Athletic Performance and Men’s Underwear: What You Need to Know

Guys, the hard truth is that underwear matters when it comes to athletic activity and performance. The wrong underwear can ride up, chafe, or get sweat-logged during workouts. But the right athletic underwear keeps everything stable and sweat-free for peak comfort. Follow these tips on how your undershorts impact performance and what to look for:

Fabric Matters

Cotton may be great for everyday wear, but cotton underwear is a bad choice for working out. When cotton gets damp from sweat, it stays wet and can chafe. Instead, look for underwear made from moisture-wicking technical fabrics like polyester, nylon, modal, or spandex blends. These fabrics actively pull sweat away from your skin so it can evaporate. This keeps you cool, dry, and reduces irritation as you move. Find the best Where Durability Meets Fashion: Knobby Men’s Underwear Range.

Breathable mesh panels placed strategically at the waistband, thighs, crotch, and rear also enhance ventilation and cooling. Underwear brands like SAXX and ExOfficio use specially-designed fabrics and mesh to prevent overheating and discomfort during activity.

A Proper Fit Prevents Adjusting

You want your exercise underwear to have a supportive fit that conforms to your body. If the leg openings are too loose, the fabric will bunch up as you run or lift weights. Ill-fitting waistbands will slide down or ride up, forcing you to stop and adjust. Seek close-fitting boxer briefs or briefs in technical fabrics that won’t restrict movement. 

Under Armour, Tommy John, and Lululemon all offer athletic underwear with ergonomic designs made for motion. The right contoured fit stays put so you can focus on your workout, not your underwear. Say goodbye to picking wedgies mid-burpee.

Flatlock Seams Prevent Chafing

Rough seams and stitching in the wrong spots can irritate and chafe your skin with too much movement. Seek underwear constructed with flatlock seams that lay flat against your skin instead of rubbing. Even better, look for seamless underwear styles that eliminate chafing altogether.

Brands like Andrsn and ExOfficio have perfected seam placement and construction specific for athletic wear. Their underwear won’t have you walking funny after leg day.

Prioritize Sweat Wicking Areas

Look for moisture-wicking fabrics concentrated in sweat-prone areas for maximum dryness and temperature control. The waistband, inner thighs, crotch/butt, and back of legs are key zones. SAXX’s BallPark Pouch uses moisture-wicking in the front pouch to keep your assets cool and chafe-free.

ExOfficio gives their underwear an antimicrobial treatment to reduce odor from sweat and bacteria buildup. Targeted design keeps the sweatiest spots dry during physical exertion. 

Avoid Going Commando

Guys, just don’t do it. Exercising without underwear leads to painful chafing as skin rubs against tough shorts or pants material. Also, the support of underwear helps avoid injuries to the boys as you run and jump during intense training. Protect your twins and avoid embarrassing adjustments by wearing performance underwear designed for working out.

Prioritize Comfort in Compression Shorts

Wearing compression shorts, pants, or tights for recovery and muscle support has benefits. But going commando under them causes issues. The compression fit leaves no room for error. So layer them over form-fitting, sweat-wicking underwear for necessary comfort.

Anti-chafing lubricants are another option but can feel messy. Well-designed underwear ensures your hard training sessions don’t have to be uncomfortable ones.

The Right Pair for Your Activity

Choose underwear tailored for your training needs. For high intensity training, look for lightweight breathable fabrics that feel barely-there. For teams sports with lots of running, low-rise supportive styles prevent riding up. Weightlifting demands stable waistbands and leg openings.

Browse athletic brands like Lululemon, Nike Pro, and Knix to find the right underwear for your sport. Consider keeping a designated pair just for working out. You’ll notice the performance difference.

Avoid Bunching Under Your Shorts

There’s nothing worse than underwear bunching up under your shorts as you train. The right fit and fabric prevents this. Look for smooth fabrics like nylon/spandex blends that won’t fray. A contour pouch, as seen in SAXX and MyPakage, also keeps the profile minimal.

Overall, choose underwear one size down from your everyday style for a lean fit. Then shorts drape cleanly over them, not exaggerating lines or seams underneath.

Keep Multiple Pairs Handy

Bring extra underwear pairs to change into, especially during endurance training. Having a dry option waiting in your gym bag prevents chafing issues. For multi-class days, pack enough clean spares to swap a fresh pair between sessions. Keep your nether regions happy and chafe-free.

There you have it, guys. Follow these athlete-tested tips and prioritize performance fabrics and fits in your active underwear. Avoid discomfort that derails your goals. With the right athletic undies supporting you, bring on the PRs!