We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
We have been buying and testing the best travel underwear for more than four years, and our newest review includes 10 of the most compelling pairs on the market. Our team of expert travelers has worn them for road trips and long days of air travel, hiking, canyoneering, rock and ice climbing, and in our everyday lives, from bike commutes to running errands. As any seasoned traveler knows, a clothing system should be versatile, functional, and comfortable — starting with your underwear. Rather than relying on marketing claims, our tests favor real-world odor retention, breathability, and comfort trials in various climates. The result is a comprehensive review based on our experiences of wearing, washing, drying, and pushing these underpants to their limits.
Pick up a pair of Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Briefs, and you'll quickly understand how a pair of underwear can be so light, breathable, and quick drying. It's all thanks to the featherweight, thin, stretchy, and almost translucent 100% recycled polyester fabric. These undies feel great against your skin, making them the perfect silent companion for your next adventure. The fabric is stitched together with minimal use of flatlock seams that are patterned to stay away from irritating areas. These are the perfect pair when you're gram-counting or when pack volume is tight, but you still demand top-notch comfort in the backcountry. These undies are so packable you may forget that you even brought an extra pair of Echos at all!
Long-term durability may be the only major weakness of these boxer briefs. Although all of the stitching passed our real-world tests for wear and tear brilliantly, and we haven't experienced any pilling as of yet, durability is a likely compromise for using such light, breathable, and comfortable fabric. The waistband is a little narrower than on other pairs – another trade-off to cut weight and improve the dry time of the Echo Boxer Briefs. The 100% recycled polyester is more susceptible to stink than natural fibers found in a pair like the Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief, but the Echo features Outdoor Research's proprietary, silver-free ActiveFresh anti-odor application, which helps these undies pass our morning-after-an-adventure whiff test.
The Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Briefs will complement you well on your next climbing adventure.
The Under Armour UA Tech 6" Boxerjock is such an exceptional value that we could confidently recommend them as your daily drivers, not just an outstanding pair of travel undies. But the price isn't the only thing that sets this pair apart: the waistband may be one of the widest and most comfortable we've tested and keeps these undies firmly in place. The minimalist stitch pattern also keeps seams away from sensitive areas. They employ extra breathable fabric in strategic places like the front and bottom panels, allowing for extra evaporation and cooling.
The one Achilles' heel of the Boxerjock is a lack of anti-odor tech. For the price, one wouldn't necessarily expect it, but it's something you would appreciate on long-haul flights. Thankfully, these undies can be easily washed in your hotel room, wrung out, left to dry, and ready for you the next day. They're dryer-safe, too (on a low setting), if you find you're in a rush. Since these boxer briefs cost half as much as some of the other pairs we've tested, consider grabbing two pairs. The REI Co-op Everyday Boxer Brief is a decent affordable runner-up.
Minimal stitching and sheer, stretchy, durable synthetic fabric defines the Under Armour Boxerjocks.
On the hottest summer days, when it seems like there's almost no relief from the heat, pull on the Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh boxer briefs. We like to wear these undies when you'd rather not wear anything at all. The supremely breathable fabric interlaces mesh with polyester bands to keep this featherweight pair of underwear from simply blowing away. Dry times for these briefs are quick, so you'll be ready for action the next day no matter where you're trying out your undies.
It's not all roses, though — fabric durability is the greatest weakness of the Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh briefs. But take care of them, and they'll take care of you. That does mean forgoing the dryer; instead, hang these up to dry to keep the embedded elastane from losing its magic. If you're looking for the next level of comfort in the hottest conditions — and some wildly fun patterns and colors to boot — these are a great choice. We also like the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 as an option for hot days.
Name Change - March 2023
Since we tested this pair of boxer briefs from Saxx, they have been renamed from the Hot Shot to the DropTemp Cooling Mesh. However, some retailers are still referring to them as the Hot Shot. Note that our affiliate links may point to either name, but they are the same product.
When it's too hot for clothes, we reach for the Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh boxer briefs.
At first blush, the Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer could come across as a conventional pair of cotton boxer briefs. But that casual look belies the fact that the wool, nylon, and elastane blend provides good breathability, odor control, durability, and stretch — far more so than a cotton pair of undies. That's why these win our pick for more casual settings, like after the work conference where you want to feel confident networking. We enjoyed the classic look and happily indulged in how they felt and performed as travel underwear, breathing well and drying fast enough to be worn the next day.
The big downside worth noting is the seams, which are bulkier than any other travel underwear we've tested. This is because the thread is wool, and wool filaments are generally thicker than synthetic material. Thankfully for you, the Anatomica Boxers are also much softer and should conform to your body without you even noticing. Still, Icebreaker's use of a pipe seam rather than a flatlock seam in some areas is somewhat of a head-scratcher for us. If this is a dealbreaker for you, take a look at the synthetic Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Briefs, which are ultra comfortable with flatlock seams.
While some of the seam choice on these classy undies is a bit strange to us, we still really enjoyed wearing the Icebreaker Anatomica boxers.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Compare Products
Shown here is a rigorous, if unorthodox, part of our lead tester's methods.
Credit: Ethan Newman
How We Test Travel Underwear
We aim to conduct the most thorough, comprehensive, and objective reviews available. We independently purchase all our equipment and clothing to stay objective, and use a rubric of measurable qualities and testing metrics to assess and rate each pair of underwear fairly. We conduct long-term field testing in a wide variety of situations – we've hiked these pairs of underwear to the tops of mountains and the bottoms of canyons to dissect the nuances between each product in our lineup. We carry out timed tests to assess drying speed, weigh them all on our scales, and continue wearing each pair well beyond our standard testing period to report on durability. And, of course, we stuffed them all in travel packs and hit the road and airways with them, too. To get a deeper dive into our testing process, check out our testing article.
Our travel underwear testing is divided into five different metrics:
Comfort (35% of overall score weighting)
Breathability (20% weighting)
Odor Control (20% weighting)
Durability (15% weighting)
Drying Time (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Our latest tests were led by Justin Simoni, an all-around self-powered mountain athlete and adventurer. Simoni spends a lot of time on the trail in the Colorado backcountry, sleeping in bivies for many consecutive days during the summer and winter before returning to town for rest, refresh, and resupply. He knows firsthand that a good pair of underwear can really make the difference between a comfortable and carefree adventure and a surprisingly stinky and sweaty experience.
Ethan Newman, an AMGA-certified climbing guide with a bachelor's in Adventure Education, also contributed extensively to this review. He's traveled around the American West – especially the Southwest – and has spent over a thousand days climbing in the US, Mexico, Canada, and Argentina. During testing, he adventured all over the American Southwest: ice climbing in slot canyons, climbing big walls in Zion, cross-country skiing in the La Sal mountains, and hiking through Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. He made sure to test this travel underwear both at bone-chillingly cold belays as well as running under the sun of southern Utah.
Timing dry time for each pair was an important distinction.
Hitting up the river on a hot day of testing.
How to Pick the Best Travel Underwear
Here are four important considerations, including material, comfort, and budget, to help you choose the right pair of underwear for your next trip. This is a summary of our complete Buying Advice article.
What Separates Travel Underwear from Ordinary Underwear?
Travel underwear is designed with materials and features that enable someone to travel further and longer without worrying about their underwear. Essentially, the less you think about your underwear while away from home or civilization, the better. When looking for travel underwear, the first step is to identify the length of trips you have planned and prioritize what matters most to you, whether that's breathability, odor control, or quick drying. From there, you can begin to narrow down your preferred options.
How Important are the Materials?
The biggest difference between normal everyday briefs and travel underwear is the material used. Most brands offer a blend of merino wool and/or synthetic materials to aid in performance and comfort. Typically, a synthetic-based pair of underwear, such as polyester, will offer the best breathability and quickest dry time, but briefs with merino wool offer natural odor protection and great comfort characteristics while still providing great levels of breathability. It's also worth noting that Merino wool-style briefs tend to be pricer than their synthetic counterparts. Choosing between materials will depend on performance preferences and the different price points between synthetic and merino-based underwear.
A quality pair of undies all comes down to the right materials.
Credit: Justin Simoni
What to Look for in Comfortable Underwear
Not all underwear is made equal. When searching for your next favorite pair of briefs, it's wise to consider a few important characteristics. Ideally, if you can feel the material and determine its softness, that's a surefire way to get an idea of the fabric. If not, look for seam construction and briefs that avoid unnecessary panels and spots that could lead to chafing or rubbing. It's also worth considering how constructive and tight-fitting you'd like your underwear to be, whether that's more supportive or more relaxed. Taking a little bit of time to identify the key points of what makes a comfortable pair of underwear will go a long way in avoiding discomfort while out on the trail.
Do You Need Fast-Drying Underwear?
Another crucial aspect of travel underwear is its ability to dry quickly. Whether hand washing and hanging to dry during your travels or just wanting to take a quick dip during a hot hike, it's important to find underwear that can dry quickly. As previously mentioned, material will play a large role in determining the drying capabilities. If you need fast-drying briefs, consider underwear made out of nylon and polyester.
Quick-drying underwear gets you back on the trail quicker and less time worrying if your underwear has dried yet.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Analysis and Test Results
While there are plenty of options for men's underwear, we narrowed the scope of our review for the sake of focus and optimal comparison. We specifically focused on boxer briefs, which are more adaptable and less chafe-inducing than boxers or briefs. They are also the most popular cut among our testers and friends. However, many of these products also come in brief or boxer styles. If that's your preferred cut, this review will still be helpful.
We also ignored any underwear made solely from cotton, as cotton holds up to 27 times its weight in water. In contrast, wool, cellulosic fabrics, and synthetic fibers absorb substantially less and insulate when wet. All the underwear we tested is constructed from wicking fabrics. We evaluated each pair for comfort, breathability, odor control, durability, and drying time to determine the best.
Value
At first glance, you might think that some of these prices for a single pair of underwear are insane, especially when a standard three-pack of cotton boxers is 15 bucks or less. But for underwear, as in most things, you get what you pay for. Sure, you might not need the super spendy wool skivvies for the average day, but if you're looking to keep chafing, odor, and “swampiness” down, your cotton underpants simply won't cut it. For a solid, entry-level pair of high-quality underwear, take a good look at the Under Armour UA Tech 6" Boxerjock for synthetics and the Meriwool Merino Wool 160 Boxer for natural fibers.
The Under Armour Boxerjock's fabric is light and airy, but also tough as nails - just like you.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Materials play a large part in the price of all these pairs of travel underwear. The most expensive models are made out of Merino wool, which is much finer – and thus softer – than standard wool. We like it for base layers because it's cushy, breathable, and naturally minimizes body odor without additional anti-odor treatment. However, Merino typically isn't cheap. Some of the most expensive options are the Smartwool Merino Boxer Briefs and the full-wool Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer. Many of the other boxer briefs in this review are made out of nylon, polyester, and viscose (a fabric that comes from processing cellulose-rich plants like bamboo). Synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics are generally less expensive and dry faster but tend to gather and hold onto odor. If this is worrisome to you, consider a pair with anti-odor treatment.
You won't find a bad pair of skivvies in this pile, but some offer a better bargain.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Comfort
If a pair of underwear isn't comfortable, there's no way you'll ever wear them. It won't matter how wicking or lightweight they are if they feel like a sandpaper-coated trashbag (but don't worry, no pair we tested were that bad). To determine comfort, we field-tested each pair in a variety of settings. We considered attributes such as fabric softness, chafing (especially at seams), waistband feel, and how likely the legs are to roll up. Our ideal pair of underwear is so comfy that it is practically unnoticeable. All the pairs we tested were reasonably comfortable, with a few absolute standouts.
Aside from the fabric's feel, its construction plays a significant factor in comfort. Most of the boxer briefs we tested had flatlock seams, which lay flat on the skin everywhere but on the hems. We also noticed when seams ran through the middle of the crotch or at other odd places, causing rubbing and chafing, especially under thicker pants or multiple layers. A few companies got creative with the seams, like the Icebreaker Anatomica, which used piping for a more aesthetic but ultimately less comfortable pair.
The award-winning Under Armour UA Tech 6" Boxerjock is one of the more comfortable pairs we tested. It intelligently uses stretchy fabric instead of multiple fabric panels and additional stitching. It ditches the inseam running the bottom of the brief, which can typically be an annoyance for those who straddle bicycles, motorcycles, and horses.
The Echo Boxer Brief from Outdoor Research is really nice for traveling, both for drying time and layering.
Credit: Ethan Newman
For a slightly more athletic fit, try either the Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Brief or the Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh. Both are quite comfortable, if not a bit more snug, and the comfort of the Saxx undies is mostly a result of the thin, stretchy fabric. The ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 is a bit of a mix between the two – an athletic fit on the legs with a baggier crotch – which is a less flattering, albeit comfortable compromise.
While the seat and legs of the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 are snug, the crotch is a bit baggier than we prefer.
Credit: Justin Simoni
The two Saxx models – the DropTemp Cooling Mesh and the Saxx Vibe – were the most supportive pairs we tested. The BallPark Pouch kept everything centered and chafe-free, and it was quite pleasant for how supportive and “cupping” it felt. However, we also recognize that the support might be a bit much for some folks, especially if you enjoy riding side-saddle. We'd recommend either the Icebreaker Anatomica or the Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief if you want a very supportive pair of undies without the extra mesh of the Saxx.
The Ballpark Pouch of the Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh keeps even the biggest package away from the thighs; the banded mesh fabric really makes a difference when it comes to keeping cool.
Credit: Justin Simoni
The Meriwool Merino Wool 160 takes a markedly different approach to comfort than the other pairs we tested, which are tighter and fit well when deployed for active use. This pair's generous, soft fabric introduces a much more relaxed fit. From work to airports to just lounging, we loved these skivvies. However, due to the looser fit, they tend to bunch up when worn under tight-fitting clothes, losing a lot of ground in comfort for athletic or other tight-fitting clothing.
Meriwool features a more relaxed fit compared to other natural fiber underwear
Credit: Justin Simoni
Breathability
Inferior breathability is of the quickest ways for underwear to go from undetectable to making you squirm in your seat – and nobody wants a swampy pair of undies. We tested this metric through extended field sessions of high-aerobic activities like biking. Again, each pair performed relatively well, with some notable outliers.
The Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh reigns supreme here, mostly due to the banded ultralight mesh material that runs throughout the fabric and a racing stripe of mesh fabric running through the middle of the seat. This mesh material doesn't give too much of the plot away while worn next to your skin. But held up to the light, you can really see just how permeable the fabric is.
A race stripe back panel on the Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh provides ultimate breathability on the backside.
Credit: Justin Simoni
The Outdoor Research Echo also features a featherweight, perforated fabric that performs well, dumping out excess heat to keep things cool. The fabrics of the Icebreaker Anatomica and REI Co-op Merino Boxers perform similarly, as they're both 150 g/sm weight Merino wool, although the Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief had a less breathable waistband.
These Icebreaker Anatomica are quite breathable, even for wool, on those hot and sunny days.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Odor Control
When traveling, either in the backcountry or urban settings, days can pass before you're able to wash your clothes, so garments that can last a while without smelling too much are clutch. We should keep the funk to our dance moves, not our underwear. In addition to field testing, we also used our bike test (wear, ride, remove, whiff) in concert with our breathability metric to determine the scores in this category.
Merino wool doesn't hold body odor nearly as much as synthetic fabrics for various reasons, and all the wool underwear in this test performed accordingly. While wool will eventually smell like the body part it covers, the stink won't build up as much, reduces when aired out, and disappears with washing. This is because wool has a rough microscopic texture that discourages bacterial growth, and each wool fiber is naturally coated with lanolin, an antimicrobial waxy substance. If you want a pair of underwear that you can wear multiple days in a row without offense, aim for the Merino wool pairs, like the Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief.
Merino wool travel underwear like the REI Merino Wool Boxers certainly don't stink (literally!)
Credit: Justin Simoni
Synthetic fibers retain odor because of their oleophilic properties, which hold onto skin oil and body odor. Some fabrics use antimicrobial (usually silver, which can irritate skin for some) or other proprietary coatings to reduce odor buildup. However, the fact is that these eventually degrade with repeated use and washings and just aren't as effective as wool's natural anti-odor composition.
We love Merino wool for its ability to keep odor at bay. For this reason, the fully Merino wool Icebreaker Anatomica is a great choice for long backpacking trips.
Credit: Justin Simoni
That said, the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 is one of the few pairs in our review that features a one-two punch to help with odor control. First, they're made out of nylon rather than polyester, which could be less of a breeding ground for the microorganisms that create smells. Secondly, they come treated with an antimicrobial coating which kills bacteria on contact.
The Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Brief and Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh fared well, but not great, in our real-world tests, even though both have an additional anti-odor treatment to help offset the funk of their synthetic fabrics.
The Saxx Vibe can certainly give off a certain vibe compared to other undies with better odor control.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Durability
If you spend a good amount of money on a single pair of underwear and plan on traveling with said underwear into the fair hinterlands of this world, then that pair better last a while. After all, this isn't delicate lingerie. We cycled through our lineup for two months and repeated machine washing and drying to put as much wear on each pair as possible. Our testers have worn most of these pairs for over 18 months. The two things that make the biggest difference in durability are fabric and sewing quality. We looked for and occasionally saw runs in fabric, pilling, seams starting to fray, and wrinkled waistbands. Some of the pairs had waistbands better bonded to the interior elastic than others, and some had better craftsmanship around the stitching, which showed after extended use.
Often synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics last longer than wool, but we didn't find that to be the case during our testing period with the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0. While these are fully synthetic, they also quickly developed pilling and runs in the nylon mesh.
The ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 quickly developed pilling, even from just normal usage.
Credit: Justin Simoni
A better choice for synthetic is the REI Co-op Everyday Boxer Brief, which seemed to us to be absolutely bombproof in both the construction and fabric choice. Our abrasion tests that ripped other pairs to shreds barely affected the Everyday Boxer Brief in any appreciable way. The Under Armour UA Tech 6" Boxerjock also surprised us with how well it stood up to our adventurous pursuits. This pair has the widest waistband of all the briefs we've tested and an awesome tough-but-soft fabric that stretches and hugs your legs and buns.
The REI Everyday Boxer Briefs seem to defy the laws of physics with their tough yet comfortable synthetic fabric featuring a ton of stretch.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Two of the Merino wool boxer briefs used “core-spun” wool, meaning the wool fibers are wrapped around a thread of nylon fabric to unlock the best of both fabrics. Even without that technology, the Merino wool underwear we tested generally held up well. The Smartwool Merino Boxer Briefs are one of the burliest pairs in our lineup. The waistband is thick, and neither the band's elastic nor any of the flatlock seams showed signs of wear during our testing period and many months beyond. Although we're pretty confident that wool blend skivvies will be burly enough for almost anything while wearing them, be mindful while washing and drying. If at all possible, line dry or dry flat. Excessive abuse will strip the wool from the nylon core, leaving you with threadbare undies.
As natural fiber underwear go, the Smartwool Merino boxers were one of the burliest. Just don't confuse them for climbing safety gear.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Drying Time
We like to travel light, and we like to go far. Sometimes, that means having only one or two pairs of underwear while also being far away from the nearest washing machine. This means we often end up hand washing our underwear and line drying it, whether in a hostel bathroom or at an advanced base camp.
We soaked each pair of boxer briefs in water, wrung them out, and hung them to test dry times. We did this test twice, once in the sun and once inside. Taking an hour or less in the sun, the fastest drying pairs in our lineup excelled thanks to their nylon and polyester materials. These fabrics don't absorb water as readily as natural fibers.
Dry time for the Saxx DropTemp Cooling Mesh is incredible, even in less than perfect conditions.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Give Handwashing a Try
Never washed clothes in a sink before? It's a quick and easy alternative to visiting a laundromat while on the road. The washing is pretty straightforward. To dry them, place them flat on a towel, roll them up tightly, then walk on the towel or wring them out. Repeat until damp-dry.
A helpful tip for speeding up drying: Lay boxers out on a towel, roll it up tightly, and twist. This transfers the moisture from the garment to the towel, and your boxers should hang dry much quicker!
Credit: Jack Cramer
The uncontested speed racer of our collection was the Outdoor Research Echo, which dried faster than any other pair we tested. This is partially due to just how lightweight the fabric is – the Echo is also the lightest pair we tried.
It's a thrill to find a stowaway pair of Outdoor Research Echo boxer briefs in your backpack to change into for town after a long segment hiking in the wilderness.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Despite being full-Merino wool, the Icebreaker Anatomica wasn't far behind, as the thinner waistband dries quicker than the thicker band on the Smartwool Merino Boxer Briefs. These distinctions aside, any of these pairs would easily dry in a hotel bathroom overnight and much quicker on a laundry line in the sun, so this metric doesn't weigh as heavily in each product's final score.
We're always on the look out for the best possible pair of underwear we can find.
Credit: Ethan Newman
Conclusion
Proper layering starts at the skin level, so a quality pair of underwear is the best place to start for high performance. We sought out skivvies that are comfortable, durable, breathable, and can be worn for a while without getting gross. To create this in-depth review, we tested the most comprehensive selection of the best men's travel underwear. We hope our expert advice helps you with your purchase decisions – because we know that while your car may take regular, your body deserves premium.
