19 Best Men’s Underwear Brands in 2023: Calvin Klein, Hanes, Mack Weldon, & More | GQ

The best men’s underwear brands make up the foundations of every well-rounded wardrobe. But unless you’re really desperate for a fleeting serotonin hit, shopping for underwear isn’t all that fun. The underwear business isn’t exactly trend-oriented, which makes the process of hunting down a new pair mercifully straightforward—if not especially exciting.

But it’s one worth taking seriously. Because right now the market is crowded with choices, from wily upstarts promising to solve all your chafing problems to heritage labels touting anti-bunching formulas they’ve perfected over decades of rigorous trial and error. Looking for a classic pair of supima cotton boxer shorts, or a stretchy pair of moisture-wicking, spandex-enhanced boxer briefs? You won’t have to look far. Intrigued by lofty-sounding fabrics like micromodal or breathable elastane blends? There’s plenty of brands that’d be thrilled to hear it.

Frankly, it can all get a little overwhelming. So to help you make sense of the mind-boggling array of options, we went deep on all the underwear worth your time—from high end versions you’ll genuinely consider washing by hand to ultra-cheap undies you can order by the multipack when the laundry machine threatens to go kaput. No matter your preferences, the best men’s underwear brands are up to the task. If you’re eager to replenish your supply—or overhaul your underwear drawer entirely—these are the only names you need to know.

Our Favorite Underwear Brands, at a Glance 

Calvin Klein

The first name in designer underwear didn’t start out that way. Before Calvin Klein was a billboard-dominating global superbrand, it was an upstart American label credited as the first to slap its name on a pair of briefs, setting off a seismic shift in the men’s underwear market in the process. After all these years, buying a pair of boxers stamped with that iconic Futura font still feels like a small luxury, an indulgence only you, your underwear drawer, and a select few others will ever be privy to. If you’re looking for undergarments with a bona fide cultural pedigree, Calvin Klein is the place to start.

Calvin Klein cotton stretch boxer brief (3-pack)

$43

Amazon

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Calvin Klein micro-stretch trunk (3-pack)

$48

Amazon

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Hanes

Not too many brands boast a century-long history of expertise in their given field, let alone in the underwear arena. But Hanes isn’t just any old brand. First established in the early 1900s, Hanes has enjoyed the type of prolonged relevance lesser brands struggle mightily to approximate. The company has since expanded into other categories—you might swear by their famously tagless T-shirts—but underwear remains the crown jewel of the empire. It’s almost ironic that Hanes undies tend to be sold in bulk, because they’re apt to last long after you’ve come down with a hankering for a new pack.

Hanes ultimate tagless boxers (6-pack)

$24

$19

Amazon

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Hanes comfort flex total support boxer briefs (3-pack)

$19

Amazon

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CDLP

The right pair of underwear should go above and beyond mere function; they should be comfortable, they should be supportive, but they should also make you feel, well, hot. CDLP’s slinky, stretchy briefs fall firmly into that category—they’re a straight-up confidence booster, designed to hug your figure in all the right ways so you can look in the mirror and dig the guy staring back at you. (Even when you can’t see ‘em.) The whole range is made using lyocell, a natural alternative to silk that’s even smoother, even more breathable, and also wicks away moisture so you can reliably stay cool while feeling your hottest.

Jockey

Like Hanes, Jockey has been around in one form or another for a long time. With roots that stretch back to the late 1800s, Jockey—named for the type of support then associated with the jockstrap—is widely credited with inventing the classic Y-front brief, an innovation that set the template for underwear styles that still dominate the market today. Jockey remains the brand to turn to when you’re in desperate need of no-frills underwear built with the same attention to detail—and near-indestructibility—that first put the company on the map.

Jockey classic full-rise briefs (3-pack)

$24

Amazon

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Jockey classic boxer briefs (3-pack)

$30

Amazon

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Hanro

If you’re looking for top of the line underwear made by a master of the form, Hanro’s got you covered. The Swiss brand has been churning out decadent loungewear for the world’s most discerning dressers for close to 150 years, and its stellar selection of undies is no exception. Touting the craftsmanship of a humble pair of boxer briefs might sound ludicrous (they’re boxers, for god’s sake!) but slip on a pair from Hanro and you’ll immediately feel the difference. The brand’s serious design chops coupled with a legacy of technical innovation means these are not-so-basics actually worth investing in.

Hanro stretch-cotton boxer briefs (2-pack)

$75

Mr Porter

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Hanro sporty mercerised cotton boxer shorts

$80

Mr Porter

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Saxx

Prefer your underwear built to the exacting specifications of a NASA spacesuit? Saxx is the brand for you. Every pair the company makes comes tricked out with its proprietary BallPark Pouch technology, the (slightly cringe-inducing) term Saxx uses to refer to the hammock-shaped pocket that lends its undies their signature support. Breathable mesh panels and an ergonomic nine-panel construction guarantee all-day comfort, while flat out seams promise to eliminate chafing and that telltale shimmy we’ve all had to do when something gets caught where it shouldn’t. 

Saxx hot shot boxer briefs

$38

Saxx

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Saxx Underwear Vibe trunk

$34

Saxx Underwear

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Mack Weldon

Mack Weldon, a relatively new entrant in the underwear arena, built a business by overthinking the details—in the best way possible. In theory, that could be a recipe for disaster. But in practice, that means quick-drying, odor-fighting trunks that won’t quit on you when you need ’em most, whether you’re halfway through a grueling workout or an equally grueling workday. Posted up at home on a frigid winter weekend? You’ll never feel bummed that your underwear is overqualified for the job—even if the day’s agenda just involves six hours of smooth-brain Netflix and trying not to sprinkle Cheetos dust all over the couch.

Mack Weldon AIRKNITx HD trunks

$30

Mack Weldon

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Mack Weldon 24/7 woven boxers

$32

Mack Weldon

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Ralph Lauren

Ever wondered what could possibly prompt someone to love a brand so much they refuse to wear anything not stamped with its name? You’ve clearly never met a real ‘Lo Head. Ralph Lauren engenders so much adoration among its most ardent fans that depriving them of the chance to rep the brand in underwear form would be almost cruel. Even if you don’t know your Purple Label from your P Wing, the brand’s briefs are a great introduction to what it does best.

Polo Ralph Lauren 4D cotton and modal boxer briefs (4-pack)

$50

Nordstrom

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Polo Ralph Lauren classic fit boxer 3-pack

$43

Ralph Lauren

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Sunspel

Sure, undies are about as basic as it gets, but that doesn’t mean the entire genre has to feel so, well, basic. Why entrust the care of precious jewels to just any ol’ underwear brand? Whether you’ve got a hankering for the finer things in life or are looking to upgrade from those flimsy multi-pack options you cop by the dozen, Sunspel’s decidedly luxe underpinnings will pamper your most sensitive parts in a manner befitting of their station. The British label has been in the boxer biz for over 150 years, and what it offers—on top of excellent construction—is access to some of the ritziest materials on the planet. Thought ultra-fine, indulgent Sea Island cotton was the sole domain of the plushest sweaters in your arsenal? You’ve clearly never slipped on a pair of these before. Fair warning, though: once you do, it’s hard to go back. 

Sunspel superfine cotton two-button shorts

$50

Sunspel

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Sunspel Sea Island cotton poplin original British boxer short

$215

Sunspel

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Plus 10 More Brands Making Underwear We Love

Lululemon always in motion mesh boxers

No surprise here: The brand that made leggings (leggings!) a staple of offices around the world also cuts a killer pair of briefs. An ergonomic design and a quick-drying mesh-modal fabric means Lululemon’s primo skivvies are equally suited to squeezing in a workout between Zooms or hitting the town for a big night out once you’ve signed off for good.

$38

Lululemon

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Uniqlo AIRism boxer briefs

AIRism boxers come with all the product specs you’d expect from undies triple the price. A silky-smooth texture, ultra-comfy fit, and odor-controlling tech to keep you smelling as swell as you feel? Hail, hail, the gang’s all here.

$15

Uniqlo

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Derek Rose striped modern fit boxers

Derek Rose is known for its royally good loungewear. The brand cuts a pair of PJs with the kind of care and attention that’ll make you feel like the king of your cramped apartment, and the same consideration informs its underwear, crafted with gently-curved leg seams designed to stay immune to bunching no matter how many times you put ’em through the wringer.

$75

Bergdorf Goodman

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Nike Dri-FIT ReLuxe boxer briefs (2-pack)

Nike may be better known for its sneakers than anything else, but the the Swoosh ain’t lacking in the underwear department. The athletic brand’s penchant for cutting-edge innovation translates to high-quality, quick-drying boxers that combine the best elements of its Dri-FIT technology with extra-soft recycled polyester engineered to hug your lower body in all the places they should. Which means Nike’s undies can more than keep pace—in the gym, on the track, or hustling to make the train. 

$43

Nike

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Smartwool Merino 150 boxer brief

Smartwool remains the chief ambassador of woolen undergarments for a reason. At first glance, wool of any kind nestled against your assets might elicit a less-than-favorable response, but merino wool packs some serious superpowers—it’s naturally breathable, moisture-wicking, and antimicrobial. Plus, the fibers here are remarkably silky, and they come wrapped around a nylon core for added durability.

$48

Amazon

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Tommy John Second Skin 4-inch boxer briefs

It’s a real shame Tommy John flies a bit under the radar, because the brand’s flagship Second Skin line is true to its name in the best way possible. Thanks to a generous use of micromodal fibers, they’re cut with an impossibly silky feel with just the right amount of stretch. 

$36

Nordstrom

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MeUndies boxer brief

Direct-to-consumer brands can be egregiously hit-or-miss. Thankfully, MeUndies actually delivers, thanks to its briefs’ nearly seamless construction and smooth, no-fly finish. (Who actually uses that anyway?) But if you do need the emotional reassurance of a working fly, the brand offers plenty of options with those as well.

$26

MeUndies

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Tom Ford Silk-blend satin boxer shorts

Tom Ford doesn’t do “tasteful restraint”. Tasteful? Sure. Restraint? Eh, not so much. But the brand’s ridiculously luxurious silk boxers offer one of the most compelling arguments we’ve seen in favor of designer underwear as a genre unto itself, and that’s saying something. You’ll be glad you’re sporting these any time you have the occasion to show them off. 

$175

Matches Fashion

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Under Armour UA tech boxerjock briefs

Like its Portland-based competitor, Under Armour makes a lot more than just undies. But the same rigorous approach that defines its activewear also informs the brand’s performance underwear. Its boxerjock briefs are cut from a sweat-wicking 4-way stretch material for maximum comfort and then enhanced with anti-odor technology for maximum freshness.

$20

Under Armour

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Zimmerli 700 Pureness stretch-jersey boxer briefs

The Swiss underwear wizards at Zimmerli may be well-versed in the ways of superfine cotton, but they’re equally handy with the newfangled stuff like micromodal, a specially-treated form of rayon prized for its unparalleled softness. Zimmerli puts it to use, in tandem with a touch of elastane, to ensure your most sensitive parts never feel anything but sheer bliss.

$99

Matches Fashion

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