Boxers and briefs bring their own bag of benefits to the underwear table. You may have a personal preference formed already. But perhaps it’s time to explore other options.
Before deciding on any kind of underwear to wear, you should consider a few things.
How snug do you want your drawers to be?
Is there a certain length you’re more comfortable with?
What kind of activities will you be engaged in during the day?
How will you look in your underwear without your pants on?
You also need to take into account your body type. Proportions matter. So you want to pick a style that flatters your frame the most.
Are you tall and skinny or short and portly? Do you have a flat tummy or a Buddha belly? Do you have thunder thighs or chicken legs?
These things must be considered. Knowing your lifestyle and body type go a long way in helping you pick the perfect pair of underwear.
Whether you decide to rock boxers or briefs is entirely up to you. It’s your body. This guide is designed to help you weigh the pros and cons of boxers and briefs so you can pick the perfect undy to fit your taste and lifestyle.
Boxers vs. Briefs
Briefs
Although briefs aren’t the easiest style to pull off, unless you have the body of an Adonis, they are practical. Many fellas own a pair because they are so comfortable.
Plus, you can wear them with practically any type of clothing. Briefs can be worn under a variety of garments from workout clothes to a tux. Speaking of variety, briefs come in a ton of designs, rises, and styles.
Even though they’re short on length, they offer plenty of coverage for the backside and package. Also, they’re great at providing the lift and support needed. Briefs keep everything in its right place without feeling constrictive.
Another perk is that they reduce chafing. But they can turn up the heat and lead to the type of damp environment that bacteria love. Too much moisture can trigger jock itch.
This is why moisture-wicking materials made using synthetic fabric is a key feature to have in your briefs. After exercising get out of your undies and hit the shower.
After you dry off put your socks on before donning a fresh pair of briefs. This will prevent fungus from athlete’s foot from transferring to your package when you pull up your drawers.
Boxers
Boxers look like shorts and can make the lower body look bigger. This can be good news for a skinny guy looking to beef up his below the belt proportions. Guys with a tummy that’s on the larger side can also benefit from this optical illusion.
Unlike briefs, boxers don’t give you as much support because they are more loose-fitting. On the other hand, all of that looseness makes boxers the most breathable underwear option for guys.
In addition to giving you greater airflow they offer freedom of movement that you won’t get with a brief. But, this doesn’t make them an ideal option for working out.
When you’re active and playing sports boxers can create friction which leads to chafing. And no guy wants that.
But like briefs, they do come in a wide range of styles, colors, and cuts. Plus, at a longer length they provide more thigh coverage. They also protect your package from zipper accidents.
There are three other major ways in which boxers differ from briefs. Let’s talk about the difference in how functional, supportive, and versatile they each are.
Functionality
When you think about underwear’s functionality you want to consider how well they keep everything in place and how well they keep things covered.
It’s important that your johnson not make any public appearances. Your underwear should shield your privates and offer adequate protection at the same time.
The great thing about briefs is that you don’t have to worry about exposing yourself. But they don’t give you much inner thigh coverage. This could create problems with chafing as you start moving around.
On the other hand, boxers give you plenty of inner thigh coverage. But if you happen to wear them with loose shorts while doing sit-ups at the gym you may give a few people a view they never expected to see.
Support
Feeling comfortable is one thing. Feeling secure is another. You want to feel relaxed and confident knowing that your twig and berries are getting the necessary support as you go about your day.
When it comes to offering great support briefs reign supreme. Higher quality briefs will also give you better freedom of movement.
Boxers also offer great freedom of movement. But they are seriously lacking in the support department.
Versatility
Boxers are incredibly versatile. With air pockets they can somewhat pass for shorts. Don’t be surprised if your girlfriend steals a pair to wear under her shorter, flowy skirts.
Another perk is that they offer your inner thighs protection during colder months.
Unfortunately, briefs don’t offer much in the way of being versatile. What you see is what you get. No one would ever mistake your tighty whities for some other form of clothing.
Whether you decide to wear boxers or briefs, there are certain features you should consider so you can make the best purchase for your body and lifestyle.
Choose the Best Material
The right material can make you feel like a million bucks. But the wrong material can make you regret the day underwear was invented.
If you’re an active guy who likes to hit the gym, stick to newer synthetic blends. They’re a better option than cotton.
Technology has evolved to improve the quality of material that undies are made of. Moisture-wicking underwear will help you stay dry so you avoid a buildup of sweat which leads to odor.
Synthetic material will also offer you more flexibility and support. It’s also a good option if you want to avoid chafing and skin irritation.
But if you don’t like the idea of using synthetic material, you can try out wool. Believe it or not wool can be a great option for gym rats. The material is natural and has anti-odor and moisture-wicking properties.
So you’ll stay dry and fresh while you’re hitting the weights. When used in underwear, merino wool isn’t scratchy and annoying.
Otherwise, no one would buy undies made with it. On the other hand, people who suffer from eczema or atopic dermatitis may find the fibers in wool to be irritating.
If you have sensitive skin that is easily irritated make sure that you choose soft, breathable fabric. Silk is luxuriously soft but it’s certainly not gym-friendly. Save it for days when you’ll be less active.
Let the Boys Breathe
You may have heard that tighter underwear can cause fertility issues. So is it true or not? Over the years there have been several studies that have found that rising temperatures can reduce sperm count.
One study in 1990 followed two groups of men for several months. One group started out wearing boxers and later switched to briefs.
The other group started out wearing tight undies and later switched to boxers. What were the results?
Every participant saw his semen count drop off when wearing tight drawers. Several years later a similar study was conducted by a different group of researchers.
The same conclusion was reached. Wearing tight underwear can cause the testes to overheat and lower sperm count.
To get the testes to make a sufficient amount of sperm, their temperature must be lower than the core body temperature. But this doesn’t mean you should never wear briefs.
Most men don’t have issues with fertility. Yet, if you do you can go to your doctor and have a sperm test done. It will give you a better idea if your underwear is having a negative effect on your body.
Stay Clean and Healthy
Being clean and healthy will never go out of style. If you prefer tighter underwear options such as briefs you know how quickly the temps can rise in the land down under.
Fungus loves hot, sweaty environments. Adding heat and moisture to a tightly contained area that lacks breathability can lead to infectious skin issues such as jock itch.
Briefs may reduce chafing, but they might not be the best option for everyday wear. Rotate them with other underwear options. Also, buy briefs that have moisture-wicking properties so your crotch doesn’t feel like a jungle.
Switch Things Up
You may find that you’re drawn to both boxers and briefs for different reasons. It’s actually a good idea to switch things up.
Who says you have to be married to one type of underwear? Have fun. Play around with different options. The sky's the limit.
You have your pick of different cuts, colors, materials, and styles. Regardless of the style of underwear you choose, be mindful about keeping your drawers clean.
Switch out old pairs and any that are past their prime. You know the ones. If they’re ripped or stained they’ve got to go.
Boxer Briefs: The Best of Both Worlds
Want the comfort of briefs with the coverage and room of boxers?
A lot of guys wear boxer briefs as a happy medium. That way you don't have to decide between boxers or briefs. You can get the best of both worlds.
Boxer briefs generally have a more snug fit than boxers, but they don't constrict you as much as traditional briefs. Plus, they come in a few different lengnths. The average length will give your legs some coverage and also make them roomy enough so that your boys can breathe.
Plus, some boxer briefs comes with a pouch for your balls so they get proper air circulation (to prevent sweat and bacteria from building up down there).
Boxers or Briefs: Which Should You Choose?
Ultimately the decision is yours. If you favor comfort over everything and don't want things swinging around thoughout the day, briefs could be a good choice.
On the other hand, if you're a heavy sweater, or you're concerned about fertility, boxers will give you the freedom you need.
And then of course, there's the trusted boxer brief which is a great in-between.
