The best running underwear: comfort for men and women

The best running underwear options offer enhanced comfort, support and moisture wicking capabilities over your standard pair of everyday boxers, hipsters and briefs. Everyone has their personal preference when it comes to underwear for the trails, which is why there's no straight answer to what the best running underwear is.

Some prefer to do without, going commando with the integrated inners of their shorts or their leggings offering the support. Others swear by the benefits of a high quality pair of boxers or briefs.

At Advnture, we think underwear is as essential as any other base layer. Just as you wouldn't wear everyday socks under your pair of best trail running shoes, you shouldn't put on any old underwear beneath your shorts or leggings. The best running underwear is crafted from materials that stretch, giving you unrestricted movement, and also wick moisture away from your body.

Here we present the best running underwear options for men and for women. Featured is a wide range of under garments that'll feel blessedly comfortable beneath your best running shorts or leggings and allow you to perform to your maximum on the trails.

The best running underwear for men

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These supportive and everyday exercise boxers score highly in the next-to-skin comfort rankings, and perform well when worn beneath running shorts that don’t come with an integrated inner, or indeed cycling shorts or hiking trousers. The design, which features an X–shaped fly with a thumb tab at the top, facilitates easy and quick access if you need to stop to for a call of nature. The ‘Coccoon’ internal pocket system provides support where it’s needed and cuts down on the chance of chaffing. The wide waistband keeps the whole garment securely in place without feeling too tight. 

They are manufactured mostly with modal, a material made using the cellulose from beech trees, which is generally regarded as a more environmentally friendly fabric than many alternatives – although exactly how eco friendly products made with modal are does depend a lot on the process followed, which we don’t have visibility of (although Crossfly do make a big deal out of their green ethos, and state that they use sustainably harvested trees and minimise the use of chemicals, and we can say with complete confidence is that all the packaging is 100% recyclable). 

Modal is certainly comfortable to wear, and the material boasts 4-way stretch, so you can be as active and dynamic as you want without these undies cramping your style. If you get caught in a heavy shower, they will take on lots of water and become heavy, however. Other features include a ‘no show’ dual layer at the front, to prevent any drips becoming embarrassingly visible.

Merino wool is a superb material for baselayers, so it stands to reason that it works wonders when used in underwear too – especially undies worn during outdoor active pursuits. Unsurprisingly, then, we found these boxers wonderful to wear while trail running, hiking and biking. Merino’s next-to-skin feel is extremely comfortable, it keeps you cool when the weather is oppressively warm, and warm when conditions are cooler; it wicks moisture away from the skin, so you’re less likely to chafe or develop hotspots when sweating, and it can even deal with odour management – which makes the Smartwool Sport 150s perfect for use during longer adventures, such as ultras, overnight hikes, fastpacking and bikepacking escapades. 

Merino is also a natural fibre (wool), so it’s biodegradable and considerably better for the environment. The only downside to merino we’ve ever really come across is that it does tend to wear through relatively quickly, but the combination of polyester in these pants means they will last the distance. Beyond the materials, the design offers good support in key areas, with a double front panel, and the wide waistband is effective and comfortable (and it’s covered in merino too, to maintain the next-to-skin feel throughout the whole garment). The seams are flatlocked too, which also adds to the comfort. All this comes at a price, however, and these are far from cheap underpants. There’s also no fly – if that kind of thing bothers you.

SAXX Sport Mesh boxer briefs are created for a range of activities, from office to gym to running. It has a slim fit, from the butt to the thighs. Technology in these undies includes no-chafing, flat-out seams, four-way stretch and Three-D Fit for all-round comfort, plus moisture-wicking micromesh fabric and odor control.

What makes these boxers different, according to SAXX, is the BallPark Pouch, which is described as a 3D hammock-shaped pouch designed to keep everything under control. The brand say they have designed and created this patented piece of internal tech to reduce friction and ‘keep your man-parts in place’, no matter what adventures you’re on. The BallPark Pouch also features a fly.

A key feature of Core XP underwear is what is called ‘C-Cut Technology’, which the brand describe as a “first of its kind, multi-panel waistband that distributes pressure for optimal performance”, claiming that it facilitates “controlled pressure on the skeletal system and reduced pressure on soft tissue”. 

Essentially, the underwear is neat fitting but not constricting, and it is meant to move with the body and help to give you a more stable core. The waistband is wide and sits higher than other shorts or boxer-style underwear, and it has internal grips made of silicone. The feel is comforting and supportive rather than being irritatingly high on the waist.

Other features include sweat-wicking fabric with four-way stretch, “ultrasonic” bonded seams (whatever that means) and an “ergonomic” pouch for optimal support. 

Comfyballs Performance Boxers are sold in a range of leg lengths, including regular, long and pocket long. They are designed for everyday wear, or for various sporting activities. The lightweight fabric is soft, quick drying, sweat wicking and thermo-regulating, so there is less potential for chafing and dampness. 

The unique PackageFront technology is created to keep your equipment in place and comfortable, while being lifted away from the inside of the thighs. This helps to prevent chafing and unnecessary heating of the balls. The aim is to provide support without the squeeze. And, pleasingly, the broad color range means men don’t need to have a drawer full of black pants.

The design of these running boxers is simple and meant for the male physique. The boxers are made with a single piece of fabric to avoid too many seams. Consequently there is only one join, horizontally at the waist, and, cleverly, no seams at all along at the inner leg, where runners often suffer chafing (see also: How to stop chafing when running and hiking).

They have a longer cut to prevent the legs riding up and to offer further reduction in the risk of chafing by protecting a larger area of skin. The very stretchy fabric is designed to be supportive, as well as moisture-wicking and quick drying.

With all its natural properties, bamboo is a great product for outdoor-active people – it is breathable, thermo regulating, absorbent, comfortable next to skin and doesn’t lead to painful chafing or the build-up of nasty odors. Bamboo works well in hot or cool weather, and keeps you cool and dry even when you’re sweating

A softly elasticated, jacquard BAM waistband keeps the briefs in place without irritation. These are a classic shape and style briefs for men who like underwear to be simple but supportive and comfortable whether at the office, in the gym or out for a run. 

The jersey bamboo fabric is similar to a wearing a cotton t-shirt, only it is softer and smoother and has support and a bit of stretch. Oh, and it is far better for the planet too – being biodegradable at the end of its useful life, and requiring far less land, water and chemicals to grow. BAM products also arrive in card or paper packaging, which can be composted or recycled, rather than plastic.

The best running underwear for women

Runderwear Women's Running Hipsters are perfect if you're looking for underwear that sits lower on the waistline. (If you want undies that sit above the waistline choose the briefs.)

The brand pledges that you will be guaranteed to enjoy chafe-free running, thanks to 360° seamless technology.

These are pants that give ample coverage for good support and great comfort. The soft fabric is lightweight and technical with breathable and moisture-wicking properties. 

Runderwear have also built in areas of micro-perforations for increased airflow so as to further reduce the potential to sweat, because if your underwear gets damp, you are more likely to suffer irritations such as chafing. The fabric is durable and long-lasting even after many washes.

Made from superfine 180gm merino wool, these hipster shorts offer all the benefits of a natural fibre, including moisture wicking, breathability and temperature control.

Merino wool is also quick drying, naturally odor resistant and sustainable. These are all plus-points for runners, as well as hikers.

Other features include flatlock stitching to reduce chafing, as well as no centre back seam and a jacquard brushed elastic waistband for comfort.

Thoughtfully, the care instructions are printed directly on to the garment to avoid scratchy labels, and the shorts are delivered in recycled packaging.

WUKA stands for “Wake Up Kick Ass” and this is a company that is looking to a future where we reduce waste and behave more sustainably. Period pants are increasingly popular among women and the WUKA Perform Seamless period pants are aimed at sporty women. 

The gusset area is designed to replace your usual sanitary wear. They come in three classes: light, medium and heavy flow. The heavy flow holds at least 20ml period flow or light leaks, which is roughly four tampons’ worth.

They are made from eco-friendly recycled nylon with a lightweight seamless fabric that is claimed to be VPL-free (Visible Panty Line-free).

The fabric is also smooth and silky to the touch which gives them a more luxurious look than other sports pants. The midi brief style provides full coverage at the back without feeling bulky and gives good support whether you are running, at the gym or out for a hike. 

For environmental reasons, the brand advise wearers to wash the underwear in cold water and they donate 1% of their sales to charity partner Surfers Against Sewage.

Bamboo is a great fabric for sporty people because it is soft, non-chafing, naturally breathable and thermo regulating, so you’ll stay cool and dry even if you are sweating. The BAM Seamless Classic Brief also boasts seamless technology that extends to the whole design with no side, back or waistline seams so there is nothing to dig in, chafe or create a VPL (Visible Panty Line).

The briefs are made to a very simple design and feel so soft that you hardly know you’re wearing them, yet you still feel comfortably supported. 

BAM products are also ‘climate positive’. Bamboo absorbs five times more carbon than hardwood trees. It needs half the land cotton requires to produce the same amount of fibre, and it doesn’t depend on irrigation or pesticides. BAM products also arrive in card or paper packaging – which can be composted or recycled – rather than plastic.

Kalenji’s running boxer shorts for women are designed to combine comfort and support. A higher waist and fuller rear give good coverage while the leg cut, with minimal seams, allows for freedom of movement, especially on the thighs and groin area. Chafing is also reduced thanks to the minimal seams and there is the addition of a velvet feel on the skin at the top of the thighs.

A wide and soft fabric waistband adds to the clever design and airflow is maximized thanks to a wide strip of mesh “openwork” fabric at the front of the boxers.

The lightweight fabric of these women’s performance pants is soft, fast drying and sweat wicking, while the design has minimal seams, except for the two front seams, for reduced chafing. The fit is called ‘sculpted’ and it is meant for wear while doing sport. 

They offer good coverage for extra support, while a high lycra content means the pants are also stretchy. Other features include flat-lock seams, a soft 35mm waistband that is designed to stay in place. 

The products are Oeko-Tex certified and, in addition, all Comfys are climate-neutral in collaboration with Climate Partner GmbH. This means the company has calculated a product’s total carbon emissions from the start of the process until the garment is in the customer’s hands, and have compensated for it. 

But how come women don’t get the same great range of colours as the men do?

How to choose the best running underwear

The best underwear for runners is the kind that you don’t even know you’re wearing. While many runners want their favorite performance knickers and pants to be perfectly fitted and supportive (in all the right places), you will also want to avoid the pain of chafing and the distraction of irritations.

Some running shorts have an in-built liner brief so you will probably prefer to go sans underwear with these. If you are wearing shorts only, a longer pair of shorts-style or boxer-style pants will help to prevent thigh chafing. Look for fewer seams as well for less skin rub potential.

Fabric

One important thing to look for in the best running underwear is fabrics and materials that are lightweight and allow sweat to easily evaporate. As with all the best base layer options, quick-drying materials are a bonus, too. 

Design

When it comes to male and female underwear, there are obvious differences. Many men look for good structure and support, especially at the front of the pants. Women generally like the support to be at the rear.

Styles

The best underwear for runners comes in a variety of styles of – and with different names – including briefs, boxers, boxer briefs, shorts and hipsters. Everyone has a preference, although it does depend on what running shorts, skorts or leggings that you plan to wear on top (see also: underwear when running).

What to do with your old running underwear

Understandably, most programs that take old sportswear for recycling won't accept underwear, but there are still ways you can dispose of your old undies responsibly. It's important to choose a recycling scheme carefully though, because some will simply send garments to developing countries where they'll sit in landfill.

If you're in the UK, the Waste and Resources Action Program (WRAP) has a postcode search tool that will help you find your nearest textile recycling drop-off point. If you live in the US, Subset  (formerly Knickey) specializes in taking underwear and socks, which are then turned into things like insulation, carpet padding, and furniture batting. You'll also get a voucher for up to $20 off your next purchase.