Best men's underwear 2026: These are the most comfortable boxers and briefs you can possibly find

For something we wear every single day, underwear somehow becomes an afterthought. But it deserves a little more attention. It's often the first thing you put on in the morning and even when nobody else sees it, you know what's happening down there. Your family jewels and his supporting cast are the guests of honor, and they deserve better than scratchy seams, sagging waistbands and fabric that gives up on you.

If you've been treating your underwear as a necessary evil, hidden under clothes, bought in multipacks and worn until the fabric starts disintegrating, consider this your sign: It's time for replacements. The right pair can make you feel more comfortable, more put together and, yes, a little more confident. It's a private style statement before the rest of the outfit even enters the chat.

There's an increasingly crowded underwear department though: briefs, boxer briefs, trunks, boxers, jockstraps and plenty of hybrids that can confuse even the most stylish of gents. As someone who owns the equipment in question — and for this article, tested 20 pairs of underwear with with multi-hour, multi-day wear tests each — these are the best men's underwear actually worth pulling on.

The best men's underwear for 2026

How we tested the best underwear for men

As I value my underwear and all it provides for me, I sorted through a truly unreasonable number of brands, fabrics and cuts for this roundup. The testing process took place over three weeks and included roughly 20 pairs, spanning enough briefs, trunks, boxer briefs, boxers, jockstraps and multipacks to make my apartment look like an underwear stockroom.

I rotated each pair into actual life and all of my routines, which meant wearing them to work out, run, travel, sleep and regular outings when I felt like speaking to another human in public. I paid attention to their softness, their ability to support what's underneath, breathability, waistband comfort and bunching beneath pants and shorts, among other important things.

I then compiled all my underwear experience, with additional guidance from professional stylists and feedback from other wearers, and narrowed everything down based on where each pair performed best. Some proved ideal for high-sweat moments, others made more sense for catching ZZZs or everyday wear and a few simply made me feel extremely hot, which is also valuable consumer information. The final list reflects that range because one pair of underwear cannot — and should not — be expected to do every job. These check off all the right boxes.

What to consider when choosing the best underwear for men

For routine wear, the important questions are whether the fabric feels comfortable, the waistband recovers after stretching and the shape survives repeated washing without becoming loose or misshapen.

Material

The fabric determines how underwear feels against your skin, how well it handles sweat and whether it keeps its shape after a few hours.

• Cotton:Soft, familiar and breathable, cotton is an easy everyday choice. The drawback is that it absorbs moisture and dries more slowly, so it may not be ideal for workouts or anyone who runs hot. Symes recommends looking for cotton blended with a little elastane, which helps the fabric recover instead of stretching out.

• Modal and micro-modal:These semi-synthetic fibers tend to feel smoother, lighter and silkier than cotton, making them especially good for everyday wear, lounging and sleeping. Cerchione considers micro-modal one of the strongest all-around options for comfort, though enough stretch in the blend is important so all that softness does not turn into sagging.

• Polyester and nylon:Synthetic blends usually make the most sense for exercise, travel and hot weather because they wick moisture and dry quickly. They may not feel as natural against the skin, but they generally perform better once sweat enters the equation. Once sweat and movement enter the picture, fabric technology starts to matter more, and these keep you from remaining soaked through the rest of your workout or commute. Those are the two features most active men will notice immediately.

• Spandex and elastane:Usually present in smaller amounts, these fibers add stretch and help underwear hold its shape. The goal is enough flexibility to move with your body and stay put, not so much compression that everything feels trapped.

• Viscose:This fabric can feel soft, smooth and cool, but the quality varies. Since "bamboo" fabrics are technically viscose or rayon, check the full fabric breakdown rather than relying on "bamboo" alone. A blend with elastane will usually retain its shape better.

Style

Different cuts offer different levels of support, thigh coverage and compatibility with whatever you are wearing over them.

• Briefs:Briefs provide plenty of support without fabric extending down the thigh. They work well beneath slim pants and for men who dislike boxer briefs riding up, though they offer less coverage against thigh rubbing.

• Boxers:Loose boxers offer more airflow and freedom, making them well suited to sleeping, lounging and looser clothing. Under slim or tailored pants, all that fabric can bunch, and they generally don't provide enough support for exercise.

• Boxer briefs:The dependable all-purpose option, boxer briefs combine support with enough leg coverage to sit smoothly beneath jeans, chinos, dress pants and shorts. Cerchione recommends them most often because they can handle such a wide range of outfits and everyday situations.

• Trunks:Think of trunks as shorter boxer briefs. They give you similar support with less fabric, which can be useful beneath shorter shorts or for men with shorter legs. The leg opening needs to fit properly, though, or the fabric may creep upward.

• Performance or compression underwear:These are made for movement, sweat and friction. Look for moisture-managing fabric, flat seams, a supportive pouch and legs that stay in place. They make the most sense for running, lifting, travel or long days on your feet rather than sitting in the drawer waiting for a very athletic emergency.

• Jockstraps:A jockstrap is for when hold is the whole assignment and extra thigh fabric can sit this one out. The front keeps you lifted and close to the body, while the open-back design helps avoid the bunching you can get from longer cuts under running shorts, gym shorts or compression layers. They're not the most obvious everyday choice, but for workouts or any situation where you want max support with the least fabric, they earn their spot.

Fit

A good pair of underwear should be easy to forget about. The most obvious warning sign the fit is off, though, is constant adjustment. If you spend the day pulling the waistband up, dragging the legs down or rearranging the pouch, the underwear isn't fitting correctly — no matter how good it looked in the packaging. Here's what else to prioritize:

• The waistbandneeds to sit flat without rolling, folding or digging into your stomach.

• The pouchshould keep you supported without crushing or pulling everything into an unnatural position.

• The leg openingson boxer briefs and trunks should lie against the thigh and remain there when you walk, sit or squat, but they shouldn't leave deep marks or feel restrictive. Immediate bunching, gapping, sagging or rolling usually means either the cut or size is wrong.

Performance features

Symes recommends judging performance underwear by what it actually solves. Quick-dry fabric, stretch, flat seams and a pouch that stays secure are worth prioritizing; a long list of technical claims means very little when the legs still ride up by mile two.

• Flat seamscan make a meaningful difference during running, long walks or hours of sitting because they reduce the raised edges that rub against the skin.

• A well-shaped pouchkeeps things separated and supported without excessive pressure, which can also cut down on friction and chafing.

• Mesh panelsadd ventilation in warmer areas, though Cerchione sees them as more useful for athletes and men living in hot climates than essential for everybody.

• Odor-control treatmentsmay help during travel or long days outdoors, but they can't compensate for underwear that traps heat, stays wet or fits poorly.

Value

A basic multipack can be perfectly good underwear. Spending more makes the most sense when a pair solves a recurring problem: For example, premium materials and construction may be worth it if you regularly deal with sweat, chafing, rough fabric, poor support or waistbands that give up halfway through the day. Better stitching, higher-quality elastic and fabrics that retain their shape can also make pricier underwear last longer.

That said, cost has limits. Cerchione notes that a $60 pair isn't automatically twice as good as one costing $30. The best value is the underwear you repeatedly choose from the drawer because it remains comfortable and doesn't require constant maintenance.

No pair lasts forever, though, regardless of the logo on the waistband. Fabric that has become thin, holes near the seams, sagging pouches and elastic that no longer snaps back are all signs that retirement is overdue. Yes, even when you've become emotionally attached.

Best underwear for men FAQs

What material is best for men's underwear?

There isn't a single best fabric for every situation. Kimberly Carney , CEO of FashWire, recommends cotton or modal for everyday wear, while quicker-drying polyester and nylon blends tend to make more sense for exercise, travel and hot commutes.

Cotton feels familiar and breathable but can hold onto moisture. Modal and micro-modal are smoother and lighter, making them especially appealing when softness is the priority. Synthetic performance fabrics are better equipped for sweat, and a small amount of elastane helps almost any material stretch, recover and maintain its shape. As Symes points out, the smartest choice is the one that matches what you will actually be doing in it.

Is polyester underwear bad for men?

Polyester underwear isn't inherently bad . In fact, it can be one of the better choices for running, lifting or humid weather because it is lightweight, durable and dries much faster than cotton. Carney notes that these qualities also make synthetic blends useful for travel and anyone who tends to sweat heavily.

The tradeoff is feel. Some men dislike having synthetic fabric against their skin, and lower-quality polyester can trap heat or feel less breathable. Look for a soft blend with stretch, moisture management and flat seams rather than judging every pair by the word "polyester" on the label.

How often should you replace your underwear?

There isn't strict expiration date like the milk in your fridge, but your underwear will usually make its retirement plans known. Cerchione recommends replacing a pair once the waistband stops recovering, the fabric becomes thin or misshapen or the support is noticeably weaker than it used to be.

Holes, unraveling seams and permanent sagging are also clear signs that sentimental attachment has gone too far. Carney adds that stronger stitching and better elastic may extend a pair's life, but even premium underwear eventually wears down. If you suddenly find yourself tugging, adjusting or fighting with a pair that once fit well, it's probably time to let it go.

Meet our experts

• Kimberly Carney , CEO of The Wires and founder of FashWire

• Dina Cerchione , stylist at DMC Styles

• Aricia Symes , style expert and founder of Unfoldid