The best boxer briefs for men might be the best underwear for men, full stop. The underwear universe is vast and deep, with about as many pairs as there are stars in the sky. But if you surveyed everyone out there (minus the raw-doggers), you'd find that most dudes opt for boxer briefs as their skivvies of choice.
Why are boxer briefs so dominant in the men's underwear market? Like a pair of loafers or, uh, Korean tacos, boxer briefs are an ideal hybrid of two already great things. They combine the swaddling comfort and support of a pair of briefs with the length and coverage of classic boxer shorts. Supportive freedom! Synergy! The extra inseam inches aren't just for preventing the whole “tighty whitey” look, either (as if that was really a problem. Wear what you want!). They're there to provide a shade of privacy when you’re wearing dangerously short shorts. Plus the snug, body-hugging fit that boxer briefs provide allows you to slide into your favourite pair of slim pants without bunching. Facts is facts: boxer briefs are the most versatile pair of underwear.
The Best Boxer Briefs for Men Shopping Guide
- The Best Boxer Briefs, Period: Calvin Klein Cotton Stretch Boxer Brief (3-Pack), £27.40
- The Most Comfortable Boxer Briefs: MeUndies Boxer Brief, £15
- The Best Boxer Briefs for the Gym: Lululemon Always In Motion Boxer, £28
- The Best Affordable Boxer Briefs: Uniqlo Cotton Boxer Briefs, £7.90
- The Best Breathable Boxer Briefs: Mack Weldon Airknitx Boxer Briefs, £28
- The Best Boxer Briefs for Feeling Good: CDLP Boxer Briefs, £70
Are boxer briefs good for your balls?
You’ve probably heard about the hubbub surrounding male fertility and underwear. So are boxer briefs bad for your precious bits? Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have observed lower sperm counts on average across those who wear tighter underwear (a.k.a. boxer briefs, trunks, briefs, etc.) versus those who wear loose-fitting underwear (boxer shorts) and it all has to do with temperature. Naturally, your testicles function better at a lower temperature than the rest of your body, which is why they hang away from you. Tighter underwear tends to lift the testicles closer to the body, causing them to be warmer than normal, thereby slowing sperm production. But before you ditch your boxer briefs altogether, there’s an upside; even though sperm counts were lower for boxer brief wearers, researchers noted that those sperm counts were still within the normal range for the average healthy guy and shouldn’t have an impact on fertility. That said, this matters more for those who already have a recorded low sperm count to begin with and want to have children.
What makes a good pair of boxer briefs?
Not all boxer briefs are created equal and when you’re dealing with such sensitive matters, what you want is a pair that comes with poise, grace, softness, and zero chafing. The best boxer briefs are silky smooth to the touch and won't pill. They'll also stretch and conform to your body without losing their shape a few hours into the day.
How should boxer briefs fit?
Boxer briefs should fit comfortably snug like a second skin but never cut off your circulation. As for the pouch, it should support you without suffocating you. How the fly functions, with a side entry or horizontal fly for a more seamless experience, is a matter of personal preference. A solid pair of boxer briefs also shouldn’t bunch or give you a wedgie.
What material is best for boxer briefs?
The fabric should be stretchy enough to curve to your body without restricting your range of motion and keep its shape all day long. That fabric should also be breathable, soft and last a long time without pilling. To achieve those main objectives, manufacturers use a variety of different fabrics. While materials like lyocell, rayon, and micromodal fabric provide an insanely smooth feel, the supreme all-natural breathability of a pair of Supima cotton boxer briefs also makes for a great pair of undies. More often than not, boxer briefs will use a balanced blend of materials, usually with some amount of elastane for stretch and recovery.
Remember that the best men's underwear is more than just another piece of clothing. These pieces are your closest confidantes, entrusted to handle your more sensitive and, ahem, private matters, so it's worth investing in the absolute best boxer briefs for men. So that’s exactly what we found — the choicest, most worthy boxer briefs around. Though we've narrowed down the underwear categories to boxer briefs, there are a few different kinds to choose from. Thankfully, we've already done that hard work for you. From the softest to the sexiest to the stretchiest, the standalone standouts to the reliable multipacks these are the very best men's boxer briefs.
The best boxer briefs, period: Calvin Klein Stretch Boxer Brief
Calvin Klein is the Air Jordan of the men's underwear world, a game-changing brand name that still truly means something in 2023. And just like a fresh new pair of Js, there’s far more to a pair of CK’s unbeatable boxer briefs than celebrity-studded advertising and the name on the waistband alone. The low-rise cut will emphasise your physique in all the right ways and look great under all manner of jeans, shorts, jorts, and trousers. The fabric, meanwhile, is extra soft with just a teensy bit of stretch to help retain its shape and keep you mobile (activities!). And you especially can’t beat that price; getting the crown jewel for your crown jewels for less than £10 a pop is a major win any way you slice it (if you're lucky, sometimes you might even find a deal for even less on Amazon). Like His Airness, these CK briefs could have won multiple skivvy superlatives. But for the sake of keeping things tidy, we thought it best to just give these the All-Around crown.
The most comfortable boxer briefs: MeUndies Boxer Briefs
Yes, we know: another direct-to-consumer brand. But hear us out. MeUndies' snagged the crown for most comfortable boxer briefs for men for a host of good reasons. First, a comfy, lay-flat waistband that's not too restrictive and not-at-all saggy. Second, a near-seamless construction at the crotch because were you really gonna use that fly anyway? (Functional flies are great if you actually use them, but it turns out they add more bulk and seams in a way that a lot of guys might find uncomfortable.) But what sealed these boxer briefs as the King of Comfort is their generous use of micromodal, that wondrous miracle fiber that's literally as soft as silk (but way more practical for underwear). They come in a range of styles, too, so if you need something with a longer or shorter inseam, or a pair with an actually functional fly, MeUndies has got the right pair for your family jewels. Not to mention the size run is wider than is typical in the underwear category, going up to 4XL.
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The best boxer briefs for hitting the gym: Lululemon Always in Motion Boxer
If you're about to hit the gym, you'll do fine with your regular non-workout boxer briefs. But you could be maximising your gains with a pair of performance boxer briefs. So what are you looking for in a pair of boxer briefs designed for running, jumping, and deadlifting? First, you want something with enough stretch to keep up with the most flexible yoga sessions. You want moisture-wicking and anti-stench technology. And most of all you want your most precious parts held snugly in place as you trot on the treadmill. That's a lot to ask for in a pair of boxer briefs, but Lululemon has answered the call. Four way stretch? Yup. Sweat-wicking, odor-blocking tech? You bet. The perfect amount of support? Somehow, also yes. Lululemon's boxer briefs might not spot you when you're under the bench press, but they've got your backside through the most intense workouts. And we certainly don't mind wearing a pair on the days we “forget” to go to the gym, either.
The best affordable boxer briefs: Uniqlo Cotton Boxer Briefs
Buying underwear is a necessity and re-upping on your supply shouldn't crater your bank account. Splurging on some next-level skivvies as a means of retail therapy or undergarment snobbery is totally up to you, but if sorting out your underwear drawer is just about the most bang for your buck (and you've only got a few bucks), you couldn't do much better than Uniqlo—surprise, surprise!— and its low-rise boxer briefs. The retailer's near-perfect undies are cut from four-way stretch fabric that's both super comfy but next-level soft. You get what you pay for in terms of lifespan, certainly—depending on how many you have in your rotation and how often you therefore do laundry, you can expect to see fraying in the crotch after a year to 18 months. But the time you have with Uniqlo's boxer briefs will be blissful and regret free.
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The Best Breathable Boxer Briefs: Mack Wheldon Airknitx Boxer Briefs
Like a rock in your shoe, a swampy nether region is annoying. While the remedy for former is simple, curing swamp ass is, uh, a bit more complicated. You could carry an extra pair of briefs in your bag for a sneaky mid-day swap-out OR you could get a pair of ultra-breathable boxer briefs and save yourself a trip to the bathroom and a tote bag of sweaty drawers. There are plenty of airy options out there, but the Mack Weldon Airknitx boxer briefs come out on top. They're moisture-wicking, odor-battling, and quick-drying, with a breathable mesh fabric and strategically-placed pique "cool zones" that make ‘em a perfect choice for tough workouts and humid days alike. If there's any zone we want to be in, it's the cool zone. Mack Wheldon's range of underwear comes with slightly bulkier waistbands. Some testers loved this, while others found it cumbersome. The waistband is premium quality, to be sure—it comes at significantly lower threat of fraying or giving out as most of the brand's competitors' — but whether you like the fit and feel is somewhat personal.
The best boxer briefs for a Guaranteed Confidence Boost: CDLP Boxer Briefs
Most of the time, men's underwear is just a means for keeping the boys in line, but there are other times when a pair of boxer briefs can be a confidence-booster. It can be a fun secret for only you to know or a velvet curtain, a tantalizing prelude to an exciting show. The right pair of boxer briefs can make you feel downright sexy whether or not you've got steamy plans. For that, it doesn't get much hotter than CDLP boxer briefs. They're cut perfectly and they're impossibly smooth, thanks to a luxurious lyocell fabric that feels silkier than, well, silk. With just the right amount of stretch, a flattering cut, and a minimalist design, this is a pair worth saving for date night.
