Adidas Climacool Underwear Review

There are a lot of sports performance underwear on the market right now. Typically, they feature some kind of firm compression fabric, a thicker than average waistband, some mesh somewhere, and a longer leg.

But just because those components are there, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to withstand months of training and a rigorous workout schedule. Sadly, it doesn’t even mean they’ll handle your morning jog around the block.

When Adidas dropped their latest underwear offering, the Adidas Men’s Sport Performance ClimaCool line, I—and everyone in my house—knew I’d cop them.

I dig Adidas. I like the durability and cut of their gear, I like that they offer pretty much everything in classic black, and I like the way their underwear and swimwear are cut generously to accommodate the fact men aren’t really built like Ken dolls.

So, cop them I did. And here’s my honest review.

Adidas ClimaCool Underwear Review: The Tech Specs

• Fabric: ClimaCool micro mesh 92% Polyester / 8% Spandex blend
• Tag-less waistband
• Low-profile stitching to minimize chafing
• Strong construction to eliminate ride up in the thighs
• Roomy, fully mesh-lined support pouch
• Solid color range: minimalistic black and gray to neon lime and navy, to Red Ponder and Scarlet with a bold honeycomb printed waistband, Red Camo Alloy, and Thunder Gray.
• Inclusive sizing goes from a Small (28” waist) to 4XL (up to 54” waist)
• Longer leg 6” in-seam is suited to all levels of activity and provides added coverage under training shorts and compression clothing

Adidas ClimaCool Underwear Review: The Experience

The Unboxing

Straight out of the (2-)pack, you can tell these underwear are going to be easy-breezy during a workout. Classic Adidas micro mesh technology is virtually everywhere on these underwear, so you’re guaranteed to be cool and dry under even the most strenuous physical conditions.

I got a pair of Adidas ClimaCool boxer briefs in standard black with a gray branded waistband, and the Red Camo Alloy just for funsies. When my wife copped an eyeful of the Red Camo Alloy, she loudly proclaimed I was never going to wear them.

So, logically, that’s the pair I tried first.

The Test

I try to run around 6 miles a day. My brother and I are also training for the New York City Marathon, so we do a bit of strength and agility training together. I bike with my wife on weekends.

Also, I’m a sweaty guy. I run hot, even in winter, so if the ClimaCool boxer briefs can withstand me, they’re doing a solid job.

This line from Adidas is a ventilation guru. All-over micro mesh allowed for easy ventilation, thorough air circulation around my package, and cool comfort through all my daily exercise.

The first day I tested these boxer briefs it was 97° here in Phoenix. This heat is no joke, so combined with my standardly sweaty self and a 6 mile run, I wasn’t all that confident in the ClimaCool’s potential performance.

Generally, I lean towards Adidas Climalite for pulling moisture (sweat. I mean sweat) away from my skin, but there’s no such thing as a Climalite boxer brief… yet.

So with that in mind I put these boxer briefs through some hellish temperatures. Instead of the crotch-swamp I’d expect after an hour of running and another 30 minutes of circuit training, I was pleasantly surprised.

The ClimaCool fabric wicked most of the sweat away from the down-under region—what remained evaporated pretty quick with a not-so-subtle adjustment at the end of my run. Even the sweat that normally accumulates randomly at the top back of the waistband was conspicuously absent that day.

The plush but firm waistband won’t dig in, chafe, rub, or roll down while you work-out, but Adidas is a stickler for sizing. It’s best not to guess your size with this brand—and to refer to the sizing chart before you order.

I’m a 44” waist, which slots me firmly into the XXL sizing with most of the Adidas range. In the right size, chafing in the waist and thighs is virtually eliminated. The (mercifully) tag-less back and low-profile flatlock seams crush to risk of rubbing and irritation, and the ultra-soft in-seam stitching is barely noticeable.

Being a lightweight compression type underwear, there’s also less bunching and twisting under your clothing. The cut of the Adidas ClimaCool boxer briefs helps them stay in place without itching or ruining the line of your compression shorts or tights.

These deliver a snug, minimal-stretch fit and most of the seams are designed to support the structure of the undies and hold everything in place.

There is one rogue seam that concerned me initially, since it runs right up the exterior center of the crotch. I understand it’s role, since it secures the double lining of the contour pouch, but it still caught my eye for all the wrong reasons. Fortunately, the interior of the contour pouch has an added layer of mesh which means that seam gets no opportunity to rub up on your junk.

Adidas knows style and function in activewear—and their underwear offerings are no exception. The style is classic Adidas sports appeal—clean lines, solid branding, and an expert cut to accentuate the lines of the body.

The lack of a functional fly is also well-suited to a sport performance boxer brief, but it might be a disappointment for athletes that prefer to take the corgi out the front door, rather than up and over the fence.

I expect quality fabric and workmanship from Adidas, and I wasn’t disappointed. The proprietary ClimaCool micro mesh is hard-wearing and durable, the fabric is thick enough to endure a lot of wear and tear from physical activity, and the waistband stitching is solid enough to prevent fraying or seam separation.

Just remember to wash your sport performance undies in cold water and let them air dry. Thanks to the fabric blend, they’ll dry in plenty of time for your next workout.

Since Adidas offers the ClimaCool Sport Performance boxer brief in a 2-pack, I ended up paying just over $10 per pair. Awesome value for a durable, comfortable boxer brief designed to work with your workout.

Adidas ClimaCool Underwear Review: The Bottom Line

Adidas is one of those brands I’ll just keep buying because it suits my body and lifestyle. The Adidas ClimaCool boxer brief is well suited to any level of activity—back to back Zoom meetings, pounding the pavement, or binge-watching my wife’s shows on Netflix—so they’re a win at a premium price point.

The fact that I can buy them for around the same price as lesser quality brands just makes them a sure-fire winner all-round.