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Ordinary underwear is made to withstand the ordinary movements of everyday life. These are fairly uniform—standing, walking, sitting, and lying down. During a workout or yoga, however, our posture experiences a wide degree of variability, to say the least. We bend, we twist, we invert, and we make our bodies (and our underwear) stretch in extraordinary ways.
For guys, this necessitates making sure that everything is securely arranged down there. Of course, every body is different, and every practitioner has their own unique challenges ensuring that loose parts aren’t too loose. But it’s universally awkward when you rise for the next round of Sun Salutations and need to make an, ahem, adjustment. You need reliable boxer briefs that are stretchy, breathable, and don’t ride up when you crouch or extend.
To that end, when it comes to maintaining a secure package during an unsecure pose, there are certain boxer briefs I trust and others I don’t.
Best Boxer Briefs for Men
The following boxer briefs are my go-tos for keeping everything contained in any posture I might find myself in.
Manmade’s Boxer Briefs for $22
1. Most Comfortable: Manmade’s Boxer Brief
The marketing campaign for Manmade’s flagship product is one you’ve likely heard a thousand times. It goes something like, “We couldn’t find the perfect fill-in-the-blank (i.e., lawn mower, toothbrush, pillow, yoga towel, etc.) so we decided to make it ourselves.”
And I gotta say, their Boxer Brief is kinda perfect. The 91 percent modal and 9 percent spandex blend is absurdly soft and stretchy. (Made from beech tree pulp, modal is a fabric that’s highly breathable and absorbent.) The Boxer Brief also has a feature that’s intended to “reduce any friction between your ‘boys’ and your thighs,” according to the website. (The feature is somewhat unfortunately called the Mansack. But it works.) The Boxer Brief is as comfortable and supportive as it gets.
Reebok Performance Boxer Briefs – 4 for $40
2. Most Durable: Reebok Performance Boxer Briefs
These are made from 92 percent polyester and 8 percent elastane, so they feel kind of like a running tee for your groin. There’s nothing flashy about Reebok’s boxer briefs, yet a decade after I bought them, not a single one has experienced loose threads or tears or has become misshapen, unlike many other boxer briefs I’ve bought and had to discard during that time. They still make up the bulk of my underwear drawer, and they still perform as well as they did on day one.
The seams in the stitch pattern can be noticeable when I’m riding my bike and can lead to a little chafing, so if you prefer a seamless pair of underwear these might not be the best option. Yet those seams probably also contribute to the brief’s durability, making them underwear for the long haul.
Ten Thousand A–L Boxer for $38
3. The Best Overall Fit: Ten Thousand A–L Boxer
The folks at Ten Thousand make apparel that is made to move in and the A–L Boxer is no exception. The 91 percent modal and 9 percent Spandex fabric feels silky and smooth on the skin, yet these can withstand anything that comes their way, whether it’s an intense yoga session or a crossfit class. They’re also treated with Odorblock, which utilizes silver ions to neutralize bacteria, meaning you can sweat in them without stinking. But what most stands out is the fit: the A-L Boxers hug the body without being overly constricting.
The price point is pretty high, though, so these might be the kind of underwear you receive as a gift rather than purchase yourself. The A-L boxer is available in two core colors and two changing seasonal colors.
Pair of Thieves Boxer Briefs – 2 for $27
4. Best for Sweaty Sessions: Pair of Thieves Supercool Boxer Briefs
These Supercool Boxer Briefs are designed so you won’t overheat. They feature zoned air vents—strategically placed mesh panels—to help you dump excess heat when the going gets sweaty. They’re a little more compressive than some boxer briefs, which ensures that everything stays in place yet also stays, as the name suggests, super cool. That tighter fit makes them ideal for high-output activities such as running, hiking, and hot yoga, although it might not make them your top choice for day-to-day wear when you don’t need as much support.
Myles Apparel Boxer Brief for $28
5. Most Versatile: Myles Apparel Daily Performance Boxer Brief
From tees to shorts to hoodies, Myles makes athletic gear that can also pass for everyday wear and even date-night attire. And they’re functional as well as fashionable. The Daily Performance Boxer Brief has a perforated design that’s highly breathable yet retains its structure and supportiveness. The fabric is 86 percent nylon and 14 percent elastane, so it’s tough yet flexible.
The waistband on the Daily Boxer Brief is a little thicker than I’d prefer, and sometimes I notice it when I’m bending or twisting. Yet these still hold a hallowed place near the top of my underwear drawer, and I appreciate the fact that despite being made from mesh fabric, they are not see-through. They also transition from yoga to bike rides to dinner with ease.
