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Nutrition - Weight Loss

Stay dry, cool, and comfortable, even when you’re at your sweatiest.

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best moisture wicking underwear

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Ditch the cotton undies, runners. There are better options out there. Moisture-wicking underwear made from specialty fabrics ensure that you not only stay dry and comfortable over the course of a run, while reducing the likelihood of chafing. Woven from fibers that draw sweat away without absorbing it, these underlayers are also great for regulating temperature, preserving heat in the cold and allowing for airflow when it’s hot. Runners optimize every item of clothing on their bodies, from moisture-wicking shirts to quality running shorts and shoes, why not do the same for your underwear, too?

The Best Moisture-Wicking Underwear

What to Consider in Moisture-Wicking Underwear

Materials

Moisture-wicking underwear are made from a number of materials, often a blend of stretchy synthetic materials like Nylon and Spandex. High-end pairs may swap in fabrics like wool or bamboo, with only a touch stretch. We prefer the natural materials, which feel soft and are more likely to be produced sustainably, but the difference in price may be prohibitive depending on your budget.

Chafing

A great pair of running underwear prevents chafing with flat seams or a seamless design to minimize points of friction. That said, it also pays off to think about what you need and what works for your body: If you find that the legs of your normal boxer briefs bunch up or start rubbing your thigh, then you need to switch to another type of underwear when you run. Conversely, you might find that your shorts chafe against your legs, and you need more coverage.

How We Selected The Best Moisture-Wicking Underwear

As a lifelong runner, I’ve become an expert on what to look for in quality running apparel. I’ve tested several pairs of underwear from a variety of today’s top brands, and asked for recommendations from the Runner’s World editorial team. Lastly, I checked user reviews from real-world buyers on Amazon to make sure we didn’t accidentally pick a pair with a glaring flaw.

To finalize this guide, I checked the underwear’s material and looked for a cut and design that would minimize chafing. I also made sure to include picks at a variety of price points to ensure that these truly the best moisture-wicking underwear you can get in 2024.

Looking for some more run-specific moisture-wicking underwear? Check out our tested article on underwear for runners.

1
Best Overall

Runderwear Running Briefs

Running Briefs

Pros

  • Outstanding moisture-wicking
  • Zero chafing

Cons

  • Availability fluctuates

Runderwear isn’t just a clever name—these are truly the best underwear for runners. The material feels great, wicking moisture effectively and feeling smooth on your skin. They’re breathable and have zero issues with chafing. And for men, they offer good support for when things get bouncy. The only downside to these is that they’re so great that they sell out fast, so grab a pair while you can.

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Key Specs

Material 92% Polyamide, 8% elastane
Sizes S-XXL
2
and his lifestyle, culture, and tech writing has also appeared in

Branwyn Essential Hipster Running Underwear

Essential Hipster Running Underwear

Pros

  • Exceptionally soft
  • Great moisture-wicking and odor-busting

Cons

  • Color availability may vary

Made from a Merino wool blend, these hipster briefs are about as soft and cozy as they come. Merino wicks moisture and combats odor incredibly well, and Branwyn’s seamless construction eliminates chafing. Reviewers also say that the high hipster design is especially great for running, since it doesn’t slip as you move.

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Key Specs

Material 81% Merino wool, 12% nylon, 7% spandex
Sizes XS-XXL
Health - Injuries
3
Best Recovery Shoes

Lululemon UnderEase Mid-Rise Bikini Underwear (3-Pack)

UnderEase Mid-Rise Bikini Underwear (3-Pack)

Pros

  • Very flexible and lightweight
  • Super Soft Hipsters

Cons

  • Limited sizing in some colors

Lululemon pretty much always nails it, crafting fitness attire that looks and feels great. These moisture-wicking underwear represent that perfectly: They’re uber soft, pleasantly stretchy, and come in eye-pleasing color options, which never hurts. A flat waistband and seams prevent chafing, and the mid-rise cut stays in place without sticking out of your shorts.

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Key Specs

Material 88% Modal, 12% Lycra elastane
Sizes XS-XXL
4
Best for Men

Duluth Trading Co. Buck Naked Boxer Briefs

Buck Naked Boxer Briefs

Pros

  • Great moisture-wicking and odor-busting
  • Solid support

Cons

  • High waist for some bodies

These boxer briefs are not only great at keeping you dry, but are treated with anti-odor agents to help keep the funk to a minimum. Stretchy yet supportive, breathable yet durable, they deliver outstanding mobility and keep things tight without restricting movement. While they were designed for work, they’re also perfect for a workout.

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Key Specs

Material 93% Nylon, 7% Spandex
Sizes S-4XL
Health - Injuries
5
Best Value

Bamboo Cool Men’s Boxer Briefs (7-Pack)

On Sale
Men’s Boxer Briefs (7-Pack)
Now 15% Off

Pros

  • Affordable bamboo
  • Great breathability

Cons

  • Limited support

Seven pairs of moisture-wicking boxer shorts is a great deal any way you look at it. Breathable and incredibly soft, bamboo is one of our favorite fabrics for performance underwear. These aren’t the best of the best for competitive runners: They don’t offer much in the way of support, let alone compression. They feel fantastic, though, and wick moisture well. Plus, they come in in some great color options to boot.

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Key Specs

Material 92% Bamboo Viscose, 8% Spandex
Sizes S-4XL
6
Best Thong

Balanced Tech Moisture-Wicking Seamless Thong Panties 6-Pack

Moisture-Wicking Seamless Thong Panties 6-Pack

Pros

  • The Best and Most Comfortable Running Socks Tested
  • Four-way stretch

Cons

  • Limited sizing

For women looking to eliminate panty lines, or if you simply prefer a thong, Balanced Tech has you covered—but not too much. Softy, stretchy, and all-around comfortable, the moisture-wicking is reliable and the cut is great for reducing chafing. Ideal for both running or gym training, they’re available in a wide range of colors. If you’re worried about see-through shorts or tights during squats, go with the white or nude options.

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Key Specs

Material 92% Stay dry, cool, and comfortable, even when you’re at your sweatiest
Sizes XS-XL
Health - Injuries
7
Best Briefs

Reebok Low-Rise Quick-Dry Performance Briefs (5-Pack)

Low-Rise Quick-Dry Performance Briefs (5-Pack)

Pros

  • underwear for runners
  • Nutrition - Weight Loss

Cons

  • Runs a bit large

For men in search of classic briefs with modern performance, these Quick-Dry Briefs from Reebok should work wonders. The moisture-wicking polyester/Spandex-blend is breathable and stretches well, while providing ample support. They’re tag-free, with a seamless design that shouldn’t chafe anywhere. They’re durable, too, and should last through many runs and wash cycles.

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Key Specs

Material 92% Polyester, 8% spandex
Sizes S-XL
8
Best Lightweight Boxers

T8 Commando Running Underwear

Commando Running Underwear

Pros

  • Super lightweight
  • Great anti-chafing

Cons

  • Health - Injuries

These briefs are the next best thing to actually going commando. Weighing just an ounce, T8 claims its briefs are the lightest full-leg underwear out there, making them an outstanding choice for race day. They’re stretchy, soft and durable enough to last through numerous washes. The company has also taken a number of unique steps to reduce chafing, like dropping the rear waistband to prevent rubbing on the coccyx. The elastic leg hems, which keep everything in place, are also a nice touch.

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Key Specs

Material 90% Health & Injuries
Sizes XS-XL
Health - Injuries
9
Best Plus-Size Panty

Balanced Tech Classic Seamless Moisture-Wicking Hipster Brief (6-Pack)

Classic Seamless Moisture-Wicking Hipster Brief (6-Pack)

Pros

  • Cost-effective
  • Best Stability Running Shoes for Ultimate Support

Cons

  • Smaller sizes sometimes not in stock

It can be difficult to find panties in larger sizes for athletes that don’t bunch up as you move. These, from Balanced tech, provide higher coverage that keeps them in place while delivering all the other characteristics you could want–Moisture-wicking, breathability, softness, stretch, and all-around comfort. Their seamless design reduces rubbing and chafing, too, and they come available in a wide range of color packages.

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Key Specs

Material 92% Stay dry, cool, and comfortable, even when you’re at your sweatiest
Sizes XS-XL
10
Best Snug-Fit Boxers

Jockey Sport Cooling Mesh Performance 3-Inch Trunk

On Sale
Sport Cooling Mesh Performance 3-Inch Trunk

Pros

  • Long-lasting waistband
  • Fast-drying
  • Nice colors and patterns

Cons

  • No fly

Sometimes you want a pair of boxers that are nice and snug, but aren’t providing compression. Jockey’s cooling mesh trunks deliver exactly that, along with the moisture-wicking properties that brought you here. They dry fast, which has the added benefit of preventing odor, and boast a mesh vent at the crotch to help keep your nether regions cool. There’s no fly, but for cool, comfy support they can’t be beat.

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Key Specs

Fabric 92% Nylon, 8% Spandex
Sizes S-XL
Headshot of Nick Hilden

Nick Hilden is a writer, globetrotter, and jack-of-many-talents who has written gear reviews for the likes of  Runner’s World, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Thrillist, the Daily Beast, Beating Plantar Fasciitis: What Works Fastest, Greatist, and the Manual, and his lifestyle, culture, and tech writing has also appeared in Scientific American, Afar, Salon, Vice, Healthline, and many others. Before entering journalism some 15 years ago, he worked as a bartender, brewery manager, sound engineer, recording and touring musician, cook, teacher, and in a variety of other trades. These days, he lives all over the world, performs music sporadically, and spends a lot of time thinking how to best improve his Honda Element conversion.

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