8 Best Boxer Briefs for Men 2026

In our testing, the Under Armour Boxerjock made the most sense on days when the plan involved sweat: a long hike, a gym session, a shift spent moving. The 9-inch leg is the reason. It stays down around the thigh instead of creeping up, and the absence of a seam where the leg meets the seat cuts down on the kind of rubbing that turns a good walk sour.

The fabric is a polyester-elastane blend with a slick, supportive hand. It wicks and dries faster than the cotton picks here, and it holds everything close without the squeeze of a compression short. We were also impressed by how little it bunched under hiking shorts. This is the pair that goes into our trip bag when laundry is uncertain, and the one we hand to readers who chafe on hot days.

Long-leg design has a cost: the extra length can feel like a lot under slim trousers. The waistband is tall and secure, though we noticed it can feel snug after a big meal. For hiking and hot weather, we accept those trade-offs. Compared with the Fruit of the Loom pair, this is less of an everyday lounge brief and more of a performance layer. We still reach for it when the route is long and the weather is warm.

The Hanes Stretch Cotton six-pack is the straightforward answer for a drawer refresh: soft cotton with enough stretch to move, a no-ride leg, and a price that makes replacing a tired collection painless. We appreciate that it doesn’t ask you to learn a new fabric or a complicated fit system. It is the pair we suggest when someone wants familiar underwear that simply works.

On the body, the cut is closer than a boxer and more relaxed than a compression brief. The waistband sits flat, and the legs stayed in place through a day of errands and desk work. We noted the breathability most on warm afternoons: it isn’t a cooling synthetic, but it doesn’t turn clammy the way a heavy cotton brief can. The look is clean enough for anyone who doesn’t want logos shouting from the waistband.

The caveats are mostly about sizing. The stretch helps, but the fit can vary between pairs, so check the size chart before ordering a full pack. That’s a small annoyance rather than a dealbreaker: if you want soft, familiar cotton and a no-fuss pack, this is the one we hand to most people. The six-pack also makes laundry day less of a scramble, which is part of the appeal.

At the budget end of this group, the New Balance Mesh 5-inch four-pack is the pair we suggest for hot sleepers, summer commuters, and anyone who wants to spend less on underwear that still feels deliberately made. The mesh is light and airy, the 5-inch leg stays out of the way, and the no-fly front keeps the shape simple.

Fit is where the value shows up—or doesn’t. The mesh stretches comfortably, and the softness is immediately noticeable. The short leg is a plus under shorts; it doesn’t add bulk, though it offers less coverage than a 9-inch performance brief. We also found the waistband softer and less locked-in than the Under Armour or Champion picks, which suits lounging more than hard activity.

For the price, though, they’re a smart second layer for travel and warm-weather hikes. We keep a few in the gym bag because they pack small and dry quickly. They are also easy to pack: the mesh rolls down small, and a spare pair takes up little room in a gym bag or carry-on. That is why they have stayed in our rotation even when we are not traveling.

The Champion Everyday Cotton Stretch five-pack is the one we point to when a reader wants a bit of support without a compression-short feel. The Total Support Pouch gives everything a place to sit, and the cotton stretch moves with you instead of gripping. On a busy day, that translates into less adjusting and a more settled stride.

We like the balance of softness and structure. The fabric is soft against the skin, the legs stay put, and the waistband has enough hold to keep the brief in place without digging in. The five-pack makes it easy to move on from a drawer of mismatched pairs. It’s not as cool as the mesh or bamboo options in humid heat, but it’s comfortable in normal indoor and outdoor conditions.

The weak point is the waistband over time. The elastic can lose some snap, especially if you dry it on high heat, so line-drying is worth the extra minute. We still recommend it as a value pick for guys who want a pouch and a soft cotton feel, provided they treat the waistband kindly. It is also one of the easier pairs to recommend to someone who has never tried a pouch.

Bamboo Cool’s seven-pack is the softness play. The fabric feels silky and light against the skin, closer to a favorite worn-in tee than the sturdy cotton briefs that dominate this list. On a hot day, that light hand is the reason we reach for it: it breathes well, wicks moisture, and doesn’t sit heavy under shorts.

The fit is roomy through the pouch and thighs, with a fly and a waistband that stays flat. We found the legs stayed in place on walks and errands, though the fabric is thin enough that it won’t hide much under light trousers. The seven-pack makes the higher upfront cost easier to justify, especially if you plan to wear these as your main summer pair.

One caution: the lightweight fabric is not the most abrasion-resistant here. If you’re hard on underwear or wash hot, expect a shorter life than the cotton picks. We still recommend it for hot-weather comfort and anyone who wants a barely-there feel. It is the pair we choose when the forecast is sticky and we want the lightest layer in the drawer. The seven-pack also means you can keep a clean pair ready without washing every other day.

The Hanes Total Support Pouch is built for the days when you want everything held close: a long shift, a workout, a hike with a lot of stepping. The pouch gives the front a defined place instead of letting fabric bunch, and the snug fit keeps the legs from wandering. We noticed the support most on stairs and uneven ground, where a looser brief needs adjusting.

The fabric is soft and breathable enough for everyday wear, and the waistband sits comfortably without rolling. The sizing runs small for some builds, so check the chart before committing. We also wish the legs were a touch longer for tall wearers, though the long-leg version covers that.

Compared with the Champion five-pack, this Hanes pair is more focused on hold and less on all-day softness. It is a good choice for active days, and the pouch does its job without turning the brief into a compression short.

We recommend it when support is the priority. The pouch and snug hold earn their place for hiking, gym sessions, and long days on your feet.

The Tommy Hilfiger Cotton Classics four-pack is the pair for the reader who cares how the waistband looks when the shirt comes off—and who is willing to size carefully. The cotton is soft, the colors look sharp, and the cut has that familiar boxer-brief shape without performance styling.

We liked the classic feel, and the four-pack is enough to rotate through the week. The 100% cotton is comfortable against the skin, with a soft hand that feels more dressed-up than a sport brief. It is not as breathable as the mesh or bamboo picks, so it is better for moderate days than a humid hike.

Fit is the deciding issue. The cut runs large, and the legs can stretch out after a few hours, so sizing down is the move for most builds. That puts it behind our everyday recommendations for pure function, even though the look is a step above.

We still see a place for it. If you want a recognizable label, a soft cotton hand, and a more dressed-up look than a sport brief, this is a reasonable pickup for lighter days and casual wear.