Some runners prefer to run commando, while others choose to run with an added layer underneath their shorts, slacks, or capris. Regardless of the activity, underwear selection can significantly impact performance and comfort when running.
The best solutions are created with breathable technical fabrics that drain away sweat and keep sensitive regions dry and comfortable. They also combat chafing and discomfort.
The best running underwear is composed of lightweight, quick-drying, and stretchy material. Anti-odor technology is another helpful feature. A variety of sizes and seamless and tagless designs ensure a comfortable and chafe-free run. This article contains six of the best underwear for running.
How We Choose The Best Underwear for Running
When choosing the best underwear for running, cotton underwear is not recommended for jogging since it absorbs moisture and stores sweat. To keep you dry and comfortable, choose silky and elastic fabrics that are fast drying and help remove work, like polyester or nylon.
Secondly, thick seams with high edges can be uncomfortable and cause chafing. Look for seamless underpants or underwear with minimum or flatlock seams, which means the raw ends were sewn together, so there is no additional fabric.
Lastly, consider Fit and Style. Running underwear is available in various styles, designed specifically for the needs of runners. Women's styles include bikini briefs, boxer briefs, hip huggers, boyshorts, and thongs. Men's options span from classic boxers to low-rise briefs or trunks that sit just above the hips.
Choose an underwear style and fit that makes you feel at ease and confident. I have spent countless hours reading thousands of user reviews and star ratings to find the best products for running underwear.
Saxx Men's Underwear
Why We Love It
These lightweight micro-mesh boxer briefs are cut to a slim fit, ideal for wearing under sweats or gym gear, and working great when layered beneath your favorite outfits. For unparalleled ergonomic comfort, they feature our patented Three-D Fit that molds with natural body contours. Making sure you won't find yourself adjusting constantly, these boxer briefs come equipped with a BallPark Pouch to reduce friction and keep your man parts securely in place without causing conflict or irritation.
To top it off, it has Flat Out Seams to further prevent irritation experienced by seams grinding against your skin. Easy-care and ultra-durable, these underwear are machine washed and tumble dry for zero hassle cleaning so your daily routine can run smoothly.
What You Should Know
This Navy/City Blue pair is designed to move with your body, hugging every curve and providing support in all the right places. The polyester-elastane blend allows supreme comfort and breathability, no matter what your day entails. You never have to worry about whether or not your underwear will fit. Durable and machine washable, these undies are both dependable and stylish.
Runderwear Women's Anti-Chafing Briefs
Why We Love It
These lightweight, anti-chafing underwear are designed to keep you comfortable while running, jogging, hiking, walking, or performing other sports.
They stand out from other activewear thanks to no side seams or labels -- meaning less rubbing and fewer opportunities for chafing. Plus, our microfiber blend helps wick away sweat quickly and efficiently, so you stay cool no matter the climate. Micro-perforations allow this underwear to breathe all year round and improve airflow. And when it comes to efficiency and comfort, there's no wastage, so choose seamless to move smoothly and freely.
What You Should Know
These ultra-soft briefs are designed with your comfort in mind, providing breathability and complete support all day long. Crafted with a unique blend of 92 percent polyamide and 8 percent elastane, the fabric is lightweight and durable – perfect for any activity. With a sleek black finish, these briefs provide subtle and effortless style too.
This women's running underwear features a patented Stay-Put design that prevents bunching between the legs and helps keep you dry by wicking away moisture during your most intense workouts or activities. Plus, their seamless technology allows for quicker drying times, so you can enjoy even more time feeling comfortable.
The waistband is comprehensive and provides added support, while the fabric mix gives an incredibly soft feel against your skin. No matter what activity you choose, you can trust that your underwear Women's Anti-Chafing Briefs will keep up alongside you.
New Balance Men's 6" Boxer Underwear Fly Front With Pouch
Best Budget Underwear for Running for Men
New Balance Men's 6" Boxer Underwear Fly Front With Pouch
Why We Love It
Made from 10% spandex and 90% polyester, these ultra-comfortable boxers provide a lightweight 4-way stretch that will keep you comfortable during any activity. They are tagless, meaning no more scratches or irritation, and they add extra breathability to fend off sweat so you can stay dry while exercising or running errands.
Each pair of the best men's running underwear is designed with an elastic waistband that offers flex, so they don't restrict movement. Plus, they feature a "no-ride" inseam that ensures a hassle-free experience no matter what type of activity you put into them.
Effective for working out, running, skiing, skateboarding, football, baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, and hiking - you name it! And all in sizes from small (29-31 Inches), large (36-38 Inches), medium (32-34 Inches), X-Large (40-42 Inches), and XX-Large (44-46 Inches).
What You Should Know
These ultimate comfort briefs provide superior support and maximum breathability, making them the perfect choice for any active lifestyle. Designed to move with you throughout your day effectively, they feature a lightweight fabric blend of 90% polyester and 10% spandex that delivers a targeted compression fit - perfect for an athlete or anyone looking for extra support.
The no-ride fit ensures all-day comfort with a stay-put design that eliminates shifting and bunching. The fly front allows easy access, while the convenient pouch offers additional support. Available in an exciting range of colors, including Pink Zing/Pigment/Steel/Black/Steel/Ghost Camo, these briefs will keep you feeling great so that you can focus on what matters.
ExOfficio Women's Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs
Best Quick-Drying Underwear for Running
ExOfficio Women's Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs
Why We Love It
ExOfficio Women's Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs are designed with travelers, adventurers, and explorers in mind. Lightweight, ultra-comfortable, and quick drying, this bikini brief will become your go-to wear for all occasions.
Made from a breathable mesh fabric that prevents odors while letting airflow keep you cool and comfortable all day long, the Give-N-Go Bikini Brief won't stretch out with use but instead maintains its shape, no matter what the day has in store. And it's lightweight enough that you can easily fold and pack away multiple pairs so that your you're sudden plans never catch you off guard.
Since 1987, ExOfficio has been crafting apparel perfect for adventurers, from backpacking trips to beach vacations. Their Give-N-Go collection ups the ante just enough with the bug-, sun-, and water-resistant features so that when Mother Nature throws her curveballs at you, you're ready for anything.
What You Should Know
Crafted from a soft blend of 94% nylon and 6% lycra spandex, these briefs are designed for maximum comfort on the road and in the water. The water-resistant fabric also ensures that you stay dry and comfortable even when exposed to moisture. Whether running around town or enjoying an afternoon at the beach, these briefs won't disappoint you.
The unique color palette includes Blue Ice/Paradise/Baja Blue/Tropical/Candy/Watercolor Floral, so you can find something to suit your style. Plus, they have a convenient tagless construction, so there's no irritation when stretching or moving around.
These ExOfficio Women's Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs offer unbeatable convenience with their machine washable design - throw them into the wash after each wear for fresh cleanliness, making them great for everyday wear!
New Balance Women's Ultra Comfort Performance Seamless Bikini
Best Underwear for Running for Comfort
New Balance Women's Ultra Comfort Performance Seamless Bikini
Why We Love It
Crafted with lightweight 93% Nylon and 7% Spandex fabric, this three-pack of panties offers unbeatable strength, support, and breathability to keep you fresh and relaxed throughout the day.
The ultimate in convenience and comfort, these seamless bikinis are designed to eliminate visible panty lines without ever needing any adjusting.
With various colors, patterns, and designs available in sizes X-Small (4-6) through X-Large (16), you'll always go right in New Balance! You can confidently wear everything from your favorite jeans to or sleekest dress, knowing that your undies will always stay secure and dry with moisture wicking technology throughout any activity or occasion.
What You Should Know
This incredible set includes nine pairs of quality bikinis crafted with 7% spandex for ultimate stretch and softness all day. Each piece is designed with impeccable detail, from its second-skin fit to its durable and built-to-last construction that won't fade with regular machine washing.
Stay chic even in your most intense workouts with this ultra-comfortable bikini pack that comes in 12 stunning colors: Nude/Black/Hirise/Pink Haze/Natural Indigo/True Camo/Castlerock/Mindful Grey/Athletic Grey/Guava/Bluefish and Dark Heather.
With this 3-pack selection of gym essentials, you can switch up your style while still looking and feeling your best as you sweat! Choose the New Balance Women's Ultra Comfort Performance Seamless Bikini pack for unbeatable comfort, style, and quality rolled into one.
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FAQs
Are you a runner or want to be a runner? Are you searching for the best underwear for running or exercise? If you've answered the question with "yes," look no further. Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the best underwear for running.
Which type of running underwear is best?
Cotton running underpants should be avoided. Cotton is prone to chafing because it absorbs moisture and stores sweat, also avoid materials like merino wool. Instead, seek alternatives composed of polyester or nylon, which stretch, wick away sweat, dry rapidly, and work to keep you dry and chafe-free.
Should you run wearing underwear?
Yes, if you've ever worn natural-fiber materials like cotton, you know what it's like to be drenched in sweat after a workout. You want quality underwear that can keep up with you and last the distance, especially on long runs. Look for seamless underwear to avoid chafing.
Is it better to run in briefs or boxers?
Many male runners run in boxer briefs and trunks to help reduce chafing. If your legs come into contact while running, tighter and wider boxer briefs will protect you from scratching.
Reasons to run in your underwear
A quality pair of pants, particularly sports underwear, will provide support. If you wear underwear this incorporates back support to decrease butt bounce and improve support for men's parts.
What kind of underwear do athletes wear?
A Boxer with athleticism Because of the increased material down the legs, briefs are frequently preferred. This ensures that no skin-to-skin contact occurs. Allowing the fabric to wick moisture while also preventing rashes and chaffing.
When jogging, must you wear compression underwear?
Compression shorts provide distinct advantages to runners. Adding a pair to your racing gear arsenal can enhance comfort and reduce chafing, contributing to improved performance. Some sportsmen add these to their running gear as they believe that compression shorts aid in decreasing injury risk, supporting joints, and speeding up recovery after an exercise.
What is the purpose of runners wearing short shorts?
Runners use short shorts to keep cool, have freedom of movement in their legs, and run comfortably. Running shorts also help to minimize chafing and enable runners to assess their legs while running. Runners want lightweight, simple, and functional shorts.
Are thongs suitable for running?
There are a lot of different opinions on this topic, as it seems to be a matter of personal preference. Some people say that thongs are great for running because they prevent chafing and provide more ventilation than other styles of underwear as well as helping to avoid a visible panty line!
However, others find that thongs cause more chafing and are less comfortable than other styles of underwear, so they don't recommend wearing them when running.
If you're not sure what would work best for you, it might be a good idea to try out a few different styles and see which one is most comfortable for you.
What do top athletes put on underneath their shorts?
Lightweight underwear liners are famous for cycling, hoop, workout, running, and gym shorts, where freedom of movement is essential. Compression liners provide additional muscular support while also preventing chafing.
Is it more comfortable to run in pants or leggings?
Leggings are the best option when running in chilly weather or on a treadmill. Leggings will better protect your legs while you're out and about, keeping your body warm and retaining body heat. However, if it is boiling outside, you should wear shorts.
Conclusion
Underwear is a very personal thing. You might prefer looser or tighter pants, or you might want something that helps with your performance and improves the quality of your run.
Consider, for example, boxer briefs. They will support you while you're running and keep everything in place as you move. Briefs are sleeker and more fashionable but don't offer additional support.
The type of underwear that works best for one individual might not work well for another. The important thing is to find the underwear that's right for you, so you can stay comfortable and be an excellent runner at the same time. Click the button 'Check Price on Amazon' to shop today.
