Boxers, Briefs, Trunks? Men's Underwear Types Explained

Men's underwear can be a tricky area. While there are fewer underwear shapes than there are for women, it can be hard to know what the small differences are and what's going to be ideal for you. We've put together an easy guide to help you find the best men's underwear. 

What is the best underwear for a man to wear?

The type of underwear that will work best for you depends on a few different factors. The style, length, and fabric can all make a difference to how comfortable you’ll feel. You might also choose different styles depending on the time of year, or what you’re up to that day.

Is it healthier to wear boxers or briefs?

Traditionally, the two main underwear styles that men could choose between were briefs or boxers, with briefs being a short, stretchy and fairly tightly fitting style, while boxers are much looser with longer legs.

However, in the 90s, someone had the bright idea of combining the two to allow the wearer the benefits of both! So, what is a boxer brief? And what is the difference between boxer briefs and trunks?

Well, a boxer brief combines the closer fit of traditional briefs with the longer style of boxers, meaning you get more coverage without having loose fabric that can bunch up. 

What is the difference between boxer briefs and trunks?

When it comes to the variety of men’s pants available, boxer briefs and trunks are ultimately pretty similar. Both feature a slim fitting style, usually made from stretchy knit fabric and which come down further than briefs. You might find that boxer briefs sometimes have a longer leg but the length of trunks can vary so the differences aren’t all that noticeable.

What is the most comfortable men's underwear?

Our organic cotton underwear for men is our men’s boxer trunks style with a waistband which sits low on the waist and a fitted cut all over with flat seams at the front. The double layered front section is contoured for a comfortable and supported fit and, as with all of our products, there are no internal labels to avoid irritation.

What is the best men's underwear length?

Hipster

The men’s hipster trunks are our best seller and are a super comfy everyday style. The bottom of the leg comes down to the top of the thigh meaning they’re a great choice for wearing under all your clothes and they won’t ride up during the day. People with bigger thighs might also prefer this style for range of movement.

Mid Length

For slightly more coverage, the mid length men’s trunks style sit further down the thigh. Some people prefer this length if they’re looking for extra comfort and to avoid chafing. The slim fit ensures that these trunks won’t ride up while you’re moving around but are also a healthy and supported option which don’t compress.

Longer Leg

Our long leg boxer trunks offer the fullest coverage while still sitting close to the leg meaning it won’t move around. Lots of our customers prefer this style for sports so the cotton fabric can sit next to their skin and avoid chafing or irritation from sweating.

What is the best material for men's underwear?

For comfortable and healthy men’s underwear, it’s important you choose the right fabric which is going to be soft, stretchy, and breathable. Our organic cotton men’s boxers provide all of this thanks to the super soft and smooth fabric with multiway stretch that’s thick enough to provide support but light enough to avoid overheating. Cotton’s natural breathability makes it the perfect choice for underwear to prevent sweating and irritation as well as being gentle to sensitive skin.

How do men's underwear sizes work?

Men’s underwear sizes work much the same as men’s clothing size, with the primary measurement being based on the waist. You can use a tape measure to take a measurement from the point where your underwear waistband would usually sit. Then use this number against our men’s boxers size guide to figure out your size.

With sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, we’ve got you covered for plus size men’s underwear. If you need any more help with sizing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your questions at: help@youunderwear.com and our team would be happy to assist you.

Men's underwear colours

Now that you’ve decided on the perfect style for you, the only thing left to choose is the colour! Go classic with our core range or opt for something a bit bolder with our unique colourful Mara prints. 

If you’re looking to overhaul your entire underwear drawer then shop our men’s boxers multipacks to save on your favourites. Save £6 with a three pack or get one pair free with a five pack. Plus, for every pair that you buy, we’ll donate one pair of underwear to people in the UK and Africa facing barriers to having their own underwear. From our core collection, we donate underwear through our charity partner Smalls for All, purchases from our Mara collection donate to support Maasai communities in Kenya, and we donate £1 to Maggie’s cancer charity for every purchase from our Light Pink collection. 

You can find out more about the causes we support here

 

Keep reading for more underwear tips and tricks:

A Guide to Organic Cotton Pyjamas and Loungewear

How to Buy Underwear as a Gift

A Sustainable Christmas Gift Guide for Men