Pants, undies, banana hammocks, snake slingers… whatever you refer to them as, they’re undeniably essentials, the fig leaf we reach for upon rising from our slumber.
You may think the question of underwear is simple, but the right pair requires some thought.
There are several factors to consider: first, body shape – if you have large thighs like I do, you’ll probably favour briefs to give you more room and freedom of movement.
Then there is the material feel and breathability factor, in which case boxers may be a more appealing prospect. Of course, the hybrid boxer-brief style covers all bases.
The more slender or gym-honed may prefer a trunk style. These are shorter and more suited to wear under skinny jeans and slim-cut trousers, proving that you should pair your pants with your exterior apparel accordingly. After all, no one wants VPL (visible pant line) or an irritating waistband that rubs against your belt.
And yes, we’re all thinking it when perusing the shelves of infinite options: how quick and convenient is the ‘release hatch’ when nature inevitably calls?
Below is our hot list of the best men’s underwear brands that will not only leave you feeling like an oiled-up David Beckham, but they’ll also offer an array of styles and materials guaranteed to ‘hold your plums’ in place all day long.
Price code
- £ = pants for pennies
- £££££ = credit card keks
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Bjorn Borg
Price: £££
Looking for fancy pants? Say hello to Bjorn Borg’s plethora of block colours and patterns.
An Insta-favourite - named after the Swedish tennis ace - has rapidly garnered cult status in the world of men’s underwear. Its launch range, stitched with flat lock seams to create the ultimate fit, paved the way for its most iconic pair to date, the Bjorn Borg Cotton Stretch Boxer.
The brand’s explosive prints and vibrant patterns have become its trademark look and shown other brands the way too – pants needn’t be boring.
The selection now includes boxers, trunks, briefs and loose boxers, crafted from touchably smooth TENCEL Lyocell fabric, recycled polyamide microfibre fabric or stretch cotton. Opt for their Core Boxers range for ultra-soft comfort or their Performance Boxers, made with quick-drying, breathable material that’s perfect for training in.
Buy now, Bjorn Borg
Ron Dorff
Price: £££
Swedish functionality meets French elegance at Ron Dorff – the wondrous partnership of Jerome TouRON and Claus LinDORFF. Known for iconic sportswear, their ‘smart, sharp and timeless’ philosophy has been applied to their extensive range of underwear. No frills, just meticulously tailored models from Y-front briefs to boxer briefs, boxer shorts to long Johns, all in Ron Dorff’s timeless colours.
You won’t find their logo plastered across them but make no mistake, despite their understated appearance, these are perfectly crafted and functional underwear that oozes decadence.
For true underwear aficionados, choose from their 747 Kit; seven pieces for each day of the week. Sorted.
Buy now, Ron Dorff
Paul Smith
Price: £££
Whether it’s the man in the mirror, or the partner in your life that you’re trying to impress, every man should have at least one pair of iconic Paul Smith undies in their armoury.
Feeling good starts from the underwear up, and with Paul Smith, you are not only guaranteed fine tailoring, but you’re also ensured quintessential British design the Paul Smith way. Expect bold colour blocks, eclectic pattern designs and the signature PS stripes. Boxer briefs are the best buy here, all made from cotton with a touch of Spandex for stretch and comfort in movement.
Life’s too short for boring boxers.
Buy now, Paul Smith
Emporio Armani
Price: ££££
Another Goliath in men’s underwear is Italian fashion house Armani. Known for creating apparel with classic aesthetics and a luxurious appeal to high society, their underwear is also brimming with style.
The collection features a wide range of pieces including jockstraps, stretch boxers, boxer briefs and regular briefs that have been designed with the finest attention to detail you’d expect from Armani. Comfort, function and timeless style are promised. Stretch cotton, modal and organic cotton provide soft and comfortable fabric options in an array of styles and block colours; and let’s not forget the distinctive logo adorned across each waistband.
They’ve got David Beckham’s seal of approval, so if they’re good enough for old Golden Balls...
Buy now, Emporio Armani
Allbirds
Price: ££
If you’re looking for a pair of undies that won’t leave a negative impact on either the environment or your rear, look no further than Allbirds.
‘Made from nature, for nature’ is Allbirds’ mantra and the use of planet-friendly natural materials like merino wool and eucalyptus trees firmly plants them in the ground as the eco-friendly brand of choice.
Its range of uber-comfy Trunk and Boxer Briefs is all made from ‘Trino’ - Allbirds’ invention which is a blend of tree and merino – a sustainable and comfortable natural yarn that is both soft and breathable, and comes in an array of classic Allbirds colourways.
If they’re good enough for Ashton Kutcher, they’re good enough for you.
Buy now, Allbirds
Calvin Klein
Price: ££££
It felt like at one point in the mid-90s, CK pants were the only thing to be found under men’s clothes. Calvin Klein, which began in 1968 in New York, is synonymous with understated sophistication, classic design and high quality.
The underwear range is still a mainstay in many drawers, and you can shop anything from trunks, briefs and boxers in CK’s Essential collection. If you’re after a burst of colour, try the ‘reimagined heritage’ look in block colour or patterned designs with the iconic branding on the waistband to peep above your beltline for all to see.
Cotton stretch and CK ONE COTTON materials offer just the right level of stretch and breathability. Shawn Mendes, Mark Wahlberg, Justin Bieber and Jung Kook have all sported classic CK undies.
Buy now, John Lewis
AllSaints
Price: ££
British-born fashion label All Saints launched in 1994 but has since risen to dizzying heights (partly thanks to being name-checked in Tinie Tempah, Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake tracks).
Most famous for their leatherware, it might surprise you to learn they make great pants too. No man about town’s wardrobe is complete without a pair of All Saints’ classic Wren Boxers - the ultimate comfy staple, crafted from stretch cotton with an elastic waistband that proudly adorns the AS logo. What’s more, their cotton supports sustainable farming too. Responsible pants, they’re the future.
Buy now, AllSaints
Diesel
Price: £££
Purveyors of denim, Italian brand Diesel originate from humble beginnings with founder Renzo Rosso making low-riding, bell-bottomed jeans to sell to his friends on his mum’s sewing machine.
Today, along with jeans, jackets, trainers and denim shirts, Diesel’s range of underwear is just as impressive. Choose from boxer briefs, Y-fronts, briefs, cotton boxers, jockstraps and thongs (yeah baby!), with block colour, two-tones, ‘Diesel-cool’ patterns and even some rather stylish denim-style briefs that echo the brand’s DNA.
The majority are made of cotton with a touch of Elastane-Spandex to give it some stretch, making comfort guaranteed. There’s no doubt these Diesel undies will add fuel to your pants drawer.
Buy now, Diesel
Boss
Price: ££££
Is it even Christmas if there’s not a pair of Hugo Boss undies in your stocking? There’s nothing quite like unwrapping that rectangular box and donning your Hugo Boss pants for their maiden voyage. It’s the small things, but Hugo Boss has ensured it’s a major player in men’s underwear thanks to its German eye for detail.
Choose from cotton and stretch-cotton trunks, buttoned trunks, boxer Briefs, boxer shorts and briefs all in bold Hugo colours and either solid or striped branded elasticated waistbands. Each is a clean and simple design that we have come to expect from Hugo Boss.
Buy now, Hugo Boss
Superdry
Price: ££
Superdry’s range of well-fitted boxers, trunks and briefs are an upgrade to your utility pants and are all made in Superdry’s soft sustainably-sourced organic cotton. Available in mostly single block colours with a thick waistband that sports the iconic Superdry logo, they really are in a league of their own.
Buy now, Superdry
Supreme
Price: £££
From a cult status skateboarding brand to a fashion powerhouse, the rise of Supreme is all down to a guy from Crawley.
When James Jebbia launched the label back in 1994, no one could have imagined its cool status today. Now, collaborations with the likes of Louis Vuitton and Burberry have propelled them to the fore. Choose from cotton boxer briefs in black, colour or patterned finishes.
Buy now, Farfetch
Comfyballs
Price: ££
‘The most comfortable boxer trunks ever made’ is a bold statement from Norwegian brand Comfyballs – they certainly have, erm, balls. But it turns out the hype is real.
Tailored using flat-lock seams and fabrics for comfort and breathability, they also boast a unique ‘PackageFront’ (with sewn-in elastics surrounding your pouch) that lifts and supports your bits without the squeeze. Imagine cupping a delicate newborn baby bird in your hands, and you’re on the right track.
Underwear is optimised for total comfort and reduces heat transfer. But that’s not the only thing that won’t be over-heating if you buy a pair of Comfyballs, they’re Climate Neutral too.
Shop regular cotton or long trunk boxers and briefs, all in Comfyball’s super soft Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified fabric. Don’t be put off by the schoolboy humour brand name (personally, I love it) – these pants really do what they say on the tin.
Buy now, Amazon
Spanx
Price: £££
Founded by Sara Blakely in her kitchen, Spanx is famous for making effective yet terrifying shapewear for women.
However, the Oprah-approved brand has since added an extensive range for men to the collection.
Spanx’s range of cotton-blend and stretch-cotton boxers and briefs, along with a ‘love-handle hider’ high-rise boxer (where does it go?!) are available in three levels of support from Zero Sculpt, Sculpt and Ultra Sculp.
Whatever you choose, you’re guaranteed comfort.
Buy now, Selfridges
Boody
Price range: ££
‘Beauty lies in simplicity and we consciously keep our collection minimalist and versatile’. That’s the philosophy behind Boody – the Australian-born brand that prides itself on its basic essentials.
Using super soft, durable and breathable materials made from organically grown bamboo and with sustainability at the forefront of their design decisions, they bring a ‘true sensory experience’ when wearing their undies – so much so that you’ll be leaping out of bed in the mornings in excited anticipation about slipping into a fresh pair.
Choose from original briefs, boxers, long boxers, everyday boxers along with tank tops, socks and tees – all in classic white, black or grey with the Boody name stylishly displayed. What’s more, both male and female undies are available so you’ll be able to enjoy the luxurious feel of Boody together.
Buy now, Boody
lululemon
Price: ££
Founded in Canada in 1998 lululemon athletica is a technical athletic apparel company for yoga, running, training and most other sweaty pursuits - and that’s perhaps where their range of men’s underwear comes proactively into play.
Its array of regular and long-length boxers offer a sweat-wicking, quick drying and naturally breathing fabric that is derived from responsibly sourced wood-based material. It’s also got added Lycra fibre for stretch and shape retention that ensures comfort in movement – ideal for any sweaty activities. The ergonomic pouch is shaped for optimal room and support.
The only problem is that they are so comfortable, you won’t want to take them off.
Buy now, lululemon
Jockey
Price: £££
‘Satisfying the human need for comfort’ was the mission statement way back in 1876 when Samuel Thrall Cooper founded Jockey’s predecessor company, Coopers Inc. which produced seamless stockings for lumberjacks.
They soon came up with the Jockey brief which became an instant success. Y-fronts followed and it became such a coveted brand baseball legend Babe Ruth had the Jockey Boy image stitched into his underwear.
By the early 70s, such was the meteoric rise of the various Jockey pieces, that the company changed its name to Jockey Menswear Inc.
Today, you can choose from an impressive range of Boxer Shorts, Boxer Trunks and Briefs in high-quality materials that promise perfect fits and the finest workmanship that Jockey are renowned for in classic cotton, stretch cotton and ‘microfibre active’ fabric.
Buy now, Amazon
Lacoste
Price: ££
Lacoste’s famous crocodile heralds from French co-founder (and professional tennis player) Rene Lacoste’s tenacity on the tennis court. When the company was founded in 1933 the croc logo was embroidered onto the tennis shirts Rene had worn in his playing days which, according to Lacoste, is the very first time a brand name appeared on the outside of an article of clothing.
Today, the famous brand name and crocodile motif are emblazoned across their impressive range of underwear. Choose from iconic trunks, boxers, casual briefs or their impressive breathable mesh trunks – all in stunning cotton, stretch cotton and pique knit materials.
Buy now, Lacoste
Ralph Lauren
Price: ££££
American brand Ralph Lauren may have made their name as the shirt brand of choice but a pair of RL undies are an absolute must-have for the modern man.
Choose from stylish cotton boxers, low-rise briefs, buttoned boxers and stretch cotton trunks - all of which feature one of the brand’s logos across the elasticated waistband.
Each option oozes luxury and high craftsmanship.
Buy now, Ralph Lauren
Falke
Price: £££
With over 125 years of experience in the field, German label Falke has been designing underpinnings since 1895. As soon as you try on a pair of the brand’s trunks, briefs or boxers, you’ll feel the expertise in an instant.
The briefs and trunks are constructed using a super-soft, lightweight jersey that regulates temperature and has flat seams for ultimate comfort, whilst the boxer shorts are made using the finest cotton twill.
Minimal in design, they come in neutral colourways of white, grey and black, and feature the logo subtly embossed on the waistline for a design that oozes understated luxury - and hugs in all the right places.
Buy now, Falke
StepOne
Price range: ££
With an array of limited-edition patterns, bold block colours and classic duotone designs to choose from their range of trunks, boxer briefs, sports briefs or thermals – each made with super soft bamboo viscose (an organic material produced in a closed-loop system that wicks away sweat and moisture throughout the day) – you’ll be sure to find your next pair of undies from relative newcomers Step One.
What’s more, their 3D comfort pouch will cup your crown jewels perfectly, keeping everything in order. The friction-resistant panels with anti-chafe technology along the inner thigh area are a real plus point of Step One and prevent the dreaded ‘leg ride up’ and those awkward ‘re-adjustment’ moments.
The world’s strongest man Eddie Hall can often be spotted working out in them which speaks volumes about their sheer comfort and support. Harlequins Joe Marler swears by them too but if that’s still not enough, then be rest assured that Step One takes ‘being ethical’ seriously and ensures ‘all production processes are designed to minimise their impact on the environment’.
Buy now, StepOne
Tommy Hilfiger
Price: ££
US fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger once astutely said ‘what’s underneath matters as much as what you wear on the outside’ – and it seems his underwear line follows this philosophy to a tee.
Coveted for its wholesome preppy design, TH is beloved by stars like Naomi Campbell and Lewis Hamilton; even tennis champion Rafael Nadal starred in a TH ad, unveiling the brand’s range of underwear designs.
Made from sustainably recycled cotton, you can choose from trunks, button fly boxers and briefs in block colour, floral prints or patterned designs with contrast TH branded waistbands that are designed with visibility above your jeans in mind.
Buy now, Tommy Hilfiger
Patagonia
Price: £££
Exploring the outdoors? Feel safe and secure in Patagonia, a Californian brand with a history stretching back to the early 70s. It began with a focus on intrepid apparel, but has since expanded its apparel range to include other activities such as surfing and camping.
Patagonia classes itself as an ‘activist company’ and commits 1 per cent of all sales to environmental groups, along with other impressive initiatives. Given they know a thing or two about functional materials and apparel, it’s not surprising they’ve extended this knowledge to underwear.
Choose from 3- and 6-inch length boxer briefs and boxers, in block colour or classy patterns - all finished with the Patagonia branded waistband.
The Essential Boxers incorporate moisture-wicking and breathable stretch jersey material for all-day comfort and boast that nearly 90 per cent of the line is FTC-sewn. They’re also notably a bulk-free fit and have an anti-roll waistband, making fidgeting a thing of the past.
Buy now, Patagonia
Finisterre
Price: £££
Another British brand riding the wave of men’s underwear is Finisterre. Founded in 2003 in Cornwall with the desire to create functional and sustainable fashion, Finisterre offers both sustainable and durable pants for fearless adventurers.
The bamboo fabric options (blended with organic cotton) regulate temperature, wick away moisture and will keep you naturally fresh (for days, apparently).
Or opt for the sustainable Merino wool boxers that are super soft on the skin, regulate temperature and are odour-resistant. Both options incorporate flatlock seams to avoid chafing. A brand to get onboard with.
Buy now, Finisterre
JustWears Boxer Briefs
Price: ££
When JustWears' co-founder Alex was working in finance, he found that his underwear just did not fit properly. So, when he and best pal Yang couldn't find a solution, they decided to design their own brand of underwear made from soft cellulosic fibre, MicroModal Air.
Made from sustainable Austrian beech trees, this fabric is not only good for the environment, but it's also five times softer than cotton. The designs have an optional pouch component and have been made to be both anti-chafing and anti-ride-up. Plus, you can get 30 per cent off when you purchase a nine-pack of JustWears' Boxer Briefs. Sounds like a win to us.
Buy now £0.00, JustWears
