The color of your boxer shorts comes into play, as well. Better-quality boxers feature a waistband design where the elastic holds the underwear in place without sacrificing comfort. These are usually made of elastic, but some boxers have elastic that cuts into your skin, making them uncomfortable to wear. The more comfortable the fabric, the better. You opt for boxers because they’re lightweight and loose-fitting, so chances are, you want cotton or a cotton-polyester blend. Studies have shown that briefs are better for fertility, so men striving to conceive are often advised to shift to looser-fitting underwear and pants to boost their chances.įor most men, though, it’s all about comfort. For many men, there’s a clear preference for boxers versus briefs, with some men choosing boxer-briefs as a great middle-ground option.īut there’s a scientific reason to veer toward briefs. We only include products that have been independently selected by Input's editorial team.The perfect pair of underwear can be tough to find. Input may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. That said, going commando isn’t for everyone and underwear can go a long way toward preventing chafing during long days of walking, so start by considering these options. They can’t stink if you leave them at home.

Consider shorts or pants that don’t require underwear. Also, keep your mind open to the idea that you might not need underwear at all. After a thousand miles, you’re going to notice a pair that doesn’t fit quite right. Outside of the materials making up your adventure underwear, pay special attention to the features and fit of each pair you bring into the backcountry. Merino wool in particular is incredibly soft and comfortable next to skin, and it retains wool’s natural abilities to repel moisture and stink, which makes it the obvious choice for a lot of outdoor layers like socks, but especially your underwear. Don’t worry, wool has come a long way from the itchy sweater your grandma knit you as a kid.

But on long trips, they can still get pretty ripe.Įnter: wool. Polyester materials won’t cool you down if they’re wet and they’ll do a better job of moving moisture away from your skin, which makes them nice for shorter-duration, high output missions. On top of that, allowing any clothing, especially your underwear, to hold onto moisture for any amount of time when you’re not washing them is a recipe for funk. They trap it, keep it close to your skin, and cool you down. Your cotton skivvies, while they might be budget-friendly, aren’t designed to hold up to sweat or moisture. The case for woolĪ lot is made of the materials in any of your outdoor apparel and outerwear. Choosing the right ones for you can go a long way toward your morale. Which is why having the right pair of undies is critical, whether you’re headed out on a multi-month thru-hike or just going mountain biking for a weekend. But trust me: After a couple of weeks without washing or changing your underwear, not much will seem more important. Your underwear might not seem like the most critical piece of gear before you head off on a pretty gear-intensive adventure.

Hiking a trail like that is a game of compromises: How many can you endure? Which do you trade for others?īut if there’s one place not to compromise, it’s your junk.

Your feet are going to blister in your boots, your muscles will get sore, and you’ll probably get sunburned. In the few months it takes most people to finish the Appalachian Trail, there’s undoubtedly going to be a lot of suffering.

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