The best running underwear for men
Even if your kit bag is crammed full of innovative gear and your feet are constantly cradled by the latest trainers, there’s still one key piece of kit you may be overlooking as you prepare for race day — your underwear. A good pair can be the difference between setting off on a comfortable run and enduring unpleasant rubbing as you rack up the miles.
Fortunately for you, the Runner’s World Lab has ordered our panel of avid runners to test a combined total of 21 pairs of the best underwear for exercise, to find out which ones can handle the heat and which ones crumple under the pressure.
So, do yourself a favour and invest in one of our tried and tested pairs of pants to enjoy wedgie- and chafing-free running. That way, you can save your dwindling Vaseline supplies for runner’s nipple.
Best men’s underwear for running: Stance Windsor Wholester
Runner-up men’s underwear for running: Bjorn Borg Nordic Camo Graphic-Print Stretch-Recycled Polyester Trunks
Best for the gym: Men’s Under Armour Tech 6” Boxerjock
Most versatile: Nike Flex Boxer Briefs
Most comfortable for low impact exercise: Smartwool Men’s Merino 150 Print Boxer Brief
Best for all sport: Nike Elite Micro Extra Long Boxer Briefs
Best for rest days: Gymshark Boxers
Most supportive when running: Puma Active Grizzly Melange Men’s Boxers
Best for long-distance running: Runderwear Men’s Running Boxer Shorts
What makes good underwear for running?
There are several key differences between your everyday underwear and boxers made specifically for sport.
These are the main things to look out for:
Material: Cotton is the most common material used to make underwear. However, if you’re after a pair to wear for more hardcore exercise, you’ll likely want something a bit lighter and more flexible, with heightened sweat-wicking properties. Among the products we tested, brands opted to make the most of nylon, polyester and even merino wool to keep wearers comfortable.
Fit: You’ll want a pair of underwear that can keep you supported as you pound the pavements or trails, without being so tight that they feel restrictive or don’t move with the body.
Sweat-wicking properties: As mentioned under the material section, you don’t want your underwear to be sodden at the end of each jog. Not only will this prove heavy and uncomfortable, it could also lead to rubbing. Some materials are able to wick sweat away from the skin as it forms, keeping wearers cool throughout. This is one of the key criteria we considered when testing underwear for exercise.
How we test
We sent out 21 different pairs of underwear to our panel of trusted runners, with each person asked to review up to three products. They wore each pair for at least three different types of exercise, including high and low impact activities, sweaty sessions and lighter workouts. In our Runner’s World Lab, we also put each pair of underwear through the wash three times to make sure they retained their fit and shape.
Design, comfort, performance and quality were all considered as each tester delivered detailed feedback on the products they had worn. This data was then broken down and combined with the Runner’s World Lab results to calculate a final score for each pair, and crown our champion.
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1
Best underwear for running
Stance Wholester Boxer Shorts
Stance
surfdome.com
£24.45
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Our stance on these impeccable boxers couldn’t be any clearer — we love them. They’re made using a single piece of true rib microfibre, which fitted like a glove and proved incredibly comfortable for a range of activities — both exercise-related and otherwise. They were tight enough to offer plenty of support and they didn’t bunch or ride up, despite the longer legs, so testers had no trouble with chafing.
Key specificationsMaterial: 78% Nylon, 22% ElastaneSizes available: Small (28-30”) to extra large (39-42”) Colours: Blue, purpleBest for: Supreme comfort, whatever your sport of choicePriced as: Per pair
2
Runner-up underwear for running
Bjorn Borg Nordic Camo Graphic-Print Stretch-Recycled Polyester Trunks
Bjorn Borg
selfridges.com
£47.00
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Bjorn Borg knows what it takes to compete at the highest level, just ask his five consecutive Wimbledon wins, and his eponymous brand has designed these trunks with performance in mind.
The smooth outline and second skin-esque fit meant testers felt supported during intense sessions — without their range of movement being restricted — and there was no unpleasant bunching. The soft, stretchy fabric has a premium feel, too, absorbing sweat well and refusing to ride up or stick to testers’ skin during exercise.
Key specificationsMaterial: 90% recycled polyester, 10% elastaneSizes available: Small to extra largeColours: Duck greenBest for: Any distance runs, team sports and sweaty sessionsPriced as: Three-pack
3
Best underwear for the gym
Under Armour Men’s Under Armour Tech 6” Boxerjock
Under Armour
underarmour.co.uk
£30.00
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Having to rearrange your underwear mid-run is enough to knock anyone off their stride. Fortunately, the Boxerjock’s tight fit and soft material allows them to move with the body, while the elasticated waistband meant they stayed in place without digging in at all — ideal for strength sessions and lower body exercises like lunges.
They were comfortable to wear under workout clothes, though a handful of our testers said they were a bit bulky and felt hot during more strenuous sessions.
Key specificationsMaterial: 90% polyester, 10% elastaneSizes available: Extra small to extra extra largeColours: Black, grey, blue, navy redBest for: Strength training and the gym in generalPriced as: Two-pack
4
Most versatile underwear
Nike Flex Boxer Briefs
Nike
asos.com
£33.00
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Nike has built these boxer briefs with “four-way stretch” woven fabric for greater flexibility, and our testers certainly felt the benefit — they enjoyed total freedom of movement while wearing them for a range of different runs and workouts.
There were no complaints when it came to chafing or riding up, and testers said they felt secure, even during higher impact activities. Thanks to their more casual fit and aesthetic, we found these malleable boxers are also suitable for everyday wear.
Key specificationsMaterial: 92% polyester, 8% elastaneSizes available: Extra small to extra large Colours: Red, grey and black available in multipackBest for: The everyday athletePriced as: Three-pack
5
Most comfortable for low impact exercise
Smartwool Men’s Merino 150 Print Boxer Brief
Smartwool
smartwool.co.uk
£20.00
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Merino Wool is much finer than the yarn used to make your favourite winter jumper. It also has natural thermo-regulating properties, helping to keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s chilly.
Our testers found these boxers incredibly comfortable, with no sign of them being pulled out of place or rubbing at all. However, they have a baggier fit than others on this list, making them more suitable for low- to medium-impact activities such as strength or recovery work, rather than a track session.
Key specificationsMaterial: 87% merino wool, 13% nylonSizes available: Small (29-31”) to extra extra large (41”-44”)Colours: Neptune blue geode print, Tibetan red mountains for days print, military olive mountains for days print, iceberg blue bearded guy print Best for: Low impact sessions and keeping your coolPriced as: Per pair
6
Best for all sports
Nike Elite Micro Extra Long Boxer Briefs
Nike
asos.com
£28.00
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The soft, almost silk-like material of these boxers makes them a strong all-rounder, providing optimum comfort for a variety of training types. They strike a fine balance between support and stretchiness, with their breathable fabric keeping testers comfortable during sweaty sessions.
The Micro Extra’s excelled when it came to yoga, too, so you’ve got one less excuse to skip mobility sessions. Our panel enjoyed their sporty, dotted design, though one tester recommended ordering a size up as the boxers felt tight on their legs.
Key specificationsMaterial: 84% polyester, 16% elastaneSizes available: Extra small to extra largeColours: GreyBest for: All sports, providing a tight and supportive fit while retaining flexibilityPriced as: Per pair
7
Best for rest days
Gymshark Boxers
Gymshark
gymshark.com
£15.00
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These comfy boxers can just as easily be worn for rest days as they can for a spot of strength training — as you’d expect from Gymshark. The flexible material means your range of motion isn’t hampered in the slightest and the waistband provides a secure fit without being too tight or digging in.
We wouldn’t recommend them for race days, however, as the cotton is slightly too heavy for sweatier activities, and a few testers said they bunched at the top of the thighs during some runs.
Key specificationsMaterial: 95% cotton, 5% elastaneSizes available: Small (32”) to extra extra large (40”)Colours: White, black Best for: Rest days and lounging aroundPriced as: Two-pack
8
Most supportive for running
Puma Active Grizzly Melange Men’s Boxers
Puma
dressinn.com
US$18.99
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For track athletes, the last thing you want is a lack of support in your underwear. Fortunately, these close-fitting Puma boxers have got you covered.
Though they may not be apt for endurance events or yoga, as some of our testers said they were too tight around their thighs and felt restrictive when stretching, their compact design is great for short, intense, high impact activities such as plyometric training or sprints.
Key specificationsMaterial: 90% polyester, 10% elastaneSizes available: Small to extra extra large Colours: Grey, blackBest for: CrossFit, HIIT, plyometrics, sprints or other high impact trainingPriced as: Two-pack
9
Best for long-distance running
Runderwear Men’s Running Boxer Shorts
Runderwear
£18.00
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Innovation and underwear might not be the most obvious of bedfellows, yet Runderwear has managed to marry the two with its “silicone leg grippers” — rubbery strips running down the side of each leg, designed to stop these boxers from riding up while running.
Many testers found they worked perfectly, though a few didn’t like how the strips felt and said they made the boxers tricky to slip into. Despite this Marmite-like reaction, most of our panel were in favour, so we’d recommend giving them a go.
Key specificationsMaterial: 92% polyamide, 8% elastaneSizes available: Small to extra extra large Colours: Blue, black, navyBest for: Running without worrying about bunchingPriced as: Per pair
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