According to our testers, CK’s cotton-stretch underwear is as good-looking as it is comfortable. The fabric comes imbued with just the right amount of stretch, solid support in the pouch, and more breathability than our best overall pick from Skims—a major win for the old guard. Even testers unconvinced by the boxers’ comfort and fit were quick to concede their value, especially when you buy them in bulk.
Are there cheaper options on the market? Absolutely. But few offer as much bang for your buck, let alone the quiet satisfaction of shimmying into designer underwear from the designer that did it first.
Best Budget Boxer Briefs: Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Brief
The rigor we’ve devoted to our testing might’ve clued you in to a little secret: we’re not entirely sure that the perfect undies exist. But there are options that consistently impressed us across a range of crucial factors. Exhibit A: Uniqlo’s AIRism boxer briefs. Our testers noted their support, breathability, and moisture-wicking abilities—all three of which make them solid gym buddies—but really emphasized their overall value.
According to our panel, Uniqlo’s famously breezy briefs weren’t the best in any given category, but at $15 a pop, the combination of properties they offered was too good not to mention. GQ’s skivvies braintrust liked the lightweight-but-smooth feel of the fabric, a matrix lesser brands struggle to approximate. They’re more expensive than Calvin Klein’s boxer brief, but when you factor in the gym-ready benefits they start looking like a steal.
Best Upgrade Boxer Briefs: CDLP Boxer Briefs
When the time comes to nix the 12-pack and upgrade your skivvies drawer, there’s only one brand for the job. That brand, according to our testers, is CDLP, the upstart Swedish label that emphasizes fit and fabric above all else,and charges accordingly for its expertise. These days, plenty of brands hawk undies adorned with billboard-sized logos or done up in gaudy colorways, but CDLP’s approach is a lot more subtle, and in our opinion, a lot more effective.
CDLP CEO Andreas Palm says that Tencel fabric is a great, eco-friendly material that performs exceptionally in fit, fabric, and feel. “What truly sets it apart is its luxurious softness, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties, keeping you cool and fresh throughout the day,” he adds. One thing to note: CDLP crafts almost all of its briefs from that silk-like lyocell jersey, which feels decadent (and is plenty durable), but can run a little snug. Size up judiciously.
Best Boxer Shorts Overall: Sunspel Classic Boxer Shorts
How do you do, fellow boxer short apologists? We see you, we hear you, and we have not forsaken you. That’s mostly thanks to the efforts of Sunspel, the generations-old British label responsible for some of the crispest, classiest skivvies on the planet. Sunspel tees were worn by Daniel Craig as James Bond, so naturally, the brand’s underwear is endowed with an inimitable sense of retro Hollywood flair. And just like the clothes of that era, its basics are made better. In this case: Long-staple cotton that’s light, smooth, and far more durable than most of the newfangled schlock.
I’m an avowed boxer shorts-wearer, and I swear by Sunspel for one detail: a back panel that’s actually cut and shaped. Not only does it make for a better fit, it means they don’t bunch at all. At the end of the day, they’re very well made, super comfortable, and actually elegant. And while some boxer shorts include a button fly, the majority of our testers preferred Sunspel’s open-fly alternative. They might be multiple factors more expensive than the big-box store fare, but who says you need to replace your underwear drawer in one fell swoop?