Let’s face it: most boxers are pants when it comes to stopping chafing, which refers to the skin irritation you experience when fabric repeatedly rubs against your skin, worsened by heat and moisture.
A bad fit and poor material can both contribute to the problem, leaving you uncomfortable at the end of the day, even if yours is just a commute to the office and back, rather than a climb of Kilimanjaro.
Good news, then, that boxers are finally cottoning on – forgive the pun – in how they’re made to offer us, gents, more comfort and support for the long days and nights ahead. Indeed, there are an increasing number of designers and brands tackling – we couldn’t help ourselves – the problem head-on, and it’s about time.
“For most of its history, men's underwear wasn't really a product category, but what the fashion industry calls a ‘diffusion line’,” explains Ricky Knight, founder of Randies, the British-designed, Portuguese-made underwear brand for men. “In short, it was a way for a big design house to license its name to a textile manufacturer that makes the product as cheaply as possible to monetise the brand.
Best anti-chafing boxers at a glance
Best overall – Derek Rose Alex Micro Modal Boxer Briefs: £65, Derek-rose.com
Best budget buy – Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs: £12.90, Uniqlo.com
Best value pack – M&S Autograph Modal Rich 360 Flex Trunks: £38, Marksandspencer.com
Best cooling boxers – CDLP Boxer Brief: £40, Cdlp.com
Best for invisible fit – Skims Boxer Brief: £58, Skims.com
“Cotton became the default, not because it's the best material for the job, but because it’s the most economical, and men got used to a logo on the waistband being the whole point. Underwear is one of the last garment categories where 'technical fabric' still sounds like a novelty rather than the norm.
Running kit, cycling gear and even socks went through this shift years ago – engineered knits, moisture-wicking fibres, fabric that's tested rather than just cut to a pattern. Underwear is only catching up now, borrowing fibres and construction techniques built for activewear and applying them to the one garment men wear every single day.”
Ricky continues: “That's what a non-chafe boxer is: a garment engineered around movement rather than cut to a static block pattern. The test isn't how it feels on a hanger, but whether it still fits properly nine hours later. Most explanations for chafing stop at ‘bad fit’ and ‘moisture’, both of which matter, but they're not the whole picture. Fit isn’t just whether a garment is the right size when you put it on, but whether it holds that shape after three hours of movement, and that's where most boxers fail.
Moisture makes it worse because it softens the skin and lets everything slide against everything else; heat does the same thing, keeping skin soft and vulnerable for longer instead of letting it breathe. Then there’s simple repetition: walking, sitting, standing or taking the stairs, the same few centimetres of skin and fabric rubbing together thousands of times a day.”
He explains: “Fixing that properly comes down to three things: the fibre, knit and cut. Natural and technical fibres, the kind developed for activewear rather than spun for cost, are more breathable and better at moving moisture away from the skin than standard cotton.
The knit matters just as much: I worked with a Portuguese mill on the construction of ours, engineering a stretch-recovery rate of around 95 per cent, against roughly 65 per cent for standard cotton. That's the difference between a fabric that still holds its shape nine hours in and one that's given up by lunchtime. Then there's the cut: incorporating an inner pouch that sits between the fabric and the body's most friction-prone point, so there's less direct contact to begin with.”
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Ricky concludes: “If you're shopping this category, ignore the logo and read the construction. 'Soft' and 'breathable' are marketing words that any cotton boxers can claim; stretch-recovery, fibre composition and knit engineering are the things that actually determine whether they still fit properly by the evening. It's the same shift performance sportswear made decades ago, finally reaching the one item of clothing every man puts on every single day.”
Derek Rose Alex Micro Modal Boxer Briefs
★★★★★
Best: Overall anti-chafing boxers
What we love: Despite being a hipster design – sitting higher on the leg than the usual anti-chafe styles on the market – these boxer briefs by British designer Derek Rose kept me comfortable and supported from morning until night, with nothing riding up to expose my inner thighs to rubbing.
Take note: Because they sit higher up than most underwear that’s billed as anti-chafe, these are probably best for those with slim legs, rather than bigger builds.
Beloved by everyone from Hollywood actors to rock ‘n’ rollers and sports stars, Derek Rose is the quietly luxurious British brand for discerning gents. Their Alex micro modal boxer briefs are a hipster style with a shorter leg than most anti-chafe designs and a neat, closed front. The ultra-fine fabric is crafted from its namesake material and elastane for a lightweight fit that genuinely feels like a second skin and responds to changes in body temperature, keeping you cool when it’s warm and vice versa.
Buy now £65.00, Derek-rose.com
Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs
★★★★☆
Best: Budget anti-chafing boxers
What we love: Uniqlo’s boxer briefs are exceptionally lightweight and feature clever technology for a stay-fresh feel, with quick-drying fabric that means they don’t stick to and irritate the skin.
Take note: The style is pretty basic, so if you’re on a Tinder date and hoping to get lucky, I’d suggest changing out of these into something a bit more luxe.
Made with a smooth, silky fabric that creates a low-friction barrier between your pants and thighs, the appropriately named AIRism boxer briefs from Uniqlo are a brilliant high-street buy. They’re also quick-drying and sweat-wicking to reduce skin irritation, while the price tag means they’re a no-brainer for everyday comfort.
Buy now £12.90, Uniqlo.com
Randies Boxer Trunk Long
★★★★★
Best: Innovative anti-chafing boxers
What we love: The tailored fit of the long boxer trunks by Randies means they sit snugly on your thighs without riding up and leaving exposed skin to rub throughout the day.
Take note: The brand offers a 100-day trial that means you can wear and wash them to gauge for yourself if they’re the best underwear you’ll ever own, as they claim. They’ll even refund the full price if you’re not happy, so there’s nothing to lose.
Inspired by technical apparel, these long boxer trunks from Randies – the British-designed, Portuguese-made brand that’s all over my social media feed – come with an internal pouch that keeps your bits and pieces supported without being restricted. The fabric, which is softer than cotton, wicks moisture well and doesn’t pill or sag, while being knitted to hold its shape and sit exactly where you want it, all of which means there’s no chafing as you go about your everyday business.
Buy now £29.95, Randies.com
CDLP Boxer Brief
★★★★★
Best: For cool credentials (quite literally)
What we love: Everything from CDLP just fits like a glove, and their boxer briefs are no different and feel incredibly soft and silky on the skin. Better still, they are so breathable, keeping me dry and comfortable after a long day out and about.
Take note: There are seven colours to choose from, but I think the plum, olive green and charcoal shades elevate these essentials even more.
Offering a raft of elevated essentials, Stockholm-based brand CDLP has become a go-to of mine for everything from swimwear to sweatshirts, and now undergarments. They offer various styles of pants for the discerning gent – Y-fronts and boxer shorts included – but to avoid chafing, I’d recommend the boxer briefs. They come with a regular leg and are made from a fibre derived from certified renewable wood sources, both of which help to provide silk-like softness, noticeable breathability and moisture-wicking properties.
Buy now £40.00, Cdlp.com
Charles Tyrwhitt Cotton Jersey Trunks
★★★★☆
Best: Anti-chafing boxers for wearing under a suit
What we love: More comfortable and longer than traditional trunks, both of which prevent chafing, these undies from Charles Tyrwhitt are simple but supportive.
Take note: This style only comes in black, meaning you might want another anti-chafe design if you’re wearing white trousers.
Charle’s Tyrwhitt’s cotton jersey trunks are made from high-quality cotton fibre and offer a super-soft feel that’s supportive and comfortable. The elasticated waist sits nicely and snugly above the hips without being restrictive, and the black colourway keeps things simple for under suits or smart trousers.
Buy now £29.95, Charlestyrwhitt.com
Sunspel Stretch Cotton Boxer Briefs
★★★★★
Best: Anti-chafing boxers for thoughtful gifting
What we love: I’m a fan of everything Sunspel – the British brand that specialises in luxurious basics, from t-shirts to underwear – but I’m particularly impressed by these boxer briefs. The snug fit, mid-length design that sits neatly on the thigh and soft fabric made for long-lasting comfort all help to avoid chafing.
Take note: The underwear arrives beautifully packaged in a box with a ribbon that means these are perfect for gifting if you have a discerning gentleman in your life.
These stretch-cotton boxer briefs by Sunspel are made from a winning combination of cotton and elastane to offer a soft, comfortable fit with a supportive, unrestrictive design. Lightweight and luxurious with a sleek, athletic look, the mid-length leg avoids rubbing without being overly long and making you feel like a granddad, like some of the designs I tested (and didn’t include).
Buy now £39.00, Sunspel.com
M&S Autograph Modal Rich 360 Flex Trunks
★★★★☆
Best: Value pack of anti-chafing boxers
What we love: I’m loving the quality, range and style at M&S right now, especially Autograph, their own luxury label. These pants are no exception, with lasting shape retention that means nothing rides up or chafes, however long you’re on the go.
Take note: The trunks come with new technology that preserves colour integrity, meaning they’re less likely to fade during washing.
Promising to improve everyday underwear with a comfortable, stylish design, the 360 flex trunks by Autograph at M&S offer unrestricted movement through their innovative four-way technology. The modal-rich fabric means they’re soft and breathable, while the added Lycra ensures a shape that lasts. The regular fit and elasticated waist complete the look.
Buy now £38.00, Marksandspencer.com
Skims Boxer Brief
★★★★★
Best: Anti-chafing boxers for an invisible fit
What we love: These boxer briefs aren’t just about celebrity credentials: their incredibly soft and supportive construction means there’s no risk of chafing and they keep you cool and comfortable, whether you’re working the room or working out.
Take note: These are surprisingly affordable at just under £60 for three pairs – I’d expect a Kardashian to charge a hell of a lot more.
Cut long on the leg, these boxer briefs from Skims – Kim Kardashian’s now-hugely successful brand of underwear and more – are soft and supportive with a ‘second-skin’ feel. They come in a range of nude and earthy colourways, as has become the entrepreneur’s signature, while everything is made with a max-stretch, cooling fabric that never loses its shape, plus an enhanced pouch to keep your crown jewels where they should be. Better still, they’re seamless under your clothing – in fact, pretty much invisible – meaning they can be worn beneath lightweight trousers or shorts, perfect for summer.
Buy now £58.00, Skims.com
Gymshark Boxer Brief
★★★★☆
Best: Anti-chafing boxers for working out
What we love: Although these boxer briefs from Gymshark only have a three-inch inseam, they didn’t ride up or rub my skin during testing, which was a 5km run – so I’m impressed.
Take note: They veer on the side of athletic, rather than aesthetic, so they better suit workout sessions or being active rather than elegant or formal occasions.
A best-seller for good reason, Gymshark’s boxer briefs are constructed from a soft, stretchy combination of cotton and elastane that moves with you, while their elasticated band sits comfortably but snugly on the waist.
Buy now £28.00, Gymshark.com
What are the best anti-chafing boxers?
Can I have a trio of favourites? Rules are made to be broken, I say. First up: CDLP’s boxer briefs. Not only do they fit nicely on the leg without being too long and making me feel like a granddad, but they are super-soft on the skin and proved oh-so breathable after putting them through their paces during a long and hot commute into London.
There are two joint runner-ups. Randies boxer trunks are seriously innovative – I love the attention to detail that founder Ricky has poured into every pair, from the internal pouch to the innovative fabric. It was about time that someone flipped the category on its head. Finally, the boxer briefs from Derek Rose felt like wearing silk and were so lightweight and comfortable. They’re not cheap, as you’d expect from this A-lister brand, so I’m keeping these for ‘best’.
Why trust me?
As a freelance editor, I’m an expert on all things lifestyle. I also work with some of the biggest brands on the high street to advise and create content, so I understand products, what goes into making them and how they perform.
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