If you’re like most people, you probably don’t put that much thought into which pair of underwear you choose for a plane ride. But maybe you should. After all, travelling is uncomfortable enough to begin with, so make your life easier by choosing a comfortable and breathable pair of underwear.
When travelling, you should focus on more than just comfort in a pair of underwear. Also consider breathability, as well as how well the underwear will fight off odors and wick moisture when you start to sweat.
This guide will walk you through some of the best travel underwear out there. Everyone has their own shape and size, so we tried to include underwear that reflect this. Also keep in mind that not every trip is the same, so you should have a mix of different pairs depending on what you plan on doing as you travel.
We also know that there are quite a few good pairs of underwear out there not on this list. Although we love all of the pairs reviewed here, you can also use this guide to go out and find great travel underwear on your own.
Best Travel Underwear for Men
Private Luxury: Smartwool are known for making some of the best performance underwear. Although these briefs are great for just about any occasion, the snug, cozy fit and anti odor properties make them an excellent pair for travelling.
The briefs are 87% merino wool and 13% nylon, giving them a soft, natural feel on your skin. These briefs become a second skin, fitting comfortably when worn for long periods. They have a tight but forgiving build that won’t ride up when you sit or move around.
What really makes the Smartwool a great choice for travellers is the anti odor properties of the wool. You’ll only smell a bit worse when you get off the plane than went you got on. And since they fight off bacteria, they can be worn a second time if you run out of clean pairs.
Although they don’t dry quite as quickly as all synthetic underwear, the Smartwool briefs should dry fairly much faster than cotton underwear. You can wash them at night and expect them to be ready to go in the morning.
The main downside to using the Smartwool briefs for travelling is that they aren’t the best choice for hot climates. The wool does a great job of wicking moisture, but it may struggle to keep up if you’re trekking through a hot and humid area. They’re also a bit more expensive than other pairs, so you may only want to buy a pair or two.
The Wool Package: Simple underwear are often the best when it comes to travel. And simplicity is what Woolly does best. These underwear, with options for both men and women, are great staples for any trip. They’re a no frills pair that’s comfortable and lightweight, and they do an excellent job of fighting odors.
Made entirely of merino wool, with the exception of an elastane band, the Woolly underwear have great natural anti odor and anti bacterial properties. You won’t be turning any heads as you pass down the aisle, and you’ll still smell fresh- or at least fresher- after a day of moving around and exploring.
The main downside to the Woolly underwear is that the durability leaves a bit to be desired. These aren’t underwear that are going to last as long as some expensive pairs. But for the price, you’re still getting a good deal, and they’re a great affordable pair that you can buy a lot of before you travel.
The Woolly, although lightweight, are a bit heavier than some of the synthetic pairs reviewed here. If you’re mainly just sitting on a plane or travelling during the winter, then they’re a great option. But if you’re travelling around a hot and humid city, they may get a bit too hot.
Let Those Bad Boys Breathe: People always tell you to travel light. With the Lapasa, that’s easier than ever. This is a no frills synthetic pair of underwear that won’t hold you back on the road.
Made almost entirely of nylon, the Lapasa briefs are thin and breathable, giving you plenty of ventilation as you travel. They’re also quite lightweight, so they won’t get in your way or scrunch up when you sit down.
The Lapasa have a nice fit that accommodates your nether regions, stretching and moving along with you. They don’t ride up or bunch, so you won’t have to awkwardly reach down to unscrunch your underwear while the person in the seat next to you tries to look away.
What really makes the Lapasa underwear stand out is the quick drying material. If you’re moving around the city on a hot day, they do a great job of wicking moisture and quickly drying out. When you’re on the road, you can wash them, hang them up, and have them ready to go in the morning.
The Lapasa are also one of the best values you’ll find for travel underwear. They’re more affordable than wool pairs, so you can buy a few before your trip and be set. The one downside of this is that they wear out fairly quickly, so don’t expect these to last you as long as high end pairs.
This Time, That Smell Isn’t You: These underwear are a favorite of budget travellers, with a lightweight build that does a great job of wicking moisture. There’s not much to get excited about with the ExOfficio, and that’s not a bad thing. They’re a simple pair that you won’t have to think much about. Just throw them in your bag and go.
Made mostly of light nylon fabric, these briefs do a great job of airing out the basement. They wick moisture about as well as any of the pairs reviewed here, so they’re a great option if you’re travelling in hot and sweaty areas. Since they dry quickly, you can wash and hang dry them and have them ready for the next day’s adventure.
They also use antimicrobial fabrics to prevent bacteria from building up. We’re not exactly sure how this works, but we do know that it’s effective. You probably still won’t smell great after a long day of travelling, but you’ll smell much fresher than if you were wearing a pair of cotton briefs. If you need to, you can rewear a pair without too much shame, although we still recommend a quick wash.
Just don’t expect luxury with the ExOfficio underwear. They’re meant for travellers, not for kings, so you won’t feel like you’re sitting on a velvet cushion. They also wear out a bit faster than we would like. Fortunately, they’re affordable, so grab as many pairs as you need for your trip.
Saxx Me Up: Saxx is one of the most successful in a new wave of companies offering high end performance briefs. They’re a bit pricey, which puts some buyers off. But if you’re willing to splurge a little, you’ll get one of the most comfortable pairs of underwear out there.
What sets Saxx underwear apart is the fit. They hold tight to your skin, which helps them wick moisture and keep you dry. But despite this tight fit, they don’t constrict, and they give you plenty of room for your carry on. They also don’t roll up, keeping everything just where it should be.
The Saxx aren’t designed as travel briefs per se, although they do meet just about all the criteria you’d want in a pair built for the road. They’re lightweight and comfortable, while still offering plenty of breathability. They don’t do quite as well with odor as some of the other pairs reviewed here, although they’re much better than cotton briefs.
Saxx underwear aren’t quick dry either, although they should dry faster than your standard cotton briefs. If you wash them at night, you might need around 12 hours for them to fully dry.
If you’re looking for a great all around pair of briefs, then the Saxx are a great option. They’re a versatile pair that you can wear while doing just about anything. And if colors and patterns are your thing, you’ll find dozens of different briefs so that you can mix it up.
Best Travel Underwear for Women
Like the ExOfficio briefs for men, these underwear offer a great mix of value and comfort. They’re not exactly a luxury good, but that shouldn’t worry you when you’re out on the road.
The bikini briefs are built mainly from nylon, giving them great ventilation. You won’t get sweaty during long days of exploration or while sitting on the plane. The light build also keeps them from rubbing and chaffing against your skin, so you won’t have any unseamly rashes at the end of the day.
Like any good pair of travel underwear, these do an excellent job of controlling odor. They have built in anti bacterial properties, keeping you smelling fresh even on hot and sweaty days. Plus, you can wear them on consecutive days if your underwear stocks are running low.
The ExOfficio bikini briefs dry quickly, so they are great for summer travelling. You can clean them at night and have a dry pair of underwear in the morning as well, so you’ll be able to pack lighter than usual.
The only real downside to these briefs is the build quality. They feel great, but they don’t always last long. To be fair, that’s to be expected given the price point, so you’re still getting your money’s worth. Just make sure to buy a few extra pairs in case they start to wear out.
Ice Ice Lady: The Icebreaker siren thong has a fitted feel to them, so they map the contours of your body as you move. The wool feels great on your skin, and you’ll still get enough air to prevent moisture and odors from building up. They are a bit tight, so if you like a looser pair, then you may want to choose a size up.
Like other great pairs of travel underwear, these dry quickly, making them perfect for long trips. They can be worn in humid climates, and you can wash them out at the end of the day to have them ready to go the next morning. Although we don’t recommend packing just one pair for your trip, you could probably get away with it with these.
The merino construction gives the underwear natural antibacterial properties, helping them fight off odors. No, you’re not going to smell like a fresh spring at the end of the day. But you’ll still be fit for human company, which is a lot better than you’d get with most pairs of cotton underwear.
Do note that this is a thong, so don’t expect the same level of comfort that you’ll get from some of the other pairs reviewed here. You might experience some riding up too, although the material does a good job of staying in place most of the time.
This is one of the best values you’ll find for a quality travel thong, and you can expect a full day of comfort without too much sweat or bunching. Plus, you’ll save a lot of space in your bag on your next trip.
Breathe Easy: Under Armour is known for making some of the best performance underwear out there. Although designed with athletes in mind, this pair is great for travellers as well. They breathe easily, helping air out your nethers. And they feature soft nylon material that won’t leave marks after long days.
Since these underwear for built to handle sweat, you won’t have to worry about swamp ass on the plane or while moving around. The nylon feels great on your skin, and you won’t notice that you’re wearing anything most of the time.
Plus, you get three pairs in the basic pack, so you’ll have enough to tide you over for short trips. This makes them one of the best deals you can find for a pair of quality underwear.
The biggest drawback is that some people have fit issues with the Under Armour. It’s a bit hit and miss, with some people reporting that the underwear fit them like a glove, whereas others complain that the fabric bunches up. They also don’t have an elastic waistband, so you should make sure you order the right size, otherwise they will sag.
The Smart Choice: Smartwool make some of the best performance undergarments you can find. Although known mainly for their men’s briefs, they also make a range of excellent bikini briefs, including this pair. You’ll get hours of soft, wool covered comfort, as well as great breathability and anti odor protection.
The merino wool construction uses varied knit textures, which increases the amount of air that reaches your crotch. Although this doesn’t sound pretty, it means that you won’t have as much sweat buildup, and you also won’t heat up throughout the day.
They feature a fairly wide elastic band that gives your a comfortable, tight fit without too much squeeze. Everything stays where it should, so you shouldn’t have to worry about the underwear riding up your ass.
The wool also dries quickly, which makes the pair great for wicking moisture as you move around. If you need to wash them, just hang them up and they’ll be dry in a few hours.
The only real downside to the Smartwool bikini briefs is the price. The pair will cost you a fair penny, so you may want to mix in some lower cost underwear to round out your travel collection. But given the quality and comfort, you’ll be happy that you bought at least one pair.
A Brief Stay: Carrying around a bag of dirty underwear isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. So why worry about washing your underwear? With the Underworks, just wear, take off, and throw away. This pair of underwear isn’t going to win any awards for its comfort, but it’s a great option for travelers who want to pack lightly.
The briefs are made entirely out of cotton. Although we don’t usually recommend cotton for travel, these are pretty thin, helping circulate air and prevent overheating. They do a decent job of wicking moisture as well, although you might start to get a bit swampy by the end of the day.
The fit on the underwear is much better than you would expect from a disposable pair. They won’t ride up much, and they feel soft throughout the day. You won’t want to write home about it, but overall wearing the underwear is a pleasant experience.
The biggest draw to this pair of underwear is the convenience. Worried about carrying around a week’s worth of dirty underwear? Then just throw each pair away when you’re done. It’s not a great long term solution, but it works well when you’re on short, active trips where doing laundry isn’t an option.
Best Travel Underwear: Buying Guide
The right pair of travel underwear is all about going the distance. Your favorite pair of soft briefs may be great for work, but can turn into an itchy, swampy mess on a plane. You’ll also be moving around a lot more when you travel, so you need underwear that won’t put your nether regions in a vice grip.
Breathable Travel Underwear
Nothing taints a plane ride more than an itchy taint. Look for underwear that are built to breathe, allowing air to circulate.
Cotton underwear, while soft, tends to trap moisture. They may be comfortable for an hour or two, but then they turn into a sweaty mess.
Wool and synthetic materials will do a better job with ventilation, which will prevent moisture buildup and keep you at a comfortable temperature. More air also means less odor, keeping you fresher for longer.
Moisture Wicking Travel Underwear
There’s nothing worse than running out of underwear on the road. You never know when you’ll need to wash a pair to wear the next day, so try to find underwear that will dry quickly.
In general, synthetic materials will dry much faster than cotton, which can take a full day to dry out. This will make it easier to pack light, as you can wash your underwear on the go without having to wait for them to dry.
Odor Eliminating Travel Underwear
You won’t want to be the smelly person on the plane or bus. Choose a pair of underwear that has anti odor properties so that you’ll still smell civilized when you get off the plane.
There are a number of pairs of travel underwear that have built in anti bacterial layers, so that you can wear them for long periods without a noticeable stench. You may also be able to wear them a few times, allowing you to pack light.
Lightweight Travel Underwear
When your travelling, you want to carry as little weight as possible. Thin underwear is best for long flights and days moving around. You can also stuff more pairs into your bag, so you won’t run out of fresh underwear during your trip.
Most Comfortable Travel Underwear
You don’t want to sit on the plane with a pair of underwear riding up your ass. A good pair of travel underwear provides a nice cushion as you sit, but is still thin and light enough to let you move around freely.
If you’re planning an active trip, make sure you bring pairs of underwear that make it easy to move around. Breathability and a good fit are key here, as you don’t want your underwear to start bunching
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