Best Underwear for Hiking Reviewed

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
Balanced Tech Seamless
Test Winner: Balanced Tech Seamless
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Underwear is the unsung hero in our clothing arsenal. You might not have thought about it much, however, while partaking in any strenuous activities, you need a good pair of functional hiking underwear. If you don't equip yourself with that, then you will experience sweating and painful chafing, which only gets amplified the more you move around.

While out on the hike or any other sporting activity, you need to enjoy yourself and not keep changing your undies every so often. You need hiking underwear that will be comfortable, yet unnoticeable. In our list, we included hiking underwear both for men and for women, ranked in order of their comfort, features, durability, and more. Let's dive in!

Standout Picks

SmartWool Merino best hiking underwear
For over 20 years, this brand has captured a core market, with the best innovations using merino wool, like their excellent hiking socks. With these briefs on, you can ride, run, and hike all day in comfort. For those who use Merino wool fabric, they understand what justifies the high price. For starters, it’s naturally antimicrobial: therefore, you will persistently be fresh as long as these hiking underwear are still in one piece.
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best underwear for hiking Adidas Sport Climalite
Adidas is an unparalleled sporting apparel manufacturer. For that reason, this hiking underwear guide would be incomplete without their Sport Performance Climalite briefs. The well thought out design, like the external, smooth, non-chafing stitching and no ride-up construction, ensure you remain comfortable in them throughout the day.
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David Archy underwear for hiking
If planning to move light, then these quick-drying and breathable hiking underwear will do the trick. You can wash a pair late in the evening, and voila, they’ll be ready to be worn in the morning. This property also gives you an advantage over many others on a hot day, since the sweat dissipates faster to the outside fabric.
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best hiking underwear Under Armour Boxerjock
Under Armour has made many strides to become a worldwide name in the sporting world. They have made a name for having some of the best shoes to take on many types of terrains, plus many other types of apparel. Therefore, it is only natural to find them in the hiking underwear field as well. There are seven different size options suitable for the brand's massive fan base.
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SAXX Vibe Boxer hiking underwear
These briefs have many features meant to keep you comfortable no matter your surroundings. They have a distinctive mesh on the pouch to reduce the likelihood of chafing while keeping everything centered. The fabric is 95% viscose, which wicks moisture away fast and regulates odor well. These and many more features make them suitable as hiking underwear.
Amazon Link
Runderwear Women's Briefs for hiking
Icebreaker is known for its high-quality outdoor apparel, from tops, sweaters, and jackets, to shorts, gloves and, you guessed it, underwear. The Anatomica is a lifestyle and adventure choice which has all the comfort, support and breathability that you need to take on your next challenge. It is a classic cut with a merino wool combination of materials that will make you feel super comfortable no matter what you’re doing.
Amazon Link
ExOfficio Women's Give-n-Go hiking underwear
These briefs take the top spot in the women’s hiking underwear category. Its material is ultra-light and smooth. The mesh fabric design allows ample airflow: thus, you remain comfortable, cool, and fresh throughout the day. Additionally, they have flat-locked seams to keep it all together and antimicrobial treatment to reduce odor in the fabric.
Amazon Link
Balanced Tech best hiking underwear
This hiking underwear is designed to keep the active woman focused and comfortable. You will hardly feel the disruption of chafing because they are seamless. Additionally, thanks to the four-way stretch design of the multifaceted materials, you will move freely. Nylon is the primary fabric used, making them ultra-light, and giving these undergarments many suitable properties for a hiker.
Amazon Link
Boody Body EcoWear best underwear for hiking
From a brand that specializes in outdoor gear, apparel, and footwear, comes the Phase SL design of boxer shorts. This is a pair of underwear meant for a whole array of different conditions and activities, from hiking to climbing to just plain ol’ enjoying the beauties of nature. It is incredibly light in weight, it comes with superior moisture-wicking, and it is a must-have for your next outdoor adventure.
Amazon Link
Kalon Underwear
Functionality and aesthetics are what Kalon achieves with these panties. They are designed by women, for women. Just like many other products in this review, this one is also made of synthetics in the form of 92% nylon and 8% spandex. The synthetics bring about excellent features so that you can move in comfort all day long.
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Criteria Used for Evaluation

Materials

The right fabrics contribute a lot to your personal comfort levels on the trail.

You need to maintain your temperature, reduce friction, as well as prevent rubbing and chafing. To do all of that, you need the right type of fabrics for your hiking underwear.

Manufacturers combine synthetic blends like nylon and polyester to give your hiking underwear the right characteristics. Here are some of the materials most commonly used and how they affect your overall hiking experience.

Merino
This fabric has many excellent features. It is lightweight, breathable, and has natural antimicrobial properties. An advantage merino wool has over many other treated synthetic fabric is that its antimicrobial attribute persevers regardless of the number of wash cycles. However, this material is pricey compared to synthetic types, and it dries out slowly when washed.

Synthetic
Synthetic materials are inexpensive, durable, good at moisture-wicking, and dry quickly. However, the odor control mechanism is weak and they may irritate some wearers.

Cotton
This material is the go-to for most people. Cotton is comfortable and doesn’t irritate sensitive areas. However, it retains moisture, promoting chafing, rubbing, friction, and increasing the potential for infections. Moreover, it takes ages to dry out. For these reasons, you should avoid cotton, because you are prone to sweating on a long, strenuous trek. Even if you could continuously switch up your cotton base layer, you’d have to carry many of them, further adding to your luggage.

Each material for hiking underwear has its pros and cons. It all boils down to ensuring that the fabric is breathable, quick-drying and that it wicks moisture well. Synthetic fibers and merino wool do an excellent job at that.

Comfort

If you don’t notice your undergarments, then you’re set for a hike.

If you’re not comfortable in your undergarments, then change them up. Any issue is increased tenfold when on a trail compared to an average day in your life. On a long trek, you will feel any potential chafing, elastic digging, the irritating fabric, or pants riding up even more. A good pair of hiking underwear is comfortable by being unnoticeable.

Hiking underwear should have a comfortable cut because of the persistent activity on a trail. Moreover, your undergarments should be close fitting to promote breathability while preventing chafing. There are numerous styles in underwear on the market, but boxer brief designs are efficient for hiking underwear.

For women, being minimalistic with something like a thong is ill-advised, because your outer garments don’t provide sufficient properties on areas not covered by the hiking underwear. Briefs increase the skin surface area covered, keep you dry, fresh, and comfortable since chafing is reduced. Nevertheless, there are some low cut styles, which still give of a modern type of look.

Look out for flat-lock seams, which cover a smaller surface area and, as a result, reduce irritation from chafing. Vertical seams stand out by rubbing on your skin. You could withstand loose seams on you, if you are not as mobile, but not while you’re taking long walks. If you’re using multiple layers, then the rubbing and chafing will be noticeable because of the added compression on protruding seams.

Other than selecting a style you are comfortable in, you need to have the right size. Your hiking underwear should be close-fitting. If your underwear is loose, then some creases might form, persistently rubbing a particular region.

Fortunately, the brands in this list have a wide range of sizes, and all you need to know is your waist size to get the right pair. Hiking underwear must also be light at all times, and not weigh you down.

Durability

Why buy underwear that cannot withstand the rigors of a demanding trek?

If your undergarments lose their properties, they will be of no help and may even make things worse for you. It is okay to spend more than usual for something that will last much longer. It’s okay to spend two times more for something that will last three times longer. Sewing quality matters a lot in hiking underwear, besides the fabric.

Synthetic fibers withstand rough and extensive use much better than other fabrics. However, you need to maintain them properly, especially the treated type.

Merino wool needs special care too, for you to get the best and extensive use out of it. Merino wool is softer than standard wool, but it isn’t cheap.

On a hike, you need to carry as light as possible, and that includes your hiking underwear. You won’t have the privilege of tossing your undies into a washing machine in some of the more remote places you visit. Note that you can still wash most of the undergarments in this review with a washing machine. However, you have to follow the directions on how to maintain them because the treated fabrics might lose their properties with some cleaning agents.

Other than that, the materials used in hiking underwear only need a good old hand wash. Besides, they dry out fast, so you can wash them late in the evening and have them ready to wear the following day, making them suitable for long trips.

If you take proper care of your undergarments, then they should serve you well for a long spell. Hiking underwear in this list uses synthetic fibers, merino wool, or a combination of both. They have thick waistbands that don’t wear quickly, and the sewing is of high quality.

Breathability

Your skin needs to breathe.

Breathability is essential for your skin, more so when on a hiking expedition. On the trail, you will do vigorous physical activities, making you sweat even more. Add the fact that you may need to pile thicker clothing on you, the sweating increases even more. That’s why you also need breathable hiking underwear.

If air passes through, your undergarments will dry faster. When your skin is soaked, that creates an uncomfortable feeling and gives rise to many risky health problems.

Merino wool beats all other variations in breathability, and synthetic fibers win over cotton in the same scope. Some brands have designs with ventilation holes in them to promote breathability.

No one appreciates being drenched in his or her sweat, and thus you should definitely look out for designs which are more breathable than others, and which make proper ventilation a priority.

Features

Take stock of where you will be traveling and what to expect there.

What makes a hike fascinating is the thrill of not knowing what to expect. However, you can be sure of sweating a lot, making your undies soggy. This moisture creates many problems, which these products try to counter in various ways. Below is how some of the different attributes and properties affect your experience in your chosen hiking underwear.

Odor Control
A prerequisite for hiking underwear is for it to be antimicrobial. This feature prevents the buildup of bacteria that might cause itchiness and bad odor. Germs thrive in moist conditions, and countering this will keep you fresher for longer.

Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial, so it doesn’t need treatment like other fibers. Even though wool eventually takes up the scent of what it’s covering, the smell doesn’t build up fast. Additionally, this smell dissipates when the fabric is dried out and disappears when washed. Merino wool is covered with lanolin, an antimicrobial substance, and it’s rough on a microscopic level, making conditions inapt for bacteria to breed.

Synthetic fibers lose antimicrobial properties after many cycles of washing. Nonetheless, you can improve the duration of these properties by cleaning the treated synthetics as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Drying Time
While on a trek, it’s best to be agile. In this case, you could do with only two pairs of hiking underwear. Because of this, you need each pair to dry quickly after washing them after use. You should remain dry around your nether regions to prevent chafing or nappy rash.

Moreover, a pair that dries quickly will dry up comparatively fast even when on your body. However, synthetic fibers are usually uncomfortable on you when moist. Merino wool dries slower when compared to synthetic fabrics. Synthetics also wick moisture efficiently and are the fastest drying fabric when used for hiking underwear.

When in tropical environments, rain can be unpredictable. Moreover, humidity is high in the tropics, and this affects the dampness in your undies. Merino wool handles moisture much better but takes ages to dry when exceedingly wet. You need to clean synthetics after use, but take solace in the fact that they dry up very fast.

Moisture Wicking
As mentioned so many times in this review, you should try to be dry in your nether regions while on a hike. Moisture-wicking is whereby the chosen fabric pulls sweat from your body towards the outer surface of the cloth. On hot walks, this can do you a lot of good. The synthetics and merino wool fabrics used typically promote this flow of moisture.

Our Favorites

1. SmartWool Merino 150

Where to buy
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SmartWool Merino best hiking underwear
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For over 20 years, this brand has captured a core market, with the best innovations using merino wool, like their excellent hiking socks. With these briefs on, you can ride, run, and hike all day in comfort. For those who use Merino wool fabric, they understand what justifies the high price. For starters, it’s naturally antimicrobial: therefore, you will persistently be fresh as long as these hiking underwear are still in one piece.

The fabric breathes freely and has excellent moisture-wicking properties, ensuring you remain dry in your nether regions. The SmartWool briefs are super soft, yet tough enough to withstand rough use. There are five sizes available to choose from; as a result, you can get a size that forms well to every man or boy.

Even though this soft hiking underwear clings to your body, you won’t experience undue friction thanks to the flat-lock stitched seams. The wide elastic waistband, which reduces abrasion and cutting, also has plush merino wool on the inside. The nylon core provides a consistent stretchiness.

With the right blends of mostly natural and some synthetic fibers, SmartWool has struck a good balance in this pair of hiking underwear. Additionally, the excellent designs - like the unique fly and wide elastic waistband - mean you’re in prime position for high comfort on your travels. These briefs are durable, resist odors, and manage moisture and regulate temperature well, no matter where the road takes you.

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2. Adidas Sport Performance Climalite

Where to buy
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best underwear for hiking Adidas Sport Climalite
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Adidas is an unparalleled sporting apparel manufacturer. For that reason, this hiking underwear guide would be incomplete without their Sport Performance Climalite briefs. The well thought out design, like the external, smooth, non-chafing stitching and no ride-up construction, ensure you remain comfortable in them throughout the day.

The combination of polyester and spandex makes them suitable for wicking moisture as they fit snug onto your body. The soft fabric used is stretchy, dries up fast, and wicks sweat away effortlessly. The micro-mesh fabric offers exceptional breathability.

They do not ride up on the leg, like many other briefs with similar materials. This feature is essential to a hiker since they will be moving a lot. Hiking underwear that pushes up on the leg can cause undue stress and creases that stimulate chafing, right under your justly fitting hiking pants.

The outside seam design adds to their aesthetic and durability. You can do all manner of sporting activities in the Adidas Climalite, or unwind with them on their own since they look so cool. There are up to 17 different color combinations to choose from, and the different size options are just too many to mention.

With all the sizes available, you can find a pair of hiking underwear that fits you tight but doesn't constrict. Should you wash them by hand or machine, they will dry out fast and be ready for the next day’s adventure.

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3. David Archy Ultra Soft

Where to buy
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David Archy underwear for hiking
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If planning to move light, then these quick-drying and breathable hiking underwear will do the trick. You can wash a pair late in the evening, and voila, they’ll be ready to be worn in the morning. This property also gives you an advantage over many others on a hot day, since the sweat dissipates faster to the outside fabric.

The David Archy hiking underwear is made mostly of polyamide, which wicks sweat rapidly, leaving you dry and fresh. The manufacturer also added a mesh design on the elastic and durable material. The 3D pouch design guarantees no chafing on your sensitive areas. You won’t experience any scratching with them because of the flat-locked stitching all throughout.

The design gives the user a high level of flexibility, essentially making these briefs inconspicuous. They still look appealing even on their own, thanks to the 3D cutting which fits snug to your body. You can choose a set from five different colors and a wide array of color options. There are three variations available, with and without mesh or fly, so choose carefully.

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4. Under Armour BoxerJock 2

Where to buy
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best hiking underwear Under Armour Boxerjock
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Under Armour has made many strides to become a worldwide name in the sporting world. They have made a name for having some of the best shoes to take on many types of terrains, plus many other types of apparel. Therefore, it is only natural to find them in the hiking underwear field as well. There are seven different size options suitable for the brand's massive fan base.

The UA BoxerJock work exceptionally well as hiking underwear, with their six-inch inseam, excellent materials, broad waistband, and many more features. These UA briefs combine 90% polyester and 10% elastane, making them light and stretchy. They won’t add extra unnecessary weight to your travels because of the fabrics.

The synthetic fabrics in this pair of hiking underwear are treated to prevent odor-causing microbes. Additionally, the articulated mesh promotes breathability. The four-way stretch ensures you move as naturally as possible. Besides wicking moisture, they also accelerate evaporation. They have a working fly, which makes it easy to get on with your business as fast as possible.

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5. SAXX Vibe

Where to buy
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SAXX Vibe Boxer hiking underwear
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These briefs have many features meant to keep you comfortable no matter your surroundings. They have a distinctive mesh on the pouch to reduce the likelihood of chafing while keeping everything centered. The fabric is 95% viscose, which wicks moisture away fast and regulates odor well. These and many more features make them suitable as hiking underwear.

The viscose feels weird at first if you’re used to conventional fabrics like cotton. However, after getting used to it, you will appreciate how it feels and fits on your body. The 5% spandex keeps it tight to your skin so that the smooth, silky viscose texture can do its work without a glitch.

SAXX did away with the fly to ensure mesh is incorporated into this design. The unique mesh in this hiking underwear also feels awkward on the some and takes some getting used to. Nevertheless, this feature keeps everything neat while promoting breathability.

When it comes to drying, these take longer than other variants in this guide. We attribute this to the mesh and the thick waistband, which also takes some time to dry up. All the same, if washed late in the evening, they will be ready for you in the morning.

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6. Icebreaker Anatomica

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Runderwear Women's Briefs for hiking
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Icebreaker is known for its high-quality outdoor apparel, from tops, sweaters, and jackets, to shorts, gloves and, you guessed it, underwear. The Anatomica is a lifestyle and adventure choice which has all the comfort, support and breathability that you need to take on your next challenge. It is a classic cut with a merino wool combination of materials that will make you feel super comfortable no matter what you’re doing.

The Anatomica is made from corespun fabric for improved durability. There is 5% LYCRA in it for the much-needed stretch and elasticity, and the rest is a blend of merino wool for softness and odor resistance and nylon for even more longevity. The pouch of these boxers is contoured for comfort, and the seams are flatlock, preventing chafing.

The Anatomica comes in two versions - one with a functioning fly and one without, so you can easily take a pick of your preference. This pair of hiking underwear leaves everyone absolutely thrilled at its features and benefits, and you should definitely give it a try as well!

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7. ExOfficio Give-N-Go

Where to buy
Amazon Link
ExOfficio Women's Give-n-Go hiking underwear
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These briefs take the top spot in the women’s hiking underwear category. Its material is ultra-light and smooth. The mesh fabric design allows ample airflow: thus, you remain comfortable, cool, and fresh throughout the day. Additionally, they have flat-locked seams to keep it all together and antimicrobial treatment to reduce odor in the fabric.

This hiking underwear is a must in your wardrobe if you like to travel light. They briefs wash quickly, and the fabric, made mostly of nylon, dries in a couple of hours. There are five sizes available to give you the best possible fit. They look just as good on their own, and you can choose a pair from up to ten different color combinations.

The ExOfficio Give-N-Go looks just like any conventional pair of thongs: therefore, you can wear them just like a bikini. You can cool off on a summer beach more comfortably, and not just hide them under your hiking pants. By being so versatile in use, you will appreciate their features even more, justifying the relatively high price.

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8. Balanced Tech Seamless

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Balanced Tech best hiking underwear
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This hiking underwear is designed to keep the active woman focused and comfortable. You will hardly feel the disruption of chafing because they are seamless. Additionally, thanks to the four-way stretch design of the multifaceted materials, you will move freely. Nylon is the primary fabric used, making them ultra-light, and giving these undergarments many suitable properties for a hiker.

The fabric in this hiking underwear is super soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying. The tag-less and seamless design ensures comfort while hiding panty lines. Balanced Tech aims at continually improving on their products, and the latest version of this pair hosts many unique features, like reinforced edges to reduce the odds of them rolling up.

There are five different sizes available. You can choose an economical pack with six undies, having different or similar assorted colors. You can take on all manner of errands in this trendy and comfortable hiking underwear.

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9. Arc'teryx Phase SL

Where to buy
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Boody Body EcoWear best underwear for hiking
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From a brand that specializes in outdoor gear, apparel, and footwear, comes the Phase SL design of boxer shorts. This is a pair of underwear meant for a whole array of different conditions and activities, from hiking to climbing to just plain ol’ enjoying the beauties of nature. It is incredibly light in weight, it comes with superior moisture-wicking, and it is a must-have for your next outdoor adventure.

The Phase SL is made from Phasic SL polyester which dries quickly, transfers moisture away from your skin and makes you feel incredibly comfortable as it stretches with your body. The crotch area is gusseted for freedom of movement and the seams are flat-lock, meaning they won’t rub your skin the wrong way. Finally, the Phase SL is super easy to pack and super easy to carry with you wherever you go.

The Arc’teryx Phase SL is one of our leading pairs of hiking underwear and for good reason - it is high in performance features, it fits comfortably and is quite flexible, and it is outfitted with everything you need out of a product of this type. What a great deal!

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10. Kalon Nylon

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Kalon Underwear
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Functionality and aesthetics are what Kalon achieves with these panties. They are designed by women, for women. Just like many other products in this review, this one is also made of synthetics in the form of 92% nylon and 8% spandex. The synthetics bring about excellent features so that you can move in comfort all day long.

They are seamless, thus reducing chafing and irritation when used as hiking underwear. The openings are reinforced to prevent them from riding up. There are six different sizes available, which are sold in packs of six, having the same or diverse colors. They are also true to size, have a low rise, and offer reliable posterior coverage.

These hiking underwear stretch comfortably, ensuring they work faultlessly as they fit snug on your skin. These pants cover your whole bottom to maximize the benefits they offer. They have a modern look and feel so that you can wear them on their own. The only downside to them is that they do not have antimicrobial treatment. Because of this, you might feel a stench, unlike in other hiking underwear in this review.

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Sources

  1. Jeff Alt, The Ideal Backpack Weight, Guide
  2. W. C. Kaufman, et al., Thermal Insulating Capabilities of Outdoor Clothing Materials, Journal
  3. National Park Service, Ten Essentials, Guide
  4. Mark Anders, Packing Checklists for Camping Trips, Guide
  5. Daniel Engber, Do Commandos Go Commando?, News