I’m going to put it bluntly: most underwear sucks for running, and so do most (but not all) two-in-one shorts. The bad ones bunch, snag, chafe, overheat, or undersupport; all of which make for a horrid running experience. For most people, it’s better to go with a specially designed pair of underoos crafted specifically for athletic performance.
This type of underwear is made of snug, yet slightly compressive material that wicks moisture, helps regulate temperature, feels smooth on the skin, and minimizes bouncing. We kept these factors in mind when determining which boxers, briefs, and panties provide the best comfort and support to help you perform at your best—minus any chafing. We tested picks from top brands like Tracksmith, Reebok, Runderwear, and many more, evaluating different styles of underwear that were seamless, moisture-wicking, discreet, and more to really get a sense of what the best options were for different types of runners.
After careful consideration, these are our picks for the best running underwear for both men and women. For more ways to stay comfortable as you log those miles, check out our reviews of the best tights for men, leggings for women, and hot-weather running gear. There is no factor more vital to a great pair of running underwear than quality material.
Forget about classic cotton undies—these are terrible for moisture management and create the perfect conditions for bacteria to thrive, which can cause jock itch, yeast infections, and other rashy unpleasantness. Instead, go with a techy synthetic fabric that will not only help keep everything dry, but also feel pleasantly soft and stretchy. That usually means looking for some combination of nylon, polyester, spandex, and the like—materials that all of our picks are made from.
Few conditions plague runners as frequently as chafing, so the best running underwear boasts seamless, tagless designs to reduce the potential for skin-irritation. Some underwear takes this a step further by offering four-way movement, which allows the material to stretch in any direction, further reducing rubbing. Any running underwear material worth your money will have excellent moisture-wicking material, which increases comfort and helps avoid the aforementioned bacterial blight.
It will also offer excellent breathability, which is no small benefit. We recommend the Balanced Tech Seamless Bikini Brief Panties and Duluth Trading Armachillo Cooling Boxer Briefs due to their excellent moisture control and breathability, which provided plenty of cooling, sweat-wicking comfort during testing. Products made with merino wool, like the Smartwool Intraknit Bikini (our “Best Odor Control” pick), are also great in these regards thanks to merino’s natural moisture-wicking, bacterial fighting properties.
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