What to consider when purchasing underwear?
Best Men’s Underwear that is AMAZINGLY Comfortable!
Guys don’t generally like to talk about underwear. “Hey, man, what’s your choice of undies and why?” isn’t a question typically asked within a group of men enjoying a drink together.
But underwear is important, as most men know – after all, it’s the first thing many of us put on to start the day – and we want to begin the conversation with the following piece on the best underwear for men.
BEFORE YOU BUY: 6 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING UNDERWEAR
If you’re like most men, buying underwear isn’t high on your priority list. Perhaps you buy the same type you always buy, or you ask for underwear as a Christmas gift (hopefully, there are far more exciting things on your gift list).
That’s not to say an underwear shopping trip needs to take a ton of time or has to be pure drudgery. With the following underwear buying tips, you can save yourself the hassle of deciding what types and brands are best for you, while perhaps expanding your horizons and branching out into different underwear. The sky’s the limit, gents.
- FIRST AND FOREMOST, GET THE RIGHT FIT
You understand how important fit is if you’ve ever bought underwear that’s too tight or too loose. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of walking around in underwear with a vice-like grip, for example. All that said, check sizes for every specific brand, which should provide sizing charts that correspond with your waist size.
A fit that’s too tight will make your love handles even more prominent while also squeezing your junk way beyond what’s comfortable. A size that’s too big can gives you the saggy ass look. Either way, you’ll spend far too much of your day adjusting your skivvies.
Generally, underwear – whether boxers, briefs, or whatever – come in small (for waists between 28 and 30 inches), medium (32-34), and large (36-38) sizes. Look for extra-large sizes if your waist is larger than 38.
The thing with the fit is this: the best underwear for you is the type or brand that you don’t notice throughout your day. They feel comfortable, and you don’t spend any time adjusting them to make them more comfortable.
- DECIDE WHAT FABRIC YOU PREFER
Common materials used to make underwear include cotton, nylon, silk, spandex, and Lycra. Cotton underwear is the choice of many men because it’s breathable, it keeps irritation to a minimum, and it’s durable. Plus, cotton is usually more affordable than other fabrics used to make underwear.
Note: Where you live may determine what type of underwear fabric you choose, i.e., cotton is a good choice for warmer climates, because of its breathability, while wool blends, Lycra, and even flannel provide extra warmth when the temperature plummets.
- THE STYLE OF UNDERWEAR
We’ll delve deeper into the styles and types of underwear later in the post, but you have plenty of options from which to choose. Among the most popular styles are:
Briefs
Boxers
Boxer briefs
Thongs
- THE BRAND
Many men are loyal to a certain brand of underwear, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Others don’t pay much attention to the brand and grab the first brand off the shelf that appeals to them. There’s no wrong or right way when choosing a brand of underwear, but our advice is always to be open to trying different brands. Who knows, you may find that your trusted ol’ brand isn’t quite as comfortable as another brand or style.
- BUY AGE-APPROPRIATE UNDERWEAR
Not that we ever advocate “boring,” but simple, classic styles become more appropriate as you mature. You still can wear flashy or even funny designs, but there’s nothing wrong with acting your age, either. True, the chances are good that your work colleagues won’t notice that you’re wearing underwear which features your favorite superhero, but still … it never hurts to strive for a bit of sophistication.
- COLORS
You won’t have much trouble finding underwear in your favorite color, because they come in a wide variety of hues, patterns, and designs. The traditional underwear colors are white, black, blue, and grey.
WHY THERE’S MORE TO WEARING UNDERWEAR THAN YOU MIGHT THINK
A healthy dose of self-honesty is not a bad thing to have on your side as you figure out what type of underwear best fits you and how to wear them. There’s more to wearing underwear than picking a brand, style, or design you like and slapping them on first thing in the morning.
If you want to wear a thong or bikini brief, more power to you. We just hope you get the reaction you intended and not otherwise.
- ‘BACK TO THE BASICS’ RULE
It’s worth repeating: the best pair of underwear is the one you barely notice during the day. If you feel any pinching, chafing, or itching in your nether regions, the chances are good that your underwear isn’t right for you – and most likely the wrong fit.
- FOLLOW PROPER UNDERWEAR ETIQUETTE
Your mother told you long ago never to wear dirty underwear, and she was a wise woman. Proper underwear etiquette says just that, and a whole lot more, such as tossing out old underwear when it’s time. Even if you have a lucky pair that’s graying, ripped, or gross, it’s time to toss those bad boys out and find another talisman. Always change your underwear every day, or more than once a day, if you go to the gym frequently or work in an environment in which you sweat a lot.
- BOXERS CAN HIDE YOUR FLAWS
We’re men. We age. That six-pack of abs we chiseled out in our 20s is a bit (or a lot) less defined. Even our sack can start to hang low. That’s why boxers are your friend, brother: they hide your flaws better than other types of underwear. A tight pair of boxer briefs may look good in some ways but perhaps doesn’t pair as well with a beer belly and a somewhat sagging ass.
- WEAR BRIEFS IF YOU CAN SWING IT
OK, maybe not “swing it,” so to speak, but briefs are a good fit for men who are a bit more endowed than others, although endowment doesn’t rate higher than comfort when choosing a pair of underwear. There’s no hiding your junk with a pair of tighty whities – or whatever type you choose.
However, regular briefs have a tighter fit than regular boxers and show more leg, so don’t be afraid to show off those thigh muscles with a pair of briefs. Briefs also work better for men with smaller buttocks, because of a cut that leaves less material in the back of the briefs.
- A FEW MORE THOUGHTS ON WEARING BOXERS
Boxers aren’t the best option if you often wear suit pants or slim jeans because the extra fabric can bunch up and become noticeable in pants that are more form-fitting than others. The good news, however, is that many brands and designers now offer shorter, slimmer-cut boxers with a stretch waistband.
Boxers also make for good sleepwear, because of how they fit and their breathability, but be sure that they don’t bunch up when you inevitably toss and turn during your slumber. However, boxers don’t make for good workout underwear, because they don’t offer the same kind of support as briefs and boxer briefs.
Last but not least, boxers are your best choice for when you and your wife or significant other plans to have children. The tighter fit of regular and boxer briefs increases the temperature of the testicles, which negatively affects sperm quality.
- WHEN AND HOW TO WEAR BOXER BRIEFS
Boxer briefs represent versatility and are what many, many modern men choose to wear. They’re not as revealing as briefs but offer the same kind of support and have a leg that can fit from mid- to low-thigh. You do have to be careful of them bunching up, although not to the same degree as you do with boxers.
The higher waistband of boxer briefs makes them suitable for taller men whose pants may slip down below the trouser line when bending over. They also have more material than regular briefs, which means men with larger posteriors can wear them comfortably.
- WHO SHOULD WEAR TRUNKS?
Trunks, the shorter (in the leg) version of boxer briefs, fit flush to the skin but with plenty of stretch, which helps to make them ideal for slimmer men. They also sit lower on the hips, meaning they’re also good for men with gym-honed bodies. Make sure that the legs of your trunks don’t ride up as you walk.
- WHEN AND HOW TO WEAR SKIMPYWEAR
We’re not here to tell you what to do, which is why we’ll never say “never” regarding thongs, G-strings, man bikinis, and the like. If you feel the urge, whether you have a good reason or not, go for it.
But do keep in mind a couple of things: 1) G-strings, thongs, etc. are more of a novelty than anything else. That makes them more effective for certain situations (i.e., dancing with the Chippendales) than for daily use. Save them for special occasions.
Secondly, remember that the rear of thongs and G-strings doesn’t cover even a fraction of an inch of your backside. That can be embarrassing when you bend over and increases the chances of getting a good, old-fashioned wedgie – not that there’s anything “good” about it.
Also, don’t wear the skimpy stuff when working out. While it does offer some support, you’re better off wearing boxer briefs or a jockstrap when hitting it hard at the gym.
WHAT’S YOUR CHOICE FOR DOWN UNDER? A GUIDE TO DIFFERENT UNDERWEAR TYPES
Briefs, boxer briefs, trunks, G-strings – you name it, and there’s an underwear type that fits your needs, desires, whims, occasion, etc. Let’s break things down by men’s underwear type while helping you to decide which type is right for you.
THE HUMBLE, YET STILL ROCKING, BRIEF
Most men have worn briefs at some point, and many continue to wear them today. They’re the classic, standard, run-of-the-mill underwear that covers your man jewels and ass (literally!). They leave the upper thigh exposed and are comfortable with just about anything you wear over them. They offer plenty of support without using the excess fabric of boxer briefs, boxers, or trunks, all of which we’ll talk about in a bit.
Briefs come in a variety of styles, including low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise briefs. An underwear’s “rise” refers to where it rests on a man’s waistline. Mid-rise briefs rest at the natural waistline, for example. High-rise briefs, in which the waistband rests not far below the navel, are best worn with high-waisted pants – it only makes sense.
Briefs look great if you have a good body and allow you to show off the entire package while keeping it concealed. You can even buy briefs that, ahem, enhance your rig to make it look even more impressive. Briefs on heavier men, or men with wide hips, can bring unwanted attention to the man’s weight or hip size.
BOXERS: THE CHOICE OF MANY MEN
Are you a briefs or boxers type of guy? That’s a common question because boxers and briefs are the two most popular types of men’s underwear. Inspired by the loose boxing trunks worn by…drum roll…boxers, boxer shorts fit more loosely on the skin than briefs and don’t have the elasticized leg openings that keep the fabric tight against the leg.
Boxers are ideal for bigger men who are fit and muscular. If you have skinny chicken legs, then boxers may not be for you, because they’ll draw further attention to your thin lower limbs.
The name says it all, i.e., boxer briefs combine the elements of briefs and boxers into a type of underwear that’s very popular among today’s men. Boxer briefs have the tighter fit of briefs (because of Lycra or another fiber added to their fabric) plus the shape of boxers.
Boxer briefs offer a best-of-all-worlds scenario in that there’s extra fabric to cover the thigh area, while you get the kind of man-junk support that briefs provide. They’re not too tight or too loose, which makes them the choice of many men.
TRUNKS, BUT NOT SWIMMING TRUNKS
“Trunks” refer to a type of underwear that’s not quite boxer briefs but close, if that makes sense. They’re smaller and fit closer to the body than boxer briefs and generally have less fabric and a smaller waistband. They do work well for men with wide hips – better than regular briefs, that is – and they usually don’t lose their elasticity for a long time. Another advantage of wearing trunks is that they provide a happy medium between briefs and boxer briefs in that they don’t move around (i.e., bunch up) when you do. If you’re prone to wedgies, you may want to give trunks a try.
THE JOCKSTRAP: KEEPING THINGS IN PLACE FOR OVER TWO CENTURIES
Support is what it’s all about when discussing the common jockstrap. Invented in 1874 by an American who wanted to provide support and comfort to bicycle messengers, the jock holds a man’s genitals in place while allowing for more freedom of movement, because it contains far less fabric than briefs, boxers, and boxer briefs. The typical jockstrap also leaves you bare-assed, which, hey, helps keep you cooler underneath, if nothing else.
Basically, a jockstrap consists of a pouch, a waistband, and straps that go over your legs, and it has come a long way from its original design – which still exists, mind you – as various brands now produce jock briefs and jock boxers. They provide the coverage and comfort briefs and boxers have to offer while still keeping things breathable for your rear end.
Some jockstraps can add a protective cup to provide a further safeguard for your rig – always a good thing when playing sports where an errant ball or kick can bring you to your knees with a pain only men understand.
STAY WARM AND COMFY WITH LONG UNDERWEAR
Also known as “thermal” underwear, long underwear is a simple but effective way of protecting your body from cold weather. It regulates your body temperature, helps to keep you warm and dry, while, in some brands, wicks moisture away from the body.
Tired of turning up the heat in your home because it’s too hard to keep warm in the winter? Instead, don a pair of thermal underwear and save a few dollars on your energy bill.
Long underwear consists of many fabric types, including cotton, wool, silk, and synthetic blends. Cotton is comfortable but retains moisture and can leave you feeling a bit clammy underneath. Silk is the lightest option and has a wonderfully soft texture, but it wicks water away more slowly than some other fabrics.
Thermal underwear made from synthetic fabric is the choice of many men today and ideal for extremely cold conditions. They help to wick water away from the skin while retaining heat.
The primary reason most men buy long underwear is for its warmth, and the weight of the fabric determines the amount of warmth a pair of thermal underwear provides.
Long underwear comes in two styles: a one-piece thermal underwear “suit” or as a separate pant or top. In any case, you’ll find thermal underwear that fit loose or more tightly.
BIKINI BRIEFS: NOT NECESSARILY AN EVERYDAY PAIR OF UNDERWEAR
Some underwear experts argue that bikini briefs are more of a novelty than a type of underwear that men should wear daily. Why? Because they’re not suitable for all of your activities, including working out and other strenuous endeavors.
Bikini briefs, just like a woman’s bikini, don’t cover a whole helluva lot. They’re skimpy yet do offer some support and comfort. Many men use them as nightwear, but perhaps the best uses for men’s bikinis are those potential romantic and amorous evenings filled with promise.
HOW WE CHOSE OUR BEST UNDERWEAR FOR MEN
There’s more to underwear than meets the eye. True, it has to provide support and protection for your most valuable parts, but it also has to fit and feel good, last a long time, and even provide some eye candy to your significant other.
We chose the underwear above as our best of 2020 for reasons such as those mentioned above: comfort, support. We also tried to give a variety of choices, based on the various men’s underwear types: briefs, boxer briefs, thermal underwear, trunks, etc.