Underwear is probably the most worn yet least-considered clothing you own. Most men do very little research when it comes to finding themselves the right pair. In fact, a lot of us wait for either our birthdays or Christmas to receive new boxers as a gift. However, carefully selecting the best pair will make you feel more comfortable, confident and help your clothes hang better too.
We've identified the top brands and trusted stores selling pants, trunks and pouches, for running, working out, relaxing, boosting confidence and for unashamed posing! After reading this buying guide, you'll be able to easily decide what will work best for you. From best quality, organic cotton boxers to Calvin Klein thongs, check out our men's underwear top 10, ranking our favourites in the UK on Amazon, ASOS, and John Lewis.
Quick List - Top Men's Underwear
John Lewis & Partners
Unrivalled Comfort and Quality in 100% Organic Cotton
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
The boxer short (arguably the most common of all men’s underwear styles) offers maximum airflow. The main difference between these and boxer briefs, is that they’re looser. This makes them a solid choice if you like to sleep in your underwear. They’re also the least revealing of all styles, making them a better option if you’re not too body-confident.
However, there are some things to be wary of. Firstly, they offer very little support, so they’re not ideal for exercising or sport. Secondly, if you’re a man with more substantial thighs that touch when you walk, the low hanging crotch material can potentially rub and cause soreness.
Next up, we have the boxer brief or trunks. These have a similar aesthetic to boxer shorts, but are a more fitted option. This makes them a little more versatile as they offer better support and are suitable for men of various shapes and sizes. You don’t have to worry about them sagging over the waistband of your slim-fit jeans, or bunching up in the thigh area, so there is less chance of your legs rubbing or chaffing.
As with any fitted clothing, finding the right size is imperative. If you choose the incorrectly, you may end up a little cramped and needing to rearrange yourself, so to speak - which isn’t something anyone should be doing in public if they can avoid it!
While initially, the word brief might spring to mind the tighty whities of your childhood, they have changed over the past decade or so. Now, with ad campaigns by top football legends such as David Beckham, designers are making these pants sleeker and more stylish than ever!
There’s a big reason you see sports personalities wearing briefs, they’re super supportive and great for people with bigger thighs. You bypass the problem of fabric around the legs rising throughout the day and causing a roll of material that's both uncomfortable and unflattering. They’re also good for shorter guys wanting to appear taller, as they show a bit more leg.
However, it’s worth being mindful of the fact that different companies will cut the leg holes at different angles, and this can affect the way that they fit. Sadly, there is no measurement for this, so it’s just a case of trying different brands.
Finally, you have the more out-there option of thongs or g-strings. These are for the guys who are interested in minimal restriction and aren’t afraid to flaunt their stuff! As there’s so little fabric, you’ll never have to worry about seeing visible underwear lines through your trousers or jeans.
Of course, both thongs and g-strings have a similar build, with a pouch for your junk and a vertical and central strap. The main difference is the thickness of the strap. One thing worth mentioning is that the comfort level may vary. As you’d expect, the straps can move around, which can be incredibly annoying!
For further style advice, here are the top 10 accessories for men (by fashion blogger Billy Brayshaw) and the best perfumes for men too.
There’s a clear, runaway winner when it comes to choosing the material of your everyday undies - cotton! That's because this fabric is breathable and soft, and what more could one want from their underwear? Choose a blend with around 8 – 4% elastane or lycra to give you that little bit of flexibility. Or keep an eye out for ultra-comfy (and planet friendly) organic cotton.
If you’re looking specifically for underwear to exercise in, then cotton isn’t the best choice. For sports and exercise, we would recommend something like polyester or microfibre as they have moisture-wicking properties, which will help keep everything dry down there. Plus, they’re far more durable, which means they can withstand constant washing.
On the subject of exercise, have you checked out our best fitness watch suggestions yet?
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Lewis & Partners Organic Cotton Jersey Double Button Boxers | ![]() | Unrivalled Comfort and Quality in 100% Organic Cotton | |
2 | Calvin Klein Stretch Trunks | ![]() | A Classic Choice That Will Never Go Out of Style | |
3 | Hugo Boss Briefs With All Over Logo Waistband | ![]() | Designer Briefs With a Longer Cut for Snug Support | |
4 | Nike Microfibre Boxer Briefs | ![]() | Made With Microfibre to Keep Active Guys Cool and Dry | |
5 | FM London Men's Fitted Boxer Hipsters | ![]() | A Great Value Everyday Multipack | |
6 | Jack & Jones 3 pack trunks in neon multi colour | ![]() | Bold Brights to Liven up Your Undie Drawer | |
7 | Calvin Klein Men's Thong | ![]() | A Comfy Thong for Calvin Fans | |
8 | ASOS DESIGN woven 2 pack boxers with pinstripe | ![]() | Soft, Breathable Boxers With a Luxury Edge |
Although Calvin Kleins are popular, the reality is that a lot of men aren't that bothered about branded underwear. We can all agree that quality and comfort are paramount, and when it comes to these two factors, one is hard-pressed to find a company that prioritises this more than John Lewis.
We've opted for their loose boxer shorts, but they also carry a range of boxer briefs if you'd prefer that style. These pants are made from an organic cotton and elastane blend, and come in a variety of sizes. If you want the holy trinity of comfort, quality and value for money, then these will provide!
Is there a piece of underwear as iconic as the white Calvin Klein trunks? They've been on top of their game for years, and have had everyone from young Mark Whalberg to Justin Beiber model for their ad campaigns. At the forefront of men's underwear, if you're a fashion-conscious gent, then these are going to be your go-to!
The reason these are so popular, other than the celebrity endorsement, is their construction. With a secure pouch and unmatched durability, they won't tear or go threadbare anytime soon.
There are a couple of features we particularly like about these Hugo Boss Boxer briefs. Firstly, the sides are a little longer, giving you more coverage, and keeping things packed in a little better. Secondly, the set comes in three smart colour combinations.
The blend of materials is what really makes this set an excellent choice, as the elastane will allow for a good amount of flexibility. When it comes to luxury brands, Hugo Boss is a pretty decent name to be wearing.
These are the only set of underwear in our ranking geared specifically towards sport. Nike's boxer briefs are made of microfibre (polyester), which is frequently used in athletics wear due to its moisture-wicking qualities, helping you to stay cool and dry.
They're known to fit true to size and hold up well through many washes. They even have the Nike logo running across the waistband, so you can satisfyingly match them with the rest of your workout kit.
If you're the sort of guy who prefers to buy in bulk, then this set from FM London is going to be right up your street. The company provides 12 pairs of boxer briefs, all for under £30! So, not only do you save the hassle of having to buy little and often, but you get excellent value for your dosh.
They come in an array of different colour options, from assorted colours to strictly black, so you can pick whatever you prefer. FYI Antonio Rossi is an Italian Olympian-turned-clothing designer, so he knows all about fit, comfort and classic design. Sorted.
Jack & Jones was founded in the 90s as a Danish jeanswear label, they've branched out since then so luckily these pants are not made from denim! Joking aside, these pants have been designed with care - they are bold, yet any peeking waistbands won't betray the neon below!
The neon might not be for everyone, or every occasion, but why not, every now and then, throw in a bit of colour / pattern to liven up an undie drawer filled with the predictable black, white and grey?
When it comes to the world of fashionable undies, no company is more synonymous with men's pants than Calvin Klein. For that reason, when opting for some tucked-in-tight pants, we had to choose this pack of thongs. They're known to run true to size and have the classic CK quality and comfort, which has garnered them such a reputation.
When shopping for brand names, you do expect to pay a little bit more. However, these came in even more expensive than their classic trunks, which is difficult to understand due to there being significantly less fabric.
ASOS has its own in-house designer basic range - these items go a long way to creating the building blocks of a modern-day wardrobe. One great example is this classic-look 2-pack of fully cotton boxer shorts.
Made from 100% cotton, they're breathable, natural and comfortable, plus they come in muted blue designs to keep things interesting, without being outlandish - perfect for chilling out in around the house, on their own or under loose-fitting slouchy trousers.
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
No. 1: John Lewis & Partners|Organic Cotton Jersey Double Button Boxers
No. 2: Calvin Klein|Stretch Trunks
No. 3: Hugo Boss|Briefs With All Over Logo Waistband
No. 4: Nike|Microfibre Boxer Briefs
No. 5: FM London |Men's Fitted Boxer Hipsters
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games