softness and support of cotton, combined with just a little bit of added stretch to ensure your flexibility. They're also plenty breathable and made to stay in place even while you're in motion.
What We Like
- Soft and comfortable
- Very stretchy
- Breathable
What We Don't Like
- A little on the pricey side
- Not as moisture resistant as other options
BUY: adidas Stretch Cotton Boxer Sport Briefs
Best Men's Briefs - Fruit of the Loom Tag Free Briefs
SPECS
- Material: Cotton
- Quantity: 6
- Size range: S-XXXL
- Style: Briefs
If you prefer your undies in the style of briefs, we recommend these seamless, tagless, utterly frictionless underwear. The Fruit of the Loom Tag Free Briefs are made with soft, supple cotton, and are available in a variety of colors (not just the old tighty-whitey look). Also note the wide range of sizes, extending up to XXXL.
What We Like
- Soft, supple cotton
- Range of colors
- Great price point
- Wide range of sizes
What We Don't Like
- Not as durable as other options
- Style is very basic
BUY: Fruit of the Loom Tag Free Briefs
Best Men's Boxers -Tommy Hilfiger Multi Pack
SPECS
- Material: Cotton
- Quantity: 3
- Size range: S-L
- Style: Boxers
If it's boxers you want, we've got you covered. The Tommy Hilfiger Multi Pack undies are made with premium cotton and offer the feeling of openness that men love from their boxers. Made with a classic fit, these boxers have an open/no-button fly.
What We Like
- Soft, durable cotton
- Classic fit
- Decent price point
What We Don't Like
- Not the most supportive
- Not as many size options
BUY: Tommy Hilfiger Multi Pack
Best Budget Men's Underwear - Wirara Men's Boxer Brief
SPECS
- Material: Cotton
- Quantity: 4
- Size range: S-XL
- Style: Boxer Briefs
For bang for buck, look no further than the Wirara Men's Boxer Brief. These cotton undies come in a four-pack that's modestly priced, but by no means light on quality. On the contrary, these boxer briefs combine the softness of cotton with just a little bit of springy Spandex, ensuring a wide range of motion as well as ample support.
What We Like
- Modest price point
- Assortment of colors
- Stretchy and soft
What We Don't Like
- Not the most durable option
- Not the best for moisture wicking
Best Men's Underwear Multipack - Polo Ralph Lauren 5-Pack
SPECS
- Material: Cotton
- Quantity: 5
- Size range: S-XL
- Style: Boxer briefs
The Polo Ralph Lauren 5-Pack is our top choice for men who want to stock up on a full drawer's worth of undies. Affordably priced, this multipack comes with five sturdy and supportive cotton boxer briefs, each made with a sturdy front pouch and natural breathability.
What We Like
- Modest price point
- Sturdy and supportive
- Range of colors in each pack
What We Don't Like
- Style is fairly basic
- Not the best for moisture wicking
Best Support Men's Underwear - Copper Compression Base Layer
SPECS
- Material: N/A
- Quantity: 1
- Size range: S-XL
- Style: Boxer briefs
Looking for something with a little extra support? Try the Copper Compression Base Layer. These long-legged boxer briefs (they're almost more of a trunk style) are designed to keep muscles loose and warm, which can help address stiffness and reduce inflammation. Moisture-wicking, breathable fabric promotes comfortable workouts, and a four-way stretch gives you just the right balance of support with range of motion.
What We Like
- Designed to keep muscles loose and warm
- Breathable, moisture-wicking fabric
- Great range of motion
What We Don't Like
- Not the most stylish option
- Price point is high for a single pair of undies
- Not everyone will like their underwear to be so long-legged
What to Look for in Men's Underwear
As you shop for the best underwear for men, there are a few factors to keep at the front of your mind.
Material
The vast majority of men's underwear products are going to be made of cotton, or else some type of cotton blend. After all, cotton is breathable, soft, and sturdy—all of which are desirable in a pair of undies. Sometimes, you may find cotton blended with spandex, which can add a bit of stretchiness. For men's underwear that's designed for sports or to be extra moisture wicking, polyester and other synthetic materials are sometimes used.
Quantity
Sometimes you'll buy a single pair of men's underwear, especially if you're trying something new, but just as often, you'll opt for a multi-pack to maximize your underwear bang for buck.
Size Range
You'll want to ensure that your underwear fits snugly without being too restrictive. To that end, you can anticipate most underwear offering a decent range of sizes, often small all the way up through XXXL.
Style
When it comes to men's underwear, there are basically three styles to choose from. First, you've got your briefs, which offer a snug fit and cover your butt without extending down to your legs. Then there's boxers, which typically have a more substantial inseam and a boxy silhouette. Boxer briefs split the difference, offering the snug fit of briefs with a bit more coverage of the legs.
FAQs About Men's Underwear
What brand of underwear is best for men?
What brand of men's underwear is best for you will depend on what you're looking for. Different brands will focus on different aspects, so make your decision based on what your specific needs are.
Are briefs or boxer briefs better?
It's all a matter of personal preference. Both tend to be fairly supportive, with briefs covering just your butt and boxer briefs covering more of your legs.
How many pairs of underwear should a man have?
On average, most men probably need somewhere between 7 and 10 pairs of underwear in their drawer. The ideal amount for you depends on your personal preference and lifestyle, though.
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