The best running underwear for men to eliminate chafe and discomfort

These briefs won our coveted Gear of the Year award in 2024 – and for good reason. Designed for extra support on the move, there’s a light compression in the fabric and a ‘Pro’ version of Saxx’s signature ‘BallPark Pouch’, which increases snugness and security where it counts. The four-way stretch fabric never feels constrictive, and it’s ideal for longer runs, offering breathability, as well as moisture-wicking and anti-odour properties.

Runderwear is known for its supportive underoos, and with its gusseted crotch, the company’s Running Boxer delivers paramount support while providing plenty of stretch for mobility. The material is also smooth to the touch, breathable, and great at wicking moisture.

Its seamless design eliminates chafing, and while the fit is deemed ‘boxer’ there isn’t any of the bagginess you’d typically find in such a cut. Beyond running, we really like these for hiking or long days of walking as they feel comfy through movement of any kind. Really, the only issue is the inconsistent availability, so be sure to buy a few pairs whenever they’re in stock.

Fighting odour is often a matter of reducing moisture, and to that end lululemon’s Built to Move Boxers go above and beyond. Our testers found them to be unrivalled at wicking and drying sweat, and offer better-than-average breathability. And having tested them over many workouts and washes, they don’t build up odour over time like many other options have a tendency to.

Four-way stretch allows for unimpeded motion, and they are nicely supportive where it’s needed most. Like all lululemon products they certainly don’t come cheap, but the durability is excellent, so you can count on them to last.

Merino Wool is much finer than the yarn used to make your favourite winter jumper. It also has natural thermo-regulating properties, helping to keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s chilly.

Our testers found these boxers incredibly comfortable, with no sign of them being pulled out of place or rubbing at all.

However, they have a baggier fit than others on this list, making them more suitable for low- to medium-impact activities such as strength or recovery work, rather than a track session.

In a world that’s been taken over by boxers, many men still prefer the support and trimmed-down coverage of briefs, but it can be hard to find running briefs that don’t ride up in the rear. Reebok has gotten the recipe right with their Quick Dry-Performance Briefs, delivering a snug fit that stays in place as you run.

The briefs manage sweat and heat well, and the material feels soft and smooth on the skin. In terms of comfort they’re outstanding, though they can suffer from some durability issues, as we got a sense that the waistband could wear out relatively quickly. But for a comfy set of running briefs, they win.

Having to rearrange your underwear mid-run is enough to knock anyone off their stride. Fortunately, the Boxerjock’s tight fit and soft material allows them to move with the body, while the elasticated waistband meant they stayed in place without digging in at all — ideal for strength sessions and lower body exercises like lunges.

They were comfortable to wear under workout clothes, though a handful of our testers said they were a bit bulky during more strenuous sessions.

Still, for less than £35 for a pack of three, these are a bargain.

Our stance on these impeccable boxers couldn’t be any clearer — we love them. They’re made using a single piece of true rib microfibre, which fitted like a glove and proved incredibly comfortable for a range of activities — both exercise-related and otherwise.

They were tight enough to offer plenty of support and they didn’t bunch or ride up, despite the longer legs, so testers had no trouble with chafing.