Briefs are the most supportive but can sometimes feel restrictive. Briefs and even boxer briefs with the more traditional vertical fold-over fly tend to offer the most easy access in that regard.įit and support: Style, materials, and construction are all directly correlated to how a pair of underwear will fit, the level of support it offers, and how well it will stay put as you move. I tend to avoid the button fly, which usually shows up on boxers and which I’ve mostly found to be a nuisance despite being secure, it adds a tedious extra step to using the bathroom, and I feel like I’m standing at the urinal for longer than necessary. The style of the fly can also vary the most common versions are a traditional vertical fold-over fly, a button fly, and a horizontal fold-over fly that is supposed to feel more secure. Most of the brands we’ve recommended below do have a fly, but a few no-fly designs have gained popularity among men who prefer slim-cut or skinny pants. We also looked at how men’s underwear is constructed - inspecting the seams and where they’re placed, how the waistband is built, and the style of the fly if there is one. Cotton is often blended with spandex or other synthetic fibers to add stretch, and performance underwear that’s designed to be worn for sports or during workouts is sometimes made with a mixture of nylon or spandex, which help it keep its shape, regulate body temperature, and dry quickly after exercise. Cotton is sturdy, breathable, and soft, which makes it well suited to everyday wear. Materials and construction: Most men’s underwear is made of cotton or a cotton blend. A fourth, less common style is trunks, which are something of a middle ground between briefs and boxer briefs they’re essentially boxer briefs with shorter leg lengths. They were created in the early 1990s by designer John Varvatos, who cut the legs off a pair of long johns, and they went on to become one of the most popular styles of men’s underwear. And the straightforwardly named boxer briefs are a hybrid style that combines the snug fit of briefs with the longer length of boxers. Boxers - which look more like regular shorts, as famously worn by legendary television character Tony Soprano - offer a more generous “boxy” silhouette and an average inseam of four to six inches. the “tighty whities” style famously worn by legendary television character Walter White - have a more snug fit and are cut to only cover your butt without extending to your legs. Style: There are three main styles of men’s underwear, and they are predominantly defined by how each one is designed to fit. Below, I’ve found the best options in all categories based on fit, feel, and style by talking to stylists, fitness professionals, and other discerning and active men about the underwear they like best.īest overall boxer briefs | Best ultrathin boxer briefs | Best designer multipack boxer briefs | Best less expensive multipack boxer briefs | Best performance boxer briefs | Best overall boxers | Best less expensive boxers | Best overall trunks | Best overall briefs Because the nature of underwear makes it difficult to return if you don’t like how it fits, thinking about which length, style, and level of support you need is key to avoiding wedgies and the urge to constantly adjust your underwear.

I’m not here to settle the great brief-versus-boxer debate which cut you prefer will always be a matter of preference.

But those words mean different things for different people. Much like socks, the best men’s underwear should be comfortable, durable, and stylish. Trying to label a pair of underwear “the best” is a near-impossible task.

Best boxer briefs