Overview: Men’s Hiking Underwear & Shorts
Underwear acts as a moisture (sweat) transfer layer to keep you reasonably dry “down there”. This guide highlights some important considerations about materials, design, fit, weight, and performance criteria when selecting a pair of hiking underwear (or shorts).
The most popular underwear material is polyester, sometimes with a little Spandex (Lycra) mixed in for a stretchy fit. Merino wool is a great choice that minimizes odor when worn for several days in a row, but isn’t as durable as synthetics. Some people go commando (no underwear), which can be a bit uncomfortable if you wear abrasive nylon trekking pants, and on hot days, can result in sweat accumulation that can cause inner thigh chafing. Others replace underwear with a typical running short that has a liner brief in it. If you suffer from inner thigh chafing (or have never hiked long distances in warm weather), consider selecting a tight-fitting “running short” – they fit like tights but are short, with inseams ranging from 6 to 11 inches.
Weight Targets
The lightest polyester briefs will weigh in the range of 1-2 oz. Merino wool and Spandex blend boxer-briefs with longer (6″+) inseams can be less than 4 oz if the fabrics are thin.
How to Save Weight
- Quantity: Bring just one pair of underwear/shorts (men), or one set of bra / shorts for women (menstruating women should bring a 2nd set of underwear / shorts). Every few days, do laundry (rinse and/or wash) and hang to dry in the sun.
- Material Type: Polypropylene and polyester are the lightest fibers, especially when constructed in very thin fabrics. Nylon, Spandex and merino wool are slightly heavier.
- Amount of Material: Briefs are made with less material than boxers, so are lighter. Shorts with shorter inseams are lighter than shorts with longer inseams, but longer inseams protect better from chafing. Commando is the lightest way to go – 0.0 oz!
Performance Considerations
- Odor Resistance –Merino is the best for long term wear. Polypropylene has a reputation for rankiness. Some so-called “odor-resistant” fibers are treated with various antimicrobial materials that might work when the undies are new, but tend to “wear out” over time, unlike merino.
- Dry Time –Polyester dries the fastest, merino wool and spandex dry the slowest. Something to consider when you are wading deep and have to continue hiking, or are doing some afternoon laundry.
- Fit –Looser fits ventilate better (airflow is good!), but more form-fitting underwear is more resistant to chafing. More form-fitting underwear with elastic leg cuffs may stay in place without riding up and bunching/binding, which is pretty nice for steep climbing when you’re high-stepping.
- Waist Band –Waistbands can be a blessing or an annoyance. You’ll have to experiment. The key is not to buy a size too small, or it will create discomfort by rolling and binding on long days.
What Our Guides Use
Ryan J – I chafe. Briefs and commando are out. Merino is my favorite material for underwear, but because of chafing, I’ve worn out too many pairs of merino boxers to count. These days, I go with short tights used by runners. I like the color black, and shorts without “underwear waistbands” so I can wear them alone around people without feeling like I’m waltzing around in my skivvies. I like an inseam in the 6-10 inch range, and I look for the lightest weight polyester / nylon / spandex blend I can find – something less than 4 oz in a size “M”. My all-time favorite pair of trekking undies – the original GoLite Stride shorts, which I still love and use.
Eric – Tight, form-fitting spandex is not for me, but Ex Officio Boxer-Briefs seem to have the right amount of stretch for a good fit without being restrictive. I find them comfortable even into the second week of a long trip.
Andy – I prefer Patagonia Silkweight (a.k.a. “Daily”) Capilene Boxers. They remain cool in hot temps, reduce chafe well enough for me, and with odor-resistant fibers, seem to feel clean even after 7-10 days in the field.
Pat – Ultralight and minimalist for me: the Rab Dryflo 80 brief only weighs 1.4 oz.
Ryan C – I wear Ex Officio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs. Long and snug for chafing resistance, fast dry time, with no unusual accumulation of stinkiness beyond what I perceive to be my own normal ;) One under-the-table (sic) feature is the nicely-shaped pocket that keeps the cajonnes off your legs (note: this feature is found on the Sport model). Guys know this to be a feature…
Recommendations
The following products represent our guide-curated recommendations for participants in the Wilderness Adventures program.
Patagonia Men’s Strider PRO Shorts 5″ Inseam
Guides’ Comments: This is a running short with built-in liner – a great option if you prefer to hike in real shorts.
ExOfficio Men’s Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs
Guides’ Comments: Customers love these, as evidenced by strong reviews found all over the internet. A durable option for chafing resistance.
SmartWool Men’s NTS Micro 150 Boxer Briefs – Wool
Guides’ Comments: Great stink resistance, and extraordinarily comfortable next to skin. They are somewhat form-fitting, but don’t have the confining feel of a compression short. More durable than we expected for merino wool.[/caption]
Guides’ Comments: If you prefer loose-fitting polyester underwear, and don’t want to break the bank, this is a solid option. For a little softer feel (and a little higher price), take a look at the Patagonia Daily Boxer-Brief.
More Shopping Resources
- Shop underwear at Backcountry.com | Patagonia.com | REI.com
About Guides’ Notes
Guides’ Notes are gear briefs outlining a specific category of gear as a resource that has been developed for participants in Backpacking Light’s Wilderness Adventure Treks program. It includes an overview of the category, tips for saving weight on gear in this category, as well as very specific product recommendations from our Guides, with links to purchase those products online.
Disclosure: the product links above may include affiliate links. Backpacking Light receives a small commission on sales when you place an order via one of our affiliate partners if you visit their website by clicking on an affiliate link. This helps support our efforts, thank you!
Discussion
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Companion forum thread to: Hiking Underwear & Shorts (Guides’ Notes)
Underwear acts as a moisture (sweat) transfer layer to keep you reasonably dry “down there”. This guide highlights some important considerations about materials, design, fit, weight, and performance criteria when selecting a pair of hiking underwear (or shorts).
I am a big fan of the Ex Officio Give N Go boxer briefs mentioned in the article. I have found them much less stinky after a week or two in the backcountry than other boxer briefs I have tried probably due to them being nylon rather than polyester. In fact I like them so much that I have bought enough pairs to pretty much wear them all the time and not just on the trail. I still have and use the original 2 pairs bought in 2011, though the elastic is starting to look sad.
I have contemplated wearing running shorts (like Patagonia baggies, etc) as underwear on some trips so I would have the option of shorts if I wanted it, but never have gotten the nerve to do so. I tend to stick with things that I have found work well for me.
The OR Echo Boxer Briefs look like they have potential as well.
You need some women.
I think this article should be renamed “Men’s Hiking Underwear and Shorts”
I’m surprised that people can wear synthetic underwear for extended periods of time. A while back I developed some very serious crotch funk, to the point where I considered seeing a doctor, because of wearing the same synthetic underwear for an extended period of time (and washing it daily). As a rule I now avoid wearing synthetic next to skin down there. I like hiking in polyester short tights, but I wear long inseam 200 weight wool underwear under them. Even then I have to be really good about washing the short tights every night, airing them out well, and laying in them in the sun whenever possible or else the shorts can get totally rancid.
I have also found cotton underwear to be very comfortable for hiking in dry weather.
Good call @justin_baker. Changed.
I always thought a merino wool mesh-lined version of a cordura/nylon/spandex short tight would be the ideal trekking underlayer. Interesting that you are wearing a 2-layer system to mimic this. I’ll have to try it.
LOL.
Pretty sound logic there…
Good catch Ivo. Fixed.
Title still needs work in the men’s only dept.
Good stuff. I have used merino underwear for three weeks, day and night continously without the stink bothering me. I am hiking solo though :-) And it is certainly true that merino boxers wear fast, some brands faster than others. Icebreaker has running shorts in merino with a merino liner that have been a favorite for some years.
However, synthetic boxer do stink considerably faster. Since I hike mostly in a damp climate where you cannot rely on the sun drying stuff that you launder, even thin synthetics.
I have now migrated away from both these varieties. Which is not to say that I have reached the final solution. The last couple of years I have used ligth synthetic running shorts with synthetic liners. These work as underwear, shorts and swimming trunks when needed. If they are laundered or wet I go commando. They can also dry faster if worn outside my long hiking pants, while hiking or in camp.
I don’t have the experience on long distance hikes but I do spend all day working in the hot sweaty east coast. I find cotton underwear gets wet, stays wet and after a full day I have serious raw chaffing.
The best under wear I’ve found is the addidas boxer brief at Costco, they are almost see through and dry very fast. The other preferred option is the C9 athletic shorts at costco, they have the build in liner and work great. Even in our super humid weather they dry pretty fast.
The best part is they are pretty darn affordable.
ultrathin synthetics dry faster than merino under wet COLD conditions (no sun) … where you can only rely on body heat to dry it out
in cold wet conditions merino aint the most fun once it totally saturated (its fine damp but not wet) … its easy enough to test, simply get that merino undies soaked and walk outside at night
the nice thing about ultrathin undies is that they are exceptionally easy to wash every day and then wring out …. hang dry over night (in wet conditions they wont totally dry out), and wear dry the next day … of course the ultrathin synth (dead bird phase SL and such) arent much more durable than merino
the problem and nemesis of most underwear in cold wet conditions is the elastic waist band …
;)
Will we be seeing a Female’s Guides Choice companion article?
I’m surprised no one mentioned Uniqlo Airism boxer brief. I own multiple pairs and they are amazing. The weigh less than any other option mentioned, cost about a quarter of the price of the cheapest pair mentioned, and lord are they comfortable. I’ve hiked considerable miles with Ex Officio Give n Go and loved those but then I tried a pair of the Airism boxer briefs last year and will be taking two pairs on my Te Araroa trip in two years.
Will just say that nylon, even untreated nylon, is definitely better than most polyester based underwear–though polygiene treated polyester stuff is ok.
It’s too bad that they don’t make a super wicking, polygiene treated nylon underwear.
Heck, i would settle for a majority nylon and minority tencel, linen, wool, or alpaca blend. Ime, these combos have decent to good odor protection, while drying faster than the made out of 100% latter absorbent materials.
Since I’m quote challenged, I’ll just say amen to Danny’s post. I have found what works for me, but I would be interested in a companion piece that highlighted some women’s choices. I have not found any wool, I admit to not having looked hard on the ‘net, though.
Smartwool, Icebreaker, Minus 33, io merino, Odlo to name a few make women’s underwear containing wool
Thanks. They don’t seem to sell them in any stores in my area, pity. I hate buying things like that, un-tried on, but seems as if that’s the only way.
+1 to Uniqlo Airism, on sale now for $8
http://www.uniqlo.com/us/men/airism.html
(also available for women, but seem to be sold out at the moment)
Aimee wher do you live?
Spokane– the biggest small town you’ll ever live in. I work at REI, we don’t carry the style I backpack in, in wool. In fact, we only carry one style at all, it’s a clearance item. Mildly irritating, but then, I’m used to the difference in selection array for male vs female. (I do make my views known to our regional director as much as possible, heh)
There are one or two other outdoor stores (Mountain Gear, for one, Cabelas another, which is more Knife and Gun club but still has outdoor clothing) but I have never found them there. I’m used to ordering online, just hadn’t looked too far into it yet. It’s next on my list. :)
Honestly I (and a number of women I know and several on BPL) wear men’s boxer briefs and I also go commando a lot but it’s not for everyone.
“Honestly I (and a number of women I know and several on BPL) wear men’s boxer briefs and I also go commando a lot but it’s not for everyone.”
Heck, my spouse, on the CT, even sometimes wore a pair of nylon/spandex men’s Champion boxer briefs as shorts : 0. Pretty light and breathable pair of “shorts”. Pretty nice too in that they are both nylon and permanently super wicking (hard to find).
I am rather new here, so I’m not sure what level of information is appropriate. But: as was mentioned earlier, I dislike commando, because there isn’t an extra layer to wick moisture away, and I have found in running, without an additional layer, the stink is much worse in synthetics. As for wearing briefs to actually hike in…well, I absolutely cannot. I find there is too much movement, especially if you are stepping over deadfall. There are some fabulous synthetic (and now I see at least Smartwool makes one) thongs out there that imho, are so much more comfortable to hike in. To each his- erm, her, own.
Hi Aimee,
A percentage of people here, including myself, have noticed that there is a significant difference between nylon and polyester as regards stink (nylon being less so), and ease and efficiency of getting out what stink does accrue (nylon wins again).
It seems to be somehow related to the property of moisture regain (how much moisture a material absorbs into it’s material by weight percentage), because the synthetics with lowest moisture regain–polyester and especially polypropylene–stink the most. If you think polyester is bad, polypropylene is on a whole other level. Polypropylene absorbs practically no moisture into it’s actual material, and stinks to high heaven and quickly for many. Polyester absorbs just a little bit, and is a little better than polypropylene in the stink area.
Nylon on the other hand, has about half the moisture regain of cotton (fairly absorbent), so it’s high for a synthetic, but still dries noticeably faster than natural or semi-natural/semi synthetic fabrics (tencel, rayon, modal, etc) that are absorbent. Correspondingly, it has significantly less odor build up and retention than polyester and especially polypropylene.
But i’ve found that a majority of nylon with some absorbent material (like tencel), works really well in that department, and if thin enough, still dries pretty fast.
.Here is what you need PETALs Panties :)
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