10 Best Women’s Underwear for the Summer

Summer is such an awesome time of year. It’s full of sunshine and warmth, which sadly means a sweaty bod. As great as that time of year is, the one thing needed to make life just a little bit better is a great pair of underwear for summer. It ain’t fun when you’re rocking undies that can’t handle the heat.

If you’re thinking “What in the world are underwear for summer?”, I’m here to help! When shopping for quality panties that will keep you comfortable when it’s hot outside, there are a few key things to look out for. Just choosing fashionable underwear won’t cut it - you’ll need some function too!

First of all, you’ll want to consider the type of material your new summer undies are made from. We recommend something that can regulate your temperature and make you feel cool when it’s hot. You’ll also want to look out for the best moisture-wicking fabric so you stay dry as a bone even when the rest of you is sweatin’ up a storm. And last but not least, you’ll want something that controls odor and won’t rub you raw when you’re going about your business.

Peep our ten awesome summer underwear recommendations below! We’ve taken all the hard work out of finding some killer undies so you don’t have to lift a finger. Grab a nice cool beverage and let’s get started!

Here are the best summer underwear for women!

The 10 Best Underwear for the Summer for Women

1. Sexy Basics Women’s Buttery Soft Stretch Mini Bike Short Boxer Briefs

Long legs to stop chafing: When it’s hot outside and you’re active, chaffing can make any movement painful and unbearable. These mini bike short boxer briefs from Sexy Basics rock a longer leg and a more full coverage fit. With these, your legs are covered and painful friction caused by skin to skin contact is significantly reduced. Not only that, but these have a super buttery smooth and stretchy material that seals the deal when it comes to comfort.

As with a lot of stretchy material, a feature that’s meant to provide flexibility and comfort can end up stretching out too large in the long run - and these biker shorts are no exception. Luckily these are sold as a 12-pack so you’ll have biker shorts for days!

2. High Sierra Performance Women’s Bikini Briefs Underwear

Lightweight mesh material that dries quickly: High Sierra knows what’s up when it comes to summer undies for ladies. Their performance bikini briefs guarantee all-day comfort with their moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and anti-odor technology. These panties are a triple whammy! They’re also sewn with flatlock seams and a soft waistband to prevent chafing.

These briefs are made with a lightweight mesh, and a few reviewers have complained that they’re see-through. Mesh material typically is a type of ventilating netting to maximize breathability. If see-through panties are a no-go for you, check out another pair on our summer underwear list!

3. ExOfficio Women’s Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Bikini Brief

The best breathability and odor-control: There is huge hype for these ExOfficio Give-N-Go cotton-blend, mesh bikinis and it’s no surprise why! Skimming through the reviews you find so many positive statements about how well these breathe in the summer, dry quickly and keep women fresh and odor-free throughout the day. They’re great for traveling and active ladies who move a lot throughout their day.

The one negative about these undies from ExOfficio is that they’re a little on the expensive side for only a single pair. With durability and quality people rave about however, you get what you pay for as they say.

4. New Balance Women's Premium Performance Thong

Stretchy performance odor control: New Balance took the breathability and odor-controlling traits of cotton and combined it with the stretchy sport performance feel of polyester and spandex. It’s a win-win! Designed with a seamless side construction, these are also extremely comfortable and durable. You’ll love how cooling, drying and comfy these premium performance panties feel on your backside in the summer.

Although these boast a no-side seam design, the seams that are on the waistband run a bit thicker, and the waistband itself is also on the thicker side compared to other styles. With a thick waistband and seam, it may feel irritating to some women.

5. Amazon Brand Mae Women's Airy Thong

Lightweight material that won’t weigh you down: Amazon’s Mae airy thongs are made to be super lightweight and breathable so it feels like you’re wearing nothing throughout your day. The thong fit and thin polyester elastane blend are perfect to wear under tight clothing and won’t give you a visible panty line. They’re super soft, super comfortable and won’t make you feel hot and heavy in the summer.

For how lightweight these are, they do boast a large tag that disagrees with many. It’s super annoying having to do it yourself, but if you like everything else about these thongs, carefully cutting out the tag may be your answer.

6. Balanced Tech Women's Seamless Hipster Brief Bikini Panties

Moisture-wicking for a great price: Avoid paying more for great active performance moisture-wicking fabric with these briefs from Balanced Tech. These seamless hipsters wick moisture away as well as the name brands. They’re also odor resistant so you feel dry and odor-free all day. The tag-less and no-seam design reduces chafing and won’t show a panty line when you’re rocking your favorite pair of leggings. These are perfect for women looking for a good pair of summer panties.

If you’ve purchased from Balanced Tech before, it appears that they’ve changed their sizing from their older styles. Reviewers share that their undies don’t fit the same way they used to. Reading through the reviews and carefully looking over the sizing chart should help you find the size that works best for you!

7. Amazon Essentials Women's Cotton Stretch Bikini Panty

Reduce overheating and odor: Amazon’s essential stretch bikinis are made with cotton to keep you cool and well ventilated. The cotton material allows you to breathe and stay dry without overheating. Cotton is the best at eliminating odor after all! These are also made to have tagless comfort and a stretchy waistband. For my budget shoppers out there, this should be your go-to staple for your summer wardrobe.

Since these are a bit of a budget buy, they may not stand up to the test of time like other brands. You can prolong the life of your cotton panties by washing and drying on a delicate cycle.

8. Hanes X-Temp Comfort Women's Microfiber Briefs

Stretchability that won’t make you hot: Hanes prides itself on their X-Temp microfiber briefs. They’re great at adapting to your body’s temperature and activity to keep you cool when you’re at your hottest. They wick away moisture and they won’t stay wet throughout the day. Not only that, but these are made to be super flexible, stretchy and comfortable to keep up with your active lifestyle. And best of all, these microfiber panties are super soft!

As can sadly happen with many undies out there, these sometimes unravel or start to get holes near the waistband. It seems not to be an issue with every pair of Hanes X-temp briefs, but rather a few defective pairs here and there.

9. Areke Women’s Seamless Bikini Underwear or Cheekini Hipster Briefs

Anti-chafing and anti-rub even in the heat: Areke takes all of the necessary ingredients to craft an anti-chafing pair of underwear like moisture-wicking, seamless construction, and quick-drying to ensure you don’t end up with irritated skin by the end of the day! They’re also super stretchy to best fit your body’s curves and not cause you to bind up when moving around.

Although these are seamless, they’re not completely no show as you may expect. We don’t recommend these panties to be worn with leggings or tight clothing.

10. Boody Boody EcoWear Women's Classic Bikini - Sporty Cooling Underwear

Eco-friendly and cooling bamboo: Bamboo undies are all the rage right now and these Boody Body classic bikinis are a popular choice! Not only will you be rocking a greener pair of panties, but they’ll keep you cool during the hot summer. Bamboo is known to be ultra-breathable, quick-drying and moisture-wicking without irritating the most sensitive of skin. These features will also guarantee that odor doesn't become an issue for you once it starts getting hot outside.

Reviewers warn that these particular bamboo undies run a little bit smaller than standard sizing. Check out the size chart and consider sizing up if you’re worried about the fit.

Best Summer Underwear for Women: Buying Guide

Best Fabric for Summer Underwear

Did you know that there’s actually underwear out there that can lower your body temperature by a few degrees?! Just by using the correct blend of natural and synthetic fibers, designers have figured out how to deliver breathability, quick-drying and heat-absorbing features into a single pair of underwear. That’s pretty impressive if you ask me!

For women, one of the best things we can do for our lady parts is to wear undies with a little bit of natural fiber in them. It helps everything to breathe and stay nice and cool. Cotton, linen, and bamboo are all great options to consider in the summer.

Best Moisture Wicking Summer Underwear

I don’t know about you but I hate sweaty cheeks. Once undies get wet it’s just so hard for them to fully dry out. Prevent sweaty panties altogether with a solid pair made to pull moisture away from your skin. The best of the best will not only wick away moisture, but it will also bring it to the top so it can evaporate quickly and efficiently.

Moisture-wicking underwear isn’t just great for the summer heat, they’re also extremely necessary for when hitting the gym or getting active. I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that dry undies are better than sweaty undies.

Best Odor Blocking Underwear for The Summer

With the heat comes sweat and pesky body odor. We’ve all been there. But we don’t have to accept sweaty summer stink! There are tons of underwear out there that kill disgusting bacteria before it builds up where we don’t want it to build up. By choosing a fabric that’s antimicrobial, you can stop odor-causing bacteria before it gets out of control.

Another thing to look out for when shopping for odor stopping underwear, is something that’s made with natural fibers. Whether it’s a pair of undies that are 100% bamboo or something that’s blended with natural and synthetic materials, they’ll keep you fresh as a daisy during the summer.

Best Anti-Chafing Summer Underwear

Have you ever felt the sting of summer chafing? It’s not great. By choosing the right cut, fit and style of your undies, you can help prevent and reduce painful rubbing and chafing.

Undies that have a more full coverage fit will probably be your best bet at eliminating chafing. Another pro of full coverage options is the shapewear aspect they bring to the table. They can help smooth out your tummy and thighs while protecting your legs from heat rash. Something with long legs and smooth fabric should do the trick!