While most people may not consider underwear a travel gear necessity, expert travelers know how important it is to have a good set of underwear. Between chafing, rubbing, and sweating, regular underwear can add unnecessary irritation to an otherwise amazing trip. Travel underwear is designed to keep you comfy and mobile regardless of the type of travel you’re doing.
Quick Answer: Best Travel Underwear
Below is a list of the best underwear for travel:
- For Men:
- For Women:
What to Look for in Good Travel Underwear
With so many products on the market it can be difficult to sift out the imposters. Here are the most important things to remember before purchasing your next pair of travel underwear.
1. Breathability
Whether you’re in hot or cold weather, breathability is crucial. Cotton underwear traps sweat, which will make you feel icky in hot weather and colder in cooler weather. The best travel underwear will help you stay cool and dry at all times by wicking away sweat and allowing for good air circulation.
2. Comfort
If something’s not comfortable you won’t want to wear it. Good travel underwear is more expensive than your typical 10 pack from a local department store. Because of that, you want to make sure you enjoy wearing them. You may even find that you want to wear them on at home just as much as when you’re on the go.
3. Drying Time
This should be one of your top considerations, especially if you want to travel light. Underwear made with synthetic, high-tech material has the ability to dry in only a few hours, while cotton underwear could take around 24 hours to dry. Along with the material, another thing that can affect drying time is the thickness of the waistband. The beauty of choosing quick-drying underwear is that you can pack fewer pairs in your travel backpack which will cut down on weight.
4. Durability
You may spend upwards of $50 on a pair of travel underwear. Luckily, three pairs are usually sufficient. When you drop that kind of money on underwear, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t have to replace them for quite a while. Fabric and sewing quality will have the largest impact on your underwear’s durability. Typically the synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics will be more durable than wool, but be sure to check the reviews because some wool underwear has been developed to be quite durable as well.
Also keep in mind that most travel underwear is not meant to be put in the dryer. If you really want them to last, stick with air drying.
5. Odor Control
Great travel underwear can be worn for a few days before needing to be washed. But even if that’s not your style, you can still be confident that most of the best underwear for travel has an antimicrobial coating or natural anti-odor properties. Merino wool does a great job of not holding body odors; it does a much better job than its synthetic counterparts.
6. Weight
Every pound matters when you’re traveling, especially if you’re doing multi-day hikes or an extended cycling trip. Travel underwear should be made of a super lightweight material. Lighter material means less weight in your luggage and that they will be less noticeable when you’re wearing them.
Best Travel Underwear Reviews
Now that you know what to look for, here are some of the best travel underwear for men and women currently on the market.
Best Men’s Travel Underwear
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs
Materials: 94% nylon, 6% lycra
Truly some of the best men’s underwear for travel, the ExOfficio Men’s Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs offer the functionality of compression shorts without frontal constriction. They have an active, snug fit and a lower rise to enhance the performance and comfort of high-energy, active travelers. These underwear are made of an ultralight mesh with antimicrobial treatment to keep you cool and to reduce odors. Plus, to eliminate chafing, they have a smooth waistband and flat seams. These breathable and quick-drying boxer briefs are perfect for whatever adventure is next on your list.
Saxx Vibe Boxer Briefs
Materials: 95% viscose, 5% spandex
For every type of traveler, the Saxx Vibe Boxer Briefs will offer comfort and solid performance no matter what you’re doing. These boxers are made from a soft and breathable viscose fabric which wicks moisture because it lays close to the body. The fit is supportive and slim offering friction-free and comfortable support thanks to the patented BallPark Pouch™. These underwear even have a nine-panel construction which allows the softer, flatter side of the seams to face inward. The anti-roll Jacquard waistband measures 1.4” and is moisture-wicking. To add to the greatness, the Saxx Vibe Boxer Briefs have limited edition prints so you can get creative with your underwear.
Smartwool Merino 150 Boxer Briefs
Materials: 87% merino wool, 13% nylon
Smartwool wants to make sure your base layer is your best layer. This underwear is made from a super soft Merino 150 fabric that’s lightweight and breathable. The material can also help to fight odors, regulate body temperature, and wick moisture. The fibers of this underwear are wrapped around a nylon core to increase durability. These mid-rise boxer briefs have a slim fit and fully functional fly. The wide elastic waistband is also Merino-lined to enhance comfort. In order to minimize chafing, the briefs are equipped with a desiFlatlock seam construction. They are so loved that some users have even completely replaced their underwear collection with the Smartwool Merino 150 Boxer Briefs.
Icebreaker Anatomica Boxers
Materials: 83% merino, 12% nylon, 5% lycra
The Icebreaker Anatomica Boxers have been designed to keep you comfy whether you’re tackling Australia’s Great Ocean Walk or at home on the couch catching up on some great travel movies. The exclusive Icebreaker slim fit has helped secure these boxers their spot among the best travel underwear for men while the ultra-soft, durable, and stretchy fabric offers optimal support and comfort. Strength and durability are increased thanks to the merino wool fibers being wrapped around a nylon core. These boxers have a contoured pouch for extra support and flatlock seams to eliminate chafing. If you’re looking for a natural alternative to synthetic underwear, the Icebreaker Anatomica Boxers are a great option.
Uniqlo AIRism Low-Rise Boxer Briefs
Materials: 89% polyester, 11% spandex
Topping the list of the best quick-dry travel underwear are the Uniqlo AIRism Low-Rise Boxer Briefs. The microfiber material has been designed so thin and light that you’ll probably forget you have them on. They’re also equipped with odor-neutralizing and quick-drying properties to increase comfort. These boxer briefs have a short inseam and low-rise waist to improve the fit and keep them from bunching up. These breathable, functional, and fashionable briefs are a great option if you want to test out some travel underwear without breaking your budget.
Best Women’s Travel Underwear
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs
Materials: 94% nylon, 6% spandex
Regardless of how active you’ll be on your next trip, the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs are among the best travel underwear for women. They’re constructed with a spandex and nylon blend which allows for them to be both quick-drying and moisture-wicking. For assistance controlling odors these underwear are equipped with an AEGIS Microbe Shield® antimicrobial treatment. They also have a narrow terry-backed elastic waistband which adds softness and comfort. The stretch and fit are designed for you to be comfortable whether you’re skiing in Austria or checking out some of Mexico’s best destinations.
Patagonia Active Hipster
Materials: 53% recycled polyester, 43% nylon, 4% spandex
The Patagonia Active Hipsters are designed to stay in place no matter how much you move. Their synthetic fabric is stretchy, breathable, and moisture-wicking. Thankfully, they also have a seamless waistband which lies flat and was created not to bind or roll. Thanks to the Polygiene® odor control treatment, odor-causing bacterial growth is inhibited. These underwear also have several features that have been included to make sure you stay comfortable. The Patagonia Active Hipsters are tagless to eliminate itching and the leg openings offer a single-sided binding designed not to creep or chafe. Wedgies will be a thing of the past after you experience the Patagonia Active Hipsters.
Smartwool PhD Seamless Bikini Briefs
Materials: 68% merino wool, 20% polyester, 8% nylon, 4% elastane
Mobility and breathability are only a few of the highlights of the Smartwool PhD Seamless Bikini Briefs. The merino wool knit blend balances ventilation and stretch to increase mobility and breathability. The elastic waistband is wide and covered so it offers a snug and chafe-free fit. Smartwool has been intentional about the Smartwool PhD Seamless Bikini Briefs as they have engineered the design around sweat and heat zones. These mid-rise undies have a slim fit which makes them easy to love at home and abroad.
Under Armour Pure Stretch Hipster
Materials: 68% nylon, 32% elastane
The nylon and elastane construction combination of the Under Armour Pure Stretch Hipster is an absolute dream. The material is so comfy and the underwear sits right next to your skin without any squeeze. These underwear have a four-way stretch construction so they comfortably move with you regardless of what you’re doing. They are equipped with an anti-odor technology, a fuller back for great coverage, and a soft cotton gusset. They’re also tagless to eliminate itch. For high-quality underwear from a trusted brand, go with the Under Armour Pure Stretch Hipster.
Icebreaker Siren Thong
Materials: 83% merino wool, 12% nylon, 5% lycra
For itch-free, moisture-wicking underwear that’s also believed to be among the best quick-dry underwear for travel, the Icebreaker Siren Thong is one of the only answers out there. The fabric is core-spun and features soft merino wool wrapped around a nylon core which enhances durability and strength without sacrificing softness. The fabric is lightweight and breathable while also naturally resisting odors. Whether you’re out and about or relaxing in your hotel, the slightly frontward side seams allow for a chafe-free comfort. For any woman on the hunt for minimalist comfort, go with the Icebreaker Siren Thong.
Adding travel underwear to your gear collection is definitely something you’ll be thankful for later Not only do these underwear help you remain comfortable throughout your travels, they’re also more convenient to travel with than regular underwear.
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