We chose the best running underwear for men based on expert advice, including briefs, compression shorts, boxers and more.
Wool running briefs may sound like shoving a fugly Christmas sweater down your shorts, but it’s quite the opposite. These fibers can absorb up to 35% of their own weight before feeling wet. This keeps runners feeling dry throughout long runs, and Merino wool’s ability to quickly move odor-causing bacteria away from the body keeps everything smelling as fresh as possible. Runderwear’s wool is also sourced from happy sheep who are only sheared once each year using pain-free techniques, so that’s a happy fact that may or may not sway a purchase.
A vegan alternative to Merino running underwear, this incredibly soft underwear is made from a cellulose fiber extracted from bamboo, a super trendy material at the moment because of how breezy it is. Bamboo fibers are both breathable and moisture-wicking, and this particular underwear is constructed with a 5-inch inseam that keeps it from riding up in the back. Each pair also has an extra-roomy 3-D Ultra U-Pouch in the front for a spacious but secure fit.
Telaleo’s multi-packs come with six pairs so each long run doesn’t have to end with an immediate trip to the laundromat. They’re made from a polyester and spandex blend that has 4-way stretch and an ergonomic design so the compression doesn’t inhibit mobility. This pack is great for runners sweating through their gear multiple times a week, so one pair’s fabric isn’t being beaten to death by the wash cycle.
High-cut underwear — or even mid-length underwear for that matter — doesn’t do it for everyone. Under Armour's 9-inch inseam boxerjock offers thigh coverage nearly down to the knee, without sacrificing support higher up. This gives tons of protection against chub rub and they also include a working fly which is a clutch feature for efficient pit stops.
There’s a fine line between perfectly tight underwear and too tight underwear. Runhit’s compression shorts hit the sweet spot with a design that works well for running and other activities that need a squeeze like heavy weightlifting. These are a more hardcore pick for marathon and long-distance runners looking to increase blood flow to the hips, thighs, and glutes.
Compression underwear can trend toward the heavy side, but Roadbox offers an option that is lighter than most. The tradeoff for the comfort and breathability of a slightly thinner fabric is a reduced compression effect, but some runners prefer that exchange. External stitching prevents skin irritation while still holding everything together.
New Balance is nothing if not consistent, and their running underwear is on-brand with the company’s shoe offerings: never flashy, always functional and reasonably priced. It’s available in a breathable mesh fabric or a performance stretch fabric, and in four different inseam lengths, Unlike some New Balance shoe offerings, the underwear is stylish enough to prevent people from getting clowned for wearing old man undies.
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