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Fellas, we need to talk about down there.
Thankfully not your junk โ but the attire that supports and surrounds it.
Letโs face it: getting hot and sweaty as you go about your business https://discerningcyclist.com/best-cycling-chinos-commuter/isnโt the sexiest thing in the world โ and your midriff can bear the brunt of this as you ride about town in warm weather.
But, as I discovered recently, itโs not an impossible task to keep your nether regions feeling fresh throughout the day.
One of the best discoveries Iโve made in recent months are breathable boxer shortsโฆ that look good.
In recent years Iโve been donning โdesignerโ cotton boxer shorts. The stuff that costs a fortune but doesnโt actually provide any functionality. Essentially, youโre buying an expensive elastic waist band to show off. It tends to be appreciated by the opposite sex though, so this remains a key consideration when picking boxers.
With that in mind, I think Iโve found the best boxer shorts for men by testing out half a dozen pairs of boxer shorts in recent months.
Urban Cycling Boxer Shorts: Key Features
In order to determine which were best, I set out the following criteria.
The boxers must be:
- Breathable
- Fast-drying
- Comfortable
- Stretchy
- Anti-bacterial
- Good-looking
And they shouldnโt be baggy. Why? Because baggy boxers arenโt sexy. Sorry baggy boxer fans.
Below weโll take a look at why weโre focussing on some of these features.
Breathable Boxers
It goes without saying that having breathable boxers should be your biggest priority if you lead any kind of active lifestyle โ whether you’re cycling around town or backpacking, you want to keep as fresh as possible. Cotton is the one of the worst materials for allowing your skin to breathe, so keep an eye out for fabrics containing nylon, spandex, polyester or Merino wool โ as these will fair much better in regulating your body temperature.
Quick Dry Underwear
Further to being breathable, quick dry underwear is also a huge benefit as if you do work yourself into a sweat, you want to alleviate this damage as quick as possible. Typically, breathable boxers are also fast-drying, which is ideal.
Anti-Bacterial Underwear
As well as staying dry, you also want your boxers to stay fresh. Therefore, anti-bacterial properties are also invaluable in underwear design.
Most Comfortable Boxers
Of course, thereโs no point in having highly-functional, fast-drying, super-sexy, breathable boxers if theyโre uncomfortable. But thereโs no need to compromise on this front. Below Iโve reviewed three of the best breathable boxers for cycling and travel that tick every box. So here we goโฆ
Best Boxer Shorts for Cycling + Travel: Top 3
My quest actually started not by looking for urban cycling boxer shorts, but instead boxers for travelling as this is a much more developed market and one which shares almost the same requirements.
Quickly, I discovered that ExOfficio boxers where seen by many as the go-to for menโs travel underwear. So, I tried them outโฆ
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxers (Price not available)
As soon as I tried the ExOfficio boxers on, I could tell they were pretty good. They felt light and comfortable, and the material was clearly breathable.
They also looked okayโฆ but not great. A passable style, but not โooh la laโ.
Nevertheless, the ExOfficio boxers do a magnificent job in terms of functionality. Made from a winning blend of 94% Nylon and 6% Lycra Spandex, these boxers feel great and offer tonnes of stretch and breathability.
One of the reasons they are the most popular boxers for backpackers is because โ as the website advises โ you can travel with as few as two pairs of these boxers and simply wash them in the sink between uses โ with the anti-bacterial properties preventing them from getting overly dirty or stinky.
Verdict: 8/10
- Antimicrobial treatment reduces odor in fabric
- Diamond-weave mesh fabric allows airflow, keeping you cool
- Easy-care so you only need two for any trip
Under Armour Boxers (Price not available)
Straight up: these are the favourite boxers Iโve ever worn. Theyโre comfy as hell, look damnnn good and are packed full of functionality for those with active lifestyles.
The Under Armour 6โ Original Boxers offer four-way stretch thanks to their use of 90% polyester and 10% elastane. Coupled with moisture-wicking properties, anti-odour technology and mesh panels, these boxers tick every box. Theyโre also very flattering with their fitted/stretchy style.
After the first day of wearing these boxers, I returned immediately to Amazon and to buy six more pairs. I basically wear these full-time now. They come in various colours, but my favourites are the charcoal grey and black/red combinations. Canโt recommend highly enough.
Verdict: 9/10
- Fitted: Next-to-skin without the squeeze.
- Lightweight, smooth HeatGear fabric & articulated mesh fly panel
- Moisture Transport System wicks sweat & dries quickly
Lapasa Boxers (Price not available)
Similarly to the ExOfficio boxers, Lapasa boxers look good and are clearly very functional, but they donโt quite have the flattering styling as that of the Under Armour boxers. Of course, this is very much a personal preference: others may think they Under Armourโs boxers are too sporty and prefer the looser styling of either the Lapasa or ExOfficio boxers.
Again, though, in terms of functionality, Lapasa have done a great job. Their travel boxers are made from a blend of 95% nylon and 5% spandex to ensure plenty of stretch and breathability. They are also moisture-wicking and feature Silvadur anti-microbial treatment which also reduces unwanted odour. They also very quick to dry, making them ideal for travelling as you can wash them and they will be dry in just a couple of hours if left to air.
Verdict: 7/10
- ใATTENTIONใWe offers 4 Pack Version and 3 Pack Version, please kindly double check before purchse.
- ใErgonomic U-Cuttingใ This LAPASA mens boxers bring more space for added support and fast evaporation of moisture and perspiration.
- ใJacquard woven beltsใ Designed in this boxer shorts for men provide 220% stretch and heat melt treated edges give you much more smother feeling on the waist.
Best Breathable Boxers Winner: Under Armour
Although both ExOfficio and Lapasa have created some excellent travel boxer shorts, for me Under Armour takes the crown based on how good they also look. All three offer outstanding functionality, but Under Armour has the edge because of how good the boxers also look with their slim-fitting style.
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