The Best Boxers for Men, Tested by Style Editors

The Calvin Klein boxer is the blueprint and never had to reinvent itself. I always loved the knit cotton that feels like a dream against my skin, while the signature logo waistband is understated but iconic, adding just enough style overdoing it. This pair has such a roomy fit like our favorite sweatpant. There’s zero restriction—just soft, breathable cotton fabric that drapes and gives your goods space to exhale. It doesn’t ride up, pinch, or feel clingy, which is exactly why it’s a longtime favorite. I wear them to the gym, to the office, and weekend outings—and the takeaway is the same: they hold up, stay comfortable all day long, and never get in the way. In fact, they’re so cozy to lounge in, I have them in almost every color.

Thanks to its unique fabric blend, this pair of boxers stays in our weekly rotation. For starters, the material features cotton and spandex. Translation: it’s buttery-smooth, cool as a cucumber, and stretches in every direction. I wear them under my gym shorts and never feel constricted on leg day doing deadlifts or lunges. The relaxed fit makes it comfortable and easy to sprawl out across the bed on the weekend.

During my wear test, I found the breathability of these boxers was the most impressive attribute. The lightweight fabric allows air to pass through the crotch area, so my crown jewels were never sweaty doing intense workouts or long-haul flights. Plus, this fabric doesn’t flinch at the washer or dryer. It’s gone through several cycles and not lost its shape or begun to frazzle.

Like its loungewear and undershirts, Skims boxers feel soft as butter. This pair is almost like a second skin, so much so that you’ll forget you’re even wearing it. For the past three months, I’ve put the knit boxer through the wringer: squats at the gym, bike rides around the city, long haul flights, errand runs—and no matter what I did, the cotton-modal-elastane blend snaps back into place without ever bagging out.

While it comes in at a lower price tag than most on the list, it still feels every bit as premium as pricier options like the Vuori boxer brief. In fact, the fabric looks as good as it did the day I pulled it out of the package, even after countless washes and wears.

The downside? If you like a bit more structure or support during workouts, this pair leans toward the soft, silky side rather than giving that compression feel, so you’ll get comfort over an extra lift. On the other hand, you can use it for a lazy weekend where you’re just laying around the house.

This isn't your ordinary pair of cotton boxers. I found that Sunspel’s cotton creates a smooth, silky feel against our skin while being naturally stretchy and flexible enough to keep up with our movement. The fabric also felt breathable. We’ve worn it for extra long days, such as during a long-haul flight or a long day trip, without feeling a bit of discomfort down there.

From a visual perspective, we loved that they have the rich feel that defines everyday luxury, without looking flashy. Yes, they're a bit expensive, but they feel great, look great, and have lasted through many washes in our testing. I mean, as your first garment layer, it'd better be good.

An underwear drawer full of monochrome, neutral options can feel downright boring. Enter J. Crew's famed printed boxers, which are constantly replenished with dozens of seasonal patterns. If you're looking for a cheap-yet-stylish pair of boxers with long-wear comfort, the preppy stalwart has you covered with plenty of fun looks.

The design and fit is pretty standard, but the 100% cotton fabric kept us nice and cool in our testing and the inner waistband was secure and soft. The durability held up for over eight cycles of wash and dry in our testing, and a couple of our contributors have sworn by J. Crew's boxers for the better part of a decade.

The one downside: given how fast these unique patterns sell out, you'll want to grab them as soon as they come in stock. On the flip side, seasonal colors and patterns go on steep discount at the end of each season. So you can try your luck and get some great deals.

I’ve tested a lot of underwear over the years, but Tommy John is probably one of the most comfortable by far. The brand already makes my favorite pajamas thanks to its incredibly soft Second Skin fabric, so I had high expectations for its underwear and it delivered. The modal and spandex blend offers this luxurious smooth feel as opposed to regular cotton that feels noticeably rougher by comparison. It has a 6-inch inseam that stops on the thigh without squeezing my legs too tight.

The stretch gives them plenty of flexibility, so I can move without restriction whether I’m squatting during a workout or spreading myself out on the couch. I never found myself dealing with bunching, riding up, or the constant readjustments that plague so many other trunks. I’m also a fan of the Quick Draw fly, which makes late-night bathroom trips a little less cumbersome. And on hot, sticky days, these held up surprisingly well.

Even when I worked up a sweat, the fabric stayed fresh and comfortable instead of trapping odor. After countless washes, they’re still just as soft as the day I got them, which is usually the clearest sign that a premium pair is actually worth the investment.

I’m usually skeptical of underwear that costs less than $10, but Uniqlo’s woven trunks punch well above their price. The Japanese brand has a knack for making affordable basics that don’t feel cheap, and these boxer shorts are proof. I love to sleep in this pair on hot summer nights when my Sunspel boxers are in the hamper. The lightweight woven cotton is noticeably airier than the knit underwear I normally wear. When temperatures climbed into the triple digits in New York, they stayed cool and comfortable from morning to night.

Compared to my usual briefs, the fit is much roomier, giving everything plenty of space instead of feeling cramped. That extra airflow was especially welcome while I was relaxing at home. I can wear them with most bottoms like shorts and linen pants, but I’d skip slim-fitting trousers to avoid bulkiness. The elastic waistband has a gathered look, but it never digs into my waist or leaves me adjusting throughout the day. In terms of durability, they held up far better than expected after repeated wash cycles. I have yet to see any loose seam or shrinkage. And with their classic striped design, they look more polished than what you’d expect from a budget-friendly pair.

While Always in Motion might look at first like boxer briefs, these made-for-movement skivvies are actually boxers made with Lululemon's elite performance material. In our testing, the crazy-soft modal fabric has proven to be both naturally breathable and sweat-wicking. I love the ergonomically shaped pouch that provides roomy space to keep my precious jewels in position.

The four-way stretch makes it perfect for my daily pursuits and my legs' ebb and flow too. And the quick-drying makes it so that you can actually exercise a bit in them without having to change immediately after the session. It’s the underwear you'll want accompanying you whenever you're on the go. The only qualm is that it does has a boxer-brief-like fit—albeit a very loose one—that will gently hug your thighs.

Whenever it’s time to work out, I always grab this pair of boxers from Alo. Compared to other skivves I’ve tried by activewear brands, this pair has a silky smooth texture that keeps me cool through my most intense sessions. It fits snug without ever feeling too compressive, yet stays in place whether I’m doing a HIIT cardio circuit or lifting heavy.

The modal-elastane blend stretches in every direction, wicks sweat fast, and feels lighter than traditional cotton, which means I stay dry instead of dealing with that dreaded swampy aftermath. All of that makes it feel invisible—like it’s barely there at all.

Aside from the gym, I’ve also worn this set on long commutes and casual weekends, and it consistently beats standard boxers in both comfort and versatility. Plus, the structured pouch provides gentle support for my crown jewels without feeling like they’re being crammed into a hammock.

This pair of boxers combines the luxuriously smooth feel of Pima cotton with stretchy nylon for a comfy, flexible fit. Honestly, this fabric blend might be the best I’ve ever worn—it’s soft, durable, and doesn’t feel stuffy when I’m sleeping. It’s just as cozy as your favorite worn-in T-shirt but also has enough give to stretch during sprints, box jumps, and burpees. The slim fit is just right: snug enough not to move, but not so tight it feels like a wrestling match down there. I also love the little details, like the single-needle darts on the back side, which prevented bunching under my chinos.

I found that the diamond-shaped gusset adds some extra breathing room, so nothing feels squished while I’m sitting at your desk for 8 hours. Plus, it’s pretty durable. I’ve put this through more than 10 washes and found that it kept its shape and ultra-soft fabric. However, we don’t recommend these for workouts, as the fabric isn’t breathable or moisture-wicking enough for hardcore sweat sessions. Opt for Alo’s performance boxers instead.

If you’re looking for an everyday pair of boxers, Vuori’s offering is hard to beat. I’ve tested a lot of underwear for everything from long office days to weekend errands, and this pair consistently come out on top. What sets this one apart is the detailed design and materials. The skin-hugging fit keeps everything comfortably in place without feeling restrictive, which is a rare sweet spot in everyday boxers. The fabric is a super soft, stretchy knit made from a modal-rayon and elastane blend, so it feels lightweight and breathable while still holding its shape through long days and multiple washes.

Another standout feature is the mesh gusset, which is basically a breathable panel that sits underneath the crotch area for extra support and airflow. It keeps things comfortably lifted while also letting air circulate. Even after 10 hours of sitting and running around photoshoot sets, there’s no discomfort or pinching. That said, if you’re heading into blazing summer heat or wearing jean shorts, you might want something a bit looser. They’re snug enough that they shine more in everyday wear versus extreme sweat sessions.

The fabric on Brooks Brothers’ boxers drapes away from the skin for a really breathable feel and wears easily under relaxed chinos and bermuda shorts. Even our 6’1 model with beefy quads found it was breezy to wear during the dog days of summer. That’s thanks to its 100% cotton fabric (no elastane), which lends itself to an ultra-luxe feel like the brand’s famed crisp dress shirts.

Unlike other (cheaper) pure cotton boxers, it doesn’t cling after a few hours in the heat. Even though it’s super breathable, it doesn’t balloon or bunch under relaxed or wide-fit pants that we tested. Though if you want a breezy skivvy under your slim jeans, go for our recommended boxer briefs. In short, this pair has maximum softness that can be worn anywhere.