7 Best Men’s Antimicrobial & Antibacterial Underwear

No one wants to talk about it, but we all know it's true. The male anatomy has some interesting quirks, and most of them are down between our legs. With all those dangling bits, it's a breeding ground for bacteria. Just add sweat, and you have a perfect recipe for some funky smelling underwear.

No one likes to think that they stink. So antimicrobial underwear can be a lifeline for men who exercise, or just guys who sweat a lot. By hindering the breeding of bacteria in your dude places, antimicrobial underwear can make a huge difference to your comfort and hygiene.

Here are some of the best antimicrobial underwear you can buy.

Top 7 Best Antimicrobial Underwear for Men

Marc Bishop Men's Boxer Briefs Luxury Performance Antimicrobial No Fly Mens Underwear

Pro: Extremely soft and comfortable.
Con: Sizes run a little small.

Secret Agent Underwear: With its all-black styling and discrete label, these boxer briefs look like the underwear James Bond probably wears. Marc Bishop is trying to bring a little luxury to the underwear game, and as soon as you touch the fabric of this underwear, you'll see the difference. The 92% Modal/8% spandex blend feels like heaven against your skin, and these tightfitting boxer briefs provide excellent support. This underwear feels as good as it looks.

The shorts are designed to be snug, but you may find them little too snug. You may even need to go up from your regular size. But this underwear is worth it. It can stand up to even strenuous exercise, and the antimicrobial properties of the fabric help to reduce any potential odor while the shorts wick moisture away. They also stand up to repeated washing, so this is underwear that should last you a long time. All in all, it's difficult to find anything bad to say about it.

Clevedaur Mens Antimicrobial Micro Modal Underwear

Pro: Soft and comfortable fabric.
Con: Waistband tends to roll.

Second Skin Comfort: Made of a Modal/spandex blend, there's no question that these are some comfortable undies. The manufacturer touts the fact that these shorts are made from European Beechwood, which doesn't sound comfortable. But they are. In fact, the lightweight material is positively luxurious.

Adding to the comfort is the fact that this underwear is tagless, so you don't need to worry about chafing or irritation of your skin. And the fabric dries fast, which makes this underwear suitable for use during exercise or on the hottest of summer days.

This underwear comes either with or without a fly, depending on your preference. It also features a seamless design for added comfort. If you're looking for underwear that can stand up to rigorous exercise, this might be just the thing.

It's not perfect, however. The elasticated waistband is a little on the narrow side, so if you bend at the waist a lot, you may find the waistband starts to roll. You don't want to be that guy who's continually adjusting his underwear, so it's something to consider if you're thinking of buying these trunks.

Ejis Men’s Underwear Sweat Proof Boxer Briefs

Pro: No more embarrassing sweat marks.
Con: Tend to slip down in the back.

Banish Sweat Stains: These boxes come with a sweat proof layer to protect your pants. No one likes to talk about butt sweat, but let's be honest: it's a fact of life. Anyone who's worn light colored pants on a warm day knows the embarrassment of having their sweat show through their pants. These undies claim to eliminate that, so for that alone, they're worth recommending.

Of course, this underwear wouldn't even make this list if it didn't offer antimicrobial properties. The fabric of the underwear is infused with silver, so you can be known as the man with the silver crotch. Silver ions destroy the outer membrane of bacteria, stopping them from multiplying and creating the funky smell of dirty underwear.
The waterproof layer does a great job of protecting your pants from sweat. However, the sweat has to go somewhere. In this case, it stays inside. It's not the most comfortable sensation walking around with damp underwear. But at least it saves you some embarrassment.

Also, these boxers are cut low in the back, with the result that they may slip down if you bend over. So while they'll spare you the shame of having sweat patches visible on your pants, they could give you a serious case of plumber's crack.

Natural Feelings Mens Boxer Briefs Anti-Microbial Classic Cotton Men's Underwear

Pro: Well-constructed for durability.
Con: May fit a little loose.

Daily Driver: The brightly colored logo in the waistband of this underwear will make you easy to find if you happen to get caught in a blizzard in just your briefs. The waistband is wide for a comfortable fit, and extended legs are designed not to ride up during wear. The best underwear makes you forget you're wearing it at all, and this Natural Feelings offering comes close to that goal.

Unlike many other modern skivvies, these briefs aren't made from some unpronounceable space-age fabric. They're mostly good old-fashioned cotton, with 5% spandex mixed in there to help them fit a little closer. Although these boxes do have seams, they're still a very comfortable option.

If you're looking for simple, no-nonsense underwear, these fit the bill. But be aware that some people find they fit a little loose. If you're looking for something to wear while you engage in strenuous physical activity, you might want something that offers a little more support. However, for everyday use, these Natural Feelings boxer briefs should be more than comfortable enough.

99extra Underwear, Men's Bamboo Fiber Antimicrobial Boxer Briefs

Pro: Natural antimicrobial properties.
Con: Thin material may not last long.

Light and Breezy: If you've never tucked your boys into panda's dinner, now is your chance. The bamboo fiber in these boxer briefs feels a lot like any other material. In fact, this underwear is wonderfully soft to the touch, making it very comfortable to wear. But bamboo has natural antimicrobial properties. Unlike some other antimicrobial underwear that uses chemicals that are worryingly near to your family jewels, 99 extra take a more natural approach.

The bamboo fiber is also supposed to help keep you cool. Thanks to the many microscopic pores in the fabric, this underwear does an excellent job of wicking away sweat and battling the heat. Comfort is one of the major considerations when choosing underwear, and these boxers score high points in that respect.

Where they fall down is in durability. The fabric is very thin, which is great for keeping you cool but not so great for longevity. Also, these boxers are more high maintenance than other products. They need to be washed on a delicate cycle and air dried if possible, so the whole neighborhood will be seeing your drawers.

ExOfficio Mens Give-N-Go Boxer

Pro: Can be washed in a hotel sink, making them great for travel.
Con: Waistband elastic is inconsistent.

Have Underwear, Will Travel: These 94% nylon boxers are designed to be as low-maintenance as possible. Unlike finicky bamboo, they will stand up to a regular wash cycle. The manufacturer suggests you only need two pairs for any trip you go on; one to wear, and another to wash for the following day. Think of the money you'll save in baggage charges.

The ExOfficio underwear is treated with an anti-microbial treatment to reduce odor and keep things fresh down there. The quick-drying fabric not only makes them easy to wash in a hotel room sink but also helps to keep you dry while you're wearing the shorts. And this underwear will last and last. If anything, they may last a little bit too long. You don't want to be wearing underwear that's a decade old, even if it lasts that long.

The main problem with this underwear is the elasticated waistband. The strength of the elastic seems to vary from one pair to another, with some being overly tight and unyielding, and others being too loose. Perhaps it depends which batch you get, but when you're spending a decent amount of money on your skivvies, you want to make sure they fit correctly.

Woolly Clothing Men's Merino Wool Boxer Brief

Pro: Excellent moisture waking and antimicrobial protection.
Con: Poor durability.

Great, but Flawed: Is there anything merino wool can't do? Not if you listen to those whose job it is to sell the stuff around the world. If the thought of wool underwear conjures up images of baggy, itchy, uncomfortable clothing, think again. Harvested from rugged Australian sheep, merino wool is itch free, wicks moisture and, best of all, has natural antimicrobial properties to keep your undercarriage flora and fauna in check. It's also fire resistant, in case that's a factor in your underwear buying decision.

With flatlock seams and no internal tags, this is comfortable underwear. And the antimicrobial and moisture wicking properties are great at preventing a serious case of swamp balls. If you live in a hot climate or exercise frequently, these could be a great addition to your underwear drawer.

However, these boxers have serious durability issues. After a few cycles through the washer, the fabric can start to develop holes. It's a shame, because otherwise, it's a great product. But if you're not going to get more than a couple of months wear out of it, it's difficult to justify the purchase price.

Best Antimicrobial Underwear Buying Guide

Comfort

The standard by which all underwear must be judged. How do they fit? How do they feel? Do they pinch? Do they sag? It doesn’t matter what kind of space age antibacterial properties your underwear has if it’s too uncomfortable to wear.

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Style

With you smelling so fresh and all, chances are higher that somebody's going to want to take your clothes off. While comfort comes first, it doesn't hurt to have some underwear that looks decent. And different styles of underwear are better suited to different activities. You don't want to go for a run in a baggy pair of boxers, and you may not feel comfortable sitting in the office all day in a pair of tightfitting briefs.

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Antimicrobial Material

Different manufacturers approach the problem of underwear microbes in different ways. Some treat the fabric of the underwear with special chemicals to retard bacterial growth. Others use materials that have natural antimicrobial properties, such as merino wool or bamboo. If you're trying to reduce the amount of chemicals your boys are exposed to, it might be a good idea to think about the more natural solutions.

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Price

Don’t cheap out. Good underwear is worth its weight in gold. But spending more doesn’t guarantee a better product. Make sure that you’re getting value for money.

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About the author

Kelsey Summers

Kelsey is the lead editor of Undywear.com. She's a fashionista who's written for Glamour, GQ and others. She enjoys breaking the stigma and taboo around underwear and writing about all things fashion.