Finding underwear that keeps your nuts at semen-production temperature is harder than it sounds. Too chilly? Try thermals. Too hot, sweaty, and stinky?
The best breathable underwear for men utilizes shape and innovative fabric to maximize airflow and keep things cool. But there is an important distinction between boxer briefs and boxer shorts.
Boxer shorts mimic the shorts boxers wear and come with an elasticated waist and a billowy leg. This gives optimum airflow but little in the way of support and movement reduction. Plus, they can get bunched up and irritate.
Boxer briefs are in the same vein as tighty-whiteys; they’re skin-tight. But if they’re too tight, then they can constrict blood flow, raise testicle temperature, and induce sweat. Personally, a slightly loose boxer brief is where it’s at.
This brings us to the fabric. Just as in most athletic underlayers, moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics will outperform most. On a day-to-day basis, I find cotton breathable and very durable. However, it is sweat-absorbent, potentially leading to smells over long periods.
Elsewhere, Tencel is a silk-like fabric that’ll feel like heaven on your junk and still deliver high breathability. Tencel tends to be more expensive because of its qualitative superiority and eco-conscious construction.
Each product has a unique blend of shape, color, size, bagginess, stretch, and fabric composition. That’s why I’m here to guide you through some of the best breathable underwear for men.
Read on below for a breath of fresh air.
Key Takeaways
If you thought finding these boxers was a veritable breeze (excuse the clanging pun), then think again. For this task, I found myself flinging underwear across my bedroom on a Monday morning. I used my experience of wearing breathable underwear for men and combined it with online wisdom.
This is how I compiled the 8 boxer shorts you see on this list. I trawled Reddit. I read articles. I scrolled through customer reviews. And, I stared at Jeremy Allen White’s Calvin Klein campaign for a while.
Overall, the best breathable underwear for men is the Lululemon Always in Motion, mainly because it consistently crops up as the internet’s favorite and comes in a super soft, breathable, stretchy modal fabric. Plus, the shape is simple and ergonomic.
In addition to these factors, I wanted to find products that were optimum value for money, good for sustainability, and had a loose shape. This is why I chose Brava Fabric’s traditional boxer shorts as the runner-up for its prime airflow through a baggy leg.
Why it’s great: This pair of boxers is a Reddit favorite. The brand’s unique modal-elastane fabric is anti-odor, sweat-wicking, and has a four-way stretch. Modal is an eco-conscious wood pulp that has been compressed into super silky, breathable and durable fibers. Only the best breathable underwear for men is constructed from modal.
These shorts are available in both 5” and 7” inseams, a gargantuan range of sizes, and enough color choices for you to find “the one.”
Who is this for? Whether it’s for yoga or a sightseeing tour of ancient European ruins in the summertime, this pair of Lululemon boxer shorts has it all. It is tactile, breathable, and hardy. It is, quite simply, superior.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It needs to be machine-washed cold. That’s it!
Sizes: XS–XXXL | Material: 91% Modal, 9% Elastane | Colors Available: 11 | Style: Boxers | Care: Machine Wash Cold
Why it’s great: At the time of writing, these Hanes boxer shorts on Amazon have a whopping 141,436 reviews to their name. And to achieve 4.6 out of 5 on this scale suggests they really are that good.
Other than being well-received, they are affordable at just $3.30 per boxer short (time of writing) and made of cotton, which is very durable, easily washable, and relatively breathable. A lot of people end their search here, and I don’t blame them. These are the all-round package.
Who is this for? Do you prefer a little side-opening for your manhood to escape through to relieve yourself at the urinal? Or do you prefer to pop it over the top? There’s no right answer, of course, but this pair of Hanes opts for the side-window.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although cotton provides longevity, it lacks breathability when compared to other fabrics.
Sizes: S–XXXL | Material: Solids: 100% Cotton; Heather: 75% Cotton, 25% Polyester | Colors Available: 10 | Style: Boxers | Care: Machine Wash
Why it’s great: The dual pouch system on these David Archy boxers is a fascinating feature. Separating the goods is meant to cool your testes and be more comfortable. Plus, there’s a wild lift-up pouch with a hole in it for easy toilet access. It is thrilling.
David Archy has redesigned the whole boxer short setup, and one Amazon review reads, “The ingenuity of the concept alone is enough to buy a pack, just to see/feel in action.”
Who is this for? If you’re open to a new way of genital operation, this is totally for you. But also, if you’re in the market for silken-soft micro-modal fabric with a lot of stretch, breathability, and durability, complete with a supportive fit, then look no further.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Does it fix a problem that was never there? Maybe. Would they be worth trying out? Almost certainly.
Sizes: S–XXL | Material: 92% Modal, 8% Spandex | Colors Available: 11 | Style: Trunks | Care: Machine Wash
Why it’s great: Boxer shorts as a luxury lifestyle item? The pure silky soft (not actually silk, though) feel of the Tencel™ Lyocell will elevate the somewhat necessary, somewhat barbarian act of keeping your junk secure into an item of decadence.
This is some of the best breathable underwear for men. It has natural moisture-wicking and high breathability ratings. The fit is a majestic blend of tight and loose, for that snug but breathable security.
Who is this for? If you want to feel sensual, sexy, and hot, even if you’re binge-eating and watching on the couch all day. I do recommend these for date night, though.
Having these on during intimate moments signals you as a well-kept man who can file his taxes and bring someone to orgasm with ease. Now, whether that’s true or not is entirely down to the pants-wearer.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: No flaws in the product other than its heightened price tag.
Sizes: XS–XXL | Material: 95% Tencel™ Lyocell, 5% Elastane | Colors Available: 6 | Style: Boxers | Care: Machine Wash (40 degrees Celsius)
Why it’s great: Being breathable isn’t all about intense, innovative fabrics. How about nature-friendly, high-quality organic cotton designed in a loose, old-school boxer short style? If you want to let air through, give your downstairs mix-up some space, goddamnit!
This pair of Brava Fabric boxer shorts are constructed with organic cotton, meaning no pesticides, no herbicides, and a greater respect for the natural world.
Who is this for? For those who like to let it all hang out. Think of it like a holiday for your nuts. But also, its more generous volume makes it ideal for the larger man.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Not the sexiest breathable underwear for men, but they get the job done.
Sizes: S–XXL | Material: 100% organic cotton | Colors Available: 1 | Style: Boxer Shorts | Care: Machine Wash Cold
Why it’s great: There’s an untold secret in fashion journalism. I am about to tell you. Ready? It’s to just shop at Uniqlo forever. It is quality, affordable, chic, simple, versatile, innovative and timeless. If that’s not enough adjectives to reach for your wallet, then I’m out of a job, I suppose.
This particularly innovative, seamless design is something I’ve never seen before and has a very aesthetically pleasing finish. Finally, the AIRism mesh stretch fabric receives a lot of love online for its breathability, comfort, lightweight feel, and affordability.
Who is this for? Ideal for those who don’t want another dude’s name bannered above their privates (see: Calvin Klein, David Archy, Tommy Hilfiger, etc.).
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is some of the best breathable underwear for men. However, the style and slightly cool-to-the-touch feel of the sheened fabric might not be to everyone’s flavor.
Sizes: S–XXXL | Material: 87% Nylon, 13% Spandex | Colors Available: 3 | Style: Seamless Boxer Brief | Care: Machine Wash Cold
Why it’s great: What has intense micropower? JAW, of course. AKA, The Small King. AKA Jeremy Allen-White. AKA, the internet-breaking star of the latest Calvin Klein campaign. But, also, these “Intense Power Micro Boxer Briefs” by Calvin Klein.
The synergy of product and star is perfected here. Although I don’t own this particular style of CKs, I am a proud owner of Calvin Klein boxer shorts and have been for years. In my opinion, they are the best.
I wear them almost every day, they wash well, the elastic stays strong, the color doesn’t fade, there’s no pilling, and inevitably, the branding has weight. The brand couldn’t survive solely on its famous sexualized billboards, as I and many others can attest, there is substance.
Who is this for? This is for those who want to embody the bold new graphics of new-era CK, support eco-conscious materials (88% reprocessed polyester), and be swaddled by a super relaxing microfibre.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The bold branding might turn some away, but it could be the move.
Sizes: S–XL | Material: 88% Reprocessed Polyester, 12% Elastane | Colors Available: 5 | Style: Boxers | Care: Machine Wash
Why it’s great: The Internet speaks, and we listen. Although I was unfamiliar with this pair of boxers, it kept cropping up on Reddit threads like r/onebag and r/askmen. So much so I couldn’t ignore it anymore. The boxers are moisture-wicking, stretchy, anti-stench, and easy to wash. The ideal all-rounder?
Who is this for? The choice of patterning from golf tees, all the way up to the heady cultural heights of garden gnomes, means that even teenagers now have access to high-quality boxer shorts. Hurray for them! The generous size range of these boxers makes them a great choice for larger men, too.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: From the images online, they look too tight. But, the swathe of positive reviews suggests that the fit is just right.
Sizes: S–4XL | Material: 4.4-oz. 93% Nylon, 7% Spandex | Colors Available: 8 | Style: Boxer Briefs | Care: Machine Wash
Buying Considerations for the Best Breathable Underwear for Men
Material
Cotton and merino wool fall under natural fibers. Lyocell, rayon, Tencel, and micro-modal are all synthetically achieved natural fibers. Polyester, nylon, spandex and elastane are all synthetic.
Natural fibers are better for the skin and don’t release microplastics. Synthetics offer stretch and innovative breathability functions.
Each brand uses a blend to achieve breathability, durability, washability, sweat-wicking, odor-prevention, and affordability. Creating the best breathable underwear for men is an artistic alchemy of fabric.
Color
Please, for the love of God, do not buy childish, cartoon-printed boxer shorts. The thought of wearing something too extravagant in a region barely seen just seems baffling to me. And I am someone who was a teenager who wore that type of boxer shorts.
I wore it because I had a strict school uniform and that was my only form of expression. I hope that you are less repressed and can-wear plain colors and simple check or stripe patterns. If in doubt, stick to white, gray, black, and navy. Your boxers aren’t the domain to be making colorful statements.
Size & Fit
Boxers should be snug but not uncomfortable. When you sit down for long periods, it’s natural that some readjustments be made, but if they’re painful or you’re readjusting every five minutes, then you have an issue. Essentially, if it registers with you, then you’ve got a problem.
As a skinny, 31” waist, 6 ft 2” guy, I tend to go for a large. I think maybe I’m naturally between a medium and a large, but I prefer the extra fabric and extra breeze, and this ensures that I never go too tight.
It’s important, too, to distinguish between boxer briefs and boxer shorts. Shorts, typically, are free-flowing and baggy, like… boxer shorts. Briefs are generally skintight, like tighty-whiteys.
However, the modern boxer short is a hybrid, somewhere in-between, a best of both worlds. The brief will refer to a tighter boxer short. And, if it looks like a baggy loose boxer short, then it is. Simple. Right?
How We Chose
There are infinite variations of shapes, fabric blends, styles, brands, sustainability ratings, and colors to choose from. This makes finding the best products an arduous task. For this reason, I factored in the top three considerations for the best breathable underwear for men out there.
Testicular Health: Surprisingly, this isn’t higher up on people’s search. We are in a male fertility crisis, and this is one easy solution to keeping sperm motility and sperm population high.
Boxers that value testicular health will be supportive to prevent needless knocks throughout the day but won’t be constrictive, allowing for blood flow and cool temperature.
Online Reputation: This was key to the search. With a treasure trove of information inside the murky depths of Reddit, we focused on reliable threads that have an ethos of providing genuine and honest feedback on consumer products for men.
Price/Fabric: The price generally fluctuates with the fabric. However, if the fabric used didn’t match the market value, then we didn’t consider it.
A brand is not worth more than a comfortable and affordable pair of boxer shorts. Calvin Klein is somewhat of an anomaly since the product is so good and the brand name is so unimpeachable for underwear.
Why Trust Us?
Harvey James is a journalist committed to the health and wealth of men’s testicles. In early 2023, he wrote a seminal (excuse the pun) article for British GQ titled “How to shave your balls”. Although that piece focussed on the aesthetics of the nether region, this article, best breathable underwear for men, tackles (excuse the pun) gonad health.
Harvey understands the medical importance of keeping your balls at a cool temperature and the impact that underwear can have on that. It was integral in this piece that each pair of boxer shorts supported the underlying health of a man’s testicles. Amid a “spermageddon,” this is more pressing than ever, and Harvey is the man to help.
Final Verdict
Overall, the best breathable underwear for men is the Lululemon Always in Motion pair of boxer briefs. There are three reasons for this. Number 1 is the super breathable, durable, soft, and stretchy modal-elastane fabric blend. Number 2 is the simplistic shape and relaxed/supportive fit. Number 3 is the fact that everyone really loves it online.
FAQ
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A classic pair of boxer shorts is the most breathable type of underwear for men. This is because it has an elasticated waist but isn’t tight to the legs. This allows a lot of airflow up through the legs and into the genital region.
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First of all, natural fibers are better for the skin. In the context of this article, that would be organic cotton since it isn’t blended with other fabrics to achieve a stretch. Plus, boxer shorts that are matched to the environment to achieve a cool but not freezing temperature for the testes for sperm production. Also, boxers that don’t constrict blood flow.
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The best fabric for sweaty balls is something breathable. I suggest modal or lyocell, both of which are artificially constructed from wood pulp. It brings sweat-wicking properties alongside breathability. If that fails, try loose-fitting cotton boxer shorts for maximum airflow. Failing that, try talcum powder, shaving your pubes, and analyzing your shorts/trousers.
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