Trunks or Boxer Briefs: What’s the Difference?

It’s the modern-day conundrum, trunks or boxer briefs?

There are a few things you should consider when looking for the best men’s underwear and the most important is whether you’re best suited to trunks or boxer briefs.

Excuse me….what’s the difference?

Firstly, both are a pretty safe bet for most men. Trunks and boxer briefs are two of the more popular styles within the men’s underwear range.

The main thing to consider when deciding between trunks and boxer briefs is the length of the leg! 

Trunks = Shorter
Boxer Briefs = Longer

How do you decide? Well, a quick question to ask yourself is “how active am I on a daily basis?”. 

If you work at a desk all day and don’t need to move around a lot (e.g. an accountant or a web developer), trunks will provide the comfort and support you need to get through the day.

They’re designed with a square cut and shorter legs which sit parallel with the ‘twins’. This can sometimes be referred to as men’s low rise trunks. They’re a popular choice as an everyday pair as they can be worn comfortably with almost any outfit.

Of course, depending on the weather, if you want to feel dry and comfortable down there all day, make sure you choose a natural fabric (like micro modal, cotton or bamboo) that wicks moisture away from the skin and is breathable. You also want the fabric to stretch and adapt to your body as you move so they sit comfortably and don’t ride up. Synthetic fabrics (like lycra or nylon) won’t absorb sweat and will cause discomfort if it stays trapped in your underwear. It’s also very unhygienic.  

If you are more active, spending most of the day on your feet (e.g. a tradie or retail assistant), boxer briefs will better suit you due to their increased coverage and longer legs.

Boxer briefs combine the form-fitting comfort of briefs/trunks, with the length and coverage of traditional boxers. The longer leg means they sit roughly half-way down the thigh which reduces leg to leg contact, chafing and ride-up. This is why they’re a popular choice for men with larger legs or men with active lifestyles (they’re great for the gym!).

Just like trunks, it’s important to consider the fabric when looking for the best men’s boxer briefs. There are plenty of different fabric options available today and it can be tempting to opt for a synthetic material as they’re typically marketed just like activewear. Whilst synthetic fabrics are great to wear at the gym, they’re not so great for daily wear. Look for a natural fabric like Micro Modal or Bamboo that wicks moisture away from the skin and breathes well so you stay fresh and dry throughout the day.

Now that you know the difference between men’s trunks and boxer briefs, you’re ready to start searching for the best men’s underwear.