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There are many good reasons why you’ll find boxer briefs, rather than briefs or boxers, under the jeans and chinos of most American men. The hybrid style combines the extra support of briefs and the thigh coverage you get with boxers. Plus, they disappear under clothing, making them the ideal base layer for everything from suit pants to jeans. And today’s market encompasses a huge amount of variation, from those that feel like luxury loungewear to those that incorporate feats of engineering designed to swaddle your balls. To find the very best boxer briefs, I rounded up my favorites and talked to designers, stylists, and other fashionable people about their preferred styles. Plus, I added picks from other Strategist staffers.
Update on July 23, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Fabric
Depending on where you plan to wear them, you might prefer boxer briefs made of 100 percent cotton or you might opt for a blend of synthetic fibers like spandex, Lycra, or micromodal. Cotton is generally very durable, soft, and breathable, while synthetic fibers can add stretch or moisture-wicking properties. Silk is smooth and can be cooler to the touch than other fabrics, and it can stretch if it’s blended with synthetic fibers. Beyond personal preference, you should base your choice of fabric on factors like how much you sweat and how careful you are with laundry.
Fly
The most common fly styles for boxer briefs are the traditional vertical fold-over fly (pull the top layer of fabric aside when using the bathroom) and the horizontal fold-over fly (pull the top layer of fabric down when using the bathroom). Less common fly situations include the button fly and no fly at all. For the most part, all of the brands we recommend have some sort of fly, but in writing this story, we’ve learned that no-fly designs are often popular among men who like to wear slimmer-cut pants. The style may also feel more secure to some men.
Waistband
Few things are as annoying as a too-tight waistband cutting into your sides all day. And one that keeps rolling or slipping down isn’t great, either. The best waistbands are the ones you can’t feel at all. According to the experts we talked to, every waistband on this list passes muster for comfort. But many people have specific preferences about the width, color, or whether there is a logo or not. So we’ve listed which ones are extra wide or feature a brand logo.
Fit
The fit of your boxer briefs depends on cut, rise, and inseam length; where the seams land; and how they’re sewn. Finding a great fit may take some trial and error, but for the purposes of this list, we looked for options that are supportive without feeling too restrictive and that stay in place without sagging, riding up at the waist, or bunching in the legs.
There are two types of rise: regular and low. For anyone who prefers low-rise trousers, a low-rise pair of underwear won’t peek out quite as much. In contrast, regular-rise underwear sits closer to the waistline, and many people find it more supportive. Inseam lengths for boxer briefs typically fall between three and five inches, which is usually enough to provide good support and coverage without adding too much bulk under pants. With that said, longer inseams (typically from six to nine inches) can be helpful for keeping boxer briefs in place, especially during workouts, and depending on how the inseam touches your inner thighs, longer inseams could help with skin-on-skin chafing.
Best boxer briefs overall
Fabric: Cotton | Fly: Traditional | Waistband: Exposed elastic | Fit: Regular rise, sizes S–3XL
Of all of the pairs we heard about while reporting on boxer briefs (and men’s underwear in general), none received more praise than these Uniqlo cotton boxer briefs. The Supima cotton version, which was previously our overall favorite, is currently out of stock, but the Uniqlo regular cotton boxer briefs are very similar and will be your best bet. I have worn these cotton boxer briefs for the past two years, and while they’re definitely comfortable — I don’t ever have to think about them — the main thing to highlight is their durability. The three-pack I bought a couple of years ago hasn’t pilled or shown signs of wear. I also have larger thighs, so my other cotton boxer briefs usually develop some sort of hole or fraying on the inner thigh, but not these boxer briefs.
Our trusted sources swear by them for both quality and value. “They’re soft, breathable, and keep their shape well even after many washes,” says photographer Sam Schmieg. Other fans include Strategist columnist Chris Black, photographer Malcolm McNeil, street-style photographer Christopher Fenimore, and Andrew Chen, the founder of menswear brand 3sixteen. The simple and affordable design has a regular rise and a vertical fold-over fly.
Best ultrathin boxer briefs
Fabric: Polyester, spandex, and nylon blend | Fly: Traditional | Waistband: Exposed elastic | Fit: Regular (also available in low rise), sizes S–3XL
Uniqlo’s Airism line promises moisture-wicking technology intended to keep you cool, dry, and feeling fresh. (One of my favorite pairs of men’s gym shorts is made partially with the brand’s Airism fabric.) Nicolás Lazaro, an editorial manager at Buck Mason, prefers them to cotton boxer briefs because they are especially lightweight and breathable. “You’ll forget you even have them on,” he says. They come in two rises, regular and low, with a traditional fly and a more generous inseam of four to five inches, depending on the size you wear. Former Strategist writer Jordan Bowman says they hold up well after multiple washes and don’t shrink in the dryer. Lazaro also notes that they dry so quickly that he can just hand-wash them and hang them up for a bit if he’s ever in a pinch.
Best performance boxer briefs
Fabric: Nylon | Fly: Traditional | Waistband: Exposed elastic | Fit: Low rise, sizes S–2XL
The boxer version of the Give-n-Go, which I’ve worn for nearly a decade, is made of the same sweat-wicking, quick-drying material, which feels cooler to the touch than cotton. That makes this pair a great choice for workouts or hot weather. Barron Cuadro, the founding editor of Effortless Gent, says these boxer briefs are perfect for outdoorsmen because they’re anti-microbial and they dry superfast. He likes that they’re made of breathable fabric and notes that, even though he normally prefers a higher rise, they are still comfortable. In addition, he says they’re durable and that he’s worn some pairs as long as six years. They also have flatlock seams, which means the fabric doesn’t overlap, to minimize chances of chafing or irritating the skin.
Best multipack boxer briefs
Fabric: 95% cotton, 5% spandex | Fly: Traditional | Waistband: Logo elastic | Fit: Regular rise, sizes S–XL
In addition to the logo appeal, Calvin Klein boxer briefs are beloved for their comfort and fit. I’ve rotated through many pairs of these boxer briefs and found them comfortable and a good option for a daily driver. Phillip Wong, the co-founder and creative director of Hawthorne, says the brand’s underwear is some of the best out there. “I’ve worn the classic Calvin Klein boxer briefs for as long as I can remember,” Wong says. “The shape is exceptional, not too tight, and it’s very low maintenance.” They feature a regular rise and a traditional fly, and they come in packs of either three or five pairs as well as a variety of colors. While these may be one of the most recognizable boxer briefs available, I can’t vouch for their durability. My Calvin Klein boxer briefs developed holes in the inner thighs within a year or so — but this may be something to consider only if you chafe. As I mentioned, I have larger thighs that are more prone to chafing (my jeans develop holes in the same areas). Matt Rogers, comedian and co-host of Las Culturistas, prefers his Calvin Klein boxer briefs over other pairs. “They are classics. They travel well, they come in three-packs, and they’re a little bit shorter, so they’re kind of like trunks,” he says.
Best (less expensive) multipack boxer briefs
Fabric: 75% cotton, 25% polyester | Fly: Traditional | Waistband: Logo exposed elastic Fit: Regular Rise, sizes S–2XL
For a slightly more affordable pack of cotton boxer briefs (with a little more spandex, too), consider the Hanes Comfortsoft. They are “simple and inexpensive, and they last,” says Tim Melideo, who runs Stay Classic, a men’s fashion website focused on affordable style. Queer Eye stylist Tan France is also a fan, and he wears them daily because they suit those who wear slim pants and want to avoid bunching or visible seams. They have a classic elastic waistband, a traditional fly, and a regular rise, and they also have some elasticity in the leg opening designed to keep them from riding up or bunching.
Best supersoft boxer briefs
Fabric: 52% Viscose, 33% Tencel lyocell, 9% silk, 6% elastane | Fly: Traditional fly | Waistband: Logo exposed elastic | Fit: Regular rise, 5-inch inseam, sizes XS–2XL
I have been wearing these boxer briefs for the past two years, and they’re the most comfortable pair I own, thanks to the silk-blended fabric, which feels cool to the touch. I have three pairs, and I almost ration them throughout the week for days when I’m working from home or when I’m just relaxing. Plus, they haven’t lost their shape after dozens of trips through the wash.
Best (less expensive) supersoft boxer briefs
Fabric: Micromodal and elastane | Fly: No fly or traditional fly | Waistband: Exposed elastic | Fit: Regular rise, 6-inch inseam, sizes S–4XL
If you’re looking for boxer briefs that aren’t made from the typical cotton-spandex blend, consider this pair from MeUndies, which uses micromodal, a type of rayon known for its softness and resistance to shrinkage (it also has moisture-wicking properties). Melideo and actor-model Kyle Andrew are fans of MeUndies for the same reason: their feel. Melidio describes them as “supersoft,” and Andrew agrees that the brand’s fabrics are “oddly soft.” Former Strategist associate editor Louis Cheslaw wears MeUndies boxer briefs not only because of their aforementioned softness but because they “never ride up, fray, or tighten at the waistband no matter how many NYC-laundromat drying cycles you blast them with,” he says. You can choose between no fly at all or a traditional fly as well as more than 70 colors and prints.
Best long-leg boxer briefs
Fabric: Micromodal and spandex | Fly: Horizontal fly | Waistband: Logo exposed elastic | Fit: Regular rise, 8-inch inseam, sizes S–2XL
One of the worst features of some boxer briefs is that they ride up or get bunched up, and one way to prevent that is with a longer inseam. Several folks we spoke to named Tommy John boxer briefs as their favorite long-inseam pair. Derek Guy, editor at men’s style site Put This On and blogger at Die, Workwear, is a big fan of the micromodal fabric used in these Second Skin boxer briefs, which have an eight-inch inseam so the leg openings will fall closer to the knee. “The non-pilling blend wicks moisture away from the skin better than pure cotton, which means you feel drier and more comfortable throughout the day,” he says. Guy told us he “bought a pair of boxer briefs from Zimmerli, widely regarded as the best maker in the world, for $150,” but says his Tommy Johns have proven even better than those over time. They have a horizontal fly, which Megan Collins, founder of menswear site Style Girlfriend, says her best friend’s husband raves about. “I was skeptical when I first heard about it,” she says of the style, which is designed to feel more secure, but notes that since he tried the Second Skin boxer briefs, he now prefers them over other options. Cuadro likes their fit, wide waistband, and ultrasoft fabric that he says hasn’t pilled over the course of many years and washes. (If you want a longer leg but find that an eight-inch inseam is overkill, Second Skin boxer briefs also come in a six-inch inseam.)
Best (less expensive) long-leg boxer briefs
Fabric: 90% polyester, 10% spandex | Fly: None | Waistband: Elastic | Fit: Regular rise, 9-inch inseam, sizes S–4XL
This synthetic long-inseam option (available in six- and nine-inch lengths) should also do a better job of not riding up. Both Gavin Rossdale and French Montana are fans. While you can buy them in basic colors like grey and black, they’re also available in loud, colorful prints, which is one reason Rossdale prefers them over other boxer briefs. “They’re super zany colored, and they’re on Amazon. I dress like a child under these adult clothes,” he says.
Best extra-supportive boxer briefs
Fabric: 95% viscose, 5% elastane | Fly: Traditional | Waistband: Logo exposed elastic | Fit: Regular rise, 5-inch inseam, sizes XS–2XL
At first, I was skeptical of Saxx’s supportive yet gentle “pouch” technology, but after wearing various pairs of both the regular and athletic versions for the past five years, I don’t think any other pair of boxer briefs can offer the same support as Saxx’s. The secret is in the mesh panels that hug the boys without feeling restrictive. When it comes to durability, they last a while: I’ve been wearing these not just day to day, but also for workouts and outdoor activities — and they’ve held up as well as my other workout-specific boxer briefs made with technical fabrics like spandex and polyester. Plus, they get the stamp of approval from actor Neil Patrick Harris. He told us that of all the brands and pairs he’s tried, these are the best. “They provide comfort and stability in a way that no other underpants do. It’s all about the pouch. I mean, I like some space. Neil-y no like-y smashie,” he says.
Additional reporting by Liza Corsillo, Jordan Bowman, Louis Cheslaw, and Karen Iorio Adelson
Our experts
• Kyle Andrew, model and actor
• Chris Black, former Strategist columnist
• Jordan Bowman, former Strategist writer
• Jessica Cadmus, wardrobe stylist
• Andrew Chen, founder of menswear brand 3sixteen
• Megan Collins, founder of menswear site Style Girlfriend
• Barron Cuadro, founding editor of Effortless Gent
• Chris Echevarria, creator of the footwear brand Blackstock & Weber
• Christopher Fenimore, street-style photographer
• Tan France, Queer Eye stylist
• Derek Guy, editor at Put This On and blogger at Die, Workwear
• Neil Patrick Harris, actor
• Nicolás Lazaro, editorial manager at Buck Mason
• Malcolm McNeil, photographer
• Tim Melideo, editor of men’s fashion website Stay Classic
• French Montana, rapper
• Gavin Rossdale, musician
• Sam Schmieg, photographer
• Phillip Wong, co-founder and creative director of Hawthorne
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