Breathable underwear will help you maintain a balanced temperature and make you feel more comfortable - however 'uncomfortable' you may feel talking about it... They'll also dry quickly when you're wet which is well worth considering.
So here are a few pairs of boxers I've used or recommended to others, as a mini review to help you!
OK, so here are a few things to consider when buying:
1. Are they comfortable?!
2. Are they breathable?
3. Do they 'ride up' your waist?
4. Do they have any 'anti-pong' treatments?
5. Do they have a 'working fly'?
All the pics are done with a 12" (30cm) ruler at the top to give you a consistent measurement.
First up the 3" Original 'boxerjock' boxer shorts from Under Armour
Without a doubt these are the most fully featured breathable boxer shorts - with both a 'working fly' (a gap to use to go to the toilet!) and anti-pong treatments.
These are the 3" version (in terms of length down the leg). I have personally found these to be great but like many boxer shorts they do tend to ride up the waist a bit. If I were to get another pair of these excellent boxers I'd go for the longer 6" ones without a doubt, to stop them riding up so much. Material is soft, comfy and thin but tough-feeling. Stretchy in a good way.
The anti-pong does work to some extent for sure. The fit is regular and I love having the working fly. I cannot understand why manufacturer's make boxer shorts without a working fly...
Update from Lakes / Scotland Summer 2014 - these things continue to ride up and I think it's partially because of the nice to touch but slidey material they're made of.
My rating: 8/10
Second, the Paramo Cambria boxer shorts
Made by the legendary Paramo, these things will probably last longer than a lifetime. They are certainly much shorter than the Under Armour boxer shorts. (NB In the pic the boxers are inside out!)
They are very breathable, dry very quickly and are extremely resilient. They are a little more uncomfortable to wear than the Under Armour, but also come with the working fly to help when out on the trail! No anti-pong treatment. These stretch but aren't what I'd call overly stretchy. Great regular fit.
Update from Lakes / Scotland Summer 2014 - these things have been promoted to first place above all the other pieces of kit. Only ones that don't spend half their time strangling your legs or riding up your waist!
My new rating: 9/10
Third, the M&S (Marks & Spencer) Sport breathable boxers
These don't appear to be made any longer but should give you an overview of general breathable boxers like this. These are fairly long (probably slightly longer than the Under Armour ones). They are fairly tough and stretchy. No 'working fly' bizarrely and the best in terms of length. However, they are tight across the tops of the thighs so that's not ideal. They won't cut off circulation but a bit more 'give' would've been nice.
The 'ultra fit active' range from M&S was the similar although slightly shorter range which is now also discontinued. Again, the lack of a working fly and the tendency to ride up the legs made these only half as useful as they could have been.
Overall score for both of these M&S boxers... 5/10
So here's the conclusion...
1. They should be comfortable and slightly stretchy
2. They must be breathable
3. Get ones that don't ride up the waist
4. Get ones with anti-pong treatments if you can
5. Definitely get ones with working flys!
Winners from my admittedly limited test - the Paramo ones.
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