We test the best sports boxers and 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 in your old cotton not-so-tighty whities 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 sports boxers.
That’s why we’ve tried and tested the latest sports boxer shorts and workout briefs, to bring you our pick of best men’s underwear for working out.
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Benefits of moisture-wicking underwear
When it comes to working out, your underwear may not be the first thing on your mind. But let’s be honest: 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 undies 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.
Found your undies? Now check out the best running shorts for men
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.
These are the best sports boxers
(Keep scrolling for full reviews…)
- Best for endurance – CXP Ultralite XP ($60 / £50)
- Best for support – Saxx Kinetic HD ($38 / £34)
- Best for sustainability – BAM Sports Trunks (£20, not available in the US)
- Best for versatility – Under Armour Tech 6-Inch Boxerjock ($40 for 2 / £31 for 2)
- Best for value – Reebok Performance Boxer Briefs (£17 for 3, not available in the US)
- Best for moisture wicking – Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief (£44.99, not available in the US)
- Best for a shorter fit – Gymshark Sports Tech Boxers ($28 for 2 / £22 for 2)
- Best for hotter workouts – Lululemon Always In Motion Boxers ($74 for 3 / £58 for 3)
- Best for running – Runderwear Running Boxers (£49.50 for 3, not available in the US)
BEST FOR ENDURANCE
CXP Ultralite XP Compression Shorts
BUY IT NOW:
$60 / £50, cxpofficial.com
Support: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
Material: 86% polyamide, 14% spandex | Colour: Black | Sizes: Small to XL
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 on test 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
BEST FOR SUPPORT
Saxx Kinetic HD
BUY IT NOW:
£34, saxx.com
Support: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Material: 85% nylon, 15% elastane | Colours: Black / Grey / Grey Stripes | Sizes: XS to XXL
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.
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 a boxer in which to tackle box jumps, burpees and sprints, look no further than the Saxx Kinetic HD.
Read our full Saxx Kinetic HD review
BEST FOR SUSTAINABILITY
BAM Sports Trunks
BUY IT NOW:
£20, bambooclothing.co.uk
Support: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Material: 68% bamboo viscose, 28% organic cotton, 4% elastane | Colours: Black / Ecru / Nordic Sky / Ocean Blue | Sizes: Small to XL
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 on test.
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.
BEST FOR VERSATILITY
Under Armour Tech 6-Inch Boxerjock
BUY IT NOW:
$40 for 2 / £31 for 2, underarmour.co.uk
PROS:
Support: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Material: 90% polyester. 10% elastane | Colours: Black / Blue / Red / Grey and Blue / Grey and Red | Sizes: XS to XXL
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.
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. A soft waistband and elastic leg cuffs ensure these boxers stay put no matter how energetic your workout.
Read our full Under Armour Tech 6-Inch Boxerjock review
BEST FOR VALUE
Reebok Performance Boxer Briefs
BUY IT NOW:
£17 for 3 (not currently available in the US), amazon.co.uk
Support: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Material: 92% polyester, 8% elastane | Colour: Black / White / Grey Marl | Sizes: Small to XL
If you can’t stand splashing out on invisible functional kit like undies, how about these great value Reebok briefs? For less than £6 each you get comfy do-it-all workout undies 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 undies their durability is pretty impressive too.
Read our full Reebok Performance Boxer Briefs review
BEST FOR MOISTURE WICKING
Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief
BUY IT NOW:
£44.99 (not currently available in the US), smartwool.co.uk
Support: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Material: 88% merino wool / 12% nylon | Colour: Black / Light Gray Heather / Deep Navy / Sage | Sizes: Small to XXL
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 too.
The natural properties of wool also mean they’re great at wicking moisture, 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
BEST FOR A SHORTER FIT
Gymshark Sports Tech Boxers
BUY IT NOW:
$28 for 2 / £22 for 2, gymshark.com
Support: 4/5
Comfort: 3.5/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Material: 87% polyester, 13% elastane | Colour: Black | Sizes: Small to XXXL
Another great value set of undies, Gymshark’s Sports Tech briefs are 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
BEST FOR HOTTER WORKOUTS
Lululemon Always In Motion Boxers
BUY IT NOW:
($74 for 3 / £58 for 3), lululemon.co.uk
Support: 3/5
Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Material: 91% Modal™, 9% elastane | Colours: 10 colours available | Sizes: XS to XXXL
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 boxers on test.
These 5-inch shorts are versatile enough to wear all day, everyday. 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
BEST FOR RUNNING
Runderwear Running Boxers
BUY IT NOW:
£49.50 for 3 (not available in the US), runderwear.com
Support: 4/5
Comfort: 3.5/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Material: 92% recycled polyamide, 8% elastane | Colour: Black / Blue / Teal | Sizes: Small to XXL
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.
Heat and moisture management are 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.
