These bamboo workout shorts from And Then are super-supportive and support a good cause.

It seems like the world and his wife are making athletic apparel from sustainable sources these days – which is no bad thing. Bamboo fibres are becoming increasingly common replacements for man-made fabrics. But that doesn’t always mean the designs work any better, and with sports boxers comfort levels have to be spot-on. See how the And Then Bamboo Boxers stack up against the rest of the best moisture-wicking underwear.

Men’s Fitness verdict

These bamboo boxers are one of the best short-legged workout shorts we’ve tried. Support and breathability are excellent with a silky panel where it matters to prevent overheating.
Pros
  • Ideal fit-and-forget comfort
  • Plenty of support
  • Good heat and moisture management
Cons
  • Washing instructions quickly disappear
  • Some might prefer more leg coverage
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How we test the best moisture-wicking underwear

Laurence put these sports boxers through their paces in a range of workouts, from gentle jogs to sweaty sessions, testing them in terms of fit, comfort, support and durability. He also paid special attention to how well the fabric wicked moisture from the skin, alongside any additional high-tech features such as four-way stretch and anti-chafe seams. Rest assured: his rigorous testing process is designed to bring you the best of the best.

I’ve tried a number of sports boxers made from bamboo fibres with varying results. Comfort is often much better than you’d expect from a material that is inherently rough and scratchy. But the shape, support, heat and moisture control is often what lets them down. I had all this in mind when testing the And Then Bamboo Boxers (buy now).

And Then Bamboo Boxers design

What first struck me about these And Then Boxers wasn’t so much the design as the ethos behind the company. And Then donates 50% of all profits to Movember, the charity movement that’s helping change the perception of men’s mental health and shed light on testicular as well as prostate cancer. That in itself sounds like a good reason to pick up a pair.

Fortunately the And Then Bamboo Boxers are much more than just a promotional tool (albeit for a very worthy cause). The company only produces one design of boxer short, with one length. It’s doesn’t advertise the inseam length but my measurements put it at around 3.5in / 8.5cm. That might sound a little short for a workout brief and I was worried they’d ride up in use. But the fit and feel the first time I wore them allayed those concerns.

The fabric is light and smooth, with plenty of shape. There’s an even smoother, shiny panel that runs across the inseams, which feels cool to the touch. The waistband is quite thick and wide, but super-comfy with no cutting or rolling. It doesn’t sit too low on the waist either, like some workout boxers can.

And Then Bamboo Boxers performance

I wore these boxers in various workout sessions – from weight and HIIT workouts to runs, squash and team sports. That inner panel really did help with heat management, and overall the moisture-wicking properties were impressive. There’s plenty of support too, which I appreciated in more dynamic workouts.

Months in and they’re still holding their shape after numerous washes. The hypoallergenic property of bamboo means you can wear them for extended periods and they don’t develop nasty niffs over time.

Overall, this is just what you want from a pair of workout shorts – just fit and forget them. They’re available individually, as well as in discounted 3, 5, 7 and 10-packs. There are seven colours to choose from and sizes ranging from small to 3XL.

Materials: 95% bamboo, 5% elastane
Colours:Black, light grey, dark grey, white, blue, green, purple
Sizes:Small – 3XL

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