We tested the best moisture-wicking underwear, designed to give you ultimate support and comfort however you work out…
Men, listen up. We know you can hit the gym with your old cotton not-so-tighty whiteys and survive. But life’s too short to be suffering uncomfortable undies when you’re putting your shoulder to the workout wheel. Whether you’re pushing for your back squat one rep max, or you’ve got everything hanging from the chin-up bar, you deserve the ultimate comfort and unshakeable support you get from a proper pair of the best moisture-wicking underwear.
That’s why our expert product tester Kieran Alger put the latest sports boxer shorts and workout briefs to the test, to bring you our pick of best men’s underwear for working out.
How we tested this moisture-wicking underwear:
Kieran 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.
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Our pick of the best moisture-wicking underwear in 2023
(Keep scrolling for full reviews…)
- Best for endurance – CXP Ultralite XP ($60 / £50), cxpsport.com
- Best for support – Saxx Kinetic HD ($38 / £34), amazon.co.uk
- Best for versatility – Under Armour Tech 6-Inch Boxerjock ($40 for 2 / £31 for 2), amazon.co.uk
- Best for a shorter fit – Gymshark Sports Tech Boxers ($28 for 2 / £22 for 2), gymshark.com
- Best for hotter workouts – Lululemon Always In Motion Boxers ($74 for 3 / £58 for 3), lululemon.co.uk
- Best for comfort – Step One Sports Trunks ($26.50 / £18), uk.stepone.life
- Best for sustainability – BAM Sports Trunks ($29 / £20), bambooclothing.co.uk
- Best for value – Reebok Performance Boxer Briefs (£17 for 3, not available in the US), amazon.co.uk
- Best for moisture wicking – Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief (£44.99, not available in the US), amazon.co.uk
- Best for running – Runderwear Running Boxers (£49.50 for 3, not available in the US), amazon.co.uk
CXP Ultralite XP Compression Shorts
Best for endurance
| Materials: | 86% polyamide, 14% spandex |
| Colour: | Black |
| Sizes: | Small – XL |
Support: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
The CXP Ultralite XP shorts are more baselayer-style compression shorts than workout boxers, so offer mild compression benefits as well as superb support and comfort. Bonded seams mean zero chafe risk and a multi-panel waistband spreads pressure out evenly.
They’re the lightest we tested, yet durability and moisture management are first-class. Whether you wear them for regular workouts or sports, longer sessions or multi-hour endurance events, you really can’t go wrong with these CXP shorts.
Read our full CXP Ultralite XP review
Saxx Kinetic HD
Best for support
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| Materials: | 85% nylon, 15% elastane |
| Colours: | Black, grey, grey stripes |
| Sizes: | XS – 2XL |
Support: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
For dynamic workouts, Saxx’s trademark BallPark pouch means everything stays put no matter how much you move in these Kinetic HD shorts. That means no rubbing or chafing even during all-out cardio efforts, helped by numerous flatlock seams and good sweat-wicking performance.
We found the long 8-inch inseam gives them a baselayer-like feel, with plenty of stretch without losing their shape. For those that prefer a boxer-style brief there’s also a shorter 5-inch version. If you want moisture-wicking underwear to tackle box jumps, burpees and sprints, look no further than the Saxx Kinetic HD.
Read our full Saxx Kinetic HD review
Under Armour Tech 6-Inch Boxerjock
Best for versatility
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| Materials: | 90% polyester, 10% elastane |
| Colours: | Black, blue, red, grey and blue, grey and red |
| Sizes: | XS – 2XL |
Support: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Whether you wear them for long runs and HIIT workouts or yoga and pilates, Under Armour’s Boxerjocks feel snug and supportive in all the right places without being tight or restrictive, making them some of the best pairs of moisture-wicking underwear we tried.
Their one-piece design means very few seams to chafe delicate skin when you start to sweat, and lightweight material wicks moisture away well to increase comfort levels. We enjoyed the soft waistband and elastic leg cuffs, which ensure these boxers stay put no matter how energetic your workout.
Read our full Under Armour Tech 6-Inch Boxerjock review
Gymshark Sports Tech Boxers
Best for a shorter fit
| Materials: | 87% polyester, 13% elastane |
| Colour: | Black |
| Sizes: | Small – 3XL |
Support: 4/5
Comfort: 3.5/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Another great value set of boxers, we found Gymshark’s Sports Tech briefs to be simple but effective. Their textured finish gives them extra breathability, sweat-wicking and quick-drying performance.
They offer good support, stretchiness and flexibility and show no signs of chafing or rubbing when the going gets tough. For those that prefer a shorter-legged boxer, Gymshark’s briefs should be in the running.
Read our full Gymshark Sports Tech Boxers review
Lululemon Always In Motion Boxers
Best for hotter workouts
| Materials: | 91% Modal™, 9% elastane |
| Colour: | 10 colours available |
| Sizes: | XS – 4XL |
Support: 3/5
Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
While we’re still not sure how Lululemon manage to make underwear from trees, its wood-based Modal fabric helps produce some of the lightest, comfiest moisture-wicking underwear on test.
These 5-inch shorts are versatile enough to wear all day, every day. They have minimal seams and great moisture management, making them the ideal choice for those hot, sweaty endurance sessions.
Read our full Lululemon Always In Motion Boxers review
Step One Sports Trunks
Best for comfort
| Material: | Bamboo viscose |
| Colour: | 7 colours available |
| Sizes: | Small – 3XL |
Support: 5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Aussie brand Step One makes all its underwear from sustainable and ethically sourced bamboo viscose. This makes for chafe-free comfort and support whatever workouts you perform.
We enjoyed the silky smooth polyamide gusset panel, which improves breathability, while the elasticated 3D comfort pouch keeps the jewels perfectly in place. Step One is so confident you’ll love these trunks it even offers a money-back guarantee on your first worn pair if you don’t.
Read our full Step One Sports Trunks review
BAM Sports Trunks
Best for sustainability
| Material: | 68% bamboo viscose, 28% organic cotton, 4% elastane |
| Colour: | Black, ecru, Nordic sky, ocean blue |
| Sizes: | Small – XL |
Support: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
BAM uses bamboo in all its clothing because it’s the planet’s fastest-growing crop, so is a truly sustainable material. It also helps that it provides impressive next-to-skin comfort, making these sports trunks one of the comfiest we had the pleasure of testing.
Long, sleek-fitting legs means no ride up, and the bamboo-cotton-elastane blend provides plenty of stretch where you need it most. If you want to save the planet one pair of boxers at a time, you can’t go wrong with these BAM trunks.
Reebok Performance Boxer Briefs
Best for value
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| Material: | 92% polyester, 8% elastane |
| Colour: | Black, white, grey marl |
| Sizes: | Small – XL |
Support: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
If you can’t stand splashing out on invisible functional kit like underwear, how about these great-value Reebok briefs? For less than £6 each you get comfy do-it-all workout pants that’ll double up as regular boxers.
There’s nothing basic in terms of fit, comfort, support or breathability, as Reebok’s boxer briefs perform as well as most on test when your workouts turn tough. For budget underwear, their durability is pretty impressive too.
Read our full Reebok Performance Boxer Briefs review
Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief
Best for moisture wicking
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| Material: | 88% merino wool, 12% nylon |
| Colour: | Black, light grey heather, deep navy, sage |
| Sizes: | Small – 2XL |
Support: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
If you’re after a natural solution to under-short support, we recommend giving Smartwool’s Merino Boxer Briefs a go. Merino wool is hard-wearing, versatile and sustainable, and feels luxuriously soft against the skin.
The natural properties of wool also mean this pair of underwear has great moisture-wicking properties, as well as being ace at regulating temperature and resisting odour. Nylon reinforces their shape while keeping plenty of stretch in all directions.
Read our full Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief review
Runderwear Running Boxers
Best for running
SQUIRREL_TEXT_12882640
| Material: | 92% recycled polyamide, 8% elastane |
| Colour: | Black, blue, teal |
| Sizes: | Small – 2XL |
Support: 4/5
Comfort: 3.5/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
These 5-inch boxers carry Runderwear’s no-chafe guarantee and deliver support where it matters most to runners of any distance. The circular-patterned fabric feels smooth and comfortable against the skin – a prerequisite if you’re logging serious miles.
We found heat and moisture management to be first class too, with reliable sweat-wicking performance and impressive breathability. It’s no surprise that for serious runners, Runderwear’s boxers have got you covered.
Read our full Runderwear Running Boxers review
Benefits of moisture-wicking underwear
When it comes to working out, your underwear may not be the first thing on your mind. But chafing, discomfort and a lack of support are not what you need when you’re working hard. That’s why investing in a good pair of sports boxers or moisture-wicking underwear is a smart move.
Sporting the right pair of pants during your sweat sesh not only offers superior comfort and support, but moisture-wicking materials like polyester, nylon, polyamide and merino wool keep you cool and dry, cutting your risk of chafing and irritation.
Some longer baselayer-style briefs even offer compression for targeted support for your muscles, improving circulation and reducing fatigue.
Finding your fit
Then there’s fit. Sports underwear is designed to move with you. Whether you’re running, jumping or lifting weights, the last thing you want is to be constantly adjusting your boxers mid-set. With a snug fit and stretchy material, sports underwear stays put without feeling restrictive, so you can focus on your workout without distractions – or wedgies.
And let’s not forget about hygiene. Sweaty, damp underwear is a breeding ground for stink-making bacteria. Some sports underwear features antimicrobial fabrics that combat odour. Though you’re still going to need to wash them regularly and the best workout smalls survive multiple spin cycles without losing their shape.
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