The last thing you want to remember about your hike is the groin and thigh soreness caused by that horrible underwear rub.
Choosing the best men’s hiking underwear to prevent chafing on the trail should be the first thing you consider when packing.
After that, you should never have to worry about your intimate areas again!
After years of hiking and outdoor excursions, we’ve learnt to value four factors when investing in high-quality hiking underwear that will last a long time on the trail:
• No rub features eliminate uncomfortable chafing and rubbing in your body’s cracks and crevices, as well as between your thighs.
•Comfortable and tug-free style and fit. When out in the wilderness, your underwear should be the last thing on your mind.
•Cool, dry, and odour-free involves investigating the moisture-wicking and anti-microbial qualities of the textiles utilised in your underwear.
·Some designers also use ventilation to help with cooling. The fabric used to make your trekking underwear is most likely the most critical piece of the jigsaw for staying dry and odour-free.
Advice on Fabric and Fit
Hiking is a low-impact activity in which you’re probably not bouncing your privates about like a marathon runner. However, because you are continuously moving, changing, climbing, and so on while hiking, you need a fit that keeps everything in place. In the best men’s hiking underwear, you want a snug but not too snug fit.
You should know the benefits the different fabrics bring; thermo-regulation, anti-microbial, and anti-odour. Lycra increases mobility and stretchiness, the nylon core increases strength and durability, and the flatlock seams prevent chafing. Lightweight at just 1.76 oz in weight, breathable, soft, and supportive.
Compression shorts, for example, give excellent support and are ideal for a marathon since you can take them off afterward and get some air to the boys. However, after a full day or two of hiking, most males begin to crave some relief from that pressure after a few hours.
The quick-dry men’s briefs must be hand washed and hung instead of tumble dry. Sustainable, natural, and ethical, they’re perfect for any hiking, trekking, or camping adventure.
Properties of the best fabrics used in hiking underwear:
What does antimicrobial really mean?
It means that the fabric resists the growth of bacteria and fungi. Both of those microbes, when in a damp environment, tend to explode in growth. That creates a nasty smell like a men’s locker room in your drawers. Antimicrobial underwear keeps you feeling fresh and dry for longer.
Synthetic materials like nylon and polyester are treated so that they become antimicrobial. The treatment usually involves embedding small bits of silver into the material. Silver is proven to keep fungus and bacteria from growing. On the other hand, materials like merino wool and bamboo have natural antimicrobial properties that reduce odour and keep your innerwear fresh longer.
Once your underwear gets damp and starts rubbing against your skin, nasty things happen. Dampness can come from getting caught hiking in the rain, or you could be hiking in very hot weather. Actually, just normal hiking can increase the heat level down there
The ideal fabric will wick moisture away from your skin to the outer surface of the material and then allow for quick evaporation.
Merino wool
The premium fabric for the best underwear for backpacking is merino wool. The wool from the merino lamb is superior to any other wool for clothing. It is super-soft because the fibers are very long, allowing yarns to have a few rough ends. It’s also super absorbent.
Best of all, a fabric made from merino wool wicks the moisture to the outside, where it can quickly dry. Being naturally antimicrobial, merino wool keeps you odour-free.
Bamboo
Bamboo has many of the same qualities as wool, such as being extremely great at wicking away moisture and quick drying. It also excels with natural antimicrobial properties to keep odour’s away. When blended with synthetic fabrics you have great-fitting and comfortable underwear.
You’ll particularly love bamboo’s extra soft feel. And for those allergic to wool, bamboo is the perfect alternative.
Nylon
First developed as an alternative to silk, nylon is a lightweight synthetic made from petroleum jelly. It is valuable for its low moisture absorption ratio and durability. Because of its quick-drying and moisture-wicking properties, it is often added to a blend of other materials such as spandex, polyester, or wool.
Polyester
As a fabric, polyester is extremely strong, durable, and resilient. It’s also wrinkle-free and quick-drying and absorbs less than 0.4% of its weight in water. As a moisture-wicking fabric, polyester is perfect for underwear for hiking. Polyester is not odour resistant so it is often used with a blend of other fabrics for sports underwear.
Cotton
Cotton absorbs many times its body weight and retains water. However, cotton has poor moisture-wicking and retains the water instead of transporting it away from your skin. So on its own, a pure cotton boxer is not a good solution. But cotton is a soft, breathable and odour-resistant fabric, so it’s not uncommon to find cotton blended with spandex or polyester to create good wicking underwear.
The good news is that if you prefer the longer leg of a boxer brief, there are several options for hiking boxer briefs. In fact, the boxer brief is the most popular hiking underwear for guys. When it comes to boxer briefs, there are three significant winners:
·The boxer brief provides the same support as a standard brief but with a snugger fit. It excels at concealing your thighs and offering comfort. This reduces chafing between your thighs.
·You will receive improved support for your private parts. That’s not to imply there aren’t valid reasons to wear a classic brief. Briefs provide a lot of help without a lot of coverage. When it’s extremely hot, some men may like to wear them.
Traditional boxers aren’t ideal for hiking because the movement of your legs causes them to bunch up in your shorts. The snugger boxer brief avoids this issue. In the end, it comes down to personal preference. If you’re going to try on new clothes before going on a lengthy walk, give them a test run first. Just as you wouldn’t wear a fresh new pair of shoes on a 10-mile trip, you shouldn’t wear a brand new style of hiking underwear without first checking to make sure they fit comfortably. Otherwise, you’ll be tying and adjusting for hours and hours.
So that’s our list of the best men’s underwear for hiking and other sporty activities.
