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Best Workout Underwear For Men in 2021

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This product guide was written by GearHungry Staff
Published June 22, 2018
Support us! GearHungry may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more

There are a lot of things you need to be mindful of when you’re working out including your form, your heart rate, hydration levels, time between reps and, if you’re running outdoors, the traffic, weather conditions, road conditions and more. The last thing you want to be thinking about is whether your underwear is creating a vibrant bacterial pool in your crotch. Instead, you want to be dry, safe, comfortable and in control. That’s what workout underwear is for and below we present the 10 best.

The Best Workout Underwear For Men

1
Adidas Men’s Sport Performance Climalite Workout Underwear

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Adidas Sport Performance Climalite men’s exercise underwear does a great job keeping you cool and dry. The 91% polyester, 9% spandex Climalite is a superior blend that stretches where you need it to and holds firm when you want it to. It wicks away moisture while the double-lined support pouch provides more than adequate protection even when you’re ATG in the crossfit box. The waistband is comfortable and never digs channels in your skin and the stitching throughout is first rate. If you are looking to upgrade your workout clothes, then make sure you read our best gym shorts review.

Key Features:

Climalite fabric 91% Polyester 9% spandex

Mesh support pouch

Soft, tagless waistband

Medium rise

Won’t ride up

Specification:
  • BrandAdidas
  • Weight1 pounds
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

2
Neleus Men’s Sport Compression Workout Underwear

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Neleus Men’s Compression Underwear are handsome enough to wear as shorts. Being 15% spandex this gym underwear goes the extra mile to stretch and accommodate every last detail of your particular physiology. Movement is never restricted while you remain dry, cool and comfortably under control. The fabric breathes as hard as you do and never chaffs or otherwise irritates. Suitable for all sports and 100% machine washable. Be sure to combine this with a cool running jacket from our list. 

Key Features:

85% polyester, 15% spandex

Designed to be form fitting

Wicks moisture away, dries fast, highly breathable

Suitable for all indoor and outdoor sports

Tag free logo waistband

Specification:
  • BrandNeleus
  • ModelDK6012-US
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

3
Reebok Mens 3 Pack Performance Workout Underwear

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Reebok Men’s Performance Boxer Briefs are an outstanding value that deliver much of the comfort and performance of more expensive workout briefs without breaking your bank. The fabric is a breathable, moisture-wicking, form-fitting 90% polyester, 10% spandex blend with a 100% mesh pouch to keep you cool, dry and under control at all times. This is performance sports underwear of a high caliber that fits you like a second skin without ever rubbing you the wrong way. Our handy guide to the best running socks features more great performance products like this. 

Key Features:

92% Polyester, 8% spandex blend

Won’t ride up and crimp your style

Tag free comfort waistband

6 inch inseam

Machine washable

Specification:
  • BrandReebok
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

4
Under Armour The Original 6” Boxerjock Briefs

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Under Armour 6” Boxerjock Briefs could pass for outerwear, as is the case with some of the other workout underwear on our list. They provide you the comfort and protection you need whether you’re pushing yourself with the weights or knocking back 5 kms before you head for work in the morning. The 90% polyester, 10% elastane fabric holds you close while never constricting your movements. It’s also endowed with anti-microbial properties that head off odors before they take hold. Be sure to also check out our list of the best knee sleeves for more great items like this.

Key Features:

Articulated mesh pouch

90% polyester, 10% elastane blend

Antimicrobial properties prevent odors

True to size fitting every time

Tag free performance waistband

Specification:
  • BrandUnder Armour
  • Model1277238
  • Weight4.5 ounces
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

5
Baleaf Men’s Performance Underwear

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Baleaf give their 9” Sport Boxer Briefs a different look that’s as appealing to the eye as the briefs are comfortable to wear. This is high-quality, high performance workout underwear that will keep you cool and dry without impinging your movements or irritating your skin. Though they extend the full 9” down your leg they never ride up. The 90% polyester, 10% elastane blend wicks away moisture before it becomes an issue and the breathable mesh pouch w/fly keeps you under control.

Key Features:

90% polyester, 10% elastane blend

Firm but gentle hold

Outstanding breathability

Won’t ride or bunch up

Breathable 100% polyester mesh pouch

Specification:
  • BrandBaleaf
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

6
Jockey Men’s Sport Microfiber Midway Brief

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Jockey tosses their hat into the sports underwear fray with their outstanding Men’s Sport Microfiber Midway Brief. Because of the company’s reputation for being aggressively mainstream we approached these boxer briefs with a bit of skepticism but were pleasantly surprised by what we found. The fit was right up there with the best, and indeed better than some other, more expensive workout underwear. The 20% spandex fabric went to great lengths to accommodate every movement without pinching or chaffing and the 9” legs stayed where they belonged even during the most strenuous workout. This is a perfect pair of workout clothes for men.

Key Features:

80% polyester, 20% spandex

100% machine washable

Won’t ride up your legs

Reinforced pouch for extra confidence

Beautifully tailored

Specification:
  • BrandJockey
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

7
New Balance Men’s Dry Fresh Workout Briefs

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New Balance make an appearance on our top 10 list with their Men’s Dry Fresh Boxer Briefs, an excellent example of form following function as well as the value of craftsmanship. Like the Under Armour Boxerjock the NB Dry Fresh is treated with antimicrobial agents that stave off the production of unpleasant odors and keep everything hygienic, dry and fresh, as the name suggests. Tagless comfort waistband, 3/4 inch hem, complete lack of side seams and open fly complete the picture.

Key Features:

87% polyester, 13% spandex

Articulated panels provide structure

NB fresh anti-microbial technology

Wicks moisture away effortlessly

Ride-up-free performance

Specification:
  • BrandNew Balance
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

8
2(X)IST Men’s Speed 2.0 No-Show Trunk

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The 2(X)IST Men’s Speed 2.0 contours itself to you in a way that doesn’t interfere with motion but keeps you in control through all aspects of your workout. The contour pouch provides excellent support and protection, the low rise cut leaves your quads free to join the workout party and the waistband is comfortable, low-riding and non-binding. You won’t feel them even with the weightlifting belt on. The high performance wicking fabric keeps you cool and dry while the 2.0’s articulated mesh inserts promote freedom of movement.

Key Features:

89% nylon, 11% spandex blend           

Machine washable

Tag-free not-too-wide waistband

2 inch inseam

Extremely durable

Specification:
  • Brand2(X)IST
  • Model3104163301
  • Weight1 pounds
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

9
Saxx Mens Pro Elite Long Leg Fly Workout Boxers

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Saxx Men’s Pro Elite Long Underwear provides all day performance with dependable moisture wicking properties that insure you don’t wind up swimming in your own sweat. The 9” inseam means you’re plenty warm at the start of your run even in the dead of winter and that you have max support when you’re under the bar. The fabric is 95% polyester, 5% spandex. It’s form fitting and snug without being constricting while the pouch is reinforced and will stand up to just about anything but a direct shot. So grab your running shoes, your Saxx underwear and test them right away. You wont regret buying them.

Key Features:

95% polyester, 5% spandex blend

Comfortable and form fitting

Excellent moisture wicking capability

High quality double and triple stitching

Comfortable tag-free waistband

Specification:
  • BrandSAXX Underwear Co.
  • ModelSXLL21F
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

10
Amazon Brand – find. Men’s Sports Underwear

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Workout underwear needs to be tight, breathable, and supportive. This Men’s Sports Underwear – by Amazon’s Find brand – is all three. They’re made from a blend of polyester (93%) and elastane (7%), making it both comfortable and stretchy. However, the most impressive use of fabric is the mesh on the legs. It does a fantastic job of letting air to your skin during a workout, keeping you from overheating unnecessarily. Plus, they’re available in a bunch of different sizes and colors, so you can find a pair that suits you. 

Key Features:

93% polyester & 7% elastane 

Mesh legs 

Designed in Europe 

Available in four colors

Specification:
  • BrandAmazon Find
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Workout Underwear Buyer’s Guide

Things to Consider When Choosing Workout Underwear:

  • Material - Athletic underwear is made using a variety of fabrics but all are intended to serve the primary masters of this type of garment: flexibility, breathability and durability. As such you almost always wind up with something like a polyester/spandex or nylon/spandex or polyester/elastane mix. This ensures the garment adapts to your particular physiology while also providing the necessary freedom of movement and breathability. Some manufacturers treat their fabric with antimicrobial agents that keep the environment hygienic and odor free. While others go heavier on the spandex or elastane in order to provide crossfitters and the like that extra bit of stretch they need. What you’ll almost never find in workout underwear is cotton.
  • Size - Obviously you’re going to want underwear that is snug but not binding. The last thing you want is to feel your exercise underwear pinching your boys when you’re running on the treadmill in a crowded gym. Or maybe it is what you want. But it’s not what most guys want. So, snug all around to keep everything firmly in place, but not so tight that you’ll need a fertility clinic when you’re done.
  • Length - As a general rule (which of course means there are some exceptions) dudes with big legs prefer a longer cut because this type of undergarment isn’t as prone to riding up. Longer workout underwear also tends to improve circulation which is important for bike riders and to help focus your energy, which weight lifters appreciate.
  • Comfort - Comfort is the result of fit, fabric, length, moisture wicking properties and more. If your workout underwear feels nice when you first put it on but traps your sweat and rides up on you like nobody’s business it’s not much good. The most comfortable active underwear is that which meets all your practical and functional requirements.
  • Design - All the top garment companies today employ world class designers so there’s little danger you’re going to wind up with performance underwear that looks bad. The only question is whether the cut is right for you, if the pouch keeps dry and safe and under control and if aspects of the design such as the waistband dig into your obliques or sartorius or other muscles of the waist or hip area.
  • Moisture-wicking properties - Unless you like swimming in sweat while you run or lift or otherwise workout you’re going to want to be sure to select workout underwear that effectively wicks away moisture. Most all of the polyester/nylon/spandex/elastane blends do an admirable job of eliminating moisture so this is rarely an issue. Silk and wool are good examples of natural fabrics that wick moisture away effective but which aren’t particularly good for workout underwear.
  • Odor-control technology - Athletic underwear that isn’t breathable and doesn’t vent heat and moisture lays the foundation for gnarly odors and a nice case of crotch rot. Fortunately most workout underwear today does a great job handling moisture, but even so some manufacturers have begun treating their fabrics with antimicrobial agents that kill bacteria before it has a chance to multiple and fester.
  • Durability - All of the above profiled exercise underwear is going to hold up to regular use and abuse. The materials are engineered for long term durability and the inclusion of spandex and elastane et al means they are built to be stretched and pulled in every direction. You rarely have to worry about the fabric itself failing. You will have to make sure the stitching is first rate however. Because if it’s not any failure of the garment is likely to occur in the seams.

best workout underwear for men

Workout Underwear FAQ

Q: What Is Workout Underwear and Why Do You Need It?

A: As the physical fitness movement took hold in the second half of the 20th century it became quickly apparent that standard cotton briefs or boxers just weren’t going to cut it in the gym. Men needed a way to minimize the negative effects of sweat while staying cool and obtaining support in the crotch so that their stuff wasn’t getting in the way of the business at hand. The jockstrap, which had been standard issue for athletes for decades, was simply no longer enough. A more comprehensive solution was needed. Enter workout underwear.

Workout underwear addressed the major concerns of men when it came to strenuous physical activity: keeping dry, keeping cool and protecting the family jewels. But there were other things to think about as well. Snug fitting sports underwear was/is great for promoting circulation and control but if the seams are located in the wrong place they could cause chafing and rashes and promote crotch rot. Also, plenty of guys had issues with tags in the underwear which weren’t so good a wicking away moisture and often turned into sweaty, irritating pads rubbing incessantly against the lower back. Hence most modern workout underwear is sans-tag.

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