I love to run. I’ve ran since I was a freshman in high-school when I joined the cross-country team. Running builds character. Running is for life.
Running also can cause major chaffage!
I’ve been on the hunt for a new workout / running brief for some time and settled the top two recommendations to review as my best running underwear. My plan is to do at least 3-4 runs of various distances in each brief, and make notes of how I felt after each run. I live in the pacific northwest, so it’s possible we get various weather conditions as well, which will add some additional depth to the review.
The Two Contenders:
SmartWool Merino 150 Wool Sport Active Boxer Briefs
Both have been highly rated in the running community and I’m excited to give them my own take. I’m mostly looking for something that once I put it on, I don’t think about it again during my run. I want it to be supportive and make my butt look good…just kidding on the last part, these aren’t spanx!
Run #1 4.2 miles – 70 degrees and sunny
My first run with the SmartWool Boxer Briefs didn’t start out great. When I first put them on I found them to feel a little bulky, and I felt like things were gonna move a bit too much, you know?
However, once I started running I didn’t think about them until maybe 2 miles in when I noticed how smooth my shorts were rubbing against the underwear. It was like silk, no friction at all. I then proceeded to finish my run and didn’t think about the underwear again until I finished. Everything just stayed put during the run, nothing needed “adjusting” at all.
All in all, a good start for the Merino SmartWool.
Check SmartWool Price on Amazon
ExOfficio Men’s Give-N-Go Flyless Brief
ExOfficio builds a true brief here. When I first took out the underwear brief from the plastic packaging I was shocked at how light the whole thing was. It’s a mesh type fabric, though it’s not see-through, so no worries there. It fit a little snug on me, I think I may order one size larger and test that as well.
Run #1 5.0 miles – 57 degrees and raining hard
I knew this run was going to be a good test of the ExOfficio. I planned a 5.0 mile run while visiting my mother in Portland and just like a good Portland fall day, it was raining cats and dogs. Again, similar to the SmartWool Boxer Briefs, once I got running, I never though about my running underwear! This is a good sign for the ExOfficio as well.
My one criticism of this brief is the large seam that comes right up the middle of the front of the brief. It never bothered my during the run, but it’s placement makes me wary of future discomfort. Overall, I really liked this brief, and will be purchasing a few more of them.
Check ExOfficio Price on Amazon
The Best Underwear for Running Winner
I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but the Boxer Brief by SmartWool was my more favorite of these two really good choices. Both are fantastic running underwear. If you absolutely can’t do a boxer style underwear, go with the ExOfficio, you won’t be disappointed. I loved the smoothness of the SmartWool Boxer Brief while running, and I think you will too.
Get the SmartWool running underwear on Amazon now: