7 Of The Best Boxer Briefs We Recommend

by Karlton Miko Tyack  |  in Style Tips

It’s no surprise that boxer briefs are the most popular underwear choice among men. They’re more supportive than boxers and less binding than traditional briefs.

But just as not all gents are built alike, not all boxer briefs are made the same. Some of us need more support, while others are prone to chafing. You might need more length if you’re going on a long bike ride, and more looseness if you’re lounging around.

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect boxer briefs? We’ve got the seven best here, all of them being excellent choices in general, but each especially good in its specific category.

flatlay of different boxer briefs with a purple overlay color

The best boxer briefs we’ve chosen represent all priorities and lifestyles. Besides, there’s nothing more distracting than uncomfortable underwear!

These Are The Best Boxer Briefs For Men We’ve Found

Here are our seven picks!

Best Overall: ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 6-inch

ExOfficio makes travel-focused performance apparel. Unsurprisingly, their Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 is supportive and comfortable, thanks to the brand’s technical approach to its material and construction.

So if you’re not looking for athletic underwear, why should you care about the performance qualities? In a nutshell, those specifically-engineered features make this boxer brief durable but cooling, anti-odor, and long-lasting.

ex officio boxer briefs close up 6 inch
The 6-inch version of ExOfficio’s Give-N-Go Sport Mesh has been B’s go-to pair for several years now

Whether you’re working out that day or not, the Give-N-Gos will just make your life easier.

The first thing you’ll notice when wearing these is that they’re soft and snug, with a waistband that doesn’t suffocate. The second thing is that throughout the day, you kind of just forget they’re there.

This boxer brief is a superior version of a prior model, offering more moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties.

ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 6-inch
$32.00

These boxer briefs feature ultralight breathable mesh fabric that keeps you cool. Made from durable synthetic fabric, these boxer briefs are also anti-odor.

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02/14/2023 12:43 pm GMT

ExOfficio is so technical, they even give the exact level-up rates: 50% more moisture-wicking, 24% more quick-drying, and four times more breathable.

This means they’ve created a strategic mesh pattern and size, so that the mesh barrier takes the sweat off of your skin, then diffuses it. Even if you’re not sweating, this construction generally regulates temperature -which is important for the groin area!

It’s made mostly of nylon for durability, with a hint of elastane for stretch, lightness, and abrasion resistance. Thus, they’re easy to clean and they won’t fall apart after several washes.

Top all of that off with moveable four-way stretch and chafe-reducing flatlock seams, and you’ve got boxer briefs that you can wear under any pair of pants, whether they’re tuxedo trousers or gym shorts.

Best Long Inseam Boxer Briefs: ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 9-inch version 

These boxer briefs are just the nine-inch version of the Give-N-Gos we just covered, so they’ve got all of the aforementioned all-around effective qualities.

With more length in the inseam though, this boxer brief is a great solution for those of you who chafe in the thighs easily. If you’re bigger in the thigh area or are just generally sweaty, I recommend going for the longer length.

ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh 2.0 9-inch version
$34.00 $31.99

This ultralight breathable mesh fabric keeps you cool and this durable synthetic fabric is anti-odor and features flatlock seams to reduce chafing.

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02/14/2023 10:33 am GMT

For the rest of us, I still think the six-inch is more versatile, but you might want to grab some nine-inch Give-N-Gos if you’re planning on a long bike ride or run. Plus, they’ve got that anti-odor treatment.

Usually nine-inchers ride up in the leg since they’re so far down the thigh. Between the ExOfficio’s elastane and nylon construction, and the wide but well-fitting waistband, these guys will mostly stay in place.

comparison of 3 different boxer brief lengths ex officio 3 6 and 9 inch
Here’s a comparison of the 9-inch, 6-inch, and 3-inch ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh boxer brief

Best Newcomer: Mott & Bow Second Skin Boxer Brief / Trunk

Though new to the underwear game, Mott & Bow’s decades-long denim expertise has clearly given them a leg up. It looks as if they’ve applied their knowledge of fiber blending and construction to their Second Skin Boxer Briefs.

It’s made out of modal fabric, which is known for its luxurious softness and exceptional absorbance. Think of modal as a sturdier, more architectural silk.

The go-to material for upscale underwear, modal is derived from European beechwood trees, and requires 10 to 20 times less water to produce than cotton.

Mott & Bow Second Skin Boxer Brief
$30

Featuring a 6" inseam, the Second Skin Boxer Brief has ride-up resistance technology and the silky modal fabric is extra absorbent.

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And like silk, this boxer brief is soft, cool, and even offers some stretch since it’s infused with 5% spandex.

Other impressive comfort features include a soft waistband that stays in place and a lack of tags anywhere.

mott and bow boxer brief
The New Mott & Bow Second Skin Boxer Briefs (6″ inseam) and Trunks (3″ inseam) come in several dark shades

When it comes to underwear, I know a lot of men just rip the tags and labels off, so Mott & Bow definitely had the consumer in mind when making these small-detail decisions.

This freshman line definitely impresses above and beyond even a lot of veteran underwear brands. The award for boxer brief that best uses modal, however, goes to a more experienced undergarment brand -and our next entry.

Best Modal Boxer Briefs: Tommy John Second Skin

Tommy John Second Skin boxer briefs are especially luxe and delicate-feeling, yet still strong and long-lasting.

So what exactly does Tommy John do with their fabric that makes it our go-to pick for modal underwear?

First off, they use micromodal, which uses a finer fiber than regular modal. More thread is required to make it resulting in a tighter weave, and an even softer, breathable, and more refined fabric.

Second, one of modal’s biggest strengths is how well it plays with others.

By mindfully combining it with other materials, you can emphasize its best qualities and fill in some weaknesses (like how it isn’t as durable as other materials). Tommy John’s Second Skin comes in two flavors. 

Tommy John Second Skin
$36

These boxer briefs have silky soft, non-pilling micro modal fabric and are designed for daily wear.

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The solid and printed boxer briefs feature 10% spandex, which adds stretch, shape retention, and strength. 

The heathered boxer briefs are made with 43% polyester. The soft quality of modal takes naturally to the interwoven, delicate, and feathery look of heathering.

tommy john titanium second skin boxer brief
Tommy John’s Titanium Second Skin Boxer Brief has a wide and comfortable waistband

Meanwhile, the extra polyester gives it a much-needed boost in strength so it doesn’t fall apart in the wash.

If you’re looking for a sumptuously soft and resilient pair of boxer briefs, Tommy John has the formula perfected. 

Boxer Briefs That Don’t Ride Up: Mack Weldon AIRKNITx 8-inch Boxer Brief

The nylon base in ExOfficio underwear also does an exceptional job of keeping your underwear from riding up.

However, Mack Weldon’s AIRKNITx uses a clever mix of material to really fight the ride-up problem. Plus, the eight-inch option is a good middle-ground between the six and the nine. 

The AIRKNITx is made mostly of polyamides, or recycled and environmentally-sustainable nylon-like fabric. This stiff material alone allows the boxer briefs to stay in place, especially at the legs.

Mack Weldon AIRKNITx 8-inch Boxer Brief
$36

These breathable AIRKNITx performance underwear from Mack Weldon are engineered to keep you dry, cool, and comfortable to the end of your workout (or workday).

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Mack Weldon takes this to the next level by souping it up with polyester for more strength, and elastane, which is resistant to deterioration by oils and sweat.

This means it’s resistant from riding up anywhere on your body no matter how much you sweat or move.

This combination also makes this boxer brief a cooling and moisture-resistant option, and basically built to handle high-impact workouts that require a wide range of motion.

The Best AFfordable Boxer Briefs: Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs 

If you’re looking for comfortable underwear that also comes in a wide array of colors and patterns, Uniqlo’s AIRism Boxer Brief is an effective and affordable choice.

All of the entries here are comfortable in different ways (ExOfficios are chafe-resistant, Tommy Johns have a luxurious feeling). AIRism underwear, though, is universally comfortable, taking into account a little bit of everything.

Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs
$14.90

These boxer briefs are full of comfort features to keep you feeling fresh. Made from 88% Polyester and 12% Spandex.

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The body is soft polyester, with 12% spandex to add stretch and breathability. Meanwhile, the waist is mostly nylon, so it won’t roll, whether you’re sitting, standing, running, or bending.

Every item in the AIRism line is built to wick away moisture and heat from the skin, provide ventilation, and give a light and smooth feel. This combo also makes the AIRism an excellent year-round underwear.

Best Boxer Briefs with Pouch: Orlebar Brown Mid Trunk Underwear

Of course, a lot of great boxer briefs feature a pouch for comfort and support. Form-fitting Orlebar Brown underwear, also our luxury pick, comes with a contoured pouch that offers a level of definition, slightly more space, and gentle lift and support.

I’ve heard it referred to as the WonderBra for men. The slight d-shaped seam around the groin area reduces the need to adjust, no matter how much you’ve moved around.

Orlebar Brown Mid Trunk Underwear
starting at $50

These boxer briefs are breathable, lightweight and are made from soft stretch cotton (94% Cotton, 6% Lycra).

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There’s also flatlock seams and a double-layer seat panel for all-around support and subtle lifts, where we can all use a little help.

In addition to the superior support, the Mid Trunk offers the most coverage out of all Orlebar Brown’s options, and is made from airy stretch fabric for all-day comfort.

Orlebar Brown is best known as the current James Bond underwear, and is manufactured in Bulgaria. Their trademark is the signature logo-jacquard elasticated waistband.

Which are the best boxer briefs?

As always, it depends on your needs! If you tend to chafe, pick a pair with flatlock seams like the nine-inch ExOfficios.

Meanwhile, the six-inch versions score high in every category.

If you like a high-end feel, a modal construction like the Tommy Johns or the Mott & Bows are a perfect pick. 

Of course, some days are different from others, so you might want to have different models for different situations!

What’s your favorite pair from our list? Let us know by hitting us up on Facebook or Instagram!