What’s the best underwear for sleeping? Should you wear boxers, briefs or go commando? It’s a well-debated topic, which can trigger as many strong opinions as whether or not you should put pineapples on a pizza.
Some people prefer briefs, because of the better support. It’s like tucking in your boys in a snug, warm blanket.
Others prefer sleeping in boxers, because of the comfort. Nothing like going home after a long day, taking off all your clothes, and slipping into the softest pair of boxers you own.
Some of them are so airy that you feel like you’re not wearing anything. It’s the next best thing to walking around naked, but you won’t shock your neighbors.
But beyond personal preference, is there scientific evidence that sleeping in boxers is better?
The Pros of Sleeping in Boxers
1. Loose boxers are better for your fertility
Yes. The New Yorker cites several research that wearing snug underwear the whole day can lower your sperm production. It has to do with the temperature. The tighter the fit, the hotter it gets—and not in a good way.
Harvard researcher Dr. Jorge Chavarro explains that there’s a real evolutionary reason why testicles dangle below the torso.
It’s cooler down there than the rest of the body (approximately by 6 degrees). That’s just the right temperature for your love spuds to produce more sperm and ensure the continuity of the human race.
Tight underwear—or tight-fitting clothes, for that matter—supposedly disrupts this natural cooling mechanism.
Best Underwear to Keep Testicles Cool
2. You won’t get skin irritation
Even if you’re not planning to have babies any time soon, boxers are still the healthier bet, at least for your skin.
Tight underwear can chafe and rub against your skin which can lead to irritation, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or skin darkening.
Check out our guide to the best underwear for sensitive skin if your undies have been causing you irritation.
3. You avoid jock itch
Bacteria and fungus love moist, hot environments—and unfortunately, that can happen when you’re wearing tight underwear to bed.
That can lead to tina cruris, or in layman’s terms, jock itch. It gets its name because it happens a lot to athletes, who sweat profusely while wearing very tight support underwear.
You may not be able to avoid that in the gym, but when you go to bed, at least give the boys a chance to breathe. Boxers are cooler and looser, and you can get ones in a hypoallergenic fabric that won’t cause further skin irritation.
Best Underwear for Jock Itch
4. Flattering and comfortable for all figures
Boxers are also the most forgiving of all underwear shapes. Whether you’ve got a beer belly or chicken thighs, you can slip them on and voila—nobody can tell.
It’s good for your confidence, and also more convenient to buy. Even if you order boxers online, you’re pretty sure that as long as you get the right size, they’ll fit perfectly.
For briefs, they may fit but feel snug in some areas. Not a feeling you want to have, and especially when you’re going to go to bed.
5. Women think boxers are sexy
Move over, thongs—a GQ survey found that 54% of women thought boxers and boxer’s briefs were the sexiest men’s underwear.
They felt it made men look more muscular, and had a more modern and relaxed style. “Classic, but not his dad’s underwear,” said one survey respondent.
Material, fit and design were important. Even if you wear boxers, pick one that’s not too long, loose and baggy. Some women actually said they prefer them shorter. “I want to see as much quad as possible when undressing my guy,” said one woman.
Boxer briefs were also a top favorite for sexy bedroom wear, thanks in part to the hot Calvin Klein commercials and the fact that they can make your butt look good.
As for the sexiest kind of boxer design… When in doubt, pick black and other dark shades. Women think they’re sexy, sleek and sophisticated.
Some think patterns are sexy, but only if they’re sophisticated. Needless to say, if you’re looking for a little action that night, you shouldn’t be wearing your superhero underpants.
6. Easy opening
Don’t pee in your pants. Even when you need to make a mad dash to the bathroom in the middle of the night, boxers have a built-in exit strategy.
The Cons of Sleeping in Boxers
1. No support
Some people hate wearing boxers because they they’re not getting enough support. It’s fun to hang out, but they don’t want that to hang out—it just feels a wee bit too vulnerable.
2. No lift
While boxers can a lot of figure flaws, briefs can actually correct them. They cover both your backside and package. Some can even enhance your package and give your buttocks a little lift. They’re like the men’s version of the push-up bra.
3. Hard to wear with pajamas
If you’re wearing pajamas, either for style or extra warmth, boxers can wrinkle up. Briefs can be worn under anything, and you can pick a more comfortable boxer-brief style that still feels comfortable at night.
The Verdict: Boxers for Bedtime
There’s really nothing wrong with wearing briefs or other kinds of underwear in the day time. Sometimes, you want that support and sleek fit when you’re out and about.
But at night, boxers are the best choice for your health and comfort.
While some scientists feel that there’s too much hype about briefs affecting sperm production—after all, the human race wore briefs for centuries and we’re clearly not close to extinction—but there’s no harm in playing it safe.
Besides, even if you don’t plan on making any babies any time soon, loose and comfortable underwear will help prevent skin irritation and any bacteria or fungal infections.
And the best reason, hands down, for sleeping in boxers is that women think they’re sexy—yes, even sexier than a G-string.
If you really can’t get used to the idea of wearing boxers, then the next best choice is to wear boxer briefs: they have some lift and support, but are less likely to cause sweating and chafing. Look for natural fabrics that wick away sweat.
