Best Men’s Hiking Underwear of 2024
The best men's underwear for hiking, backpacking, and travel
The Ibex Natural Boxer Briefs worn superhero style on a hike in Colorado.
February 21st, 2024
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You’re probably overlooking hiking underwear. We do wear it under the rest of our hiking clothes, and if it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind, after all. Hiking underwear? Travel underwear? Who thinks about that when there are maps to pour over and plans to finalize?
We aren’t superheroes flying around with underwear outside our tights. But just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean you should ignore the layer that goes on before everything else.
A good pair of hiking underwear is breathable, dries quickly, and doesn’t stink after days of sleeping in the dirt, sweating, and whatever else you do while backpacking.
All the benefits you get from a pair of high-quality underwear while hiking or backpacking also pertain to traveling. When you’re living out of a backpack, having a solid pair of comfortable underwear that doesn’t stink will make your next trip across the world or your home state that much better. Your neighbor on the bus, train, or plane will appreciate it, too.
One of our favorite thru-hiking hacks is immediately washing our hands and face when we get to town. Then, we wash our underwear, socks, and shirt and wear them to dry. This is almost as good as taking a shower.
After narrowing our list of dozens of men’s hiking and travel underwear, we wore these underwear while thru-hiking the 800-mile Arizona Trail, hiking and trail running in Colorado, traveling across Colorado and Mexico, and, of course, by hand washing them along the way. Based on our testing, we have recommendations for everything from the best all-around synthetic underwear to merino wool options, lightweight and breathable underwear, warm underwear for winter, affordable hiking underwear, and more.
This guide is intended to help you find the best hiking and travel underwear for your next adventure. We stopped and considered what underwear to choose for your next adventure so you don’t have to.
We tested a lot of underwear, so there’s something for everyone here, from hardcore long-distance backpackers to casual hikers. Whether you’re a globe-trotting adventure traveler or a weekend road tripper, this guide has something for everyone.
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COMPARISON TABLE
| HIKING UNDERWEAR | TREELINE AWARD | FABRIC | WEIGHT | ODOR CONTROL TECH | AVAILABLE SIZES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patagonia Sender | Best Overall Read why |
89% recycled nylon/11% elastane | 2.4 oz | Yes, HeiQ® Pure odor control | S - XXL |
| Ibex Natural Boxer Brief | Best Merino / Best Upgrade Read why |
83% Merino Wool, 12% Nylon, 5% Elastane | 2.88 oz | Yes, natural merino wool | S - XXL |
| Ex Officio Give n Go | Best Synthetic Read why |
89% Nylon, 11% Elastane | 3.17 oz | Yes (no details provided) | S - XXL |
| Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh | Best Affordable Read why |
93% Polyester, 7% Spandex | 3.5 oz | Yes (no details provided) | S - XL |
| Free Fly Bamboo Motion | Best Lightweight Read why |
68% Viscose from Bamboo / 29% Polyester / 3% Spandex | 2.6 oz | Yes, natural Bamboo fiber | S - XXL |
| Ortovox 185 Rock'n'wool Boxer | Best for Winter Read why |
100% merino wool | 3.28 oz | Yes, natural merino wool | S - XXL |
THE WINNERS
BEST OVERALL MEN’S HIKING UNDERWEAR: PATAGONIA SENDER
Fabric: 89% recycled nylon/11% spandex mesh
Weight: 2.4 oz
Odor control tech: Yes, HeiQ® Pure odor control
Available sizes: S - XXL
What we liked: Super stretchy, comfortable, breathable, dries quickly, odor resistant for synthetic
What we didn’t like: Nylon isn’t as odor-resistant as wool
The Patagonia Sender is our favorite underwear overall. These underwear are highly breathable, comfortable, and durable. We wore these while thru-hiking the Arizona Trail and have continued wearing them since then as often as they come out of the laundry. We do everything in these boxer briefs, from long runs to biking around Denver, traveling, and more.
Most underwear is comfortable, but the recycled nylon with just the right amount of spandex blended fabric in the Patagonia Sender are on another level of comfort. The fit is excellent, and the fabric stretches to conform to your body’s shape without being too tight or loose. These are a joy to wear, and it’s easy to forget you’re wearing them at all.
PATAGONIA SENDER
The Patagonia Sender underwear are highly breathable, comfortable, and durable.
When considering underwear materials, we found that the recycled nylon with spandex material the Senders are constructed with is the most comfortable overall. This material is soft and smooth against your skin. It’s also the most supportive long-term since it retains its shape the longest of any underwear we tested. The waistband is very comfortable as well. It has a soft woven exterior and a firm but not too tight elastic band underneath.
The Patagonia Sender waistband is very comfortable with a soft woven exterior and a firm but not too tight elastic band underneath.
Compared to natural fibers such as wool, cotton, or bamboo, the nylon/spandex blend in the Senders doesn’t seem to stretch out as quickly. After a long day of moving around, we found most underwear made of natural materials would stretch and not return to its original size until we washed it again.
This was true of every pair of underwear we tested made of natural fibers, even our favorite merino wool underwear, the Ibex Natural Boxer Brief. A stretched pair of underwear tends to ride up your legs and twist around on your torso more, which is uncomfortable and annoying. The Patagonia Senders, which are 11% spandex, return to their original shape better than other underwear, so they don’t get twisted or ride up your leg as much.
Compared to other underwear we tested, the Patagonia Sender breathed the best even on hot days of backpacking in Arizona.
We wore these while hiking all day under the hot Arizona sun. Compared to other underwear, these breathed the best. The mesh material allows for a lot of airflow and doesn’t feel heavy when wet with sweat. They also dry very quickly, so if you dunk yourself or the underwear in water, they’ll dry quickly.
Compared to underwear made of natural fibers such as wool, cotton, or bamboo, the nylon/spandex blend in the Patagonia Senders doesn’t seem to stretch out as quickly.
Just like every other piece of Patagonia gear, the Senders comes with Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee. This guarantee is one of the best in the outdoor industry, and it covers gear for the product's life and includes wear and tear. This means if you do happen to wear out these underwear, you can have them repaired or replaced at no charge.
After wearing the Patagonia Sender for days at a time while backpacking, we can confidently say that they don’t stink that bad. And since they’re nylon, they’re faster to wash and dry than wool.
Patagonia also has some of the best environmental practices of any company. They work with bluesign technologies to identify products in the supply chain that are safe for the environment, workers, and customers. They also use tons of recycled content in their fabrics, like the Senders, which are made with 89% recycled nylon. And, through their Worn Wear Program, they encourage us all to consume less by using what we already have for longer.
Flatlock seam on the Patagonia Sender underwear.
While we love just about every aspect of the Senders, they’re made of nylon, which can get stinky. The HeiQ® Pure odor control treatment applied to the material works very well, but these underwear will stink slightly more than a merino wool model. However, after wearing these for days at a time while backpacking, we can confidently say that they don’t stink that bad. And since they’re nylon, they’re faster to wash and dry than wool.
The Senders have tons of positive customer reviews online, and iRunFar also has good things to say about them. For an all-around pair of underwear you can wear on your next hike, run, or trip around the world, we don’t think you can do better than these.
BEST MERINO MEN’S HIKING UNDERWEAR: IBEX NATURAL BOXER BRIEF
Fabric: 83% Merino Wool, 12% Nylon, 5% Elastane
Weight: 2.88 oz
Odor control tech: Yes, natural merino wool
Available sizes: S- XXL
What we liked: Soft, comfortable, odor resistant
What we didn’t like: Expensive, wool isn’t as durable
The Ibex Natural Boxer Brief is our favorite merino wool underwear. This underwear almost won best overall, but we ultimately chose the Patagonia Senders because they’re more affordable than the Ibex Natural Boxer Briefs. But if money isn’t a concern and you’re looking for the best Merino wool underwear, these are our favorite men's hiking underwear.
The Ibex Natural Boxer Briefs are comfortable, soft, breathable, and have impressive odor control. We tested them during fall and winter in Colorado, wearing them daily, doing everything from hiking on the Colorado Front Range to riding our bikes in Denver, working at coffee shops, and trail running across the Rocky Mountain foothills in the fall and winter.
IBEX NATURAL BOXER BRIEF
The Ibex Natural Boxer Briefs are comfortable, soft, breathable, and have impressive odor control.
We love wearing wool t-shirts and base layers because wool is the best natural performance material. It keeps you warm, even after you sweat, and doesn’t stink as much as other fabrics. Modern wool fabrics aren’t itchy like old wool sweaters, either. A high-quality wool fabric like what’s used in these underwear feels soft and doesn’t have the slippery feeling that polyester and nylon do.
We tested the Ibex underwear during fall and winter in Colorado, wearing them daily, doing everything from hiking on the Colorado Front Range to riding our bikes in Denver, working at coffee shops, and trail running across the Rocky Mountain foothills in the fall and winter.
Before we started testing for this guide, we had only heard about how great wool underwear was. Now that we’ve tried wool underwear for ourselves, we’re sold. They’re more expensive than synthetic underwear, but wool is naturally antimicrobial. So even after days of wearing these on the trail, they won’t stink like some underwear.
If spending a little extra isn’t a concern and you’re looking for the best Merino wool underwear, the Ibex are our favorite men's hiking underwear.
On top of being anti-stink, the 83% merino wool with 12% nylon and 5% elastane material is incredibly soft. It’s not itchy and has more stretch than most other wool underwear we tested. The elastane keeps the underwear from losing its shape after wearing it all day. The waistband is soft and comfortable against your skin, too.
Ibex has impressive supply chain, environmental, and ethical standards as well. Their fabric and trim suppliers are bluesign approved, as well as a bunch of other international environmental and organic standards (ISO14001, ACO (Australian Certified Organic), GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), Naturtextil). Their manufacturing plant also uses an on-site 5-stage water treatment system to recycle “up to 85% [of the water] either back through the manufacturing process or via 3rd party recycled water programs for agriculture parklands and industry.” And they plan to eventually generate 35% of their plant’s power with on-site solar panels.
The Ibex Natural Boxer briefs are made of wool that isn’t itchy and has more stretch than most other wool underwear we tested.
While we like everything about these boxer briefs, they’re pretty expensive. And wool isn’t the most durable material, either. So you might wear these out faster than a comparable pair of synthetic underwear. These are worth the price if you can afford them, but they’re the second-most expensive underwear we tested.
The Ibex Natural Boxer Briefs have tons of positive customer reviews online, and Men’s Health also has great things to say about these underwear. We love wearing them for everything from hiking to travel and all the days between adventures.
BEST SYNTHETIC MEN’S HIKING UNDERWEAR: EX OFFICIO GIVE-N-GO 2.0 BOXER BRIEF
Fabric: 89% Nylon, 11% Elastane
Weight: 3.17 oz
Odor control tech: Yes (no details provided)
Available sizes: S-XXL
What we liked: durable, quick drying, odor resistant
What we didn’t like: less comfortable than Patagonia Senders
The Ex Officio Give-N-Go are lightweight mesh boxer briefs that are made for travel. They’re odor-resistant, quick-drying, and very durable. The Give-N-Go 2.0 Boxer Brief is our second favorite synthetic hiking underwear. Our favorite is the overall top pick, Patagonia Senders because they’re slightly more comfortable in terms of fit than the Give-N-Go. However, both of these models are great.
We wore the original Give-N-Go boxer briefs on the Pacific Crest Trail for over 1500 miles, and years later, we still have that pair of underwear. The Give-N-Go 2.0 are practically identical to the originals, but Ex Officio claims that the 2.0’s are “up to 4 times more breathable, 50% more moisture wicking, and 25% more quick drying compared to our original Give-N-Go® collections.” We love the originals, so you can’t go wrong with an even better version of our well-loved Ex Officio Give-N-Go hiking underwear.
EX OFFICIO GIVE-N-GO 2.0 BOXER BRIEF
The material on the Ex Officio Give-n-Go is smooth mesh and entirely constructed with flatlock seams.
When hiking all day in these underwear, they breathe well and don’t chafe. The material is smooth mesh and entirely constructed with flatlock seams. Even when backpacking in them for up to 5 days between washes, they don’t stink as bad as you’d think. They also don’t stretch out as much as other underwear
The Ex Officio underwear has slightly longer legs than some other pairs.
This underwear has slightly longer legs than some other pairs. While it isn’t uncomfortable, models like the Patagonia Senders will be somewhat more comfortable if you prefer a shorter leg. We’ve worn the Give-N-Gos for a long enough time that it should be evident that they’re very comfortable. They’re just not the most comfortable.
The Give-N-Gos are popular among the travel community because they take up minimal volume in luggage and dry quickly.
The Give-N-Gos are very popular in the backpacking and travel communities and have tons of positive customer reviews online. The Savvy Backpacker and Backpacking Light also have good things to say about this underwear. We think they’re an excellent option for synthetic underwear for travel and hiking or a combination of both.
BEST AFFORDABLE MEN’S HIKING UNDERWEAR: FRUIT OF THE LOOM MICRO MESH
Fabric: 93% Polyester, 7% Spandex
Weight: 3.5 oz
Odor control tech: Yes (no details provided)
Available sizes: S-XL
What we liked: Inexpensive, breathable, comfortable
What we didn’t like: Less odor-resistant, not as durable
The Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh underwear comes in a three-pack, which costs less than all the other single pairs of underwear we tested. You can find these in department stores near where you’d find the cotton underwear multi-packs, but these aren’t cotton. We discovered them years ago and have been wearing them ever since. We wore a pair of these while thru-hiking the Continental Divide Trail, and we’ve worn them daily for years while not thru-hiking, doing everything from working to bike commuting, rock climbing, trail running, and bikepacking.
FRUIT OF THE LOOM MICRO MESH
The Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh underwear comes in a three-pack, which costs less than all the other single pairs of underwear we tested.
These underwear are very comfortable and feel like a lighter version of the Ex Officio Give-N-Go or a not-quite-as-durable version of the Patagonia Senders. They’re made of thin mesh and sewn together with flat-locked seams. The soft polyester material is smooth without feeling slippery, and the thin mesh material is super breathable. These are ventilated enough to wear while working hard and sweating a lot during hot weather. And that thin material also makes them very light packable, so throwing an extra few pairs in a travel bag is easy.
The Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs are made of thin mesh and sewn together with flat-locked seams.
The Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs aren’t the most durable nor as odor-resistant as more expensive synthetic underwear. After wearing them regularly for several months, we usually wear a few holes in the thin material.
While wearing them on our CDT thru-hike, we got about 1500 miles out of a pair, then switched halfway through. During that thru-hike, they never got too stinky, but we definitely needed to wash them as often as possible. They dry quickly, though, and don’t cost very much, so we can live with these slight drawbacks.
While wearing the Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs on our CDT thru-hike, we got about 1500 miles out of a pair, then switched halfway through.
The Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs have tons of positive customer reviews online. No major publications have reviewed these underwear, but we think they’re an excellent find for inexpensive and breathable underwear.
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT MEN’S HIKING UNDERWEAR FOR HOT WEATHER: FREE FLY APPAREL BAMBOO MOTION BOXER BRIEFS
Fabric: 68% Viscose from Bamboo / 29% Polyester / 3% Spandex
Weight: 2.6 oz
Odor control tech: Yes, natural Bamboo fiber
Available sizes: S-XXL
What we liked: Cool in hot weather, soft bamboo material,
What we didn’t like: Not as stretchy and supportive
The Free Fly Bamboo Motion underwear is made of a 68% bamboo and polyester blended fabric. These underwear feel like a more comfortable version of classic cotton boxer briefs but have the added benefits of bamboo fiber. We wore these all summer: while on a river trip rafting the Colorado River, hiking, backpacking, and trail running across Utah and Colorado. These underwear are extremely cool in hot weather, and they dry quickly if they get wet.
FREE FLY APPAREL BAMBOO MOTION BOXER BRIEFS
The FreeFly Apparel Bamboo Motion Boxer Brief underwear feel like a more comfortable version of classic cotton boxer briefs but have the added benefits of bamboo fiber.
If you like the antimicrobial properties of wool but don’t want wool, bamboo is an excellent alternative. And bamboo isn’t as hot, so the material can be made thicker for durability while also being very breathable. We love the feel of bamboo, and this model is one of the most comfortable pairs of underwear we’ve worn because of the bamboo material. It’s buttery soft, and doesn’t get as warm in summer conditions as wool.
The FreeFly Apparel Bamboo Motion Boxer Brief underwear is buttery soft, and doesn’t get as warm in summer conditions as wool.
FreeFly uses only organically-grown bamboo and doesn’t use harsh chemicals to make its Bamboo Viscose fibers. No pesticides or irrigation are used in the growing process, and bamboo grows quickly, so it’s renewable. All Free Fly factories are Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) certified facilities, which ensures their products are produced ethically. You can read more about Free Fly Apparel’s social and environmental responsibility action here.
The Bamboo Motion underwear isn’t as stretchy as some models, so they tend to feel loose and less supportive after wearing them all day. This is pretty common with underwear made of natural materials, but it’s definitely the case with these. Also, bamboo takes longer to dry than polyester or wool. While we didn’t find this to be an issue with these specifically, we wouldn’t choose to wear these in cold, wet conditions, just in case. While these issues aren’t dealbreakers, we think they’re worth noting.
Free Fly Apparel is quickly accumulating tons of customers who are stoked about wearing bamboo apparel, and their Bamboo Motion underwear have nearly 500 positive customer reviews on their website. For hot weather, we think these are a great natural fiber option.
BEST MEN’S HIKING UNDERWEAR FOR COLD WEATHER: ORTOVOX 185 ROCK’N’WOOL
Fabric: 100% merino wool
Weight: 3.28 oz
Odor control tech: Yes, natural merino wool
Available sizes: S-XXL
What we liked: Thick 100% wool material, comfortable, warm
What we didn’t like: Gets stretched out quickly, too hot for some conditions, expensive, sizing runs small
The Ortovox 185 Rock’n’wool boxer briefs are the thickest and only 100% wool underwear we tested. These are about as thick as a midweight base layer, like what you’d wear on an especially cold day. As a result, these are the warmest underwear we’ve ever worn. These help keep the lower part of your core warmer than other underwear, so they’re great for everything from snowsports to keeping your backside warm while sitting outside on a cold winter patio. We tested these during a cold few months in Colorado – on hikes, trail runs, snowshoe trips, and more. These aren’t the best option for a single versatile pair of underwear, since they’re too hot in warm temperatures. But if you need cold-weather technical underwear, these are the ones.
ORTOVOX 185 ROCK’N’WOOL
The Ortovox 185 Rock’n’wool boxer briefs are the thickest and only 100% wool underwear we tested, making them ideal for cold weather conditions.
We were initially unimpressed with these underwear, but after wearing them in sub-zero temperatures, we understand how beneficial a thick pair of wool underwear can be. Even by just looking at the weave, you can tell they’re going to be thick and warm. They have visible thick wool fibers, much like a warm sweater. They’re constructed with flatlock seams and have a thick, solid-feeling waistband.
None of the underwear we tested was as warm as the Ortovox, and wearing two pairs of wool underwear wouldn’t be as comfortable.
Ortovox has some of the most robust ethical practices of any company we’ve seen. They’re committed to using fair wool practices, being climate neutral, and making all their products in Europe using fair working conditions.
While these are great underwear, the price makes us cringe. We know it costs a lot to ethically produce wool, but that’s a lot for a pair of underwear! You could buy two pairs of many of our other winners for the price of one pair of Rock’n’wool boxer briefs. None will be as warm as these, and wearing two pairs of wool underwear wouldn’t be as comfortable. They also get stretched out the most after a full day of wearing them. You don’t really notice this if you’re bundled up with many layers on, but these don’t have any elastic or polyester material, so they stretch faster than other underwear.
The Ortovox underwear is constructed with flatlock seams and have a thick, solid-feeling waistband.
Ortovox’s Rock’n’wool collection has tons of positive customer reviews online, and OutdoorGearLab has tested and approved the Rock’n’wool base layers. We think these boxers are hard to beat if you need the most warmth for your backside.
OTHER MEN’S HIKING UNDERWEAR WE TESTED
REI MERINO BOXER BRIEF
Material: 48% merino wool/32% TENCEL lyocell/15% nylon/5% LYCRA spandex
Weight: 3.2 oz (2.9 in men's size S)
Odor control tech: Yes, natural merino wool
Available sizes: S-XXL
What we liked: Affordable wool underwear, comfortable
What we didn’t like: Legs are longer
The REI Merino Boxer Brief is an affordable and comfortable pair of boxer briefs that almost won Best Affordable underwear. They’re made of a blend of wool and Tencel Lyocell, a natural fiber made from eucalyptus pulp.
REI MERINO BOXER BRIEF
The REI Co-op underwear have a longer 6-inch inseam, so you can’t wear them under our favorite 5-inch inseam shorts.
These underwear feel as comfortable as the best natural fiber underwear models we tested, but they have a longer 6-inch inseam, so you can’t wear them under our favorite 5-inch inseam shorts. They’re super affordable for a wool-tencel blend fabric, though, and if you don’t mind a longer inseam underwear, then we think you should check these out.
Material: 83% Merino Wool, 12% Nylon, 5% Elastane
Weight: 2.46 oz
Odor control tech: Yes, natural merino wool
Available sizes: S- XXL
What we liked: Super comfortable, great fit
What we didn’t like: Doesn’t have all flat locked seams
The Icebreaker Merino Anatomica are an all-around great pair of merino wool underwear. They’re comfortable, fit great, and have the anti-microbial characteristics of wool garments we love. These underwear were some of the most comfortable we tested, and they almost won Best Merino underwear. But after we realized they had one large seam that wasn’t a flatlock seam, we chose the Ibex Natural Boxer Brief over these.
ICEBREAKER MERINO ANATOMICA
We found a non-flatlocked seam on the Icebreaker underwear.
We never felt this non-flatlocked seam while wearing the underwear, so it’s probably not a big deal for most people. But this could be a source of chafing. We never had chafing issues with these, though, so you might not either.
Material: 88% Merino Wool, 12% Nylon
Weight: 2.55 oz (men's size S)
Odor control tech: Yes, natural Merino wool
Available sizes: S-XXL
What we liked: Comfortable material, great waistband, thin and breathable
What we didn’t like: Fit isn’t the best
The Smartwool Men’s Merino Boxer Briefs are another great option for merino wool underwear. The main fabric material is soft and feels smooth against your skin, the fabric is even sewn onto the inside of the waistband, which makes the waistband one of the most comfortable overall.
SMARTWOOL MEN’S MERINO BOXER BRIEF
Waistband on the Smartwool underwear.
While we really like the feel of the fabric, we didn’t love the fit. Specifically, these always felt like they were slightly twisted on our bodies. We found ourselves constantly adjusting these, and they rode up our legs as we hiked as well.
There’s a lot of options for men’s hiking and travel underwear out there. We give advice on what features to look for when choosing underwear.
Buying Advice / WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN HIKING OR TRAVEL UNDERWEAR
UNDERWEAR STYLES
BRIEFS
You probably think of briefs when you hear the word “underwear.” They’re the kind of underwear that superheroes traditionally wear on the outside of their tights, you know? Briefs cover and protect your private parts, but don’t extend down your legs. They have an elastic waist and fit tightly everywhere else.
BOXERS
Boxers are like a pair of shorts that you wear as underwear. Some even call this type of underwear boxer shorts. Boxers are loose and hang down over your thighs like shorts. They have an elastic waist, so they don’t fall down, but the rest of the material isn’t stretchy.
Patagonia Senders are boxer brief-style underwear. They have a tight-fitting leg but cover part of your thigh.
BOXER BRIEFS
Boxer briefs are a cross between briefs and boxers, hence the name. They’re tight-fitting, like briefs, but they extend down past your hips onto your thighs, like boxers. Boxer briefs are the most common style of underwear for hiking and travel. They provide more coverage and protection than briefs but are more supportive than boxer shorts.
Comparison of three different synthetic materials used in hiking underwear. Some synthetic material breathes better and dries more quickly than others.
FABRIC
There are several common fabric types used in hiking and travel underwear. Here, we outline those.
SYNTHETIC
Synthetic fabrics are not derived from living things, like plants or animals. Synthetic underwear is usually polyester, but it can also be nylon. It consists of synthetic polyester or nylon fibers that are woven together, just as you would weave with natural fibers.
Synthetic fabric is lightweight, breathable, and dries quickly. It is also vegan, can be made of recycled plastic, and is generally less expensive than natural fibers like wool.
However, synthetic materials aren’t always as soft as natural materials. They also tend to hold onto smells more than natural fibers.
The Patagonia Senders, Exoffico Give-N-Go, and Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh are made of synthetic materials.
MERINO
Merino wool fabric is another common material used in hiking and travel underwear. Merino fabric is derived from sheep fur spun into wool fibers and then woven together.
Merino wool fabric is comfortable, doesn’t feel as cold when wet, and is naturally odor-resistant. It’s not as durable as synthetic fabrics, though. Merino wool is also more expensive than many other materials like polyester and nylon. It also might be itchy to some people.
The Ortovox 185 Rock'n'wool, Smartwool Men's merino boxer brief, Icebreaker Merino Anatomica, Ibex Natural Boxer Brief, and REI Merino Boxer Brief (top to bottom) are all made of Merino wool.
BLENDS
Fabric blends are common in most apparel, including underwear. Blended fabrics allow you to get the best qualities of multiple fabric types in one pair of underwear.
Fabric blends can combine the durability of synthetic with the odor resistance of wool, blend expensive materials with less expensive ones, and they can add stretch or other unique features to a fabric. They’re not made of a single material, which could make them harder to eventually recycle, however.
The Free Fly Bamboo Motion are made of a blend of Bamboo viscose, polyester, and spandex.
WEIGHT
Generally, lightweight underwear is easier to wear, carry in your backpack or suitcase, or carry on your body.
It would be uncomfortable if your underwear felt like a lead weight on your midsection all day. Fortunately, underwear is not usually big, bulky, or heavy. That said, lightweight underwear is still easier to wear all day while hiking and to pack in a suitcase or backpack when traveling.
Lightweight underwear is often less durable than heavier underwear made of thicker materials, though. So, there is a tradeoff between weight and durability here.
DURABILITY
Most underwear will last a reasonable amount of time, but some are more durable than others. If you’re hiking all day in a pair of underwear, the inside of the leg material rubs against itself every time you take a step. Over thousands of steps, this will cause even the most durable underwear to wear out, but less durable underwear will show signs of wear sooner.
Synthetic polyester underwear, like the Patagonia Sender, Ex Officio Boxer Briefs, and Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh, tends to be more durable than merino wool underwear. Most merino underwear has some polyester or other synthetic material blended into the fabric to address this durability concern, but wool garments still tend to be less durable.
A flatlock seam on the Smartwool underwear.
FIT AND COMFORT
Since you’re wearing hiking underwear against your skin and private parts, it should be comfortable. We love the feel of a pair of underwear that you forget you’re wearing. If it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything, that’s when you know it’s comfortable.
The feel of the fabric and how the elastic waistband sits on your body will affect the comfort of underwear. Soft and smooth fabric is common with underwear, but some fabrics are softer than others.
Another thing that can affect comfort is how a pair of underwear fits. Some underwear feels very comfortable initially, but then the legs ride up and bunch near the waist as you move in them. Other pairs of underwear always feel like they are twisting on our legs. This is a constant reminder that we were wearing the underwear. And while it wasn’t too uncomfortable, it was frustrating and definitely felt like we were wearing something.
BREATHABILITY
When you’re moving all day, walking down the trail, or around an unfamiliar place, you will get warm. Therefore, you want a pair of underwear that breathes well so you don’t overheat. Look for a highly breathable pair of underwear, especially for summertime. Mesh underwear tends to be the most breathable because the fabric has literal holes in it for air to escape through.
MOISTURE WICKING
A quality pair of hiking underwear is also moisture-wicking. As you sweat, moisture-wicking materials absorb the sweat on your skin and transport it to the outside of the material, where it will evaporate. This not only cools you down but also helps keep you dry as you work hard. Excessive build-up of moisture from sweat can cause all sorts of problems you don’t want.
QUICK DRYING
Whether it’s from a spontaneous afternoon swim, a hot and sweaty climb, or washing them in the first sink you’ve seen in a week, your underwear will get wet when hiking, backpacking, or traveling. When your underwear does get wet, it should dry quickly.
The fastest-drying underwear tends to be synthetic, but many wool underwear models also dry quickly. In dry climates under the midday sun, some synthetic underwear will dry in mere minutes. Wool usually takes an hour or more, even in hot and dry conditions.
We handwashed all the underwear to test how quickly they dry and the success of their odor-control treatment.
ODOR CONTROL
Underwear covers one of the smellier areas of your body. And at the end of a long time between washes, those smells build up in your underwear. If you plan to be backpacking or traveling for multiple days in the same pair of underwear, odor control is essential.
The most odor-resistant underwear models had the highest wool content, such as the REI Merino Boxer Brief, Ibex Natural Boxer Brief, Icebreaker Merino Anatomica, Smartwool Everyday Underwear, and Ortovox 150 Essential.
The 68% Bamboo Motion underwear from Free Fly Apparel is also very odor-resistant. The Patagonia Senders have the Silver-based, Bluesign approved HeiQ Pure odor control treatment. The Ex Officio Give-N-Go and Fruit of the Loom Micro Mesh both have odor control treatments, but neither of these manufacturers specifically state what kind of odor control treatments they use. Thesetreatments work, but not as well as natural wool or bamboo fibers.
A comparison of the flies on some of the underwear we tested.
FLY
Other than being a traditional indicator for men’s underwear, the fly provides extra support for your private parts by overlapping pieces of fabric here.
We often wonder if anyone even uses the fly as we think it’s intended. Does anyone not simply pull down their underwear to use the bathroom and instead use this portal between layers of fabric? We sure don’t.
Every pair of underwear we tested has flatlock seams except the Icebreaker Merino Anatomica, pictured in front here.
FLATLOCK SEAMS
Flatlock Seams prevent chafing where two pieces of fabric are sewn together. These seams are sewn flat, with the fabric folded against itself, so no flap of fabric rubs against your skin.
Every pair of underwear we tested has flatlock seams, except for the Icebreaker Merino Anatomica. We were pretty shocked when we realized this underwear, that’s one of the most comfortable overall, didn’t have all flatlock seams.
The Smartwool Everyday Underwear (second from the bottom) has the main underwear material sewn over the inside of the waistband, this is more comfortable than the soft elastic waist bands common on most underwear, like the Ortovox 185 Rock'n'wool, Ex Officio Give N Go, and Patagonia Senders also pictured here.
COMFORTABLE WAISTBAND
The waistband on your underwear is what keeps them in place. That waistband, though, is also a likely source of discomfort. Most waistbands on hiking underwear are relatively comfortable, some are a soft elastic, some have a soft knit face on an elastic band, and others have the main fabric sewn over the waistband to increase comfort.
Whatever the comfort solution, a comfortable waistband is essential. The Smartwool Everyday Underwear has the primary fabric material sewn over the inside of the waistband, which makes for a unique and very comfortable waistband.
TAGLESS
If a pair of underwear has a tag, that tag is going to itch. Fortunately, most underwear is tagless, with the relevant information printed on the fabric instead.
If your underwear has tags, we recommend you get a pair of scissors and cut those tags off right now. You will immediately be more comfortable (unless you took this advice literally, removed your underwear in public, and are now uncomfortably embarrassed).
There’s a lot of options for men’s hiking and travel underwear out there. We give advice on what questions to ask yourself when choosing a pair.
HOW TO CHOOSE HIKING UNDERWEAR
WHAT STYLE OF UNDERWEAR DO YOU PREFER?
Underwear comes in several styles: briefs (“whitey tighties,” tight, traditional “underwear” that doesn’t extend onto your thighs), boxer shorts (literally shorts you wear as underwear), and boxer briefs (a cross between boxers and briefs that’s a tighter version of boxer shorts, hence the name).
Different underwear come in different lengths. Think about the length of shorts you like to wear and use that to choose the best length of underwear.
You should determine which type of underwear you like to wear, then choose underwear of that style. For hiking, we recommend starting with the same style of underwear you wear at home. Many hikers prefer boxer briefs since they can help prevent chafing on the inner thighs. But unless this is an issue for you, we recommend hiking in what you’re comfortable wearing in your daily life.
HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO SPEND?
Underwear can get expensive, so figure out your budget before you decide which kind you’ll get for your next trip. Some underwear comes in a multi-pack, which can be less expensive per pair.
Example of the stretchiness on the Ortovox underwear we tested.
WHAT’S YOUR ACTIVITY LEVEL?
If you mainly go on casual hikes, the most breathable, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant underwear isn’t necessarily as important. If you’re traveling with a large suitcase, you can bring multiple pairs of underwear and change them often. By the same logic, maybe you don’t need the highest-performing underwear.
However, most people wear underwear most of the time, so even if your activity level is “lower,” you’re probably still going to wear underwear as often as anyone else. So, maybe you shouldn’t limit yourself.
That being said, if you plan to run an ultra-marathon in your underwear or hike across a continent, you should get a breathable and durable pair that will dry quickly. Those old pairs of cotton underwear you got in a 12-pack from the big box store simply won’t do.
Lighterweight and more breathable underwear is a good choice for warm and hot weather. Thicker, merino wool underwear is better for cooler conditions.
WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?
If the weather is hot and you’ll be working hard, a lightweight, breathable pair of underwear is essential. If you are using your underwear in cold weather, a thicker pair of wool underwear will help keep you and your core warm.
We usually use the same types of underwear all year and layer on top based on the weather. But there were times during extremely hot backpacking trips when a thinner, more breathable pair of underwear would have been nice. That pair of thicker wool underwear is awesome for 20-degree days in Colorado, though.
We handwashed all the underwear in sinks as we traveled and tested dry time. We also gave it the sniff test to see whether the anti-odor treatment did anything.
HOW WE TESTED
We tested hiking and travel underwear while hiking, backpacking, and traveling over six months. We wore them while thru-hiking the Arizona Trail in October, in temperatures ranging from 20 to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. We took them with us while traveling to Mexico with only a carry-on backpack. While in Mexico, we went on scorchingly hot and humid beach runs in these underwear.
We also wore them hiking and trail running in Colorado through the fall and winter, in conditions ranging from 12,000 feet in the Collegiate Peaks to unseasonably warm days on Colorado’s Front Range. We also simply wore them daily while going about our lives, just as you would with a pair of underwear.
Hiking and travel underwear should pack well in backpacks and traditional luggage.
FAQ
HOW CAN I AVOID CHAFING WHEN I HIKE?
Some people get chafing between their thighs when they hike. You can avoid this chafing between your thighs by wearing a pair of breathable boxer briefs with flatlock seams. If the boxer briefs cover the spot where your legs rub and chafe, they will likely help you avoid chafing when you hike.
If that doesn’t work or if you’re experiencing chafing in other places while you hike, apply some Bodyglide to the area as soon as you notice chafing. It’s best to use Body Glide before you start to chafe. So, if you know you often chafe in a specific area, apply some before hiking.
HOW SHOULD HIKING UNDERWEAR FIT?
Hiking underwear should fit tight, but not too tight. It should be tight enough to be supportive without being so tight that it's uncomfortable.
CAN I WEAR COTTON UNDERWEAR WHEN I HIKE?
You can hike in whatever underwear you want. Cotton underwear won’t dry as fast as other fabrics, so you might end up wearing a wet pair of underwear all day, but you can wear cotton underwear when you hike. Cotton also gets cold when wet, so wearing cotton underwear while winter hiking isn’t a great idea. But again, we’ve definitely hiked in cotton underwear and lived to tell about it, so you probably will too.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, bikepacking cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado.
He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Arizona Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice.
He has biked and bikepacked over 50,000 miles in the last decade on the Colorado Trail, Kokopelli Trail, all over the American Southwest, and commuting around Denver.
Sam has been active his whole life but first discovered the benefits of lightweight and breathable performance underwear when he got into long-distance running in his early twenties. Then, he found that those same pairs of breathable mesh underwear were awesome for commuting to work by bike since they dried quickly. He has worn a single pair of underwear on every thru-hike, too, and is no stranger to washing his underwear in a sink, putting them on to dry, then hiking out of town.
You can read more about Sam on his author page or his website.
