Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsBest basic underwear out there...and a bargain too
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2017
I thought I'd share my search for the best underwear on Amazon. To help you judge things I'm 6 feet tall, 190lbs, with a 40" waist. I'm 55 years old but still in somewhat good shape, probably 10lbs overweight.
My previous underwear of choice was Dockers but they are no longer made. I loved the Docker's durability, fit, and comfort but nothing lasts forever (thin saggy big name undies are not even under consideration).
I've always been a tidy-whitey guy but I thought I'd try to up my game and see if I couldn't find something that was both comfortable and sexier, so I tried to be open minded.
My criteria:
- Need to be comfortable to wear all day at my desk at work and walking around the office
- Need to breath so things everything stays cool and dry
- Need to provide comfortable support
- Ideally something more sexy
- Ideally reasonable cost (I've spent $30 for Patagonia underwear that is great and I use when backpacking or on extended trips but a bit pricey for everyday)
There are a LOT of choices, it's overwhelming really. Different styles, materials, etc. I already knew I didn't like boxers (no support) and boxer briefs (ride up and uncomfortable). I just ordered some of everything else and returned most of it.
Note that in general when it comes to anything more modern and sexy a 40" waist puts you in XL territory which is the top range of most offerings so I just barely made the cut--obviously the target market is young & fit men.
The good news is I did find several comfortable, surprisingly affordable choices, and sexy ones too (according to my girlfriend). To summarize here are the keepers:
David Archy Briefs (MicroModel, $6/pair)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071WNC5L6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sexy, modern, and comfortable
Amazon Essentials Briefs (Cotton, $2.50/pair)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWLNK5F/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_4
Comfortable and inexpensive basic underwear, colored versions available
Layer8 Mid-Rise Briefs (Polyester/Spandex, $4/pair)
Comfortable & sexy but does not breath as well as the above
Here are the full reviews of all the ones I tried (many were called but few chosen):
Thongs/Bikini
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==== MASS21 (MicroModel, $6/pair)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0721QFF6G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Technically sold as swimwear but I thought I would try in the spirit of being opened minded. I thought I would hate them but they were actually quite comfortable and I wondered if I would grow to like them once I got used to the low-rise and butt floss. Your junk is basically in a pouch be well supported.
To be honest I love a woman in a thong but didn't see it as doing much for me (perhaps milage would vary with different ass?) especially as my hair stuck our around the pouch...not sure I was up to manscaping to that extent. I was sure my girlfriend would like, and was surprised when she was unenthused. Without her being turned on it wasn't really compelling for me so back they went.
==== YKC Bikini Bulge (Nylon/Spandex, $5/pair)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071LLS3BP/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s05?ie=UTF8&psc=1
A strange one: essentially a pouch in front but full coverage on the but with nothing on the sides. A thought it looked more manly than the thong but wondered if after repeated washings it wouldn't end up in my butt crack (in that case I think a thong would be better).
Again, my girlfriend was cool on them so back they went.
Low/Mid-Rise Briefs
-------------------
==== Layer 8 (Polyester/Spandex, $4/pair)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075DJLF9D/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These are a sexier version of a traditional brief but mid-rise so I didn't notice it as much as low-rise briefs (which take some adjustment period). The material felt great but the first time I wore it it obvious did not breath as well as cotton but not nearly as bad as previous polyester underwear I wore (and threw out because things got so swampy)...after a washing things improved quite a bit...acceptable if you are not active but not a choice for a hike IMPO.
Washing direction mean I'll need to wash separately as a delicate but that is okay.
My girlfriend thought they looked nice and I kept them...probably more for longing around the house than a full day at the office or working in the yard. I will wear these but may not order more right away.
==== 2(X)LIST Brief (Cotton, $15/pair)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LO0GJC8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Looked sexy-ish and pima cotton felt nice and fit well out of the package but I thought "these are not going to fit after they shrink in the wash". Not as comfortable as the best on my list. Not worth the money IMO...back they go.
==== Lacoste (Cotton/Model, $17/pair)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M7RZ3WE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Very well made feel and nice pima cotton. The only brand that fit me a bit baggy around the legs, perhaps it would get better after shrinking in wash but with better valued options why bother...back they go.
==== UnderGents (MicroModel, $13/pair)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0741GWV85/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s04?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Very high bikini cut in front that I did not like as it exposed lots of hair. Material very smooth but I wasn't convinced it would hold up as it was quite thin. Didn't like them especially for the price, so back they go.
==== Emporio Armani (Micro Modal, $22/pair)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZYJQ2M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s05?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Very nice material and fit. Low-rise and sexy. I think I might have keep these except that the cost is crazy and they are not that much nicer than cheaper options--also at this price point I would consider technical underwear from Patagonia. Just too expensive for what you get, so returned.
==== Calvin Klein (Cotton, $7/pair)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQRSGWW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Even the largest size is too small, returned. Better choices on this list.
Full-Briefs, think Fruit-of-the-Loom (Cotton, $2.50/pair)
---------------------------------------------------------
==== Amazon Essentials
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWLNK5F/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_4
Amazon has a major winner here in my opinion. These are the closest replacement for my old Dockers if being sexy is not an issue...in fact I think they are better than the Dockers and what a bargain!
My girlfriend initially like the colored one, then after seeing some of the other underwear though she did not like the super-full coverage.
These I keep and will order more...perfect for office or working in the yard. Workhorse underwear but other choices are also comfortable and sexier.
==== David Archy Pouch Brief (MicroModel, $6/pair)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071WNC5L6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Very comfortable with an innovative 2 pouch system (they include directions on how to wear lol). Very breathable. Washing direction mean I'll need to wash separately as a delicate but that is okay.
These are good everyday sexy underwear for men at a reasonable price...I could see only having these in my drawer. Plan to order more.
Mini-Boxer Briefs
-----------------
==== Kronis (Cotton, $10)
I thought these looked great on me, low rise, manly, and sexy...but the mini leg part rides up and is uncomfortable.
If I'm feeling sexy I might wear these with my girlfriend but not for a day at the office.
I vacillated between keeping and returning these but in the end I decided why not have in my drawer to wear now and then. I don't intend to order more right away.