Best Men’s Hiking Underwear of 2023

JUMP TO:  SMARTWOOL MERINO / ICEBREAKER ANATOMICA / EXOFFICIO GIVE-N-GO SPORT MESH / ARC’TERYX MOTUS SL  /  PATAGONIA SENDER  /  ADIDAS PERFORMANCE  / BUYING ADVICE  /  COMMON QUESTIONS

Author: Sam Brilleman | Updated: Apr 3, 2023
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The Short Version:

The Long Version:

“Hiking gear starts with your underwear”.

It’s not the slogan of our new hiking underwear brand. It’s just a fact.

When setting up for a hike or backpacking trip, the first item to attach itself to you will be your underwear (assuming you are planning on wearing some). And because your underwear is a next-to-skin baselayer, it needs to function well. It should be breathable, moisture-wicking, fast-drying, and — ideally — it should not feel damp or cold when wet.

And not all underwear are created equal.

Materials commonly used to make your city clothes do not perform well during active use or in cold and wet environments. Cotton is the worst for this. Cotton absorbs water, after which it is heavy, slow drying, and does not insulate. So during active use — when you are likely to be sweating — cotton is the last thing you want against your skin.

So if not cotton, what else?

There are various materials and styles used for hiking underwear, but the two most popular materials are merino wool and synthetics. If you are not familiar with the benefits of merino wool or synthetic fibers used in hiking underwear, then check out our buying advice at the bottom of the page.

Otherwise, let’s just jump straight into it.

Here is our list of the best men’s hiking underwear. These high-performing undies will have you traveling comfortably all day long, so that you can focus on the more important task of getting up that mountain!

If you love this list of the best men’s hiking underwear, then you'll likely love stepping into some of our other hiking and backpacking content:

MATERIALS: 88% merino wool, 12% recycled nylon

CUT: Boxer brief

PROS: Comfortable fit, Flat-lock seams, Lightweight, Quick drying

CONS: Expensive

BEST FOR: Those who want the best merino boxers around

PRICE: $$$

Without a doubt, Smartwool makes some of the best baselayers for hiking, backpacking, and traveling. Their merino is comfortable against the skin, their fits are slim but relaxed, and — perhaps best of all — their garments are extremely durable for merino. And these Smartwool boxers are no exception.

The Smartwool Merino Boxer Briefs are, hands down, our favorite boxers to wear hiking and backpacking.

These merino boxers use a slim fit that will be suitable for most, but also allow some breathing room so that your special parts can catch some air when you’re working up a sweat on the trail. The airy fit is also ideal for multi-day backpacking trips where — let’s be honest — we might not have a fresh pair of gruts to chuck on each morning.

Even better, Smartwool uses flatlock seams throughout, which helps to minimize any chance of chafing. They also use a merino lined, and wide, waistband. This design means that the waistband won’t rub and irritate your lower back under the weight of your pack like the waistband on many boxers can.

You of course have the added benefits of merino wool — namely, that it is far more odor-resistant than synthetic, and that it doesn’t feel too bad when damp. These boxers also dry relatively fast. Much faster than cotton, and about as fast as polyester or nylon (discussed more in our buying advice below).

While many people have reservations about the durability of merino products, we’ve found the Smartwool Merino Boxer Briefs to be very durable. In general, we’ve found Smartwool’s merino baselayers to be far more durable than many other manufacturers’ merino baselayers. This is partly because Smartwool uses a nylon core with merino wound around it. This increases durability but retains the benefits of 100% merino against the skin.

The default design is plain black. But if you’re feeling wild, they also come in a range of other colors or fancy prints.

Granted, these boxers aren’t exactly cheap. In fact, for a pair of underwear, they are pretty f**king expensive. But, then again, we aren’t suggesting that you buy these as your everyday boxers to wear day in and day out as you stomp the pavements of the inner city. Although if your budget allows, they will perform equally well in that environment! Rather, these boxers are designed for the trail. And that is where they really perform.

Best Overall Runner-Up: ICEBREAKER ANATOMICA BOXER BRIEFS

MATERIALS: 83% merino wool, 12% nylon, 5% lycra

CUT: Boxer brief

PROS: Comfortable fit, Flatlock seams

CONS: Expensive

BEST FOR: Loyal Icebreaker junkies

PRICE: $$$

The headline competitor to Smartwool, New Zealand’s Icebreaker is one of the most popular manufacturers of merino clothing. And their main offering in the men’s underwear category doesn’t disappoint.

The Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer Briefs are a quality pair of merino underwear. With flatlock seams, an open fly, a relatively snug fit, and a comfortable waistband these boxers are pretty much on par with our top pick, the Smartwool Merino Boxer Briefs. 

Both manufacturers use an ultralight and breathable 150-weight merino perfect for underwear. They also both use corespun merino (with a nylon core to increase durability). The Anatomica’s have a slightly lower merino content, adding some lycra for added stretch and comfort. The lycra and nylon core increase durability, but even with a nylon core, merino boxers are still going to be more fragile than purely synthetic (e.g. nylon or polyester) boxers. Nonetheless, we think the benefits of merino outweighs its downsides.

We chose the Smartwool offering as our top pick since the merino-lined waistband is more comfortable and the slightly higher merino content for maximum odor-resistance on multi-day trips. But, to be honest, the differences between the two are marginal: both the Icebreaker and Smartwool boxer briefs reviewed here are top performers.

MATERIALS: 90% nylon, 10% lycra spandex

CUT: Boxer brief

PROS: Lightweight, Quick drying, Cheaper than merino

CONS: Less comfortable than merino

BEST FOR: Those looking for lightweight fast-drying synthetic

PRICE: $$

The ExOfficio Give-n-Go Boxer Briefs are extremely popular amongst both hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. ExOfficio offers two options: a standard model and a “sport mesh” model. Our preference is for the latter. Both the standard model and the sport mesh model are made from nylon with a small percentage of lycra spandex. However, the sport mesh has a more lightweight and breathable weave.

There are some sacrifices in durability if you opt for the sport mesh model. The fabric tends to pill a bit, whereas this doesn’t seem to be the case with the standard model. However, this doesn’t really affect performance. Although more durable, we find that the standard model is heavyweight and slow drying compared to the sport mesh.

ExOfficio offers the boxer briefs in three different inseam lengths, each sold as a different product line. Our preference is for the 6-inch inseam, but shorter 3-inch and longer 9-inch inseams are also available. For comparison purposes, our top pick — the Smartwool Merino Boxer Briefs — have a 4.75-inch inseam, and our runner-up — the Icebreaker Anatomica Boxer Briefs — have a 4.5-inch inseam.

If you aren’t keen to empty your wallet on merino, or you prefer the added durability of synthetic, then the ExOfficio Give-n-Go Sport Mesh Boxer Briefs are a good choice. Not only for hiking, but for any outdoor activities.

Best Ultralight: ARC’TERYX MOTUS SL BOXERS

MATERIALS: 100% polyester

CUT: Boxer brief

PROS: Lightweight, Quick drying, Snug fit reduces chafing

CONS: Expensive

BEST FOR: Those who want ultralight synthetic underwear

PRICE: $$$

Weighing in at just 2.1 oz (60 grams) the Arc’teryx Motus SL Boxers are a lightweight pair of undies. In fact, they are the lightest of the bunch, although only by about 15 grams.

The silky Phasic FL material is also thinner, meaning that these are likely to be the most packable undies too.

 If you want ultralight synthetic boxers then these are the ones for you.

A key upside of the Motus SL material is that it breathes & wicks well and is quick to dry. This makes these boxers the perfect choice for active use. The material is stretchy and athletic. This helps to stop the boxers from riding up during active use, but it also means these boxers are quite a tight (i.e. snug) fit. We think they find a good balance between support and comfort, and the snug fit reduces chafing. But if you prefer your boxers to feel looser then perhaps look elsewhere.

Something to watch out for — aside from the price — is the fact that there is no front flap. Arc’teryx does not currently offer a model with a flap either, so if no front flap is a deal breaker for you then you will need to look elsewhere.

The Arc’teryx Motus SL Boxers are treated with an anti-microbial coating to improve odor resistance. This seems to work well, but is likely to fade over time after repeated washing. If you are looking for something for long multi-day trips or a thru-hike then merino wool might be a better option.

In terms of performance and comfort the ExOfficio Give-n-Go Sport Mesh Boxer Briefs and the Arc’teryx Motus SL Boxers are pretty much equal, but the ExOfficio offering wins on value.

Best for Durability: PATAGONIA SENDER BOXERS

patagonia-sender-boxers

MATERIALS: 89% recycled nylon, 11% elastane

CUT: Boxer brief

PROS: Durable, Comfortably stretchy, Bluesign-approved recycled nylon

CONS: No front flap

BEST FOR: Those who value long-lasting and sustainable apparel

PRICE: $$

The Patagonia Sender Boxers earned our top spot for durability thanks to their robust nylon, Fair Trade-certified sewing, and Patagonia’s renowned build quality.

Made from 100% recycled nylon and stretchy micromesh elastane, the Sender Boxers are super comfortable, breathable, and quick-drying. Flatlock seams add to their comfort and eliminate friction points, and a HeiQ antimicrobial treatment provides the best odor resistance you could hope for in a pair of 100% synthetic boxers.

They are thin and light, but the nylon/elastane blend is impressively durable and will likely far outlast merino or 100% polyester boxers. The Patagonia Senders compare in price and performance to ExOfficio Give-n-Go Boxer Briefs. The Senders win out in terms of sustainability, durability, and build quality, but unlike the Give-n-Go’s they are only available in one in-seam length (6 inches) and they do not have a front flap.

Combining the lifespan of the Patagonia Senders with their use of bluesign-approved recycled nylon, the boxers are both durable and sustainable. They are a great choice for hiking, mountaineering, and any other high-aerobic adventure in the mountains.

adidas-performance-boxer-briefs

MATERIALS: 91% polyester, 9% spandex

CUT: Boxer brief

PROS: Affordable, Good breathability and overall fit

CONS: Less durable, No odor-resistance

BEST FOR: Budget-friendly option for day hikes

PRICE: $

Realistically, not every hike demands a $50 pair of merino underwear. Sometimes the bare necessities are all you need to get the job done. Nothing does that better than the Adidas Performance Boxer Briefs.

A three-pack of these will run you less than half the price of a single pair of our favorite high-performing hiking boxers. A breathable, moisture-wicking blend of polyester and spandex will keep you dry and comfortable — really all you need for a single day out on the trail.

However, budget-friendly boxers like these simply won’t match the performance or build quality of other choices on this list. The Adidas Performance Boxers have no antimicrobial treatment, the durability and stitch quality are inferior, and their fit is not as refined as you’ll enjoy with pricier alternatives.

But with proper expectations, there is nothing not to love about these Adidas boxers. They are not made explicitly for hiking, but that is no matter. They’re comfortable and they’re made with high-intensity activities in mind. They’ll get the job done for runs in the city or treks in the backcountry. Whether as your go-to hiking base layer or as a way to reserve your spendy pair of merino boxers for more committing adventures, these high-value, low-cost hiking boxers are a safe bet.

BUYING ADVICE FOR HIKING UNDERWEAR

Materials

For the most part, there are two possible choices when it comes to materials for hiking underwear. The first is merino wool, a natural fiber. The second is synthetic fibers, primarily nylon or polyester. 

Both merino and synthetic materials have pros and cons. If you are interested in reading about them in more detail, then check out our article on which baselayer material is best.

In brief though, both have great moisture-wicking properties, are quick drying, and will keep you insulated when wet.

The upside of merino is that it is soft, naturally odor-resistant, and feels nicer against the skin when damp. The downside of merino is that it is expensive and less durable.

The merino sheep… it produces the best next-to-skin layer for outdoor pursuits, including sitting round in a paddock.

The upside of synthetics is that they are less expensive and more durable. But the downside is that they aren’t as soft as merino and — although they dry slightly faster than merino — they don’t feel particularly nice against the skin when wet.

Whether you opt for merino or synthetic underwear will depend on your budget, your demands for durability, and your personal preferences (some people just really love merino, others just really love synthetics. Personally, we are the former).

In some cases, manufacturers will use a blend — for example, merino wool wrapped around a synthetic nylon core — like in the Smartwool boxer briefs reviewed above. This can lead to the best of worlds since you get the benefits of merino against the skin, but the added durability of the synthetics.

Cut

Manufacturers usually market men’s hiking underwear as being either boxers or boxer briefs. Boxers are a looser cut, more closely resembling shorts. Boxer briefs provide a slightly snugger fit, particularly along the thigh. But cuts differ between manufacturers so these labels don’t always tell the full story.

Men’s underwear that is too form-fitting and athletic doesn’t always work well on multi-day hiking adventures because, with sweat and a lack of washing, they can begin to chaff more than boxers' slightly more relaxed fit. At the same time, boxers that are too loose can also rub and chaff. Rest assured that chafing issues are pretty rare though.

Which type of cut is best for you really just depends on your preferences. We usually opt for a pair of boxers that are slightly snug but also have breathing room, like the Smartwool Merino Boxer Briefs.

Design

When it comes to design, always choose underwear with flatlock seams. This will help to prevent chafing. If possible, you also want to avoid any seams in places that may rub under the pressure of your backpack. For example, a seam or label at the center-back of the waistband can sometimes be irritating if your backpack is rubbing on it.

Odor Resistance

Merino wool is naturally odor resistant, so if you opt for merino undies then that will just be an added benefit of the part and parcel.

Unfortunately, synthetics don’t offer the same perks. Some manufacturers treat synthetic fibers with an antimicrobial coating to increase odor resistance, so that is something you may want to look out for. However, antimicrobial treatments don’t always live up to their promises, and they will fade after repeated washing anyway. So don’t let that be a big sway factor in your decision.

Durability

Ideally, you want underwear that will be durable. But durability is an area you may need to consider a trade-off. Synthetics are likely to be more durable than merino wool, so you need to simply decide which factors are most important to you.

Washing Care

When it comes to washing, merino wool requires slightly more care than synthetics. But the amount of care required is sometimes overrated. In most instances, you can throw your merino underwear in the wash with your other clothes, just try to be sensible and be sure to avoid excessive heat. Ideally, wash them using cold or warm water, usually with a medium spin, rather than trying to thrash them to shreds using a fast spin cycle.

Air drying on a washing line is always the safer option for merino wool, although the dryer on a low temp is also possible if you are in a real hurry.

Due to its odor-resistant properties, merino doesn’t need to be washed as often as synthetic either, so try to only wash your merino garments when they actually need it. It will prolong their lifetime.

You can even throw good quality merino in the dryer, if you really need to. Just be sure to keep the temperature on low! A hot dryer cycle will leave you with a pair of underwear five sizes too small. Although it is always better to air dry your garments if possible.

Both synthetic and merino dry pretty fast, so if you have a day to spare — or even just a few hours in the sun —then aim to just dry them naturally. But avoid direct sunlight if it is very hot and don’t hang garments if they are very wet — they might stretch! Although undies are usually ok.

Having said all that, here is our disclaimer: “Always follow the manufacturer's care instructions shown on the label” (sort of…).

COMMON QUESTIONS

What materials should I look for in hiking underwear? Look for moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabrics such as polyester, nylon, or merino wool to keep you dry and comfortable during your hike. Avoid cotton at all costs.

What hiking underwear is best for avoiding chafing? Hiking underwear with flatlock seams, no-fly designs, and snug yet stretchy fits will reduce friction points and rubbing, which will ultimately reduce chafing. Moisture-wicking, quick-drying materials, like merino, nylon, and polyester, also help minimize chafing.

What is the best odor-resistant men's hiking underwear? Merino wool or synthetic underwear with an antimicrobial coating are the best options for odor resistance. However, the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments wanes with use. Merino is the best option for sustained odor resistance and our go-to for travel or multi-day backcountry trips.

What hiking underwear is the most durable? Synthetics such as nylon or polyester, or merino wool spun around a nylon core, are the best materials for durability. Other features to consider are reinforced stitching and well-built waistbands. Like most things, you get what you pay for: underwear from brands like Patagonia, Arc’teryx, and Smartwool is not cheap, but the durability and build quality make it a worthwhile investment.

What is the best hiking underwear for backpacking? Merino wool underwear is the best for backpacking, thanks to its odor-resisting, quick-drying, moisture-wicking, and temperature-regulating qualities.

MORE INFORMATION

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