Boxer shorts are the unsung heroes of a man’s wardrobe. You don’t see them, but you feel them – every hour of every day. And while most men treat underwear like an afterthought, the truth is it deserves as much consideration as your tailoring or trainers.
The best boxer shorts are the ones you forget you’re wearing: soft, breathable, perfectly cut, and quietly good-looking. They don’t ride up, twist, or fade after a few washes. They just do their job – with style. From heritage cottons to modern stretch fabrics, these are the boxers worth buying, the kind that make getting dressed feel that bit better.
Fit and sizing
This is the most important buying consideration. You want a pair of boxer shorts that are comfortable whilst supporting what you’ve got going on. The first part of this is size. Don’t go too tight. A pair that’s too tight will chafe at best or at worst cause rashes and infertility. If you feel like this is a risk, go up a size.
Style
With your fit down you’ll want to choose a style, of which there are many. Boxer briefs are the standard. A supportive, elasticated short which goes down the leg. There’s also the classic baggier cotton short styles synonymous with 90s teen movies. Breezy yes but little to no support. Hipsters or trunks meanwhile are a median of sorts between a supportive Y-front brief and a boxer brief with less fabric going down the leg.
Material
Always an important consideration for anything you wear, materials fall into two camps when it comes to boxers. Cotton is breathable and functional, wicking away sweat and keeping things down there fresh. Don’t be averse to a mixture though. Nylon microfibre with a bit of elastane thrown in for stretch will do a solid job in keeping everything in place and temperate.
Colour
The world is a place of free will and choice. You can do what you want. That said, please do not stray away from the hallowed colours of black, white, grey or navy blue. Colours to live by when it comes to any safe style decision-making. Absolutely nobody wants to see a pair of novelty boxer shorts nor do they want a pop culture reference. Keep it classy, please.
Best boxer shorts brands for men in 2026
David Gandy Wellwear
Underwear tends to fall into two camps: performance-focused or lounge-worthy – rarely both. David Gandy Wellwear finds the sweet spot. Their boxers are cut from soft, breathable, and sustainably sourced fabrics with a flattering fit that’s never too much. They’re comfortable enough for all-day wear, and some styles are classic enough to double as PJ shorts – perfect if you like a more traditional sleepwear look. Think high-end quality, not budget multi-pack.
ASKET
ASKET’s Boxer Brief is crafted entirely at Portugal’s premier underwear factory, ensuring quality from yarn to final product. Featuring a lustrous waistband, these briefs are made from organic cotton-stretch fabric with piped seams and bound hems, offering unparalleled comfort and durability. A perfect choice for everyday luxury.
WAHTS
WAHTS is a Dutch brand that brings the kind of quiet precision usually reserved for tailoring to the world of luxury basics. Its boxer shorts are cut with clean lines and made from soft, high-grade cotton blends that don’t shout for attention but do make everything else you wear sit better. Minimalist in aesthetic, maximalist in comfort, they’re a solid upgrade for anyone trying to declutter the sock-and-underwear drawer without cutting corners.
Sunspel
Sunspel is a British brand synonymous with quality. Founded in 1860 the brand has been making minimalist, timeless and high-quality essentials ever since to form the foundations of your wardrobe. Funnily enough, John Hill, the grandson of Sunspel’s founder first introduced boxer shorts to Britain in 1947, with the brand’s current boxers still made to the original specifications. Cut from 100% long staple fine cotton and with double-turned seams to avoid rough edges, if you’re in the market for something baggier, look no further.
Calvin Klein
Is there a more iconic waistband in this world? Absolutely not. Calvin Klein revolutionised men’s (and women’s) underwear in the 80s, transforming it from a thing of necessity to a luxury item. By the 90s, with the help of Mark ‘Marky Mark’ Wahlberg, CK had transformed pants again, this time with the pioneering of the boxer brief, the midway between boxer shorts and Y-fronts. A classic pair of cotton stretch trunks with a medium rise waist remains timeless to this day.
Uniqlo
God bless Uniqlo. Sock utopia, basics behemoth, masters of modern fashion collaboration and unsurprisingly, great place to replenish your underwear supply. Uniqlo’s selection of underwear is comprehensive, taking in a range of fits, styles, materials and designs. Supima cotton features heavily throughout the collection, as does the brand’s AIRism material mix. The latter, which features heavily across Uniqlo’s performance range, suits underwear with enhanced moisture wicking and premium fit.
Turnbull & Asser
You’d be forgiven for associating Turnbull & Asser solely with fine shirting but the heritage brand does underwear too. Mighty fine underwear at that. Manufactured in the UK, same as the shirts, there’s an equal attention to detail with mother-of-pearl buttons and superior construction. T&A pants are the ultimate indulgence. Almost a shame they’re hidden from view most of the time. Available in a range of satisfying hues and with sea island quality cotton available, get a pair in a nice Bengal stripe and revel in the luxury.
Hugo Boss
Another big name on the waistband. German fashion powerhouse Hugo Boss do a solid line in men’s underwear, be it briefs or boxers. Available in low, mid and high rise fits in classic stretch cotton, the brand’s boxer shorts are constructed with breathability and comfort in mind. Not afraid to throw a pattern into the mix either, designs range from classic one colour contrast waistbands to more distinctive patterns.
