Working outside in the summer is an unfortunate part of my job description. And it's not even about the heat, which is insane this year. I'm just not a fan of the man-swamp I unwittingly create when I choose the wrong underwear. I’m fighting back against this injustice.
How? I hear you ask.
It’s easy. I saw a billboard. And then another, and another, and another. So I went online and ordered what is arguably the most marketed cooling boxer brief in the country: the Duluth Trading Co. Armachillo Cooling Boxer Briefs.
Given that the name literally includes the words Chill and Cooling, I can’t go wrong. Right?
In this Armachillo underwear review, we’re about to find out.
Armachillo Underwear Specs
Duluth Trading Co. deliver high-performance workwear for the job site. Their Armachillo technology—microscopic jade embedded in fabric—is designed to keep you cool, as moisture-wicking fabric weaves keep you dry.
It seems pretty logical that the icons of authentic lumber-sexualism would branch out to an underwear line—especially one like their original Buck Naked.
The Armachillo boxer brief is the next generation of this endeavor, and is designed to keep the man-bits cool and dry wherever you go.
- 91% Nylon / 9% Spandex wicks moisture away from skin
- Armachillo technology uses embedded microscopic jade to cool the skin
- Flat-lock seam stitching eliminates chafing, lumps, and bumps
- Hard-wearing 1.5” wide, brushed waistband
- Designed for a snug, true to size fit that doesn’t steam your dumplings while you work
- Treated to eliminate and resist sweaty sack odor
My Experience With Armachillo Underwear
Fit
I see myself as a bit of a lumberjack. I’ve got the beard. I’ve got the dad bod (my wife said, “more like a grandpa bod.” We’re working it out). At any rate, I’m not the body type for whom “Sports Performance” boxer briefs are made.
I share this information for one reason: fit. The Armachillo boxer brief is suited to my body shape, and with the generous stretch of the fabric, plus the heavy-duty feel of the waistband, everything stayed snug and secure.
Waistband roll-down hasn’t been an issue in my months of test-driving the Armachillo, but pinching was a different story for the first couple of wears.
While I do expect some bunching around the inner thighs on new boxer briefs, it doesn’t mean I’m ok with it. If this was the kind of review where I do math and tally scores (and it’s not) I’d take a point off for the fabric riding up and pinching the fellas as they lay prostrate and vulnerable.
Style
Workmanship on Armachillo’s cooling underwear is executed well—I like the cut and stitching, and the flat profile of the seams.
The color range was fairly standard—neutral Black and Light Gray, Baltic Blue, Blackberry Wine, and Mint Green. The size range was inclusive, catering to the smaller guys and working right through to a 4XL.
Comfort
The nylon / Spandex fabric blend is buttery soft and feels breathable against my skin. That fabric doesn’t extend to the waistband, making it feel a lot more solid and thick than the rest of the underwear, but I appreciated that my underwear were shifting with me, and not up or down me as I worked and y’know, moved around like a human.
The Armachillo boxer brief model is pretty long-legged, which eliminates the ride-up issue shorter underwear styles have. It also reduces chafing if that’s an issue for you. After several months of pretty stringent testing, chafing hasn’t been an issue with this pair.
Cooling
Now for the part we’re all interested in: the microscopic jade in the fabric. Did it work?
In short: heck, yes.
The jade gimmick has been used before, by ExOfficio in their Sol Cool line, but I’m picking that’s because the gimmick works.
These boxer briefs kept the family jewels chillin’ like villains long into muggy afternoons in the outdoors. The nylon / Spandex blend does a solid job of wicking away moisture if things do get a little humid down below.
Armachillo Underwear Price & Warranty
Duluth Trading Co. is home to the No Bull Guarantee—and they back it up. If you don’t like your boxer briefs you can return them for a refund within 12 months. If they’re defective after that, you might still get your money back.
If these weren’t cutting the mustard, I may have traded them in to test drive a pair of the company’s Bull Pen cupping boxer briefs. There’s no separation functionality in the Armachillos, which I can’t help but feel is a real loss of opportunity in this line.
On the topic of the almighty dollar, the Armachillo boxer brief sits at a pretty hefty price point—slightly less than more premium brands like Tommy John, and more than your typical Fruit of the Looms.
Pro Tip: Join the mailing list. You’ll get a heads-up when Duluth put their underwear on sale.
Armachillo Underwear Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Is Armachillo Underwear Worth It?
Armachillo Cooling Boxer Briefs are an upgrade from their predecessor—the Buck Naked—in terms of cooling and workmanship, and offer great moisture-wicking capability. With one of the best guarantees in the underwear industry, why not treat the banana and meat kiwis to some cool and cushy living while you sweat it out on the job site?
No sweat, no bulky seams, no chafing—and the added benefit of knowing my man-pieces are adorned with microscopic semi-precious stones. I’m all for it.
If for no other reason than for Duluth’s witty banter, here’s the pair of boxer briefs I’m talking about.
