Men’s Hiking Underwear: Moisture-Wicking & Anti-Chafing Picks

Spending a day hiking in the wrong underwear is a very specific kind of misery. Picture a long, hot climb, sweat soaking through your cotton boxers by the first switchback, seams rubbing your inner thighs raw, and that sticky, swampy feeling every time you take a big step. By the time you reach the high point, you are thinking more about your burning skin than the view.

Swap those cotton boxers for decent men’s hiking underwear and the whole day feels different. Modern synthetics and bamboo blends pull sweat off your skin, dry fast when you stop, and cut way down on chafe and funk. It is not glamorous gear, but it has more to do with your on‑trail comfort than an expensive jacket.

In this guide we break down what actually matters in men’s hiking underwear, then walk through six specific pairs we have hiked in, sweated in, and washed in sinks. The goal: help you stay dry, avoid chafe, and manage odor whether you are doing a quick after‑work loop or a multi‑day backpacking trip.

Quick Picks: Best Hiking Underwear for Men at a Glance

Here are the winners from our test. Click the image or product name to jump down to the review.

Best budget hiking underwear for all‑around use
Hanes X‑Temp Total Support Pouch Boxer Brief ($20.98)

Best anti‑chafe support for long days
Hanes Total Support Pouch Boxer Briefs ($20.98)

Best for hot‑weather and sweaty hikers
Bamboo Cool Ultra Breathable Underwear ($39.99)

Best stretchy everyday‑to‑trail crossover
New Balance Performance Boxer Briefs with Fly ($18.98)

Best for athletes who also like to hike
adidas Microfiber Performance Boxer Briefs ($21.60)

Best for multi‑day trips and quick‑dry needs
32 Degrees Cool Active Boxer Brief ($24.99)

Best Men’s Hiking Underwear: In‑Depth Reviews

We have worn each of these on actual hikes: hot climbs, sweaty forest loops, and a few multi‑day trips where we did nightly sink washes. We will walk through what they actually feel like, who they suit, and where they fall short.

Prices are typical ballpark figures for multipacks in US dollars at the time of writing. They jump around, so treat these as ranges, not fixed tags.

1. Hanes Men’s X-temp Total Support Pouch Boxer Brief: Best budget all-rounder (~$7/pair)

On a warm day hike in the 70s and low 80s °F, these kept things decently dry. The X‑Temp fabric is a polyester blend that feels light and slightly slick, and it does a respectable job wicking sweat. You still feel warm when you are grinding up a steep section, but you do not get that wet sponge feeling whenever you sit down.

Overall score: 7.8/10

A cheap but meaningful upgrade from cotton, offering light wicking, a supportive pouch, and decent comfort for day hikes.

Best for: Hikers who want a cheap upgrade from cotton with basic wicking and support.

Skip if: You need strong odor control or plan multi-day trips without washing.

😌 Comfort

70 %

🌬️ Breathability

70 %

♻️ Durability

60 %

💎 Value

90 %

The Total Support Pouch is noticeable in a good way. Everything stays cradled, which reduces that sticky, all‑together sensation you get with flat front briefs after a couple of hours. On descents, with more bouncing, we did not feel the usual adjustment urge.

The leg length on the regular cut is a classic mid‑thigh boxer brief. Under hiking shorts or lightweight pants they stayed put fairly well. We had some minor leg creep on very big, high steps over deadfall, but not enough to cause real chafing. The waistband is soft and flat enough that it did not dig under a loaded hip belt.

Sweat and odor

For day hikes and 1‑night trips these are totally fine. We did notice that, by day two without a rinse, they started to pick up that classic synthetic funk, especially in hot, humid conditions. There is no heavy‑duty odor tech here, just a basic treatment, so we would not pick them as a primary multi‑day backpacking pair.

Bottom line

For around 7 USD per pair in a multipack, these are a strong budget pick. If you are trying to outfit yourself for hiking without blowing money on high‑end gear, starting here is a big comfort jump for not much cash.

2. Hanes Total Support Pouch Men’s Boxer Briefs Pack: Best Anti‑Chafe Support for Long Days – $20.98

These are like the X‑Temp’s more serious cousin. Same brand, same general idea, but the Hanes Total Support Pouch boxer briefs lean harder into anti‑chafe and all‑day comfort. On long days in the 10 to 15 mile range, we consistently grabbed these.

Overall score: 8/10

A more supportive, more structured version of the X Temp with much better anti chafe performance, especially in the long leg cut.

Best for: Long day hikes and hikers with thicker thighs who want reliable anti chafe performance.

Skip if: You want ultra soft fabrics or something warmer for cold conditions.

😌 Comfort

80 %

🌬️ Breathability

70 %

♻️ Durability

70 %

💎 Value

80 %

Trail feel

The fabric is a micro mesh synthetic that feels a bit more supportive and structured than the X‑Temp version. You notice more “hold” around the thighs and pouch, not in a compression‑shorts way, just a slightly firmer hug. That stability becomes more helpful as the day goes on, especially if your thighs rub.

The seam placement is smart. Inner thigh seams are either flat or shifted so they do not land right on your hot spots. After 7–8 hours of hiking, including some off‑trail detours and a lot of up and down, none of us had seam‑rubbing welts, which we sometimes get from cheap athletic underwear.

Regular vs Long leg

This is where these really adapt to different body types:

• Regular leg: good if your thighs do not rub heavily or you prefer shorter legs
• Long leg: better for thicker thighs or if you know your legs will touch on climbs

On our testers with more muscular or stocky legs, the long leg version reduced chafing noticeably on hot days. The extra coverage put the hem below the main rub zone. They stayed put under shorts and under light hiking pants, with minimal rolling even when scrambling.

Moisture and odor

Moisture‑wise, these wick and dry about like the X‑Temp, maybe a hair slower since there is a bit more fabric. They are perfectly fine for sweaty days and will dry overnight after a rinse if you hang them somewhere with at least moderate airflow.

For odor, these have a basic odor control treatment. On back‑to‑back long day hikes, they did better than expected. By day three of heavy sweating and only quick rinses, they still smelled like synthetic underwear, but not offensively so. For a budget‑minded multi‑day trip where you can rinse most nights, they are workable.

Bottom line

For around 7–9 USD per pair in multi‑packs, this is one of the best values we have found for true long‑day hiking comfort. If you tend to chafe on anything over 5 miles, we would pick these over the cheaper X‑Temps.

3. Bamboo Cool Men’s Ultra Breathable Underwear: Best for Hot‑Weather & Sweaty Hikes – $35.28

When the forecast is hot and muggy and you know you are a heavy sweater, these are the pair we reach for. The Bamboo Cool Ultra Breathable boxer briefs are incredibly soft and have a relaxed, airy feel that stands out from most synthetic performance underwear.

Overall score: 9/10

Super soft, airy bamboo viscose boxer briefs ideal for hot, muggy days where breathability matters more than durability.

Best for: Hot-weather hikers who prioritize softness, airflow, and comfort.

Skip if: You are rough on gear or need something more durable for cold environments.

😌 Comfort

95 %

🌬️ Breathability

90 %

♻️ Durability

65 %

💎 Value

80 %

Trail feel

The bamboo‑derived viscose fabric feels cool to the hand even indoors, and that sensation holds up somewhat on trail. It is not air conditioning, but it is noticeably less “plastic bag” than some polyester options. On steep, sun‑baked climbs, the difference is subtle but real: less sticky, less grabby.

The “no riding up” claim actually checks out better than we expected. We wore these on a mix of stair‑like climbs and some light scrambling and did not have to stop and yank the legs down every 20 minutes. The leg openings have enough stretch and grip to stay put without squeezing.

The waistband is a quiet winner here. It stretches, but not in that overly tight, elastic‑band way, and it does not roll even when you bend or sit on rocks and logs. When you lean forward with a pack, it flexes with you instead of biting into your hips.

Heat and humidity performance

These shine in humid forests and warm summer conditions where you never really stop sweating. The viscose blend wicks reasonably well and breathes even better. The fabric is not mesh, but it feels like it is letting air circulate more freely than some dense synthetics.

Dry time is decent but not as quick as super light polyester. After rinsing in a sink and hanging overnight in average humidity, ours were dry by morning about 8 times out of 10. On very wet, still nights, they were sometimes faintly damp at the thicker waistband, but wearable.

Durability notes

This is where you trade a bit. Bamboo blends can pill or thin faster than heavier synthetics if you abuse them. After several months of regular wear and trail use, we saw some light pilling in high friction zones. They were still functional, but these are not the tank‑like workhorses that some pure polyester briefs are.

For that reason, we treat them as our “comfort first, hot‑weather” pairs, not the only underwear we pack for a rough multi‑week trip.

Bottom line

Around 9–10 USD per pair in a 4‑pack feels fair for how comfortable they are. If heat and sweat are your main enemies, these are worth the money over cheaper options.

4. New Balance Men’s Performance Boxer Briefs With Fly – $18.98

If you want underwear that feels normal in daily life but still works on trail, the New Balance Performance Boxer Briefs are a good middle ground. They look and feel like standard athletic underwear, stretch nicely, and move easily from office to gym to hiking trail.

Overall score: 8.2/10

A comfortable everyday athletic brief that works well for shorter hikes and mixed days going from town to trail.

Best for: Casual hikers who want everyday underwear that also works on trail.

Skip if: You frequently hike long, sweaty days or struggle with thigh chafe.

😌 Comfort

75 %

🌬️ Breathability

65 %

♻️ Durability

80 %

💎 Value

90 %

Trail feel

The polyester and spandex blend has a smooth, slightly stretchy hand. Under jeans or casual pants it just feels like regular comfortable underwear. Under hiking shorts or pants, that same stretch gives plenty of room for big steps and scrambling.

We liked these on shorter hikes, casual weekend trails, and “lunch break laps” from town. They breathe reasonably well, though not as cool feeling as the Bamboo Cool, and they wick sweat fast enough to avoid big wet patches.

The fly is a small but appreciated touch for real‑world use. On road trips and around camp, it is simply more convenient, especially in cold or buggy conditions where you want less exposure time when you step off trail.

The waistband is soft and broad, more like a lifestyle brief than a pure performance piece. Under a hip belt, it stays flat and does not dig. The legs have a medium length and stayed in place for most of our testers, with only occasional creep on folks with very thick thighs.

Performance vs heat and distance

These are great for:

• Mild to warm temperatures
• Hikes under about 10 miles
• Mixed days where you are in a car, in town, and on trail

On very hot, oppressive days, they are good but not standout. They do not trap heat badly, but they also do not have the same airy feel as bamboo. They also are not cut with the same long‑leg, anti‑chafe focus as the Hanes Total Support.

Odor control is average. By day two of heavy sweating with no rinse, they start to smell like standard synthetic underwear. For multi‑day backpacking, we would lean toward either 32 Degrees for quick dry or merino wool for smell control.

Bottom line

At roughly 6–8 USD per pair in a 3‑pack, these are a strong value if you want underwear that transitions well from work or travel to moderate hiking.

5. Adidas Microfiber Performance Boxer Briefs: Best for Athletes Who Hike – $21.60

These feel like something you would wear for interval sessions or team sports. If you already train hard and want that same athletic feel on the trail, the adidas Microfiber Performance boxer briefs fit that slot.

Overall score: 8.1/10

A close fitting athletic microfiber brief that shines during fast paced hiking, climbing days, and crossover training.

Best for: Athletic hikers and runners who prefer a snug, performance-oriented fit.

Skip if: You dislike tight underwear or need strong multi-day odor control.

😌 Comfort

80 %

🌬️ Breathability

85 %

♻️ Durability

80 %

💎 Value

80 %

Trail feel

The microfiber fabric is slick and light. On the skin, it feels like a cross between compression shorts and regular underwear. It hugs the body but does not squeeze as tightly as true compression gear.

On hikes with fast pace, trail runs, or days with a lot of climbing where your heart rate is up, these shine. They wick sweat quickly and the smooth surface glides nicely under running shorts or light hiking shorts. On some high‑intensity test days, we actually forgot about them, which is about as high a compliment as underwear can get.

Fit is definitely on the slimmer, athletic side. If you are used to looser boxers, these will feel snug at first, but they did not cut off circulation. That close fit reduces fabric bunching and helps keep everything locked down on descents.

Durability and washing

These handled repeated wash cycles well. After a couple of months with running, gym sessions, and hiking mixed in, the fabric still held its stretch and did not bag out. Seams remained intact, no loose threads.

Odor control is about mid‑pack, similar to the New Balance pair. If you sweat heavily and do not rinse, they will smell like any synthetic athletic gear after a couple of days. That is fine for day hikes and weekend trips where you can wash or rotate, less ideal for week‑long trips without consistent washing.

Use case

We like these when:

• You are a runner adding hiking to your routine
• You mix trail running and hiking in one outing
• You want underwear that doubles for gym training

Versus the Hanes Total Support, these feel more like performance activewear and less like dedicated anti‑chafe hiking underwear. The adidas pair is a bit sleeker, the Hanes are more supportive and forgiving.

Bottom line

At around 7–9 USD per pair, these are well priced for how athletic and durable they feel. If you do a lot of cross‑training and hiking, they are an efficient one‑product solution.

6. 32 Degrees Men’s 4 Pack Cool Active Boxer Brief: Best for Multi‑Day Trips & Quick‑Dry Needs

If we are packing very light, washing in sinks, and counting grams, the 32 Degrees Cool Active boxer briefs tend to end up in the stuff sack. They are not glamorous, but they dry fast and handle multi‑day use better than most budget options.

Overall score: 8/10

Ultralight, very fast drying synthetic briefs perfect for washing on trail and rotating through multi day hikes.

Best for: Multi-day backpackers needing ultralight, fast drying underwear they can rinse nightly.

Skip if: You want plush, cozy fabrics or something warmer for cold starts.

😌 Comfort

70 %

🌬️ Breathability

90 %

♻️ Durability

70 %

💎 Value

90 %

Trail feel

These are thin, light synthetic briefs with a high spandex content, so they stretch in all directions. They feel closer to ultralight base layers than everyday underwear. On hot hikes they are unobtrusive and never feel bulky.

That 4‑way stretch is especially nice when you are doing big steps, climbing over logs, or pulling high moves on rocky sections. They move with you, and we never felt them binding or grabbing on high knees.

The fabric is fairly smooth and cool, and even when it is drenched in sweat, it does not get heavy or saggy. We wore them on some very warm backpacking days and could feel them drying on us any time we hit a breezy ridge.

Quick‑dry and multi‑day use

This is the main reason to buy them. Field routine looked like this on a 4‑day trip:

• Hike all day in pair A
• At camp, rinse pair A in a small pot or sink with a tiny bit of biodegradable soap, away from water sources, as recommended by Leave No Trace guidelines: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/
• Wring gently, roll in a camp towel, step on it
• Hang overnight under a tarp or inside a shelter

By morning, pair A was dry or very close, even in moderately humid conditions. On colder, still nights, the waistband sometimes held a hint of dampness but warmed and finished drying quickly once worn.

Odor control is better than the Hanes X‑Temp and roughly on par with the Hanes Total Support. They use an anti‑odor finish, which seems to slow down the funk so you can comfortably rotate two pairs for several days as long as you rinse.

Comfort and conditions

These excel in:

• Multi‑day backpacking and hut trips
• Travel where you want to pack 1–2 pairs and wash as you go
• Any trip where weight and quick drying matter more than absolute softness

In very cold conditions, they can feel a bit cool against the skin when you first put them on, due to how thin they are. Under winter weight hiking pants and with active movement, that was not a big issue, but for static camp time in the cold you might want a thicker base layer.

Bottom line

Around 6–7 USD per pair for something that dries this fast is excellent. For multi‑day trips or minimalist travel, these punch way above their price.

This article includes affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of these links, I may earn a small commission. This helps keep HikingStarter running and allows me to test more gear. All opinions are my own, and I only recommend products I genuinely trust.

How to Choose Hiking Underwear (The 5 Things That Actually Matter)

You do not need to obsess over every marketing term. There are really five big things that matter for men’s hiking underwear: fabric, fit, moisture handling, anti‑chafe details, and odor control. Get those right and most hikes will feel a lot better, regardless of brand.

Fabric: Synthetic vs Merino vs Bamboo

If there is one rule, it is this: avoid cotton for hiking underwear.

Cotton absorbs sweat, holds onto it, and dries slowly. When it is warm, that means swampy skin and chafe. When it is cool or windy, wet cotton can make you cold very quickly. That is why people say “cotton kills” for next‑to‑skin layers in the outdoors. You can read more on that in basic layering guides from sources like REI Co‑op: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html

What you actually want:

How we match fabric to conditions

• Hot, dry, exposed hikes: synthetics or bamboo/viscose, prioritized for breathability and fast drying
• Hot and humid: bamboo/viscose or very light synthetics that do not trap heat
• Cool shoulder season: mid‑weight synthetics or merino, where you care about warmth when damp
• Multi‑day trips: synthetic or merino, depending on whether you prioritize fast dry time (synthetic) or low odor (merino)

Fit & Cut: Boxer Briefs vs Briefs vs Trunks

Most hikers end up in boxer briefs. That is not a fashion thing, it is a friction thing.

• Boxer briefs:
• Thigh coverage to prevent skin‑on‑skin rubbing
• Stay put under hiking shorts or pants
• Best balance of support and mobility for most bodies
• Briefs:
• Work fine if your thighs do not touch
• Less fabric, so cooler, but no protection from thigh chafe
• Trunks (short legs)
• Can be nice for shorter folks
• Legs sometimes roll or ride up on big steps

For hiking, we look for snug but not strangling. You want the fabric to sit close enough to wick sweat off your skin, without cutting circulation. Baggy underwear that “breathes” is usually just code for “will bunch and chafe under a pack.”

What to avoid:

• Very loose boxers that bunch up with every step
• Legs so long they hit your knees and roll when you climb
• Waistbands so tight they dig in when you wear a hip belt

Moisture Management & Dry Time

There are two related but different things:

• Moisture wicking: how well the fabric pulls sweat off your skin to the outer surface
• Quick dry: how fast that fabric lets the moisture evaporate

On a hike, wicking keeps you from feeling clammy while you are moving. Quick‑dry matters when you stop, whether that is at a windy pass or back at camp after you rinse them out.

For multi‑day trips, quick‑dry is crucial. A lot of us will:

1. Rinse underwear in a sink or small bucket at night
2. Roll them in a towel to squeeze out water
3. Hang them under a tarp or in a shelter

Good synthetics are usually dry or near‑dry by morning. Bamboo blends can take a bit longer. Heavy cotton can still be wet, which is why we leave it at home.

Anti‑Chafe Design Details

Material helps, but the little details make or break a pair once you start hitting real mileage.

We look for:

• Flat or offset seams: no hard edges rubbing inner thighs
• Longer legs on boxer briefs: enough coverage to protect where your legs actually rub
• Soft, wide waistbands: so they do not dig under hip belts or climbing harnesses
• No‑ride‑up cuts: the leg opening has enough grip and stretch to stay put

Support pouches, like the ones on the Hanes models, also help. By lifting and separating, they cut down on skin‑on‑skin contact, which reduces stickiness and hot spots on long climbs.

For background on chafing and friction, the Cleveland Clinic has a simple overview: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23517-chafing

Odor Control & Multi‑Day Use

Sweat itself is mostly water and salt. The smell comes when bacteria on your skin break down sweat and oils. Some fabrics handle this better than others.

• Merino wool naturally resists odor, which is why many backpackers like it
• Synthetics often use chemical odor control treatments
• Bamboo/viscose usually sits in the middle, not magical but often less funky than cheap polyester

Tradeoffs:

• Super light synthetics dry extremely fast, but can stink faster after a few days
• Heavier or treated synthetics resist odor a bit more, but can feel warmer
• Merino can go days without smelling terrible, but costs more and wears out faster

For detailed context on fabric and odor, this is a decent overview:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32861291/

Trail Tip: How Many Pairs to Pack?

• Day hike: 1 pair, whatever is on you
• Weekend overnight (2–3 days): 2 pairs, rotate each day and rinse the one you are not wearing
• Week‑long trip: 2–3 pairs, depending on how often you want to rinse and how fast they dry

A lot of us go by a simple rule: one on, one drying. Only bring a third pair if conditions are very wet or you like extra backup.

Care, Washing & Longevity on the Trail

Treat hiking underwear well and it will treat you well.

At home

• Wash cool or warm, not hot
• Hot water can break down elastic and some odor treatments faster
• Avoid fabric softeners
• They coat fibers and reduce moisture wicking performance
• This is standard advice for performance fabrics, echoed by most outdoor brands
• Tumble low or line dry
• High heat in the dryer can shorten the life of elastic waistbands

On trail

1. Use a small amount of biodegradable soap and wash at least 200 ft from lakes, rivers, and streams, which matches Leave No Trace guidance: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/
2. Rinse thoroughly until no soap remains
3. Wring gently so you do not damage fibers
4. Roll in a bandana or camp towel and step on it to squeeze out extra water
5. Hang where there is airflow, away from cooking smoke and sharp branches

How long will they last?

With regular rotation and proper care, synthetic hiking underwear can easily last:

• 1–2 years of frequent weekend use
• Several multi‑day trips per season before showing noticeable wear

Bamboo blends sometimes show pilling earlier. High‑stretch light synthetics like 32 Degrees can thin over time but usually keep doing their job long after they stop looking new.

FAQ: Men’s Hiking Underwear, Answered