Nutrition - Weight Loss
Stay dry, cool, and comfortable, even when you’re at your sweatiest.

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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
- Best Overall: Runderwear Running Briefs
- Best Recovery Shoes: Lululemon UnderEase Mid-Rise Bikini Underwear
- Best for Men: Duluth Trading Co. Buck Naked Boxer Briefs
- Best Value: Bamboo Cool Men’s Underwear Boxer Briefs (7-Pack)
- Best Thong: Balanced Tech Moisture-Wicking Seamless Thong Panties (6-Pack)
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.
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.
