The Best Boxer Briefs Truly Are the Best of Both Worlds

Boxer briefs are the happy medium between two ends of the underwear spectrum. Indeed, there are battle lines: some men like things loose and long-ish, and others prefer short and clingy. I fall in the latter camp, with briefs, specifically tighty-whities, being my go-to. But there are other men who like greater leg coverage, those who live and breathe by their boxers. Different strokes for different folks, right?

Most guys in the boxers versus briefs debate, however, find the boxer brief totally acceptable. Hell, as a brief devotee, I own a good number of pairs. And I know fellas on the rival team who’ll say the same. Boxer briefs, as the name clearly expresses, meld the best of both worlds: coverage and cling. The style provides the necessary, ahem, support, while not being too revealing. And there’s also much more of a variety, from colors and materials to different inseam lengths—even the size and configuration of the center pouch can shift.

Fit is relative, of course, but the best boxer briefs should make you feel like you’re wearing nothing at all. They shouldn’t pinch, nor should they be bulky. Also, many new options are made of technical fibers—including modal and tencel—that are moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, or a combination of both. It ain’t just about standard cotton anymore. So, if you’re looking for some fresh skivvies, we have all those options and more in the selection below.