Underwear, including mens trunk underwear or mens Boxer Briefs, comes in a variety of natural and synthetic fabrics: cotton, modal, wool, silk, nylon, Spandex, and Lycra. For most people, cotton and modal offer the most breathability for everyday wearing. Wool is an option in cooler climates, but may be tough for people with sensitive skin and, like silk, doesn’t wick moisture well. Neither are ideal for daily wear. Synthetic materials are best for athletic activities because they stretch well; they’re also well-suited for travel since they’re lightweight and quick-drying.
The best boxer briefs allow you to forget you’re wearing anything at all. They should be soft against your skin and nearly invisible, with seams that don’t pinch. And they should have the perfect amount of elasticity, so they don’t sag or stretch out during the day. After comparing 25 brands and testing 16 pairs over several years, we’ve landed on five excellent pairs of boxer briefs to suit a variety of styles and budgets.
Saxx DropTemp Cooling Cotton
Best for: People who like a bold look and who tend to feel warm during the day, or who might enjoy the separation between themselves and their thighs.
Why it’s great: The Saxx DropTemp Cooling Cotton—previously called the Saxx Undercover—stands out from other boxer briefs because of its cotton-blend fabric and unique cup design, which allow it to feel more comfortable and supportive than many other pairs we tested while also wicking moisture and creating a flattering silhouette.
The internal pouch design consists of two panels of nylon-mesh fabric, shaped like the jib of a sailboat, that follow the internal seam of the underwear cup and separate the edge of your thighs from the rest of your anatomy. It’s a design that helps to secure everything in place and to reduce chafing or rubbing of sensitive areas.
Throughout the day, we felt like we needed to adjust ourselves less, if at all, while wearing the DropTemp Cooling Cotton boxer briefs than with other models. Testers also noted how flattering the pouch was, compared with other designs. “My topography is awesome without getting too cup-spilleth-over,” one tester said. “Also, it’s very comfortable to sleep in.”
The DropTemp Cooling Cotton’s fabric, made of a cotton-modal blend with a touch of spandex, is soft and pliable, but it also makes this pair more supportive than many other blended-fabric boxer briefs we tried, which tended to stretch out. The material feels lightweight and absorbs moisture well.
After weeks of testing various boxer briefs, I personally liked the DropTemp Cooling Cotton pair the most—their stretch and cling against my legs, the way they stayed in place longer and felt like a second skin. The waistband of this pair is about an inch tall and stays in place better than that of any other boxer briefs we tested.
Another Wirecutter staffer who owns a pair agreed. “It doesn’t shift around much at all—the legs don’t roll up or ride up—and the waistband is tight enough to keep it in place, but also super comfy,” he said.
Saxx offers a nice variety of neutral colors and louder, fun prints.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The large “Saxx” logo on the front waistband of these boxer briefs isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Also, though this pair comes as close to perfect as we’ve found, it did roll in certain situations, like when we hunched forward in a chair.
Material: 57% cotton, 38% modal, 5% elastane
Sizes: XS to XXL, fits a 27-inch to 46-inch waist
Colors and patterns: five solids, 10 patterns, limited runs of one-off prints
Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Brief
Best for: People in colder climates and those who appreciate a thicker and richer-feeling fabric.
Why it’s great: Slightly more conservative—some would say less boastful—in its cut and branding than our Saxx DropTemp Cooling Cotton pick, the Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Brief is just as pleasant to wear, though it’s made of a heavier cotton, which may feel warm to some people.
This pair is a great choice for those who prefer a more-understated look. But since there are about a dozen colors and multiple patterns to choose from, the subtle design doesn’t mean a loss of individuality.
These boxer briefs flatten the anatomy more than the Saxx DropTemp Cooling Cotton pair, thanks to the smaller dart construction of the pouch, which produces a more-modest effect. This modesty carries through Mack Weldon’s overall branding and pattern design. This pair is simply more conservative and a little more formal and mature-looking than many of the other boxer briefs we tested.
The quality of the materials and construction is evident from the moment you pick up this pair. The jersey cotton and modal fabric is a little thicker than that of other boxer briefs we tested; the 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Brief has a reassuring heft. (Indeed, this pair went through multiple wash-and-dry cycles without losing its shape or softness.)
That weightiness also makes this boxer brief warmer to wear than other others we tried, although it is plenty breathable where it counts: A lightweight piqué cotton gusset runs between each leg and across the back of the underwear.
The substantial cotton-modal fabric holds extremely well across the thigh—the sturdy seam and the just-right elasticity make the boxers neither too tight nor too loose. Mack Weldon also makes briefs and trunks out of the same luxurious fabric.
The waistband also feels pleasantly substantial, though after several years of testing, we know it’s not immune to folding over on itself. (In truth, no boxer briefs are.)
If you’re unsure about the sizing, Mack Weldon has a generous first-purchase Try On Guarantee and a customer service team that can help pinpoint the right fit.
Our testers seemed almost conflicted with how fancy they felt while wearing these boxer briefs. “These are lovely. You put them on, and you feel rich,” one tester said. Another added, “This underwear makes me wanna waste money on a hotel room and fancy booze to seduce my already-wife and spoil her right.”
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The 18-Hour Jersey boxer briefs must be washed in cold water. When one tester ignored these instructions and ran his pair through a medium-warm cycle, the underwear pilled.
Material: 47.5% cotton, 47.5% modal, 5% spandex
Sizes: S to XXL, fits a 28-inch to 46-inch waist
Colors and patterns: 13 colors, 6 patterns
Gap 5″ Boxer Briefs
Best for: People with sensitive skin, especially around the waistband.
Why it’s great: If you don’t want to spend more than $15 for a pair of underwear, the Gap 5″ Boxer Briefs strike a good compromise between comfort, fit, and price. This pair is made of a sturdy but exceptionally soft cotton (95%) and spandex (5%) blend—it’s some of the softest cotton we’ve worn, especially for the price, and it feels like a familiar T-shirt.
The Gap boxer briefs have welcoming details such as soft covered seams, which prevent friction against clothing, and a unique fleece-like lining on the waistband. We didn’t find either of these features on any other underwear we tested—even pairs that cost twice the price.
Although the fabric is wonderful and they’re extremely enjoyable to wear, these boxer briefs lack the tailored look and feel of our other picks. Men’s underwear, at its simplest, is made of two panels of fabric, a front and a back, stitched together. However, pricier pairs tend to include more panels to further refine the shape and fit.
In the rear, these boxer briefs are made from a single panel, stretching from thigh to thigh, that flattens—rather than contours—the posterior, which isn’t the most flattering. Instead of a full cup in front, the design has a roomy, darted pouch. You may not notice these cut and shape considerations—that is, until you try a pair of underwear that does have extra tailoring. Then it’s harder to go back.
Kirkland Signature Men’s Boxer Brief 4-pack
Best for: People who want to save some cash without sacrificing (much) in the way of quality or design.
Why it’s great: The Kirkland Signature Men’s Boxer Brief is surprisingly comfortable and well constructed for the price—a four-pack costs less than any other single pair we recommend. And unlike some others we tried, this pair offers an ideal thickness for nearly any climate.
I was surprised by how well the fabric stretched across my skin. Several brands we’ve tested in this budget range use cotton that feels brittle when stretched and almost crinkly between your fingers. The Kirkland Signature boxer briefs are sturdy but soft, made from a blend of 96% cotton and 4% spandex. The fabric is easily on par with that of underwear twice the price—it’s soft enough not to catch your leg hairs or irritate your skin yet still elastic enough, especially around the thighs, to move with you. This fabric also has an optimal thickness—sturdy and durable but also breathable.
ExOfficio Men’s Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh 6″ Boxer Brief
Best for: People who want to travel light, live in in hot climates, or anybody who prefers the feel of silky nylon over cotton blends.
Why it’s great: The ExOfficio Men’s Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh 6″ Boxer Brief is designed for travel. But this pair’s comfortable fit and featherweight feel—not to mention its odor-reducing abilities—could have you reaching for it every day, whether you’re traveling or not. This boxer brief is nearly identical to its predecessor, ExOfficio’s Give-N-Go Sport Mesh model, which was our previous top pick, before it was discontinued.
Made from a nylon sport-mesh fabric that’s exceptionally lightweight and quick-drying, this pair is excellent for travel, when you may find yourself doing laundry on the go; the 2.65-ounce fabric takes just two and a half hours to fully air-dry.
However, the Give-N-Go 2.0 boxer briefs stand apart from other travel-specific underwear because of their silkiness. They feel particularly light and smooth against the skin and under clothes. And compared with traditional cotton undies, with these there’s less friction and chafing, especially when you’re moving around. They’re easily among the most comfortable boxer briefs we’ve tested, and they’re great for daily wear, even if your longest journey is from home to work.
