THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO UNDERWEAR FOR MEN
With so many men's underwear styles, types, and fabrics, choosing the right one for you can get overwhelming fast. With all of the janky articles and popup-filled websites polluting the internet, trying to put in the research to find the right pair of underwear can make you throw your hands up two minutes in.
We're here to fix that.
Yes, there's a good amount of underwear styles to choose from and even more fabrics, but this guide will lay out the different types of men's underwear styles, the best material and fabrics to choose from, which style and fabric is best for different lifestyles and activities, how to choose your size, what to look for when shopping for new drawers, our top recommendations, and finally top it off with common FAQs.
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Let's find you your next favorite pair of underwear with this ultimate men's underwear explained guide.
Topics Covered in This Guide
Featured: DBC Gold Pack 2022 Edition
TYPES OF MEN'S UNDERWEAR STYLES
Generally, there are seven different underwear types in the men's underwear market. There are slight variations of each one, so we'll dive into those underneath their respective style of underwear.
BOXER BRIEFS
Boxer briefs are a snug fit type of underwear that reaches roughly halfway down the thigh and are your best overall option. They're versatile, breathable, durable, and most importantly, comfortable. Regardless of your lifestyle, body type, size, or career, there's a pair of Drawlz boxer briefs for you.
A variation of boxer briefs are the long underwear athletic versions which can provide full coverage of the thighs that reach as far down as the top of your kneecaps.
BOXER SHORTS
Boxer shorts, or boxers, are the looser version of boxer briefs and also reach about half way down the thighs. Some men wear boxer shorts to relax or sleep, but they aren't preferable for wearing outside of the house seeing as the loose fabric tends to to easily bunch up, require constant adjusting, and aren't good at wicking away moisture. (More on that later)
TLDR; Boxer shorts have too much fabric and uncomfortable bunch up.
Briefs
Briefs, the infamous white underwear known as whitey tighteys, cut off at the groin and end where the top of your thighs meet your hips. In other words, there's no legs to the underwear and provide slight coverage.
This style may have been popular in your grandad's heydays, but definitely are no longer in fashion. The lack of legs also leads to skin irritation, chafing, and are not breathable or moisture-wicking.
Trunks
Trunks are the shorter, tighter version of boxer briefs with very short legs and a square cut appearance with just enough fabric to barely reach past the groin.
This cut is good for swimming, but not the best choice for underwear for the same reasons as briefs; they can lead to chafing, irritation, and are not versatile or breathable, especially for heavier men with thicker thighs.
THONGS & G STRING
Thongs and g-strings are known as the most infamous of the underwear types, but are not known for their everyday wear capabilities for men seeing as it's essentially a thin piece of cloth that provides the absolute bare minimum coverage.
With that said, they do have their place in the bedroom for some men if that's your personal preference. Do your thing, king.
JOCK STRAPS
A brief history on the jock strap: They were initially invented in Boston over 140 years ago to help bicycle messenger's support their bawlz when traversing across the old fashioned cobblestone streets. Fast forward to the 21st century, fashion designers making underwear today put their spin on this classic underwear and have become a common choice for athletes in moderate sports due to their support, lift, and maximized leg movement.
However, seeing as there's minimal coverage aside from two leg bands, it's not the most comfortable choice for the average guy outside of playing sports.
Mankinis
Also known as a micro brief, bikini briefs or bikini bottoms, the male bikini or sling bikini was inspired by women's underwear and was initially designed for sunning; but what made the bikini famous was bodybuilders opting to wear them for everyday display and competitions.
Seeing as there's no legs, fly, or elastic waistband, the male bikini is not a good choice for the everyday guy looking for a new pair of underwear.
Featured: Red OG Pack
DIFFERENT UNDERWEAR FABRICS
Now that we covered the different types of men's underwear, it's time to take a look at the fabric options that they're available in.
There are tons of different choices for men's underwear fabrics, so we'll review the top four recommended in detail as well as list a handful of underwear and long johns fabrics to avoid at all costs.
Cotton
Featured: Cottonz Mambaz
A timeless classic, cotton underwear has been around since the dawn of drawers.
A naturally breathable, soft, and hypoallergenic choice, cotton underwear is the most versatile option, making it the best underwear choice for moderate levels of activity and for those with sensitive skin and those who suffer from chafing and rashes.
Due to its fashionable flexibility, cotton underwear can be comfortable with dress pants, low rise jeans, high waisted pants, board shorts, work pants, and everything in between.
The sweat absorbing and moisture wicking properties of cotton underwear also makes it a good choice for those living in hot or humid climates or lead a career with a moderate to high level of activity.
Drawlz Tipz: Pima cotton is great for bed sheets, shirts, and pants, but not so much when it comes to men's underwear.
MICRO MODAL
Featured: Originalz Navy
Known for its luxuriously soft to the touch sensation and sophisticated feel, micro modal boxer briefs are made from cellulose extracted from birch, oak, and beech trees.
After undergoing a variety of chemical processes, this raw material is made into a yarn which is then tightly woven together to produce the unbelievable soft material.
You can learn more about micro modal boxer briefs in this ultimate guide.
This thick, luxurious fabric is best for sedentary careers and events such as dates, intimate moments, a night out downtown, or dinner events and are also the top choice for those living in cold weather aside from complete coverage thermal underwear options like long johns with a drop seat.
Shop MODAL Underwear →Nylon
Featured: DBC Signaturez
Lightweight, fast-drying nylon underwear has quickly become a favorite among those leading active lifestyles or lead physically demanding careers.
Many boxer briefs made from nylon are also a great choice for those living in hotter climates with high humidity, swimmers, bicyclists, gym rats, or anything that requires a lot of movement and results in more sweat than usual.
Discover the truth about whether or not nylon underwear is good for men in this ultimate guide.
The secure fit and lack of excess fabric found in nylon men's underwear also prevents any rolling or bunching up and inherent moisture wicking properties prevents skin irritation, chafing, and rashes.
Shop Nylon Underwear →SILK
Known for its insulation, comfort, softness, and durability, men's underwear made of silk is made from a filament fiber secreted by silkworms. (If you think that's gross, look up what suede is made from)
While silk does have its benefits when it comes to luxury and comfort, it doesn't hold up to multiple washes and wears and its trademark pleasant feel quickly fades away; they're great for special intimate occasions, but not much else.
FABRICS TO AVOID
Instead of explaining why the following fabrics are bad to use in men's underwear, here's a list of the fabrics to avoid. The reasons include lack of longevity, low comfort rating, little to no moisture-wicking capabilities, and negative impact on testosterone and sperm production.
- Exclusively Spandex underwear. Spandex is fine when blended with other materials, just not all by itself.
- Polyamide
- Polyester
- Acrylic
- Bamboo
- Satin
- Organza
Featured: Expressionz Bed-Stuy
HOW TO CHOOSE MEN’S UNDERWEAR SIZE
Now that we're clear on the types of men's underwear and the different fabrics to choose from, you gotta get the right fit. All of this research and work will be worthless if you get a pair of boxer briefs that are too loose or too tight. First, figure out whether you want to wear your underwear on your hips or on your waist.
For context, low rise briefs sit on your hips along with mid rise briefs. Wearing a low rise brief or a mid rise brief is good to show off a sculpted V at the beach. Conversely, a high rise brief sits on the waist and are better for everyday wear. Any boxer brief can be high, mid, or low rise, it just depends on where you wear them.
If you want the elastic waistband to sit on your waist, first measure the thinnest part of your waist right above your belly button. Grad a soft measuring tape and hold the start of it at the center of your abdomen and wrap the tape around your waist snug. This is your waist measurement.
If you want the elastic waistband to sit on your hips, first find the widest point above your Tom Johnson. Hold the start of the measuring tape in the center of that area with one hand and wrap the tape snugly around to meet the start with the other. This is your hip measurement.
For a more detailed explanation as to how to choose men's underwear size, check out the official Drawlz guide to find your size.
Featured: Originalz Blue
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SHOPPING FOR UNDERWEAR
Once you figured out the right style and fabric along with your size, the last step is to make sure the underwear brands you're browsing are legit. Just like how you can have two identical pairs of shoes - one from the actual brand and the other a knock off - you need to make sure that the underwear you're buying are quality.
Don't be surprised if your favourite brands don't meet these criteria; we have high standards at Drawlz, but we believe our customers deserve nothing less. Here's how to tell:
Material
As we mentioned above, the best underwear materials are cotton, nylon, and micro modal; but just because a boxer brief is made from cotton doesn't mean it's blended with the right amount of elastane. (A comfy blend of elastane is what gives the snug and secure fit)
As a rule of thumb, check for the following blends of elastane when shopping the underwear market.
• 95% Cotton / 5% elastane
• 85% nylon / 15% elastane
• 95% micro modal / 5% elastane
Seams
Generally, there are two types of underwear seams; traditional overlocked seams and flex fit flatlock seams.
Overlocked seams are made by overlapping the edges of two pieces of fabric on top of each other and sewing along the edge, which creates an inside flap. This can lead to irritation, chafing, and premature fraying of the underwear.
.On the other hand, flex fit flatlock seams are made by butting the two cut edges of fabric against each other and sewing them together. Instead of creating an inside flap, flex fit flatlock seams are thin, flat, soft, and last much longer.
Quick Tip: Drawlz only uses flex fit flatlock seams
Waistband
The waistband is the crown of a good pair of underwear worn, and should be constructed as such. The best waistbands are soft and wide, preferably at a width of at least 2" as with all Drawlz waistbands.
Avoid waist minimizing waistbands as they can lead to serious skin irritation and potential bleeding if worn too tight.
MOISTURE-WICKING CAPABILITIES
In a nutshell, the moisture wicking capabilities of a pair of boxer briefs or any type of men's underwear refers to the fabric quickly moving sweat off of the body and onto the fabric. The moisture is then pushed to the exterior of the underwear and swiftly dries away, preventing saturation and providing a cool, comfortable wearing experience.
Do not compromise this - wearing underwear that doesn't have moisture wicking fabrics can lead to skin irritation, chafing, rashes, and incredible amounts of discomfort in hot temperatures or high levels of activity.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Last but not least, check the customer reviews! If you see zero or a bunch of low ratings, move on. There's plenty of fish in the men's underwear industry - but we believe Drawlz to be the best, and out 1,600+ Verified Customer reviews back us up.
Quick Tip: Wondering if the boxer briefs in your underwear drawer is past your expiration date? Check out this guide explaining When to Buy New Underwear.
Featured: Cottonz Black
THE BEST MEN'S UNDERWEAR
Once you figured out the right style and fabric along with your size, the last step is to make sure the underwear brands you're browsing are legit. Just like how you can have two identical pairs of shoes - one from the actual brand and the other a knock off - you need to make sure that the underwear you're buying are quality.
Best for Everyday Wear
Made with a blend of 95% cotton and 5% elastane with a powder blue color pallet.
Best VALUE
Featuring one Micro Modal Originalz, one Cottonz, and one Nylon Expressionz.
Best OVERALL
Featuring one Micro Modal Originalz, one Cottonz, and one Nylon Expressionz.
Best for SOFTNESS
Made with a blend of 95% micro modal and 5% elastane with elegant and sophisticated colors.
Best FOR BOLD STYLE
Made with a blend of 85% nylon and 15% elastane with a tropical Miami inspired design.
Best FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Made with a blend of 95% cotton and 5% elastane with a black and red color pallet.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF UNDERWEAR FOR MEN?
There are seven different types of men's underwear with minor variations of each one; the boxer brief is the top choice followed by the other styles of boxer shorts, briefs, trunks, thongs or a g string, jock straps, and male bikinis.
WHAT IS THE LITTLE FLAP IN MEN’S UNDERWEAR FOR?
The little flap is actually a fly, just like on a pair of jeans. This fly is used for easy access to your manhood when the time comes to drain the main vein.
The best underwear fly is by far the horizontal fly, explained in depth throughout this Drawlz Guide.
WHAT IS THE CORRECT WAY TO WEAR MEN’S UNDERWEAR?
There is no right or wrong way so long as you're not wearing it inside out and/or front to back. Just be sure to get the right underwear size.
WHAT IS THE CORRECT WAY TO WEAR MEN’S UNDERWEAR?
There is no right or wrong way so long as you're not wearing it inside out and/or front to back. Just be sure to get the right underwear size.
HOW DO YOU WASH MEN’S UNDERWEAR?
The best way to wash men's underwear is to turn it inside out and wash with like colors on a delicate cycle using cold water. To preserve the longevity of your favorite boxer brief, let them air dry and avoid using the dryer.
Learn more about How to Care for Your Drawlz with our official care guide.
Featured: Expressionz Jawbreakerz
That's about it for the ultimate guide to men's underwear, but if you still have questions we're always here for you. Just shoot us an email at drawlzteam@drawlz.com and we'll be happy to help.
Thanks for stopping by,
Anthony,
Founder | Drawlz