Fitness Gear Apparel The 12 Best Pairs of Underwear for Working Out of 2022 Lululemon's Always in Motion Boxer is breathable and keeps sweat at bay By Lindsey Lanquist Lindsey Lanquist LinkedIn Lindsey Lanquist is a writer and editor specializing in fashion, lifestyle, and health content. Her work has appeared in SELF, StyleCaster, SheKnows, MyDomaine, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 01, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Elaine Hinzey, RD Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD LinkedIn Elaine Hinzey is a registered dietitian, writer, and fact-checker with nearly two decades of experience in educating clients and other healthcare professionals. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Verywell / Chloe Jeong Once you've stocked up on shorts, leggings, and fitness tops, you'll want to buy some great workout underwear to complete your outfit. “Comfort is a key factor to having a feel-good experience while working out,” says Shayra Brown, NASM, personal trainer at Blink Fitness. Reviewed & Approved Made of moisture-wicking fabrics, Lululemon's Always in Motion Boxer keeps sweat at bay. Lululemon's InvisiWear Mid Rise Thong Underwear is soft, breathable, and maintains its shape over time. When buying, “look for fabric that wicks moisture away from your body, so moisture does not accumulate in your crotch area,” says Annette Dale-Kramek, activewear designer and founder of Ancient Language 97. She recommends stretchy fabrics that are lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. We researched dozens of underwear for working out and evaluated them for material, breathability, comfort, and cost. Here are the best pairs of underwear for working out on the market. Our Top Picks Best Overall for Men: Lululemon Always in Motion Boxer at Lululemon Best Overall for Women: Lululemon InvisiWear Mid Rise Thong Underwear at Lululemon Best Budget for Men: Adidas Sport Performance Boxer Briefs at Amazon Best Budget for Women: Under Armour Pure Stretch Hipster at Zappos Best Unisex: Urbody Boxer Brief at Urbody.co Best Plus-Size: Girlfriend Collective Sport Brief at Girlfriend.com Best Maternity: Kindred Bravely Full Coverage Maternity Briefs at Amazon Best Period Panties: Thinx Sport at Nordstrom Best Briefs: Patagonia Active Briefs at Backcountry.com Best Thong: Third Love Comfort Stretch Thong at Thirdlove.com In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Fit? Best Overall for Men: Lululemon Always in Motion Boxer 4.8 Courtesy of Lululemon View On Lululemon Pros Ergonomic fit with front pouch Soft, stretchy material Moisture-wicking fabric Cons May ride up No fly opening We chose Lululemon’s Always in Motion Boxers as our top pick because they are comfortable and are crafted from Modal—a form of rayon that’s flexible and durable. The lycra elastane helps with stretch, and combined, they make these boxers soft, breathable, and flexible. Designed with an ergonomic silhouette, the boxers hug your body comfortably and feature a spacious front pouch. Plus, it's available in five sizes and two lengths, meaning you can get the perfect fit no matter your body shape. Material: Modal, lycra elastane | Gusset Material: Modal, lycra elastane | Colors: Eight | Sizes: S-XXL, in 5-inch and 7-inch lengths Best Overall for Women: Lululemon InvisiWear Mid Rise Thong Underwear Courtesy: Lululemon View On Lululemon Pros Snug, but not too tight Maintains shape over time Soft, breathable cotton gusset Moisture-wicking material Cons No seamless design Lululemon’s InvisiWear Mid-Rise Thong is a fan favorite thanks to the smooth feel of the nylon- and lycra-blend material. Lightweight and stretchy, they're still durable enough to maintain shape over time and they offer both moisture-wicking and quick-drying capabilities. The thong boasts a soft, breathable gusset—a detail that will keep you comfortable as you're moving around and working up a sweat. And since it's available in six colors and one patterned fabric, you shouldn't have trouble finding an option worth adding to your wardrobe. Material: Nylon, lycra elastane | Gusset Material: Cotton | Colors: Five | Sizes: XS-XXL Best Budget for Men: Adidas Sport Performance Boxer Briefs Courtesy: Dick's Sporting Goods View On Amazon View On Zappos View On Dick's Pros Moisture-wicking material Tag-free waistband Double-lined pouch Shouldn’t bunch or ride up Cons May loosen over time No fly opening The Adidas Sport Performance Boxer Briefs come with two budget-friendly pairs designed for working out and everyday use. They're crafted with a blend of polyester and spandex, meaning they should be both stretchy and smooth. Known for their sweat-wicking capabilities, they dry quickly to stand up to your most intense workouts. They also have a tagless waistband to cut down on discomfort, and they feature a snug fit that will keep them in place. Material: Polyester, spandex | Gusset Material: Polyester, spandex | Colors: Seven | Sizes: S-XXL The Best Underwear for Leggings That Help You Avoid VPL Best Budget for Women: Under Armour Women's Pure Stretch Hipster Courtesy of Zappos View On Zappos View On Macy's View On Underarmour.com Pros Stretchy, comfortable fit Breathable cotton gusset Anti-odor technology Cons Limited size range Thicker than most May lose stretch over time Get three pairs of underwear for the price of one with Under Armour’s UA Pure Stretch Hipster. They're crafted with a super-stretchy blend of nylon and elastane, providing the flexibility you need to comfortably move around. They also feature a breathable cotton gusset to keep you cool. The hipsters are designed with laser-cut edges and tagless waistbands, so you don’t have to worry about itchy details digging into your skin. And since they come equipped with anti-odor technology, you shouldn’t have to worry about the post-workout stench, either. Material: Nylon, elastane | Gusset Material: Cotton | Colors: Three | Sizes: XS-XL Best Unisex: Urbody Boxer Brief Courtesy: Urbody View On Urbody.co Pros Gender-neutral Snug, stretchy fit Breathable and quick-drying Wide range of sizes Cons Limited color options May be bulky Designed with a gender-neutral silhouette, Urbody's Boxer Briefs come in two variations—the original briefs and packing briefs. Both versions are crafted with a flexible blend of polyester and spandex that help the underwear maintain shape over time. They're also quick-drying to keep you comfortable as you work up a sweat. Despite the compressive fit, these briefs may be bulkier than other workout underwear on the market. However, they still promise comfort and flexibility. Material: Polyester, spandex | Gusset Material: Polyester, spandex | Colors: One | Sizes: XS-XXL The 12 Best Pairs of Underwear for Working Out of 2022 Best Plus-Size: Girlfriend Collective Sport Brief Courtesy: Girlfriend Collective View On Girlfriend.com Pros Eco-friendly Seamless waistband and leg openings Moisture-wicking material Cons Size range varies by color Edges may roll May slip out of place Stretchy, soft, and comfortable, Girlfriend Collective’s Sport Briefs are an exercise must-have. They're crafted with RPET—a textile made from recycled plastic bottles—and they're designed with comfort in mind. They also contain a fair amount of spandex for durability and stretch. A seamless waistband and seamless leg openings add to overall comfort, and they boast a Coolmax-fabric-lined gusset—keeping you comfortable by wicking away sweat. They are offered in a wide size range, which means you'll likely find a pair that meets your needs. Material: RPET (recycled plastic bottles), spandex | Gusset Material: Polyester | Colors: Four | Sizes: XXS-6XL Best Maternity: Kindred Bravely Under the Bump Full Coverage Maternity Briefs Courtesy: Amazon View On Amazon View On Kindredbravely.com View On Nordstrom Pros Comfortable crossover waistband Flexible fit over time Soft, breathable cotton gusset Cons Designed with seams May sit too low for some It's hard enough to find good workout underwear and even harder to find good maternity workout underwear. Thankfully, Kindred Bravely's Under The Bump Maternity Briefs comes with five pairs to help you stock up during pregnancy. Stretchy and comfortable, they feature a crossover waistband designed to sit under your baby bump. They're also crafted with a flexible blend of rayon and spandex that forms to your body as it changes during pregnancy. Material: Rayon, spandex | Gusset Material: Cotton | Colors: Five | Sizes: S-XXL The Best Underwear for Running, Recommended by a Running Coach Best Period Panties: Thinx Sport Courtesy: Thinx View On Nordstrom View On Thinx View On Urban Outfitters Pros Low-profile Medium absorbency Soft, breathable cotton and elastane gusset Wide range of sizes Cons Limited color options Seams may show through clothes Thinx blends comfort and protection in a low-profile pair of sport period panties. Crafted with a blend of nylon and elastane, they're designed to stay in place while you work out. They also feature a breathable cotton and elastane gusset to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the day. Since they fall under the category of period panties, they'll feel thicker than most athletic underwear. However, this helps them absorb liquid at a moderate level. Though the period products you use are ultimately up to you, this kind of absorption means you might be able to forgo pads during workouts—without increasing your risk of a leak. Material: Nylon, elastane | Gusset Material: Cotton, elastane | Colors: Four | Sizes: XS-4XL Best Briefs: Patagonia Women's Active Briefs Courtesy of Patagonia View On Backcountry.com View On Patagonia.com View On REI Pros Fuller coverage Seamless, tag-free waistband Leg openings prevent chafing and bunching Odor-controlling fabric Cons Limited color options May run small Patagonia's Active Briefs will give you more support than you’d find from a skimpier pair of workout undies. But since they’re crafted from a blend of recycled polyester, nylon, and spandex, you can still expect them to feel lightweight, breathable, and stretchy. Since the briefs boast a seamless, tag-free waistband, they cut down on itch and discomfort as you work out. The leg openings are also designed to stay securely in place—minimizing the chance that they'll ride up, chafe, or bunch. To top things off, they're made with Polygiene odor control technology to cut down on bacteria and post-workout stench. Material: Polyester, nylon, spandex | Gusset Material: Polyester, nylon, spandex | Colors: One | Sizes: XS-XL The 10 Best Sports Bras For Yoga For Yoga of 2022 Best Thong: Third Love Comfort Stretch Thong Courtesy of Third Love View On Thirdlove.com Pros Comfortable stitch-free design Breathable cotton gusset Wide variety of colors Cons May ride up Gusset may be too narrow for some May loosen with use ThirdLove’s Comfort Stretch Thong is comfortable, stretchy, and available in a wide range of sizes and colors. The thong is crafted from a stretchy blend of nylon and spandex, so it should flexibly move with you as you exercise. And thanks to its breathable cotton gusset, it promises to feel pretty cool, too. This style boasts a stitch-free design, which means less discomfort and fewer panty lines. It also comes in an inclusive size range and 11 colors, so you shouldn't have trouble finding an option that works for you. Material: Nylon, spandex | Gusset Material: Cotton | Colors: 13 | Sizes: S-3XL Best No-Show: Nude Barre Seamless Bikini Panty Courtesy: Nude Barre View On Nudebarre.com Pros Comfortable seamless design Breathable cotton gusset Available in 13 shades Cons Size range varies by color Only available in nude colors Rise may be a little high in the back Even if you buy "no-show" panties, they might be visible if they don't come close to matching your skin tone. Unfortunately, many seamless panties are only offered in a couple of nude tones. Nude Barre’s Seamless Bikini Panties come in 13 shades to help solve this issue. They're crafted with a blend of polyamide and elastane and they feature a breathable cotton gusset to keep you comfortable during your workout. The seamless design ensures they won't dig into your skin, and they're snug enough to stay in place as you move. Material: Polyamide, elastane | Gusset Material: Cotton | Colors: 13 | Sizes: XS-XL The 9 Best Sports Bras for Large Breasts of 2022 Best Seamless: Sweaty Betty Mindful Seamless Hipster Briefs Courtesy: Sweaty Betty View On Sweatybetty.com Pros Comfortable seamless design Thicker than most no-shows Lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking Cons May give you pantylines Visible panty lines aren't the only reason you might want to avoid seams. Some prefer seamless underwear to avoid digging and irritation from stitches on the material. Sweaty Betty’s Mindful Seamless Hipster Briefs are perfect for the person who wants a seamless panty, but who also craves more support than no-show panties tend to provide. Crafted from Lenzing yarn, the briefs should feel soft to the touch, and thicker than your average pair of no-show panties. But thanks to their ribbed design, you can also expect them to feel lightweight, breathable, and flexible enough to work out in. True to form, the seamless undies offer the full, supportive coverage you’d expect from a pair of briefs, and their cozy design makes them a great pick for both exercise and everyday wear. Material: Lenzing yarn, polyamide, elastane | Gusset Material: Lenzing yarn, polyamide, elastane | Colors: Three | Sizes: XS-XXL Final Verdict Comfortable, breathable, and flexible, Lululemon's Always in Motion Boxers (view at Lululemon) are great for working out. They have a stretchy composition that stays in place while you're moving, but they're also cozy enough to wear for daily use. You can find them in five sizes, eight colors, and two lengths—meaning you'll have plenty of options to consider. Another great choice is Lululemon's InvisiWear Mid-Rise Thong (view at Lululemon) which is crafted with nylon and elastane to provide a smooth and stretchy feel. Flexible enough to allow for a full range of motion, they're also snug and will stay in place when you exercise. The fabric also wicks away moisture keeping you cool and comfortable. What to Look for in Underwear for Working Out Material How a pair of underwear feels counts for a lot. That's why you'll want to pay attention to the list of materials in a pair of workout underwear to ensure that it will feel comfortable during your practice. You want something that's lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking—keeping you comfortable and cool when you work out. You also want a pair that will provide a snug but flexible fit. Opting for nylon or spandex is a good choice. According to Dale-Kramek, while cotton is a popular choice, it may actually hold onto moisture. So if you’re in the market for something moisture-wicking, you may be better off with a synthetic textile—like polyester or nylon. Gusset Material When shopping for workout underwear, you may notice that the word gusset comes up again and again. Simply put, the gusset is the piece of fabric lining the crotch of the underwear. And since it’s designed to brush up against some of the most sensitive skin on your body, it’s often crafted from a different material than the rest of the underwear. (The underwear may be made of stretchy synthetic fabric, whereas the gusset may be made of cotton.) Cut Workout underwear is available in a range of different cuts—including thongs, hipsters, briefs, and more. Skimpier options, like thongs, may cut down on visible panty lines. But according to Dale-Kramek, they may also irritate your skin. Fuller coverage options, like briefs, can be great if you’re looking for more support. But since they feature more fabric, they may bunch up, add bulk to your workout bottoms, or cause panty lines. Seams and Tags A lot of workout underwear is designed without seams or waistband tags to make them more comfortable and less visible. “Seamless may be more comfortable across the board,” Dale-Kramek says. (That said, she notes that seamless underwear may not be as necessary as we make it out to be.) She also recommends finding something “simple, lightweight, and airy” above all else.” Colors Workout underwear comes in all kinds of different colors—some nude, some neutral, and some vibrant. Though color is ultimately a matter of personal preference, you may want to consider the opacity of your workout bottoms when shopping for underwear. (A pair of vibrant underwear is likely to show through a translucent pair of leggings.) Frequently Asked Questions Should you wear underwear when you work out? If you want to stay comfortable and reduce your risk of infection, it may be a good idea to wear underwear while working out. Why? Sweating is a normal part of working out. But if that sweat pools in your crotch area, it may make you uncomfortable—and it may also increase your risk of infection.For this reason, it’s important to make sure you’re wearing something that will wick moisture away from your crotch as you exercise. If your workout bottoms are adequately moisture-wicking, they may take care of this for you. But if they aren’t, you may need a pair of underwear to make sure sweat isn’t pooling anywhere it shouldn’t. Is it bad to wear thongs while working out? Thongs are a popular choice in the workout underwear space. After all, they’re unlikely to cause visible panty lines—and since they’re so low-profile, they’re also unlikely to add bulk to your workout bottoms. But Dale-Kramek advises against wearing thongs while working out because they can ride up and irritate your tush. Why Trust Verywell Fit? Verywell Fit writer Lindsey Lanquist has years of experience in both the health and fitness space and the fashion space. So you can trust her when she says she knows what a difference the right pair of workout underwear can make. For this shopping guide, she prioritized underwear that was made from lightweight, comfortable, and breathable materials. And she favored moisture-wicking and anti-odor options wherever she found them. To increase your chances of finding a pair of workout underwear you love, she made sure to include a range of different styles. She also included options that come in many sizes and colors. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get one simple hack every day to make your life healthier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 2 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Tang KM, Chau KH, Kan CW, Fan JT. Assessing the accumulated stickiness magnitude from fabric-skin friction: effect of wetness level of various fabrics. R Soc Open Sci. 2018 Aug 22;5(8):180860. doi: 10.1098/rsos.180860 De Sousa J, Cheatham C, Wittbrodt M. The effects of a moisture-wicking fabric shirt on the physiological and perceptual responses during acute exercise in the heat. Appl Ergon. 2014 Nov;45(6):1447-53. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2014.04.006