Boxers or briefs?
We don’t mean to pry, but underwear is one of the essential items of clothing a man owns.
Hoping that you wear them daily, having good, quality pairs of underpants is necessary throughout the week.
Whether you love fitted briefs from lululemon or a looser boxer from Hanes that helps you stay cool and comfortable (like your pajamas) in the warmer months, we have you covered — no pun intended.
Our top picks, at a glance:
- Best overall: Mack Weldon
- Best designed: Shinesty
- Best thermal: Fruit of the Loom
- Most affordable: Fabletics
- Best briefs: Bombas
- Best boxer briefs: Calvin Kleins
- Best boxers: Hanes
- Best trunks: Saxx
- Most versatile: Tommy John
- Best designer: Versace
We tracked down the best brands to shop, as well as gave some of our favorite picks based off reviews, design and fit.
Read on for suggestions for some new skivvies, and then get ready to do a no-pants dance in your underwear sans holes and stains for 2024.
Shopping for women’s underwear as well? We have an article on that, too.
Best Men’s Underwear Brands
Best Overall: Mack Weldon
Pros
- A wide selection of styles
- Rave reviews
- Build-A-Pack option
Cons
- Packs can be slightly pricier, but the quality makes them worth it!
These high-tech and high-performance undies are made for all-day wear. The Mack Weldon brand is known for quality, helping your underwear last for longer, not only day-to-day but for their lifespan, unlike brands that get rips and tears too easily. Shop a la carte or build your own pack now. If you’re not sure which one to grab, we recommend the 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Brief ($28). It has more than 9,000 reviews, is a bestseller, and is designed to be budge-proof. More importantly, they’re soft, tag-free, and have a no roll waistband, which you’ll appreciate when you’re at work or working out at the gym.
Best Designed: Shinesty
Pros
- Available in seven different cuts
- Supportive pouch
- Sizings that go up to 5XL
Cons
- None that we’ve found
Underwear is the foundation of your wardrobe, so it’s important to select a brand that holds up wear after wear. The Red Ball Hammock Pouch Underwear With Fly ($28) from Shinesty has an inner sack to support your dynamic duo and keep them off your legs. Available in a variety of styles, such as brief, trunks and cooling, each are made with moisture-wicking and breathable, anti-bunching material and come in a variety of colors. They’re also “enhancing,” if you catch our drift, so don’t be afraid to show them off. Thousands of folks give them rave reviews.
Best Thermal: Fruit of the Loom
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Lots of different styles
Cons
- Durability could be stronger
If you’re searching thermal underwear for men, turn no further than Fruit of the Loom. The affordable brand is one to know, whether you like briefs, boxers or something in between, including skivvies for winter. We’re particularly fond of the Recycled Waffle Thermal Underwear Set. Along with including a top, the machine-washable thermals are warm, soft and thin enough to wear easily beneath jeans or pants.
Most Affordable: Fabletics
Pros
- Affordable if you’re a Fabletics VIP
- Lots of different designs and colors
- Quick drying, moisture-wicking fabric
Cons
- Best deals are for VIP members, which is annoying if you don’t want another subscription service
If you’re searching for the best place to buy men’s underwear, Fabletics is the place for you. Offering cotton, breathable, anti-stink options, there’s something for everyone. We love the 24-Hour Boxer Brief, which has incredible reviews. The men’s underwear offers UPF protection, comfy four-way stretch, and is also made of quick drying fabric — great for workout days! They’re available in a variety of colors, too, and are only $20.
Best Briefs: Bombas
Pros
- For every pair of underwear purchased, Bombas donates a pair!
- Breathable fabric
- Tagless designs
Cons
- May run small, so size up!
Put your booty in a pair of Bombas and never turn back. The basics brand offers a variety of cuts and styles, with an inclusive range of sizing too. Shop from a small to a 3XL in most styles, including active boxer briefs and cotton boxers. And if you’re looking for briefs, check out the Cotton Modal Blend ($24). Part of their material comes from tree pulp, which sounds weird, but is actually a way to keep the underwear durable. The briefs are also soft, light enough for air to pass through, and come in an assortment of colors.
Best Boxer Briefs: Calvin Klein
Pros
- Classic look
- A variety of value packs on Amazon
- Great reviews
Cons
- We wish there were more performance options
Nobody comes between you and what? The brand’s sexy men’s underwear ads aside, we like Calvin Klein when we want affordable luxury. Although there are better picks if you need something to take you through HIIT or a long hike, the Microfiber Boxer Briefs ($37) are ideal for daily wear. They’re stretchy, made of 95% cotton and have a flexible waistband for comfort. Best of all, if you grab them from Amazon, you can enjoy three in a pack!
Best Boxers: Hanes
Pros
- More than 100,000 ratings on Amazon
- Comfortable and airy
- A variety of value packs
- Affordable
Cons
- Not a huge con, but prepare to replace after a year or two
“Comfort for All” is Hanes’s mission, and we think the mission is accomplished with the variety of men’s underwear offered by the brand, especially when boxers are concerned. Our favorite option? The Tagless Boxers ($18). They offer just enough room in the leg area, and are lightweight and breezy as can be. Their Cool Comfort Technology makes them moisture-wicking, and they’re also soft. Best of all, the undies are cheap, with a pack of five (shown above) coming in at less than $20!
Best Trunks: Saxx
Pros
- Lightweight
- A supportive pouch
- Fitted cut with a relaxed feel
Cons
- We wish there were more reviews on the Saxx website, but the underwear does have a 4.5 rating
No, this isn’t the department store Sak’s. This is Saxx, the underwear brand designed with the male anatomy in mind. Each pair has its patented “BallPark Pouch” to help protect the contents of your undies while also having a fun and flattering pattern or design. For a snug fit that doesn’t feel too tight, go for the Non-Stop Stretch Cotton Trunks ($25). Along with being soft, stretchy and moisture-wicking, the trunks are OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified. Sizes are available from XS-XXL, and there are three color options to choose from.
Most Versatile: Tommy John
Pros
- Underwear that’s shoppable by length
- Variety packs
- Durable
Cons
- Underwear packs can be pricy
What length do you prefer when it comes to inseam? Tommy John has something for you no matter the answer, allowing you to shop by style from longer 8-inch boxer briefs and six-inch boxers to short 2-inch square cut underwear and 0-inch briefs. A great option if you’re tall, short or average size, you’re sure to find your perfect fit. Our pick? The Second Skin Trunk 4 Inch Three-Pack ($81). They’re pricier than we’d like. However, they’re supportive, soft and designed to not pill or get fuzzy with washing. They also have a stay-still waistband and are tagless for an itch-free wearing experience.
Best Designer: Versace
Pros
- Luxury look and feel
- Luxe materials like organic cotton
Cons
- An investment
- Needs to be hand washed
Want to feel like a million bucks? Start with your underwear. We’ll take this two-pack set from Versace, which is made with stretchy organic cotton, and feature’s the designer’s iconic logo on the waistband. We don’t love that it needs to be hand washed or the close to $200 price tag. On the plus, the men’s underwear is gorgeous, will last with the correct care and impress whomever is lucky enough to see you in them.
Best Athletic: lululemon
Pros
- Moisture-wicking fabric
- Supportive but stretchy
- Color options
Cons
- A little pricer
Don’t sweat it; these are great for all activities. The athletic underwear from lululemon is ideal for comfort and style, with each option built for every aspect of your day. The Always in Motion Long Boxer Brief Three-Pack is a perfect everyday brief. Made to withstand sweat like no other, they’ll take you through squats, afternoon runs and long days in an overheated office while keeping skin dry. Featuring four-way stretch and ultra soft, go for the 7 inch, which provides extra leg coverage and an ergonomic pouch for roomy but supportive comfort.
Which type of underwear is best for men’s health?
Believe it or not, there’s not a tremendous amount of recent studies regarding men’s health and their underwear. However, there has been evidence to show that the looser the undergarments, the better it is for one’s sperm count.
In a 2018 study published in Human Reproduction, researchers found that of the 656 male participants who wore boxers (roughly 25%), had a higher sperm concentration than those who didn’t. While some believe this may have to do with briefs causing a higher body temperature because they sit against the skin, more research needs to be done to know for sure.
If you do prefer a looser fit underwear, brands like Hanes are one of our favorite picks. Along with being affordable, its boxers offer lots of airy room, are moisture-wicking and feature a comfortable waistband.
Which underwear brand is best for men?
Everyone has their own preference when it comes to underwear.
Fit, support, style are just three things that come to mind when we were determining the best. Our favorite pick overall? Mack Waldon, which offers undergarments in a variety of styles, including briefs, boxers and the ever popular boxer briefs.
The brand has incredible reviews, and adds roomy but supportive pouches to all their designs. We also love the soft material that they work with. What more could you want in a pair of tighty whities?
Other brands we love include:
Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.