There are more than half a dozen different types of men’s underwear, including briefs, thongs and jockstraps. But most dudes wear one of three types: briefs, boxers or boxer briefs. 

In this post, we compare briefs vs. boxers vs. boxer briefs. We discuss the fit and comfort of each type of underwear, as well as their pros and cons. 

Boxers

Boxers are the largest of men’s underwear, going as low as the mid-thigh. They also offer the most loose fit, usually resembling the shorts worn by boxers (that’s actually where the name for the underwear came from). 

The loose fit of boxers is great for guys who hate the feeling of anything constricting their goods. Boxers also provide more breathability, which keeps you cool down there, reduces sweating and can also help keep off odors. 

Bigger bodies men, particularly those with a muscular build, may find boxers to be more comfortable. They fit their bigger thighs and butt better without constantly riding up.

The biggest downside of boxers is that you have to be careful what you wear over them. They go best with regular or loose fit pants. If your pants are even a little bit snug, the boxers will bunch up and can feel quite uncomfortable. So forget about slim fit trousers if you prefer boxers. 

Boxers can also feel awkward if you like feeling your boys well supported instead of danglin about freely. This can be especially uncomfortable during sports or a workout. 

So even if you prefer boxers for everyday wear, you should consider getting briefs or boxer briefs for things like running, hiking and cycling.  

Briefs

Briefs are snug and minimalist men’s underwear. You can think of them as being the far opposite of boxers. While boxers have lots of material, reach the mid thighs and have a loose fit, briefs have minimal fabric, they don't cover the thighs and they fit snugly around your butt and groin. 

Briefs are great for those who need closer support for their essentials. They are also better if other types of underwear tend to bunch and ride up your thighs (a common problem for men with wide thighs). 

There’s also the sex appeal. If you feel more confident in a pair of briefs rather than old fashioned boxer shorts, then go for it. 

On the downside, briefs can be too tight if you don't choose the right size carefully. This can leave you uncomfortable and feeling too hot. 

Talking of overheating, one potential issue with briefs is increasing scrotal temperature. Their snug fit plus the fact that they hold your balls closer to the body can make your testicles heat up. As we discussed in a recent article, this is a problem for men planning to get a baby in the near future.  

High scrotal temperatures can affect sperm count and quality. One study found that each 1C rice in scrotal temperature causes a 14% drop in sperm production.  

So if you prefer wearing briefs, make sure they are not too tight and that they are made from a breathable material like cotton, bamboo or silk. And if you are planning to start a family or get another baby soon, just keep off briefs and wear boxers or boxer briefs instead. 

The other issue with briefs is that they leave your thighs exposed. This leaves your skin exposed to chaffing if you wear certain types of pants like jeans. 

Boxer Briefs

Boxer briefs are the classic men’s underwear. They offer a comfortable (and sexy) compromise between boxers and briefs. 

Boxer briefs offer some thigh coverage, so there’s less risk of chafing. They also fit more snuggly than boxers, providing a good amount of support. 

Boxer briefs are suitable for everyday wear as well as sport and other physical activities like hiking. Just make sure you pick the right size to ensure they don't keep riding up or choke your boys. 

Our very own Kribi boxer briefs are available in multiple sizes from XS to 4XL. They are also super soft, highly breathable and are made with an antibacterial material that fights off infection and odor causing bacteria.  

Other Types of Men’s Underwear

• Thongs - similar to women’s thongs, men’s thongs offer minimal coverage. They are usually worn for aesthetic reasons. 
• Jockstraps - also called jockeys, jockstraps have the same minimalist coverage as thongs. But they include a protective cup to shield your privates from impact. Jockstraps are meant to be worn mostly by athletes.  
• Trunks - trunks are somewhere between briefs and boxer briefs. They provide the same snug support as boxer briefs, but cover a smaller portion of the thighs. They are shorter than boxers. Trunks are ideal if boxer briefs tend to bunch up. 
• Long underwear - these are trouser-like underwear that cover your legs entirely. Also called, long johns, long underwear is common for outdoor activities like camping since it provides extra protection against cold.