The 7 Best Pairs of Underwear for Working Out of 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Lululemon Mula Bandhawear Thong at Lululemon

"The MicroModal fabric is unfathomably soft, so light, and incredibly breathable."

Best Budget:

Third Love Comfort Stretch Thong at Thirdlove.com

"A smooth, seamless, barely there silky option from Third Love."

Best For Running:

Sweaty Betty No Show Briefs at Sweatybetty.com

"With a like-nothing fit and feel, the breathable and light Sweaty Betty No Show Briefs give you coverage without feeling like it."

Best for Yoga:

Athleta Incognita Thong at Gap.com

"The lines are nearly invisible and the smooth, stretchy nylon and spandex blend moves with you through poses."

Best Briefs:

Patagonia Active Briefs at REI

"Moisture-wicking with odor control."

Best For Curves:

ExOfficio Give-N-Go Full Cut Brief at Amazon

"Ideal for keeping your body cool and dry, even in a hot outdoor summer workout."

Best For Men:

Lululemon Always in Motion Boxer at Lululemon

"Exceptionally smooth, buttery fabric (known as Modal) that stays in place no matter how your body’s moving."

The lululemon Mula Bandhawear thongs and briefs are so smooth you'll almost forget you're wearing them. The MicroModal fabric is unfathomably soft, light, and incredibly breathable. Aside from the heaven-sent material, the best feature is the waistband—somehow lululemon engineered the waist to not dig into your hips, allowing for a flat lay that is equal parts comfortable, unrestrictive, and discreet under leggings.

Wear them to the gym, indoor cycling class, or the kickboxing studio. They’ll stand the test of time, and that includes machine washes. Just make sure you tumble dry on low to keep them in tip-top shape.

When you're working out, chances are you’re wearing skin-tight active leggings that show every lump and bump of undergarments. Go for a smooth, seamless, barely-there silky option from Third Love. You’ll get full coverage and won’t even remember you’re wearing them. Whether you’re stretching or taking a Pilates class and doing ab pikes on the Chair, you can rest easy knowing you’re not exposed, which will help you focus on your workout…or just how much your abs are on fire.

Running with undies is a subject of debate. Most of the time, runners opt for either “going commando” in a pair of breathable tights, or they’ll wear a lined pair of shorts with built-in panties. For the other times (and for those who aren’t ready for the underwear-free lifestyle), the Sweaty Betty No Show Briefs are the next best thing.

With a like-nothing fit and feel, they give you coverage without feeling like it. They’re high stretch to move how you move, and the material is sweat-wicking (with a cotton liner) to keep you from staying sticky and uncomfortable. These briefs are seamless to reduce friction and chafing, and bonded edges keep them in place, so they won’t bunch or shift around when you’re sprinting through the streets, or turning up the speed on your treadmill.

The Incognita Thong from Athleta was specifically designed with yogis in mind. The lines are nearly invisible and the smooth, stretchy nylon and spandex blend moves with you as you conquer the toughest poses (yes, even crow pose). Made to stay put, the back center seam keeps them from slipping. They're safe to throw in the washing machine too, just make sure to line dry.

These Active Briefs from Patagonia are comfortable, long-lasting, and Fair Trade Certified™. The fabric blend is breathable and features Polygiene® permanent odor control that works just as hard as you during your morning run. The material is moisture-wicking, so you'll stay dry no matter how hard you sweat. No need to worry about rolling or itching either: they lay flat and are completely tagless.

For hikes, trail runs, HIIT class, and beyond, this pair’s got coverage where and when you need it. These high-waisted stretchy briefs are moisture-wicking (sweat is drawn to the surface of the fabric to evaporate) and they incorporate odor-resistant technology (“Aegis Microbe Shield to prevent the build-up of odor-causing bacteria”) to keep things fresh, no matter how tough your workout gets.

With sizes up to 3X, they’re particularly accommodating for curves, and the 6-percent Lycra stretch allows for some wiggle room so they’ll comfortably conform to your body. Fans of ExOfficio sing praises thanks to their restriction-free breathability (particularly in size XL and up), plus a super comfortable fit (without digging) on curvy figures. Because they’re quick-drying, they’re ideal for keeping your body cool and dry, even in a hot outdoor summer workout. They come in a variety of beautiful colors, too.

Revered as the underwear for active guys, the Always in Motion boxer from lululemon garners its accolades from exceptionally smooth, buttery fabric (known as Modal) that stays in place no matter how your body’s moving. They’re breathable and sweat-wicking, which cuts down on any and all sogginess and discomfort, and they’re machine washable.

These are a boxer brief more so than a traditional boxer, so they’re figure-forming and hug tightly to the body. This particular style comes in a few lengths; 5 inches for a higher cut and 7 inches for more coverage. They also come in multipacks if you need multiple pairs.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!