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The 6 Best Boxer Briefs of 2024 | Tested & Rated

Nov 11, 2024

We bought 15 boxer briefs and worked our buns off to find the best. We wore these boxers daily, working in them, exercising, and putting them through a battery of objective tests.

The Smartwool Active Merino emerged as the best overall due to the best comfort, construction quality and odor control. That said, you get three pairs of best value winning Columbia Tri Blend for the same price and only relatively lower performance.

If adventure is on your horizon, we also tested the best travel underwear for men and the best travel underwear for women. We're continually testing the best long underwear bottoms and top-rated base layer tops to find the best options to keep you toasty.

We often preferred wool blend fabrics in many of the products we buy — like in our base layers and travel underwear — so it really is no surprise we have found an absolute winner in the Smartwool Active Merino. Fabric and stitching are top notch and this pair of boxer briefs features a minimal design with seams clear out of the way of sensitive areas. The thick waistband keeps them from slipping down, while the flatlock seamed hemline stops them from riding up. A fully gusseted crotch is one of our favorite standout details. Normally we'd shy away from wool underwear in our daily rotation, but the blend of these have more polyester spun in to make them more durable for repeated wearings.

These boxer briefs may not appeal to everyone, which we can understand. Wool will just wear a little warmer, so if you're already in a hot and/or humid climate, these may not be the pair we'd grab for first. The higher price than a multi-pack of normal cotton underwear is another detraction, if you can't see the value you get for the Active Merino's price tag. The minimal design also omits a fly, which may or may not be important to you. If the fabric is the biggest detraction, but you're looking for excellent performance in your bottoms, go instead with the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0. If you want to stick to cotton for price and performance, the Under Armour UA Performance Cotton 6" Boxerjock are one of our favorites.

For those always on the run, there is little equal to the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0. The high performance, four way stretch nylon fabric is breathable, wicks away sweat, and dries fast — boiling down to a more comfortable ride when temperatures climb and sweat starts to build. Not only can these boxer briefs help keep you more comfortable, they're more than likely to end the day in your hamper with less of a stink and be fresher for the next time you need to wash them.

Such high performance always comes some compromises, and there are a few even for the Give-N-Gos. Cost is one — the price may shock you when you're used to a four pack of your favorite cotton boxer briefs costing as much or even less than a single pair of these. Another is that even with arguably more advanced performative fabric, these just may not breath as well as regular old cotton when dry. The fabric also has a tendency to pill, which shouldn't impact performance, but can be a little unsightly for how much you pay. For an excellent semi-synthetic pick, try out the Saxx Vibe, with performant fabric and good dry times. The Smartwool Active Merino is another high quality, high value luxe pair of boxer briefs.

The world is awash with cotton boxer briefs. And for us, one pair claims top honors in the category: the Under Armour UA Performance Cotton 6" Boxerjock. There's a little magic in the fabric in the form of a polyester blend that makes these undies feel a whole lot smoother against your skin. Another magic ingredient is the addition of elastane, which makes these feel more supportive against your legs. The chunky waistband is also almost 1 1/2" wide to help keep the boxer briefs on our hips. Low-profile stitching on the legs keeps them from riding up. We most appreciated the fully gusseted crotch with a lack of seams running across some of our most sensitive areas.

We believe there is a lot to love about the Under Armour Boxerjocks, but we can understand that the bold branding on the waistband not being everyone's cup of tea. If you're looking for a 100% cotton boxer brief, these won't be them. You could also see (or smell) a little more stubborn odor even after washing, care of the 38% polyester in the blend. Check out the Champion Every Day Comfort Stretch 3-Pack and the Hanes ComfortFlex if other cotton options are what you desire.

We continue to be impressed with the performance of the affordable Columbia Performance Cotton Stretch. They initially seemed like a run-of-the-mill, price-point pair of boxer briefs. However, the cotton-poly blend works well to balance the moderate odor control of cotton with the improved wicking capabilities of polyester, and the spandex adds a nice bit of stretch. For an otherwise simple pair of boxers, this blend helps mitigate the post-run stink. These reasonably priced boxers have held up surprisingly well to years of wear, further supporting our belief in their value.

As a more standard pair, we think a few aspects of these boxers could use improvement. For instance, the seat has two seams that tend to show through thinner-cut pants and shorts, and a more thoughtful seam placement could prevent this issue. Also, polyester is one of the weaker choices for odor-fighting fabrics, and adding an antimicrobial treatment – like that found on more premium pairs, like the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 – would really help. But for daily wear, the Columbia Performance boxers are an excellent choice, especially considering the cost per pair.

For a no-nonsense pair of cotton boxer briefs that do the job at an incredibly low price point, reach for the Hanes ComfortFlex. The price is hard to beat, which could be perfect for those who would prefer to spend their hard-earned cash elsewhere. These boxer briefs feature a great design and decent, flatlock stitching which mostly stays away from sensitive areas of our own anatomy.

These undies are a little more utilitarian than others. You'll find a thinner waistband up top, the cotton fabric feels a little rougher than some of the other pairs we've slipped on, and the stitching quality has a bit to be desired. But, the ComfortFlex get the job done — and did we mention the low cost? For some other solid choices for a simple cotton daily driver, check out the Champion Every Day Comfort Stretch that features a thicker waistband, as well as the Columbia Performance Cotton Stretch which gives good performance with an absence of sticker shock.

If you prefer looser-fitting underwear – styles closer to boxers than briefs – then the Vibe is probably not the best fit for you. It has a very supported feel, which might not be for everyone, particularly those accustomed to tucking their anatomy to one side. Despite being great for wicking away moisture, viscose is more similar to a synthetic fiber than a natural material. As such, the odor control of these boxers is lacking. As an alternative, even the recycled polyester blend of the Saxx Vibe represents a marked improvement in terms of odor control. We'd highly recommend either of these pairs of boxers for active individuals who desire extra support from their underwear. For less aggressive support up front, have a look at the Tommy John Second Skin.

Before testing, we scoured the market for a wide range of underwear, representing a solid selection of prices, designs, and materials. We then independently purchased today's top products and evaluated them side-by-side to find the supreme pair of skivvies. We field-tested them in our normal day-to-day, during high-output activities like running, and packed them for our travels. Each pair was sent through the washer and dryer many times to see how well they hold up to extended wear and tear, considering our condensed testing window. From sitting on the couch to running down the trail, wearing them in freezing temperatures and through triple-degree heat, we've spent months wearing these boxers, an experience that backs up our objective tests.

As a jack of all trades, Ethan Newman never knows what he might get into next, and he needs his clothes to be ready to adapt to any situation. He has reviewed daily wear and travel underwear for years and has tested more than two dozen pairs side-by-side. Ethan balances work as a rock climbing guide and owner-operator of several vacation rentals. So, on any given day, he may need to go climbing, get dirty and fix something, or appear as a working professional in either realm. This need for versatility taught Ethan to carefully select his clothing purchases – down to his boxers – and he brings this keen eye to every product he tests. Justin Simoni plays hard but rests harder — it's not unlike him to take residence on the living room couch for days at a time after some particularly exhausting multi-week mountain adventure. He believes feeling content in the clothes you're wearing is one key to working and resting with comfort.

We've compiled a few responses to some frequently asked questions for those pursuing a new pair of boxer briefs:

Boxer Briefs may yield the best mix of style and comfort for most people. Unlike plain briefs, they cover your inner thighs snugly, which will minimize chafing, all while giving you some needed privacy and support that normal boxers won't always assist with. And we also think they look great as well! Not too many people (us included) feel like we can pull off a good look in briefs, and looser-fitting boxers leave a little too much to the imagination. We like how boxer briefs fit closely to our legs and accentuate our leg muscles as well as our butt. Boxer Briefs seem to be the most comfortable under most types of pants as well, without snagging and needing us to make some ninja rearranging at the dinner table.

We talk about three main types of fabric in our lineup: cotton, synthetic, and wool blends. All these fabrics can be used to make a killer pair of boxer briefs and all of them have their strong and weak points.

Cotton is usually used for the most economical pairs, which can be important when you need multiple pairs of underwear — and if you find a specific pair you adore, why not grab a few? They're also usually the easiest to care for, as the fabric resists shrinking or getting damaged in the dryer. A good pair of cotton boxer briefs will look great on your own bod and last a good while. They may not be the softest against your skin — or the absolutely stylish — but they usually get the job done as daily drivers.

Boxer Briefs are also made with nylon, polyester, or other synthetic fabrics. These fabrics may have better-wicking properties, which people who work outside in humid climates or who are generally sweatier will definitely appreciate. Many synthetics resist odors well and dry fast on the line. They may also cost more than a cotton multi-pack, so you'll have to weigh in if the relative upgrade in comfort and performance is worth it to you. Check the manufacturer's care instructions, as many of these pairs will have to be dried on the line or only on “low” in your dryer, which could be a deal breaker if you already have a million things going on in your life.

Wool blends are the last type of fabric we cover. To some, the feeling of wool against their skin is second only to perfection. Wool keeps moisture away from the skin even when wet, which could further help prevent chafing. Breathability is usually very good, and the durability of the wool fabric is better than you may think, as the wool boxer briefs we've reviewed are spun with some sort of synthetic to enhance the fabric's strength. If cared for correctly, they also can last a long time, but one has to read the care instructions closely — many of the wool products we spotlight need to be hung out to dry.

Be on the lookout for a few key design details when you shop for boxer briefs: a little stretch in the fabric can help the underwear mold to your own dimensions and make them fit seemingly perfectly. We prefer boxer briefs that have flatlock seams throughout, a gusseted crotch, and no seams that run anywhere underneath and between the legs, as they sometimes cause irritation to some of the most sensitive parts of our own bodies. Most boxer briefs have a fly built-in, but some don't: we're ambivalent ourselves, but some people have a strong preference. We prefer a top waistband that's thicker than thin to help keep the underwear from slipping down and to help distribute the force of the band. A good pair of boxer briefs will have a seamed hemline on the legs to prevent them from riding up. Inseam length is the final important detail to consider: some people prefer a longer inseam — up to 6" — to further prevent the legs from riding up and keep your thighs covered.

Always follow the manufacturer's suggestions on the boxer briefs themselves. Care instruction may be the lynchpin that ultimately decides which pair you'll grab. Cotton boxer briefs are usually easy to care for, as they'll fare well being washed/dried with the rest of your cotton clothes. Synthetics and wool blends may need a little more TLC to get the most performance out of them for the life of the product.

We always rigorously test any product we review, including boxer briefs. We design replicable, laboratory-style tests and measurements for an objective perspective on how these products compare to one another. We then back that up with in-depth field testing, drawing on our personal experience to help dissect the nuanced differences in product performance. We evaluated these boxer briefs in the aspects that can make or break a pair of briefs: comfort, breathability, construction quality, and odor control.

For a purchase even as basic as boxer briefs, you still want to know that you're getting the most bang for your buck. The balance of price versus value is a fine line: not every top-end item is worth the price, and not every affordable product is worthy of investment. When we assess products, we always consider how well they perform relative to their competitors first-and-foremost, and then consider the price as a secondary factor to judge overall value. But we also recognize that boxers often are an economy-of-scale purchase, so we do place a bit more weight on price per pair than we would when comparing other gear.

It's also important to consider how you want to wear these boxers: are they your everyday grab? If that's the case, there is no better buy than the Columbia Performance Cotton undies, considering their balance of comfort, breathability, and unbeatable value per pair. If budget is exceptionally tight when shopping for your daily drivers, go with the Hanes ComfortFlex, which we rated fairly reasonably in most of the metrics we tested in while coming in at a very compelling price point. Or perhaps you only want to have a few pairs of boxers in rotation – say, during an extended trip where you want to pack light. In that case, we highly recommend picking up a few pairs of the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 boxers, a high-quality pair of briefs that are built to last. Many backpackers will make it across the country on foot on just two pairs!

We can't think of any good reason to choose less comfortable underwear over more comfortable underwear. We're guessing you feel the same way. Boxers cover a sensitive place on the body — take good care of it! Smoother fabrics, well-placed seams, wide and soft waistbands, and a thoughtfully designed fit all contribute to a more comfortable pair of skivvies. We considered how comfortable a pair is throughout the day, during activities like regular exercise, and throughout a reasonable lifespan for this type of clothing. We also assessed how well they fit under different types of pants – thicker work pants versus lightweight fitness shorts, for example.

Wool underwear may not seem like an obvious choice for all of us, but we are fanatics ourselves because of just how soft a quality pair of wool/synthetic boxer briefs feel against some of our most sensitive areas. Even when wet, wool can pull moisture away from the body so that you at least feel less swampy and keeping moisture away from your skin could prevent chaffing. Check out the Smartwool Men's Merino Boxer Brief and Active Merino as two excellent picks. The Active Merino is simpler, a little less expensive and a little more durable, which could be attractive to those looking to start putting a wool pair in the rotation. The Merino Boxer Brief may be a little softer as it has more wool in its blend, but does need a little more TLC when washing/drying.

Synthetic fabrics can also make some comfy undies. Synthetic fabric have excellent wicking abilities, and dry out fast. The Saxx Vibe boxers take an unconventional approach to comfort. Their patented Ballpark pouch separates the crotch from the legs with a thin mesh web. While we initially found the feeling peculiar – especially if you're used to “riding side saddle” – we eventually came to really enjoy the feel and support of the unique Saxx design. If the pouch idea doesn't apply to you, the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 has a more relaxed fitting.

And let's not forget natural fibers also make an excellent choice for every-day boxer briefs, as care instructions are usually dead simple. The cellulose-based fabric of the Tommy John Second Skin briefs are one of our favoritess. Wash and dry them like some of your favorite cotton t-shirts (machine wash cold, tumble dry low). We were also happily surprised by more affordable options, like the all-cotton Columbia Performance Cotton Stretch, New Balance 6" Fly Front, Adidas Performance, and the Fruit of the Loom Eversoft CoolZone Fly Boxer. The Under Armour UA Performance Cotton 6" Boxerjock may cost a little more than the above, but we especially love its thick waistband.

One of our lead testers often works outside on 100 °F-plus days, so you can imagine that breathability is vitally important. Judging boxers on their breathability is not only important for a general sense of hygiene, but is paramount in selecting a pair of boxers for exercising or outdoor activities, like backpacking. The boxers we tested present a wide range of breathability, which largely comes down to the fabric choice and thickness. The better a pair of boxer briefs kept us cool and dry – as opposed to swampy and sweaty – the better each product scored in this metric.

Natural and synthetic fibers can both be breathable, but each has upsides and downsides. Cotton is breathable until saturated since it is capable of absorbing up to 28 times its weight in water. Synthetics tend to do a better job of wicking moisture away from the skin, drawing on the weave and texture to wick moisture between the fabric via capillary action. Natural wools, like Merino, absorb moisture into the fabric and use your body heat to evaporate. Wool can be incredibly breathable, but the fiber itself is thicker than cotton or synthetics, so undies made of Merino wool tend to feel much thicker than their counterparts.

The Bamboo Cool were one of the most breathable box briefs we tested in this category. The lightweight fabric easily lets air and moisture pass through unabated, helping keep you cool and dry. Other cellulose-blended bottoms like the Tommy John Second Skin and Saxx Vibe also did quite well, likely because both of these boxers are particularly thin-cut. We were also quite surprised by just how well natural-fiber pairs like the Smartwool Men's Merino Boxer Brief breathe, considering the thicker weight of the fabric of these Merino-blended boxer briefs.

The Columbia Performance boxers also did surprisingly well in this category. The cotton pulls the moisture away from the skin, and the polyester pulls the moisture away from the cotton, allowing it to evaporate more easily.

We wanted a way to quantify all the little details that make a pair of underwear nice to wear, and the ways that they remain nice to wear day-in and day-out. This metric first assesses construction quality by closely examining the stitching and material. We then run these boxers through repeated wearing and washing cycles to draw conclusions on how they might develop over time within the confines of our in-depth but relatively limited testing cycle.

The folks at SmartWool know what they're doing — and it shows — as the Active Merino and Men's Merino Boxer Brief easily tops the charts in this metric as well. Even after years of regular use, the stitching is clean and unfrayed, the waistband is as snappy as ever, and the wool has hardly pilled up in any noticeable way.

The ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 also impressed us with its potential for longevity. We've tested a few different pairs of these bottoms, and they have outlasted many other boxer briefs in our underwear drawer. We recognize that these models do cost a fair bit more than some of the other options. But they will also likely last a fair bit longer, as good materials and craftsmanship tend to equate to construction quality. The lean Tommy John Second Skin feature excellently stitched, low profile hemming that stays out of the way from getting snagged.

One should never dread undressing after a long day for fear of a rising stench from below. We evaluated the odor retention of our underwear selection by going for an extended run on a hot, sunny day and then assessing the odor retention after some targeted sweating. Additionally, we kept notes on how they faired after daily use, examining them right before washing. Some fabrics and fibers deal with odor better than others, and even if our testing wasn't always pleasant, it was informative.

Wool fabrics are naturally odor-resistant, which is the reason why wool bottoms on our list come out on top of the proverbial laundry pile. Wool has a naturally occurring coating called lanolin, which is antimicrobial and thus helps to prevent body odor from building up. Although synthetics dry the fastest of the common fabrics, wool tends to dry faster than cotton. The Smartwool's Men's Merino Boxer Brief and Active Merino are both excellent choices from our lineup.

Synthetic fabrics can be a mixed bag, as different fabrics can have wildly different characteristics. Broadly speaking, nylon holds onto less stink over the long run than polyester. Anti-odor treatments are available and often employed, but they can add cost and may wear out over time. A synthetic standout includes the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0, which features wicking, fast-drying nylon fabric with an anti-odor treatment baked into the fabric. For long hours during crunch time in the office or to wear on a long hike very far from it, these are an excellent choice.

A few pairs of premium briefs – the Saxx Vibe, Tommy John Second Skin shorts – represent a sort of a middle ground for odor control. They are made with a fabric blend that includes either viscose or modal, which might be considered semi-synthetic fabrics. Both come from the cellulose of a woody plant (bamboo and beech trees, respectively) and are then put through a complex chemical and industrial process to spin it into fiber. These fabrics tend to be slightly less oleophilic than classic synthetics but aren't nearly as good at warding off odor as natural fibers. The Bamboo Cool represent a budget choice for those who would like to experiment with Bamboo Viscose/semi synthetic bottoms.

Cotton boxer briefs will usually garner only mediocre anti-odor qualities, but we would stick with ones that dry the fastest, like the Champion Every Day Comfort Stretch, Fruit of the Loom Eversoft CoolZone Fly Boxer, and Under Armour UA Performance Cotton 6". Odors will have a harder time establishing themselves in your hamper if the environment is less swampy.

9.07.09.09.0REASONS TO BUYREASONS TO AVOIDSPECIFICATIONSActive MerinoExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0Under Armour UA Performance Cotton 6" Boxerjock8.05.09.08.0REASONS TO BUYREASONS TO AVOIDSPECIFICATIONSGive-N-GosSaxx VibeSmartwool Active MerinoGive-N-Go or Give-N-Go Sport Mesh?Give-N-Go 2.08.06.08.06.0REASONS TO BUYREASONS TO AVOIDSPECIFICATIONSUnder Armour BoxerjocksChampion Every Day Comfort Stretch 3-PackHanes ComfortFlex8.08.08.07.0REASONS TO BUYREASONS TO AVOIDSPECIFICATIONSExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0Columbia Performance7.07.06.07.0REASONS TO BUYREASONS TO AVOIDSPECIFICATIONSHanes ComfortFlexComfortFlexColumbia Performance Cotton Stretch9.08.08.05.0REASONS TO BUYREASONS TO AVOIDSPECIFICATIONSVibefour rating metricsColumbia Performance CottonExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0Smartwool Men's Merino Boxer BriefActive MerinoActive MerinoMerino Boxer BriefSaxx VibeExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0Tommy John Second SkinColumbia Performance Cotton StretchNew Balance 6" Fly FrontFruit of the Loom Eversoft CoolZone Fly BoxerUnder Armour UA Performance Cotton 6" BoxerjockBamboo CoolTommy John Second SkinSaxx VibeSmartwool Men's Merino Boxer BriefColumbia PerformanceActive MerinoMen's Merino Boxer BriefExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0Tommy John Second SkinMen's Merino Boxer BriefActive MerinoExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0Saxx VibeTommy John Second SkinBamboo CoolChampion Every Day Comfort StretchUnder Armour UA Performance Cotton 6"