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16 Best Moisture Wicking Underwear Options for Active Men

By Andrew Peloquin  |  Updated March 22, 2024

16 Best Moisture Wicking Underwear Options for Active Men
Courtesy of Unbound Merino

Your underwear can make or break your day—and I do mean that literally. The wrong pair of underwear gets all bunched up, soggy, and smelly over a long day. The right pair of underwear, though, stays cool, dry, and comfortable no matter what you do.

Run, walk, cycle, paddle, hike, lift, box, or work—a good pair of moisture wicking underwear will be worth its weight in gold.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
  • The best underwear for sports are moisture wicking. Because you’re expecting to sweat (a lot, in my case), you want a pair of underwear that will keep your nethers cool and dry over long hours of athletic activity. 
  • Good moisture wicking underwear can be natural, too. Though most moisture wicking underwear will be made with synthetic fabric, some natural fabrics like wool and bamboo are just as effective at pulling sweat from your skin.
  • Moisture wicking underwear is good for your “junk” health. Dermatologists agree that keeping your downstairs dry is crucial for preventing itching, rashes and inflammation. 

Best Overall Moisture Wicking Underwear

Proof 72-Hour Merino Boxer Briefs

Why did I choose it?

The all-natural Merino wool fabric is soft, comfortable, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and does a great job of preventing odor and bacteria. These premium boxers are built to wear for up to 72 hours at a time (if that’s absolutely necessary).


Best Merino Wool Underwear
Unbound Merino Boxer Briefs

Most Supportive Underwear
Lululemon Always In Motion Boxer

Best Budget-friendly Underwear
Under Armour Tech 6-inch Boxerjock

Super Cheap, Yet Effective
Hanes Cool Dri Moisture-Wicking Underwear

Best Underwear for Runners
Tracksmith Brighton Boxer Briefs


Best Overall Moisture Wicking Underwear

Proof 72-Hour Merino Boxer Briefs


$45
 

Yes, these underwear (technically) can keep you cool, dry and odor-free for a whopping 72 hours.

The New Zealand Merino wool does an amazing job of wicking away sweat and preventing chafing, and it’s blended with just enough nylon to be incredibly durable and enough Spandex to stretch and flex with you.

They’re also insanely light and roll down small, so you can pack them for any weekend getaway, camping trip, or road trip.

Technical performance meets comfort and style in a pair of underwear you just can’t help but love.

Fabric: 77% 17.5-micron merino wool, 16% nylon, 7% spandex





Best Merino Wool Underwear

Unbound Merino Boxer Briefs


$45
 

Merino wool makes for a truly activity-friendly fabric, thanks to its natural resilience, softness, and sweat-wicking properties.

These boxer briefs are crafted from Unbound’s signature fabric, an ultra-fine (18.5 micron) Merino wool blended with a bit of nylon and spandex to make them sturdier, stretchier, and even more effective at pulling away sweat and drying quickly.

The fabric’s natural anti-bacterial properties will keep them from smelling bad after a long day (or two) of heavy sweating, and they’re fast-drying enough that you can go from the office to an hour-long run or training session and back to work seamlessly.

Fabric: 84% merino wool, 12% nylon and 4% spandex





Most Supportive Underwear

Lululemon Always In Motion Boxer


$28
 

Lululemon builds clothing for athletes, and these boxers are no exception. The modal fabric is insanely soft, so it feels like your junk is being enveloped by a cloud. They’re naturally breathable, too, so you’ll stay cool when running long distances, doing Hot Yoga, or clinching in BJJ.

The moisture-wicking properties will prevent moisture build-up and bunching no matter what sort of exercise you’re doing. And for guys who like things to hang (or sit) just so, the built-in pouch will keep your junk securely cradled and offer excellent support.

Fabric: Modal





Best Budget-friendly Underwear

Under Armour Tech 6-inch Boxerjock


$24 / 2-pack
 

Under Armour knows how to build athlete-friendly gear, which is why they’re the best-selling sports clothing (and underwear) brand on the market right now.

These underwear are built with the high quality of manufacturing and athletic design that makes the UA such a beloved brand. Crafted from polyester with just a hint of elastane added in, they’re durable, soft, stretchy, and do an amazing job of keeping everything dry and cool.

The mesh fly panel and gusset will prevent the underwear from riding up or bunching up even if you’re wearing tight-fitting sports pants or running shorts. With no back or side seams, you can run long distances (marathon distances) without chafing. They’re also some of the best-priced underwear on our list.

Fabric: 90% Polyester, 10% Elastane





Super Cheap, Yet Effective

Hanes Cool Dri Moisture-Wicking Underwear


$15 / 6-pack
 

Hanes does something a bit different with these underwear. Rather than using only synthetic or moisture-wicking fabrics, it blends in a bit of cotton to make the underwear lightweight and ultra-comfortable.

Yes, the fact that they’re 75% cotton means they will get a bit sodden if you’re a heavy sweater. However, for your average work day when you’re sitting at a desk, commuting, and maybe hitting the gym in the afternoon, they’ll more than suffice.

You’ll also find fewer softer, more comfortable underwear, and none of the others we chose for this list are anywhere near as budget-friendly, either.

Fabric: 75% Cotton, 25% Polyester





Best Underwear for Runners

Tracksmith Brighton Boxer Briefs


$50
 

Bring a bit of style and swagger to your underwear drawer with these boxer briefs. Crafted specifically with runners in mind, these underwear are made using a fine-gauge Merino wool that is soft to the touch and do an amazing job of wicking moisture from your skin.

They’re also made seam-free so they won’t chafe or rub on your long-distance runs, marathons, or ultra-marathons. Plus, if you’re the type of guy who likes to wear ultra-tight clothing (a.k.a. skinny jeans or form-fitting chinos), these underwear are the perfect no-show choice.

Fabric: 66% Wool, 32% Nylon, 2% Elastane






Stance Performance Boxer Brief with Wholester


$35
 

Form meets function in these eye-catching, highly athlete-compatible pair of boxer briefs. Not only are they crafted from a highly durable, abrasion-resistant, moisture wicking nylon, but they feature a performance mesh that enhances breathability and speeds up drying times.

The brand’s proprietary Stance FEEL360/FreshTek eliminates odor-causing bacteria while keeping you cool and smelling fresh. Thanks to the unique patented Wholester technology, all of your important parts will be kept cradled and securely tucked in place all day long. And you’ll love the bold, striking patterns and colors available.

Fabric: Nylon “blend”






Shinesty Ball Hammock Pouch Underwear


$28
 

Look and feel your best in these ultra-comfortable moisture wicking underwear. Crafted from soft MicroModal fabric, these underwear do an amazing job of pulling moisture away from your skin, and are breathable enough that you’ll stay cool even on the hottest summer days.

The built-in pouch won’t just cradle your important bits; they’ll actually enhance their size and shape, so you can always feel confident when stripping down to your skivvies.

The four-way stretch fabric, no-itch/chafe flatlock sticking, gusseted crotch, and anti-bunching construction make them a truly guy-friendly pair of underwear.

Fabric: MicroModal






BN3TH Pro Boxer Brief


$35
 

Active guys (like me) tend to love the BN3TH Pro Boxer brief, a pair of moisture wicking underwear crafted specifically to move.

The combination of polyester and Spandex makes these just stretchy enough to stay comfortable whether you’re running, jumping, or kickboxing. Plus, they incorporate Ionic+ no stink technology that keeps them smelling fresh even after a long day of heavy sweating.

The 6.5-inch inseam is a great length for even tall guys (like me) who want a bit more coverage. They’ll never ride up or bunch up, and the flatlock seams are specifically placed to reduce chafing.

Thanks to the MyPakage Pouch Technology with Pucker Panel gusset, the underwear will conform to your body and keep all the important, delicate bits securely in place.

Fabric: 85% Polyester, 7% Ionic+™ Polyester + 8% Spandex






Smartwool Merino 150 Boxer Brief


$35
 

Smartwool combines sturdy, natural Merino wool with advanced synthetic fabrics (nylon, in this case) to produce high-tech, performance-crafted clothing.

These boxer briefs are built with your comfort in mind. Moisture-wicking, quick-drying, breathable, stretchy, and soft, they’re some of the best underwear you can wear for your next football, basketball, or baseball game.

You’ll all but forget you’re wearing them until it comes time to strip down, then you’ll be glad to have them on, because they provide ample coverage and a form-fitting look that will enhance your natural gifts.

The wide elastic waistband will keep them firmly in place through even the highest-impact exercise, and the flatlock seams will give you a no-chafe workout every time.

Fabric: 87% Merino Wool, 13% Nylon






New Balance Boxer Brief


$19 / 3-pack
 

New Balance doesn’t just make great shoes; now, they’re adding sport-friendly underwear to their line-up of products crafted specifically for the active guy.

These underwear blend polyester and Spandex to be ultra-lightweight, hyper-effective at moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and breathable like no other pair of underwear you’ve worn.

The four-way stretch fabric will move with you no matter what sport or training you’re doing, and the no-ride inseam will never bunch or ride up. Thanks to the thick, sturdy elastic waistband, “plumber’s crack” will no longer be a problem to worry about.

Fabric: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex






adidas Performance Boxer Brief Underwear


$22 / 3-pack
 

adidas is a brand well-known for building tough, reliable, sports-specific clothing and footwear, so it’s no surprise their underwear are equally excellent.

These boxer briefs combine polyester and spandex to produce a fabric that flexes with your every movement, hugs your body just the way you like it, and stays dry and cool even over a hot, sweaty summer.

The 5-inch inseam is excellent for runners who prefer a shorter length, but there’s still ample coverage for modesty’s sake and to protect your legs from chafing. For the price, you won’t find many better options.

Fabric: 91% Polyester, 9% Spandex






32 DEGREES Cool Active Mesh Quick Dry Performance Boxer Brief


$27
 

Looking to step up your sport, gym, or training wear? These bad boys will definitely be a good option to consider.

Crafted from sturdy nylon and stretchy Spandex, they manage to be soft, comfortable, and highly durable. The colors won’t bleed, run, or fade even with heavy sweating and repeated washing, and they look and feel like a much pricier pair of underwear while still staying firmly in the “budget-friendly” price range.

They’re also wonderfully light and fold down small, the perfect travel companion on your next jungle, safari, or mountain-climbing adventure.

Fabric: 88% Nylon, 12% Spandex






Free Fly Elevate Boxer Brief


$38
 

For guys who lead an active life, these are the sport-friendly, sweat-wicking underwear for you.

I love how lightweight they are—I almost forget I’m wearing boxers—and the Drirelease tech integrated into the fabric ensures it’s cool and breathable even on the hottest summer days.

I never have to worry about stink thanks to the HeiQ Fresh odor control tech integrated into these boxers, and the lightweight polyester is highly efficient at wicking away sweat so everything stays dry and fresh.

The underwear are built to move, with an elastic waistband that stays securely in place (no plumber’s crack) but flexes and twists with me when running, doing Yoga, or kickboxing. The flat seams never chafe or irritate and the full-length gusset offers great freedom of movement.

Best of all, with their five-inch inseam, they’re long enough to keep my inner thighs from chafing over a long run.

Fabric: 81% Polyester, 11% Lyocell, 8% Spandex






SAXX Underwear Co. Droptemp Cooling Mesh


$32
 

SAXX is one of my go-to brands for everyday underwear. These in particular have become some of my favorites, thanks to their relaxed fit, highly effective moisture-wicking properties, and the integration of the cooling mesh Ball Park pouch to keep my most important parts dry and securely in place.

The relaxed fit is great for athletes like me, with a four-way stretch that can handle the rigors of intense training or long hikes. The fabric is sturdy, long-lasting, and won’t sag or fade with regular hardcore use.

Though a bit on the pricier side compared to many of the others on this list, I consider them an excellent investment in the comfort and security of my “gentlemen downstairs”.

Fabric: Knit hybrid






Twillory Performance Boxer Briefs


$24
 

For long days spent lounging in comfort, you’re definitely going to want to give these Twillory boxer briefs a try.

The fabric (a blend of cotton, spandex, and rayon) is silky soft against my thighs and stays comfortable and cool even over a long day of sitting in thick sweat pants.

The Gent Vents allow for excellent breathability and both the Anti-Ride-Up and Wedgie-Resistant technology keeps them from bunching up when I run or walk. Thanks to the Cooling Tech integrated into the fabric, I’ve never overheated even when bundled up under thick blankets.

Fabric: Cotton, Rayon, Spandex




What is Moisture Wicking Underwear?

Cotton boxers may have been the go-to for underwear for centuries, but modern fabrics have changed the game. These synthetic fabrics (like polyester, Spandex, and nylon) are capable of pulling (“wicking”) the sweat away from your skin.

By wicking sweat, these underwear serve two very important functions: 1) they keep the underwear from getting soggy, smelly, and bunched up in uncomfortable places, and 2) they prevent chafing by preventing salt crystals (from your sweat) from drying on your skin and rubbing against each other when you move.

The Basics of Moisture Wicking Underwear

If you’ve ever worked out or gone for a run with cotton underwear, you’ll know just how unpleasant they can become. Cotton gets soggy, saturated with sweat, and causes chafing.

However, certain fabrics can pull sweat away from the skin to prevent chafing, salt crystal build-up, and overheating—in the case of these underwear, around “your gentlemen”.

Synthetic fabrics. Polyester, nylon, and Spandex are the most common synthetic fabrics with moisture-wicking properties. These fabrics are essentially “hydrophobic” (water resistant), so they will never get sodden the way cotton does. Instead of absorbing the moisture into the yarn, the synthetic fabrics pull them away from your skin and expose them to the air, where they can dry without leaving salt crystals on your skin or causing chafing.
Natural fabrics. Wool and bamboo function a bit differently from synthetic fabrics. Both do absorb some of the sweat into their fibers’ cores. However, in the case of wool, there are small openings in the fibers that allow the moisture to escape and dry. Bamboo keeps the moisture moving to the surface of the fabric where it can evaporate. The result in both cases: your skin stays dry, cool, and comfortable no matter how hard you sweat.




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