Ex-Officio Give-N-Go Briefs Review

While I'm not in the market for men's underwear :-), I switched to Ex-Officio women's underpants a couple of years ago–for full-time wear, not just backpacking–and really love them!

we're reviewing mens underwear now?

just waiting for a women's bra review … with pics ;)

Eric, here is your bra review as requested.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/cw_x_bra_review.html

I must say Roger is looking in great shape in the underwear photo. A real advert for the health benefits of backpacking.

May seem to be a trivial matter, sort of scarping the bottom of the barrel , however wet underpants can be a pain in the something or rather.
I switched to those Ex Officio unmentionables after a trek when I could not get my lycra stuff to dry overnight and even after 2 days ( it rained a lot) . Had to wear them damp to dry them , but of course they were damp again with sweat in the afternoon.
Now I have a happy bottom.
Franco
No photos will be supplied.

I didn't understand your reference to the waist band issue until I saw your photo of typical Australian briefs. Wow, the waistbands are just awful. I haven't seen anything like that here in the states in a while.

Many years ago a few of us cross-sport type took to wearing triathalon bib bicycle shorts as underwear with over shorts liners removed. We didn't have to deal with where your belt and shorts interferred. I just wish somebody would make a pair with more durable fabric. I loved my old system until they wore out!

Randy

Reading your review I believe I will give the Give-N-Go Brief a try.

I am normally a 'boxer' kind of guy and own a pair of the Give-N-Go Boxer along with other brands of boxers. The Give-N-Go has been my favorite underwear of choice when walking, hiking and backpacking.

Good review Roger. Undies seem mundane until you're 3 days out and getting chafed. Then every step is pain.

For those with thicker thighs looking to prevent the inner thigh chafe, Ex Officio's boxer briefs are made the same way as the give-n-gos but with a little extra coverage. They've held up great for me.

I think underwear are really important. Chafing, moisture retention contributing to fungal blues, drying time, lack of odor retention, interference with a pack; all these are important.

I have been using nothing but merino wool for briefs for the last year or so, including the Annapurna Circuit, and find them the best of any underwear I've used. T-shirts are great, too.

I know that seem a bit of an overstatement in commenting on underwear, but dang, these ExOfficio undies really do exactly what they claim to do. I used to use a jock as my preferred undergarment but I had these undies in the drawer for use when we travel. Decided to try them outon a hot sweaty overnight in the San Gabriels. I have never been so comfortable. They do in fact breathe and keep you drier and cooler than anything else I have worn. They are supportive. And as has been pointed out dry in few hours time. They are also very durable. I have had the same two pair I have used for a year backpacking for at least 3 years of overseas travel. They look exactly as they did the day I bought them from REI.
I would give these a highly recommended rating!

Has anyone tried comparing the Ex-officio to wool undergarments? I've been tempted by both for normal city wear (no undies seems to work fine in the back country) but don't want to spend the money if there isn't any gain.

10 days on the Colorado Trail last August, rained nonstop for 7 days (not used to that here in Colorado), the Ex Officio briefs were great. No odor, wash and dry quickly. I now wear under the work clothes (suit & tie). Highly recommend. Pit Martin

I'm not a brief(s) sort of guy but I do wear, enjoy, and prefer–in all situations–ExOfficios in the boxer style.

Interesting blog post on chafe.

http://krudmeister.blogspot.com/2010/10/chafe.html

I've done extensive smell checks, and find that all of the synthetics stink worse than wool, after many days w/o washing. Silk is pretty good, too. And the early polypropylene was the worst ever devised!

"And the early polypropylene was the worst ever devised!"

Let's just say that it developed a character of its own.

I still have 30-year-old polypro long johns that I wear, but only for about one day at a time.

–B.G.–

>I'm not a brief(s) sort of guy but I do wear, enjoy, and prefer–in all situations–ExOfficios in the boxer style.

For the middle-of the roaders in the crowd, the boxer briefs solve the chafing problem and they look soooo good as far as the "package" is concerned (this, according to my wife, who is a student of such matters). ;-D

Stargazer

Sizing guide list large at 36-39 (waist) and XL at 40-43. Any one have a sense of these numbers being true to fit?

I am normally a Medium, and the Medium fitted me.

Cheers

I've said it before and I'll say it again (somewhere on this site), women's underpants are lighter and dry faster – even if you are a man.

I have been a happy Ex-Offico briefs walker for some years.
Locally (Brisbane Australia) I have advised at least one person who was proud of going COMMANDO (i.e. no u/pants) not to because of the prevalence of ticks & often leeches with dangers therein. I remember one hilarious occasion of Grant calling in at small rural hospital North Queensland with a TICK IN HIS NAVEL after our removal efforts failed. Leeches in the eye are also an interesting scenario which we best solved via salt water then sterile saline solution (now always in our first aid kits for eye injuries so possible in thick scrub).

LOU D

>I'm not a brief(s) sort of guy but I do wear, enjoy, and prefer–in all situations–ExOfficios in the boxer style.

For the middle-of the roaders in the crowd, the boxer briefs solve the chaffing problem and they look soooo good as far as the "package" is concerned (this, according to my wife, who is an student of such matters). ;-D

Stargazer

I wear 34 pants, and the mediums are a good fit. I bought a couple pair 2 years ago, and since picked up enough to wear daily. I really like mine and my wife likes them too.