Boxers, Briefs, Bikinis

Reviewed by LoneStranger

Smartwool brings Merino magic with their Boxer Brief. Comfortable, functional, and surprisingly durable these are great for any sort of hiking or backpacking, but especially useful on extended trips when you appreciate the no-stink qualities of good wool.

  . I have had great experience in the past with Smartwool products having enjoyed their socks and insulating layers. When the chance came up to test their Merino Boxer Brief I had high expectations. Made with a Merino/nylon blend, 150g weight material in a Slim Fit style, they looked and felt great from the start. After a grueling season on trail, including a month-long thru hike of Vermont's Long Trail, I have to admit I liked them even more than I expected heh. Let's get into these briefs...I mean talking about them.

Read more: Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief review (1)

Featured review by KiwiKlimber

These might replace every pair of underwear you own. Okay, maybe not at $25 a pair, but they are comfortable, lightweight, incredibly fast at wicking away moisture and quick drying. Yep, they are that good.

When I purchased my first pair of these in 2009, I would have said $25 is rather expensive for a pair of underwear and would have listed that as a con. Today, as I see other performance underwear being sold for $30-$50, I realize that $25 is reasonable and well worth the investment. If you're a briefs kind-of-guy, they are slightly cheaper ($20).  USE: I first bought them because I was bike commuting 8 miles each day in the summer heat and preferred to be dry upon arriving to work. Since then, I have purchased a few more pairs (three in all) and have used for multi-day and day hikes, fishing, hunting, swimming, and just everyday use.  THE TEST: These underwear really proved their worth to me when I visited the tropical rainforest island of...

Read more: ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Brief reviews (9)

Reviewed by Badass Outdoors

Worn for seven days straight on a canoe trip in Northern Maine during variable weather in august!!! Amazing!!!

We outdoor industry dedicatees remember the Ex Officio campaign claiming that their underwear could take you around the world and beyond. That their undies are so great that with a simple weekly sink washing whenever you happen into a hostel your drawers will smell of roses and no crotch rot will ever inhibit your adventuring. As is my way, I put them to the test.  They were good, I’ll admit. But no matter how many quick rinses in hotel showers or mountain lakes there was always a bit of an overarching stank after day four that never really went away (and still hasn’t).

Read more: Minus33 Acadian Lightweight Boxer Brief review (1)

Reviewed by JerseyWreckDiver

As near perfect as can be. Great fit, ideal support that's typically difficult to find, the moisture management of Merino wool and as comfortable as can be. I've bought four more pairs since the first ones cause I never want to wear cotton underwear again. Highly recommended, but you may have to raid the piggy bank.

I'm 5'9", 180ish pounds with a typically 32 inch waist and a muscular physique. The mediums were a perfect fit. At the risk of bragging, I typically have a difficult time finding briefs that provide adequate support and in that category, boxers or so called, boxer briefs — asinine idea..., are really out of the question.  Hey, some women need that four or five clasp bra, I need drawers that provide support. Sorry for the TMI but there is nothing worse than being uncomfortable in that area.

Read more: Icebreaker Anatomica Brief review (1)

Reviewed by David Link

Super comfortable undies, which will help you stay sweet smelling for days, with no chafing.

Yeah, I'm reviewing underwear. Being a big Merino fan, I decided it was time to take the final step towards full commitment, by going right down to the basics. I decided to give these a try.   Fit: The overall fit is good. I'd read a couple of reviews criticizing the extra wide waistband, but in my opinion, it makes them much more stable and keeps them in place better than other briefs I've used. I like a nice supportive fit, and these totally fit the bill. The flat seams never chafe, even after a long day of hiking.

Read more: Smartwool Merino Sport 150 Brief review (1)

Featured review by Phil Smith

The ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer is an excellent choice for activities in hot, humid weather. The technical fabric wicks away moisture, helping you feel cooler, and dries quicker than cotton underwear so you're not left with damp, sticky boxers at your destination. They can be hand washed, and dry quickly so you really can get by with just two pairs.

I'm slowly but surely getting around to replacing all my old-school clothing for warm-weather outdoor activities with modern, technical gear—no more soaked cotton T-shirts or cargo pants for me! Strangely enough, I saved the first thing you put on till last. Underwear, that is. While browsing SAC a couple weeks ago I saw two or three brands of moisture-wicking boxers on sale, and after reading more underwear reviews than I ever would have thought existed I decided to go with ExOfficio's Give-N-Go Boxer.  The first thing you notice when you put them on is that they're very smooth and satiny.

Read more: ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer reviews (2)

Reviewed by Dan Fogel

These are my first foray into a wind boxer vs. a wind brief. Works great under loose pants or tights.

If you run in the winter, and let's face it, you do, or you wouldn't be reading this, and you are a man, you need wind protection upfront.  I have worn wind briefs for as many years as I have been running outside.  Lately, I have noticed uncomfortable chafing (not that there is another kind) from the briefs I was wearing under tights and loose fit running pants. A boxer seemed to be the solution.  I got these recently and have done a run of 9 miles and one of 6 miles in these in temps of 15°F with a strong wind.  The wind protection did its job perfectly.  The shorts fit like a bike short without the chamois, so very snug at the legs, but not on the order of compression shorts.  They have been perfect with no chafing.

Read more: SportHill Northwind Unders review (1)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

Close-fitting as a boxer brief intended for active use should be, the Enigma Boxer Briefs feel good, wick extremely well, and appear to be durable. This is mostly-nylon with 12 percent merino wool. It's quite stretchy and performs more like nylon than wool. Though the fabric is thin, it seems like it should last. Mixing in wool helps blunt the odor factor, too.

HOW THEY FIT The Enigma Boxer Brief is a relatively short (6 1/2 inch inseam) and stretchy boxer made from the same material as Outdoor Research's Enigma Half Zip Top and Enigma Bottom long johns, which I also reviewed. They're 88 percent nylon and 12 percent merino wool. The material is quite stretchy, so they fit kind of like a second skin. The "legs" don't ride up at all, and the waistband doesn't ride down. Basically, they do what they are supposed to do for something intended for active use—it's a close-fitting athletic boxer/brief that will fit pretty much anyone.

Read more: Outdoor Research Enigma Boxer Briefs review (1)

Reviewed by Herdingcats

Let's talk about my underwear. Awkward, right? OK, let's talk about chaffing. Yea, not any better is it? On the other hand, there really isn't a lot of information available on this touchy and very important subject. So guys, here's my effort to weigh in on the subject with an outstanding option to help solve the issue.

Summary:  The Adidas flex360 Sport Performance Boxer Brief is comfortable and highly functional as it flexes to your body shape while (1) providing proper male athletic support, (2) providing protection from chaffing, (3) providing outstanding breathability / moisture control, and (4) they are easy to clean / dry in the field. I've said goodbye to Desitin and Bodyglide forever. First, the basics.   Material:  Polyester/spandex Fabric Cut and identifying this model:  It looks like there are two models of the flex360 line.

Read more: Adidas Sport Performance Flex 360 Boxer Brief review (1)

Reviewed by Gary Leatham

Long inseam briefs have made a huge difference for me in stopping inner leg chaffing, in rough terrain requiring leg lifting and plunging over obstacles. Half (or less) the cost of equivalent Under Armour and ExOfficio options, and highly durable, these have become my standard "go-to" gear.

Ever have a hike, with unexpectedly rough terrain that resulted in chaffing in the upper, inner thigh area? Unfortunately I have experienced this once to the degree that bandages were needed for a week afterwards. Rubbed off the outer layer of skin, making 1.5" dual circles of pure torture. One of the most uncomfortable experiences that I can remember. This occurred on a day hike. The consequences could have been also dangerous from ridk of infections, had this occurred the first day of a backpacking trip (see BodyGlide Anti-Chafe review for details ...

Read more: New Balance Performance Underwear 9 Inch Inseam Boxer Brief review (1)