The 10 Best Boxer Briefs for Men, According to Style Editors

Out of all the boxer briefs I’ve tested, Hanes remains the old faithful—checking all the boxes: breathability, stretch, and overall comfort for my nether regions. Made from 100% cotton, these feel naturally soft against the skin and let air flow freely, keeping things cool as a cucumber. Unlike synthetic fabrics that can trap heat, cotton can prevent chafing and discomfort in everyday situations where you’re not sweating too much.

The waistband doesn’t dig or roll—it has a flexible, stay-put fit that doesn’t squeeze the life of you. No itchy tags, no scratchy seams, just that barely-there feel that makes an easy go-to. I’ve tossed them through countless wash cycles, and they still hold their shape like a champ. Oh, and you can grab a 12-pack priced cheaper than a fancy cocktail, so you can stock your entire drawer without breaking the bank.

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Pros

• Moisture-wicking and anti-odor
• Targeted cool zones in the back
• Legs stay put with a supportive pouch

After wear-testing Mack Weldon’s boxer brief for more than 10 months, I can confirm it’s one of the best boxer briefs at wicking away moisture. The airy fabric blends a trifecta of polyester, polyamide, and elastane, delivering performance, stretch and texture. Whether I’m going for a jog or running errands, I stay fresh and dry throughout the entire day. For extra ventilation, the brand incorporated mesh zones on the back panel, so things don’t get too heated.

Also, the athletic cut is dialed in—snug on my thighs without squeezing the life out of them. I’ve found the material flexes in all directions for every movement—bending, squatting, lunging—without being restrictive. In other words, the fit is perfect for guys who don’t skip leg day. Plus, the underwear can handle multiple cycles in the wash and still come out looking brand new.

Read more: Mack Weldon Airknitx Boxer Brief Review

Perhaps the most iconic brand in men’s underwear, Calvin Klein has a classic, timeless style, and these microfiber briefs are no different. Featuring added stretch for maximum comfort and enhanced movement, we’ve worn these for intense leg days and marathons—and look dang good doing it. It is probably the only underwear that you actually want peeking out of the top of your pants.

Microfiber fabric isn’t typically found in underwear. It is super soft to the touch, which is why it is used in polishing cloths like the ones that come with glasses. Wearing that on your most sensitive parts is definitely worth the investment.

Designed for those who are always on the move, these briefs by Lululemon feature an ergonomic design and soft modal fabric for quick-drying comfort while walking or working out. In fact, they will move with you instead of restricting your movement. With an extra long seven inch inseam, the effect is similar to compression underwear or biking shorts, where the extra fabric keeps the brief in place and fights friction discomfort on the inner leg.

Breathability and moisture regulation become especially important during the warmer months. Since Lululemon designed this brief for athletic activities, it handles those two factors really well. Bottom line, of all the underwear tested for this list, the Always In Motion handles sweat and heat the best.

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Underwear isn’t something we recommend skimping on. However, a low price doesn’t always equate low quality. Uniqlo uses a soft and sturdy cotton-spandex blend fabric with smart construction and a super comfortable waistband. What makes the waistband so comfortable is a combination of a soft texture and an unusually wide design. This keeps everything in place, especially when you sit down.

Uniqlo uses short staple cotton for these boxer briefs, which is woven tightly to prevent pilling and creates an extra smooth surface. This avoids the pitfalls of traditional cotton underwear. The Japanese retailer doesn’t sell multipacks, but there is often a discount available for buying two or more at a time, making it even more affordable.

I didn’t expect to get hooked on Skims men’s briefs, but here we are. The fit is spot on—tight where it needs to be, with enough room to keep my precious jewels in place without feeling like I’m suffocating. To top that off, this modal-elastane blend has the perfect amount of stretch, which is great for movement, whether I’m running to catch a train or hitting deep squats at the gym.

I’ve worn them under everything from workout clothes to tailored trousers, and they perform flawlessly. The 3-inch inseam is short enough to stay hidden under gym shorts and slim-fit pants, but long enough to prevent chafing and ride-up. Plus, the waistband is smooth and sits just right—no digging, no rolling, or annoying red marks at the end of the day—just pure comfort.

Fruit of the Loom’s CoolZone Boxer Briefs are one of those everyday essentials that just get the job done without fuss. After wearing them for a week straight (thanks to the seven-pack), I can confidently say they strike the perfect balance of breathability, support, and affordability. The mesh fly offers plenty of ventilation, especially during Orange Theory classes that consists of treadmill sprints and floor exercises. Plus, it’s pretty spacious in that area, so your package isn’t feeling cramped.

Some underwear gets a bad rep for using cheap materials that cause holes, but this cotton fabric is surprisingly soft—not scratchy or stiff like you might expect from an economy pack. It’s not premium, luxury-level cotton, but for everyday wear, it holds up well, feels gentle on the skin, and stays put without riding up.

The CDLP Boxer Brief isn’t just another pair of underwear—it’s a serious upgrade in terms of both fabric and function. Produced from Tencel Lyocell jersey, it’s softer than cotton, smoother than silk, and breathes better than most performance fabrics. That means no swamp ass, no sticky situations—simply all-day freshness. Body-wise, the mid-rise waist and regular-length leg give a universally flattering fit, hugging the body without creeping up or sagging.

Compared to traditional boxer briefs that can feel stiff or overly compressive, these move with you, adapting to your body like a second skin. And the enhanced pouch gives your family jewels a little extra space and lift. Whether you’re lounging, working, or traveling, these are the boxer briefs you’ll actually want to wear every single day.

One of the most effective ways to fight underwear from riding up is to go with a longer inseam. Tommy John offers the silky soft Second Skin boxer brief in a mid-length model with a six inch inseam. This will extend down to the mid-thigh area for most men. For a lot of guys, extending the amount of elastic fabric that covers the leg is a more comfortable alternative to getting a tighter fitting elastic band. This is especially true for guys with relatively wide thighs compared to their waist.

Modal is the primary ingredient that makes this boxer brief so soft to the touch. The solid color and printed models use a 90% blend, balanced out with 10% spandex for structure. Just avoid the heather colors because they only use 47% modal.

Admittedly, this is a lot to spend on a single pair of boxer briefs, but Sunspel offers an attention to detail typically reserved for premium items like dress shirts and trousers. To begin with, it is made from a sturdy jersey cotton, blended with elastane to keep things nice and snug. When you touch it, it feels more like a high quality T-shirt fabric than lean brief fabric.

This boxer brief is produced in Portugal, which has become a hub for high-quality garment manufacturing in recent years. The craftsmanship shows in the tight flatlock stitching, which reduces friction from body movement. It is a pair of underwear that will hold up for a long time.

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What Are the Most Supportive Boxer Briefs?

Boxer briefs are supportive by design, but the most supportive pairs pay especially close attention to one thing: pouch design.

The pouch design on a good pair of boxer briefs should give you just enough room and support for your goods to move around. Pick a pouch design that’s too roomy and you start losing support. Pick a pouch design that’s too restrictive and, well, we all know that’s a fit we definitely don’t want.

And to touch on another quality we mentioned, your boxer brief inseam is important. In terms of how inseam relates to support, a short to medium-length inseam will give you the most support, as the less length you have on your legs the closer you get to briefs, which is the most supportive kind of underwear you can buy. A longer inseam (say anything 7″ or more) can create less support, as you start bringing some of the fabric away from your skin.But with a longer boxer brief inseam, you reduce the risk of chaffing (shorter inseam fits closer to the skin), so that’s the trade-off you’re getting when going longer.