Men’s underwear comes in a variety of styles and types. This doesn’t mean that choosing the right one has to be difficult or overwhelming.
While it’s true that the market is flooded with options, it’s worth it to find the right pair of underwear for your body and lifestyle. Doing so will make a difference in your everyday life.
You’ll be able to perform better at work, the gym, and everywhere in between. Need to minimize a beer belly or enhance an otherwise flat tush?
Technological advancements and surprising innovations now make it possible to appear like you’re rocking a flatter stomach in the front and sporting buns of steel in the back.
As promising as this may sound, it can be challenging to learn about all of the various innovations and types of underwear now available. However, this guide will spell everything out for you so you can make the right choice the next time you go underwear shopping.
1. Trunks
Best for: Sports and water adventures, beach outings, or pool parties
Trunks resemble both a brief and a boxer brief. However, it has shorter legs, more coverage, and a square-cut silhouette.
The design of the pouch will keep your package away from your body. The form-fitting style offers support, full coverage, and comfort.
This is a great option when you want to enjoy a laid back weekend. This cozy style of underwear is quite versatile. You can wear it as swimwear as well as underwear.
Feel free to hit the beach or go for an early morning jog in this number. The shaping trunks are a cozy way of staying in shape. If you love briefs but are feeling adventurous and want to try something new, trunks are your next best option.
2. Briefs
Best for: Jeans, dress pants, outdoor gear, formal wear
Briefs are a popular underwear style among men. The classic, standard style of the brief is made for support and comfort. It’s designed to cover your entire pelvic region. You’re given full coverage in the back while the front leaves the upper thigh and side of the leg exposed.
A contouring pouch will keep your package together. Plus, the high cut will keep it breezy so you’ll feel dry and comfortable. This makes briefs a practical option for men who work long hours and crave air circulation in the crotch area.
Many men appreciate how the combination of a snug-fit with a high cut provides easy leg movement. Modern technology has improved the design of briefs so that they are better able to keep your package together and away from your body.
As a result, you don’t have to worry about your crown jewels clashing which reduces the dreaded prospect of chafing and other related problems. This basic everyday underwear feels comfortable underneath nearly anything.
Briefs are the kind of undies that are perfect for guys who want support and a bit of a lift. You don’t have to limit yourself to conventional briefs.
You can find them in a variety of styles such as the micro, mini, and midi brief. They can also be found in a variety of rises including low, mid, and high.
Regardless of the style you choose, you can rest assured that the brief will be comfortable and give adequate support. Plus, you’ll be able to wear it with practically anything you have in your closet.
This versatile underwear works well for a variety of events, occasions, and seasons. You can wear this underwear every day and during sports events.
Check out our suggestions for the best briefs for men.
3. Boxers
Best for: Loose pants, pajamas, shorts, casual sports, beaches, regular wear
Boxers are popular for a reason. With a fly opening, loose fit, and ample air ventilation this underwear reigns supreme in the comfort department.
Boxers can double as lounge or nightwear because they feel so good on the body. This breathable underwear can easily be worn every day with shorts, slimmer fitting bottoms, and tailored dress pants.
4. Boxer Briefs
Best for: Jeans, sportswear, everyday wear, workout, sports, beach sport
Boxer briefs were designed to bring together the best of two worlds - boxers and briefs. It offers the form-fitting style of a brief with the longer length associated with boxers.
This underwear covers part of the thighs without bunching or riding up. It’s designed to rest on your waist while providing full coverage and support.
This skivvy style is versatile. It can be worn under many types of clothes and on nearly all occasions. Similar to briefs, they can be comfortably worn all day.
Take a look at our recommendations for the most comfortable boxers in the world.
5. C-strings
Best for: Tight trousers or jeans, modeling, or tanning
Not for the faint of heart, the c-string looks more like a headband than underwear. The entire underwear slips right in between the legs. It nearly looks as if it’s floating in the air.
A cup-shaped pouch holds the package together while the shape of the underwear ensures that it sticks to the body. Although it doesn’t have straps, it boosts a self-supportive internal frame that keeps everything lifted and in the correct position.
Yet, it takes some time to adjust to this very revealing style of underwear. But after awhile, it becomes more comfortable once you get used to it.
6. G-strings
Best for: Thinner pants, date night, office attire, or formal wear
G-strings are created for the proud peacock who feels confident enough to flaunt what he’s working with. Much like thongs, g-strings offer zero coverage for the cheeks.
But the front does provide ample support for the package. This underwear features a string that functions as a waistband and is attached to the fabric in the front.
Perfect for sunbathers or men who want to avoid panty lines, this barely-there underwear gives adequate air circulation. A g-string is the go-to underwear when minimal coverage and ample support are required.
7. Jockstraps
Best for: Adventurous outings, rigorous sports, tight pants, and sports uniforms
Jockstraps are designed with the active male in mind. Athletes and men who partake in rigorous sports activities appreciate the construction.
A pouch in the front offers maximum support and lifts the manhood by keeping it in an elevated position. This design enhances the visibility of the front profile.
Cups can be inserted into the pouch to prevent injury during competitive sports. A jockstrap has zero cheek coverage.
But it does have two leg straps that wrap around to your backside and provide you added support. This cheeky style of active underwear aids ventilation which keeps the rear end breezy by allowing free airflow.
If you're looking for a jockstrap, here are our recommendations.
8. Long Underwear
Best for: Thicker denim jeans, pajamas
Long johns are great for adding another layer of warmth during cold months. This relaxing thermal base layer is designed with a waistband covered with fabric for the best feel and fit.
Plus, it comes with deep cuffs at the ankles. This helps to prevent bunching. A two-button fly makes accessibility easier when needed.
This classic full-length underwear is prized by winter sports enthusiasts who need a thermal layer of protection from the great outdoors. Men who work outside in cold environments also appreciate this cozy cutie. It's so comfortable that some men wear it solo for loungewear and nightwear purposes.
9. Tanga
Best for: Everyday wear, outings, dressing up
The tanga is a style of brief that provides coverage to the front part. It is typically connected with fabric bands around the waist. You’ll find that its waistband is usually thin.
However, the band is thicker than the kind on a G-string. The style is easy to identify. It has no extra fabric beneath the waistband at each side.
Yet, it still offers good front and back coverage. This is the ideal option for active men who want the most room to maneuver while still feeling supported.
A flattering low rise horizontal fit combined with a dual-layer pouch for added support are just a couple of advantages of this type of underwear. Plus, it offers good bum coverage.
10. Thong
Best for: Underneath fitted pants or skinny jeans
A common misconception is that men don't wear thongs. Wrong.
Thongs are designed to provide ample front coverage while letting you flaunt your derriere. This style of underwear has a small amount of fabric in the front attached to strings at the waist which leaves your cheeks bare.
A narrow, low-rise waistband and rear vertical center strap create minimal coverage over exposed skin. Thongs are perfect for men who want to conceal visible panty lines. This underwear may be short on fabric but it isn’t lacking in the support department.
Here are some good thongs to check out, particularly if you're a runner.
11. Bikinis
Best for: Jeans, pants, office attire, swimwear, sunbathing
Bikinis are a more alluring version of a brief. The low-cut waist, high-cut leg, and narrow sides create an inviting fit.
Plus, it offers great support even though the fitted style is skimpier. There are various types of bikinis including the string, Brazilian, micro bikini, and bikini brief.
The versatility of this style of underwear makes it perfect for pleasure and work. The more revealing design gives men who are hesitant to try thongs and g-strings a chance to still feel sexy. In addition to serving up sex appeal, these undies provide comfort and support.
