The chafe. The weird smells. The unnecessarily restrictive fabrics. We don’t talk about it often, but not all adventure underwear is created equal, and choosing the right pair of briefs (or a supportive, cozy bra) can be essential to staying dry and comfortable on the trail this season.
A good set of outdoor undies will help wick sweat, protect your tenderest skin and provide support where you most need it. We asked several of our favorite outdoor experts for their top picks when it comes to hiking, traveling and running. Here’s the best hiking underwear for every kind of adventurer.
What to look for in hiking underwear
Unlike your regular ol’ lacy hipsters and cotton boxers, active underwear is designed with performance, not aesthetics, in mind. Savvy shoppers should be on the lookout for three key elements when searching for a pair of hiking undies: material, cut and chafe resistance.
Like ordinary underoos, adventure bottoms come in a variety of fabrics, and each has its own pros and cons list. In general, it’s a smart idea to avoid cotton, unless you’re hiking in an incredibly humid environment, as it doesn’t wick moisture and isn’t quick-drying enough to keep you comfy on a long trail day. “What I look for are comfort, flexibility, breathability and fabrics that don’t retain water,” says travel writer and adventurer Keith Langston. “Cotton underwear while spending an entire day outdoors moving around and getting sweaty? Gross.”
Meanwhile, synthetics like nylon and viscose are quick-drying and woven specifically to wick sweat away from your body as you exert yourself. Merino wool (though it might sound scratchy and uncomfortable) is actually ultra-soft, naturally moisture-wicking and more odor-resistant than its machine-made cousins.
Finding a preferred cut can vary wildly from person to person, but, in general, you’ll want something that keeps your tush and upper thighs covered to prevent unnecessary abrasions and chafing. “You need undies that can stretch and have room to move with your body, so they remain feeling comfy all day long,” says Langston. Alternatively, sports bras designed for hiking are as diverse as the bodies they’re made for, with options ranging from strappy, lightweight bralettes to full-coverage crops that’ll keep busty babes comfortable on even the most grueling treks.
Lastly, let’s talk about chafe. It’s real, and it can be a mega bummer, especially if you’re heading out on a big thru-hike without the option to swap out your shorts. If you’re like me and suffer from a lack of upper thigh gap, try to pick a pair that’s longer (like a full-coverage boy short or long-leg boxer briefs) to swaddle and protect your sensitive skin.
Best women’s hiking underwear
With a bespoke seam-free knit, a booty-covering cut and wool that meets top sustainability protocols, Smartwool’s Intraknit Hipster is a buttery-soft, low-rise bottom that effortlessly wicks sweat while you’re crushing it on the singletrack. True to size and naturally odor-resistant, the weave also incorporates cooling Tencel Lyocell fabric for all-season comfort.
ExOfficio has become a thing of lore among frequent travelers, namely because of the brand’s chafe-free fit and impressively quick dry time. Made with synthetic viscose and elastane, the undies also have an all-natural anti-odor treatment, helping them to stay fresher than other synthetics (but still not as funk-proof as wool).
“Saalt is a nontoxic brand whose thongs are really well made (some of the briefs have come undone at the seams; but the thongs have lasted me years),” says Megan Spurrell, senior editor at Condé Nast Traveler. Not only is the brand a Certified B Corp, each pair of its undies is made from one recycled water bottle, so you can feel good about your purchase. “On a multi-day hiking or outdoors trip, I always come prepared with a pair or two of these just in case I'm faced with the unexpected,” says Spurrell.
With a next-to-skin fit and next-to-skin color palette, Branwyn is changing the game when it comes to chic merino panties (these ain’t your grannie’s wool underwear). Made of ultra-fine thread that’s wonderfully breathable and naturally temperature regulating — I’ve found that my pairs stay comfy and insulated, even when wet — the essential bikini is an essential piece of activewear, especially for those of us who don’t always want a boy short style.
Unlike most of the brand’s lineup, which is made of ultra-soft modal fabric that’s not as quick-drying as synthetics, the Breathe fabric from MeUndies is just as cozy and designed with moisture-wicking, anti-odor, textured nylon. Not only are they designed to be ultralight, but they’ve also got bonded seams to avoid those dreaded visible panty lines.
In my opinion, Artilect has managed to create the softest, most comfortable merino wool on the market today. Its proprietary Nuyarn blend offers a darn near perfect warmth-to-weight ratio that’s as at home on a sweaty summer day hike as it is on a winter road trip in my minivan. Not only are these wool shorts super lightweight, but they also boast flatlock seams for a truly no-chafe fit.
Best men’s hiking underwear
“I don’t have any specific hiking underwear with fancy materials like merino wool, but the pair I always reach for before a hike or camp outing is Uniqlo’s Airism boxers,” says Kai Burkhardt, editor at CNN Underscored. These breezy briefs are made from quick-drying recycled polyester, ideal for travelers and thru-hikers who aren’t afraid of a little sink or stream wash. “They pack down super small, taking up basically zero room in my backpack,” adds Burkhardt.
Similar to the brand’s Hot Pant, Artilect’s Boulder Boxer Brief is uber-soft, feather-light and naturally odor-resistant (something your tentmates will thank you for on a long backpacking trip). With a gusseted crotch that’s designed with movement in mind, these Nuyarn merino wool shorts offer a performance-ready no-chafe fit for your wildest adventures.
Sure, the name might be a mouthful, but 2(X)IST is one of the finest purveyors of velvety-soft, sweat-wicking trunks on the market today. “In recent years, the brand has done a total 180 and now makes some of the softest, most breathable and most comfortable underwear I own,” says Langston. “Made with a flexible, stretchy, quick-dry nylon fabric, the trunks are designed for workouts,” he says.
“There’s a reason people just take three of these on weeks-long trips,” says writer and trail runner Itai Grunfeld. Updated from the original design, the 2.0 version is more moisture-wicking, breathable and quick-drying than ever before, too. “After a 6-mile jog in them the other day, there was no smell. Like none,” says Grunfeld.
Listen, it’s hard to find a pair of performance underwear that’s as colorful as your personality, but, true to form, MeUndies has you covered (check out the moose, bicycles or yoga grizzlies for an outdoorsy theme). The fabric is light, perforated, fast-drying and stretchy enough to wear in a vinyasa class. And, unlike some pairs on our list, it’s got a functional fly for when you’ve gotta go.
Ever wanted to show your national park pride with your boxer briefs? Saxx just released a vibrant lineup of speed-drying, park-themed shorts that are perfect for summer backpacking and road-tripping. Rock Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos, Glacier’s high alpine or Joshua Tree’s boulders on your tush this season. “These have been great on really long treks so far,” says Grunfeld. “I used them to summit Cucamonga Peak, when everything else was drenched with sweat, and I didn’t feel them at all.”
“I have owned some awful bamboo clothing before that literally felt like you were wearing wood,” says Langston. “Free Fly’s bamboo boxer briefs are so unbelievably stretchy and soft you won’t even believe that they're made from 68% bamboo fiber — the rest is polyester and spandex.” Coming in a variety of calm, neutral blues, this soft, stretchy pair will keep your boys comfy on everything from long plane rides to summertime summit bids.
Best sports bras for hiking
We love this women-owned brand for its ultralight designs, unlined options and use of recycled fabric in their products. The Six Alta Medium-Impact Sports Bra is made to support your gals up front while maintaining a light profile on your back to help control moisture. “I like this one because it has minimal lining (less to absorb sweat on the trail) and breathable back straps, so you don't feel swampy, especially when wearing a backpack,” says CNN contributor and author of Women Who Hike Heather Rochfort.
The first two times I tested out this bra on the trail, I literally forgot that I was wearing it. ExOfficio’s custom blend of viscose and elastane creates a buttery-soft jersey fabric that’s got a stellar, next-to-skin feel. The only downside? There’s likely not enough coverage for chestier women. For more support, I’d recommend the brand’s Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh Bralette.
It’s nice to see a supportive, strappy bra join the activewear party, and Smartwool’s new Intraknit designs boast all the benefits of wool (odor resistance, sweat-wicking and natural temperature regulation) while maintaining a comfortable fit that hugs you in all the right places, no matter how intense your day’s adventure. Want a little more coverage but the same, seam-free feel? Check out the Intraknit Racerback Bra.
“I'm a big fan of Prana's bras because the brand has an ethos I can stand behind,” says Rochfort of Prana’s well-known sustainability practices, adding, “they arrive at my house without any plastic packaging, and I appreciate that they use Fair Trade-certified and bluesign-approved materials.” The Chakara Bra is everything you’d expect from this outdoor titan’s lineup- — flattering compression, sun protection and perfectly feminine back straps.
As I mentioned earlier, wool in active underwear doesn’t necessarily mean the itchy, unbearable warmth of the past. It’s actually a fabulous and virtually stink-free fabric for your nether regions when you’re out exploring in the mountains. Branwyn has an incredible lineup of cuddly-soft merino wool garments, but we love the Essential Busty Bra best for its emphasis on full-coverage support. If you want something lighter, try their Essential Bralette.
Whether you’re training hard with HIIT workouts or stepping out for a sweaty trail run, Athleta’s Ultimate Ease Bra is designed with your wildest cardio dreams in mind. Created with the brand’s recycled SuperSonic fabric, this sports bra provides excellent compression and boasts rear clasp closures for easy on-off. Athleta also offers this design in specially-designated D-DD+ sizing.
A bra with a pocket for your phone? To that, we say yes, please. Brooks Drive 3-Pocket Run Bra is designed with the go-go-go lady in mind, with motion-reducing, high-impact support. “It's the best running sports bra, and I try to maintain my morning run routine, even on big trips,” says Spurrell. “This can be the only sports bra I bring, and it seamlessly transitions from a run to my day's activity.”
Though On is more known for its beloved, high-quality trail runners, the brand has made a big splash in the apparel scene recently. The Active Bra is a perfect amalgamation of their outdoor and running expertise, made to provide firm support for “anything with a bit of bounce”— runs, HIIT, downhill mountain biking, you name it.
Best women’s undershirts
To add on an odor-free, sweat-wicking base layer (or use as your main top on super-sweltering days), I love Ibex’s Women’s Essentials Racerback. It keeps you insulated, even when it’s drenched and the wind picks up on top of a craggy summit, plus it comes in a variety of earth tones to ensure that you’re always cute and matching.
Similar to the Ibex we listed above, but with a slightly more relaxed, off-the-skin fit (and brighter colors), the Active Ultralite Racerback Tank is designed for freedom of movement. So, it’s uber-light, not at all bulky and features a flattering racerback style to show off your deltoids.
Best men’s undershirts
Made with the same care, odor-resistant technology and cozy, moisture-managing nylon as the brand’s highly desirable underwear, the Give-N-Go 2.0 Crew Neck Tee has some extra tricks up its sleeve, too. A breathable mesh fabric paired with flatlock seams means your torso stays cool and free from painful chafing.
Though it’s a bit warmer than the ExOfficio we listed above, Artilect’s Sprint Tee is a truly impressive new garment, suitable as an undershirt or a top layer on hot summer hikes. Like nearly everything on the brand’s roster, it’s made of durable, machine-washable Nuyarn merino fabric, which helps you stay dry and smelling fresh when you’re playing outdoors.
