If you’re not wearing the best underwear for working out while, well, working out, then you know what a literal pain in the ass it can be. Your everyday underwear just can’t withstand all the sweat and movement: hence the wedgies, the swamp crotch, and every other bad thing that can happen below the waistband. If you’ve been struggling to hit a new squat PR or if your mile time’s still far away from what you’re aiming for, there’s a big chance it’s probably because you’re wearing the wrong underwear (or you still have some extra training to do). Below, the best underwear for working out so that you can finally start training like you mean it.
The Best Underwear for Working Out, According to GQ
In This Guide
Best Underwear for Working Out Overall: Ten Thousand A—L Boxer
When it comes to workout gear, Ten Thousand is a brand to know. From shirts to shorts, the brand’s tough-as-nails workout apparel can handle any and every workout with ease so that you can do the heavy lifting without worrying about your fit. And its underwear? Well, let’s just say it’d be disappointing if everything the brand made did well except its undies. The A—L boxers perfectly teeter the line between supportive boxer briefs and compression liners—they’re tight but not too tight where your balls are screaming for room. Its no-bunch waistband stays put so it’s not digging into your skin as you’re mid hip hinge and the front pouch cups your junk with dual layers for full coverage (i.e. no peekaboos here). They’re designed to be stink-free thanks to silver ion technology, and the modal construction feels slick and smooth against the skin.
Best Briefs for Working Out: Mack Weldon AIRKNIT Brief
If you’re more of a briefs person, Mack Weldon’s have you covered (literally). Its AIRKNIT material is cooling and soft to the touch for comfort, while being moisture-wicking and anti-odor. It’s basically the perfect underwear for anyone who sweats with even the slightest movement. These lightweight briefs offer a barely there feel with a lay-flat waistband that won’t disrupt your flow. Plus, targeted cool zones offer the breathability that you’ve been so desperately dying for so you can finally stop peeling off your underwear post-workout like it’s a second skin.
The Best Boxer Shorts for Working Out: Sunspel Classic Boxer Shorts
Briefs not doing it for you? Don’t worry, we know a lot of guys out there haven’t grown out of their boxer short era, and that’s why we know you’ll love Sunspel’ classic boxer shorts. They’re quite literally the crispiest, coolest, and classiest undies you’ll ever slip into, proving that you really should invest in the basics. The boxers’ long-staple cotton makes it incredibly smooth and light, comfortable against the skin no matter how many reps or sets you have in you.
“I’m an avowed boxer shorts-wearer, and I swear by Sunspel for one detail: a back panel that’s actually cut and shaped,” GQ’s style commerce writer Gerald Ortiz says. “Not only does it make for a better fit, it means they don’t bunch at all.” While these are on the pricier side, and quite possibly more expensive than the workout shorts you’re wearing over them, we would argue that the layer that’s closest to your junk should probably be the most important.
The Best Cooling Boxer Shorts for Working Out: CDLP Boxer Brief
CDLP’s subtle (and sexy) boxer briefs are maybe the most luxurious to ever grace our bottoms. Made mostly from cooling and sleek Tencel, these boxer briefs offer top-notching breathability—there’s a reason why some of our favorite bed sheets for hot sleepers are made from the same stuff.
“What truly sets it apart is its luxurious softness, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties, keeping you cool and fresh throughout the day,” CDLP’s CEO Andreas Palm says. Because of that, they’re great for working out because if you’re anything like us, sweat is already starting to form by the time you’ve stepped into the gym.
Best Long Underwear for Working Out: Lululemon Always In Motion 7″ Boxer
We love to razz Lululemon for its move to make clothes you can wear outside of the gym (c’mon, an activewear suit?), but at its core, the brand does know how to do performance-wear well. Its Always In Motion boxers are the underwear you’d want to pair with those stretchy athleisure shorts. The majority-modal construction makes them sleek and smooth, but also breathable and quick-drying. The four-way stretch makes these perform especially well with any type of exercise that requires a bit, or a lot, of flexibility—yoga, pilates, barre. We’d recommend these for anyone who prefers briefs with a longer inseam, but if you like the idea of these but want something shorter, they also come in three-inch and five-inch options.
Best Affordable Underwear for Working Out: Skims Sport 5″ Boxer Brief
When GQ Sports writer Matthew Roberson tried out the OG Skims underwear, he called them “FUCKING PERFECT.” With the Skims Sport briefs, the brand ditched the cotton and made a pair of underwear that’s pretty fucking perfect for working out, especially at their price point (just 10 bucks a pop now that they’re on sale). They fit exactly the same as the original Skims underwear, but the fabric has been updated to make it more lightweight and quick-drying, two important factors for underwear designed to worn while exercising. They’re extra stretchy and and breathable, and if you’re looking to stock up on that underwear drawer, this is what you should be filling it with.
Best Compression Underwear for Working Out: Saxx Kinetic Light-Compression Mesh
Compression shorts are the secret to a good workout, and compression underwear could be the difference between a mid workout and a major one. Saxx’s Kinetic Light-Compression mesh underwear offer lightweight, targeted compression to everyone’s favorite leg muscles: the quads and hammies. The micro-mesh construction offers some breathability so that sweat can more easily evaporate, and the odor-resistant fabric avoids any dreaded stenches emanating from your gym bag as you’re commuting home.
More Underwear for Working Out We Love
What to Look for in Underwear for Working Out
- Material: What differentiates good underwear for working out and skivvies for everyday is the material. You’ll obviously want to find something that’s made from a breathable material, like lyocell, that can help you stay cool, dry, and comfortable down there while you’re doing something totally uncomfortable. Cotton is always a great option, but synthetics are probably a better option because of their superior ability to fight odors and dry more quickly.
- Style: Boxers? Briefs? Trunks? Your preferred style of underwear for everyday will most likely be the style you choose for working out. They all perform similarly well for working out, so just find a style of underwear that makes you feel secure and supported.
- Compression: Most underwear (aside from boxer shorts) offer some sort of compression, but not all of them are “compression” liners. We like compression bottoms because they can increase blood flow to the muscles, which aids in muscle recovery, but some people might find them to be too uncomfortable. The decision is yours, so we found underwear with compression, without it, and with just a tad bit of squeeze.
Underwear for Working Out FAQ
What’s the best underwear for working out for men?
We found the Ten Thousand A—L Boxers to be the best underwear for working out, combining an excellent fit with a superior drying abilities and zero post-exercise odors.
What’s the best material for workout underwear?
While cotton is a great material for underwear in general, we think a synthetic like modal or lyocell make great options because of how quickly they dry and how they’re breathable so that your privates don’t get stuffy and sweaty.
Are boxer shorts or briefs better underwear for working out?
Your choice of underwear for working out is a totally personal decision, and the style doesn’t really affect your workout. Just make sure that your choice of underwear lets you stay mobile and isn’t restricting.
How We Tested
A fair bunch of GQ editors like to work out, so finding people to test out underwear while they were sweating it out was not a hard task. Luckily, even those who tend to go commando when they’re popping a squat, were down to add the extra layer to their bottoms. We evaluated underwear performance based on comfort and breathability, plus how well they allowed us to stay moving without making us feel hindered. The result are the 11 best pairs of underwear for working out, no matter the exercise.
