Until you have to spend hours in uncomfortable underwear that keeps riding up, makes you sweaty and pinches your balls, you don’t realize just how important it is to wear comfortable underwear when traveling. 

If you travel often, it is worth investing in good quality underwear that is moisture-wicking, breathable, soft, odor-free and well fitting. Here are our tops on how to pick the most comfortable travel underwear for men. 

Why Not Wear Normal Underwear? 

Yes, there is something like travel underwear. You might be wondering why the heck you’d need travel underwear. Why not just wear your normal underwear? 

Sure, you can wear your regular underwear. But when you are traveling, switching to travel underwear can make your trip a lot more comfortable. 

Travel underwear is designed to be super comfortable through hours of sitting, lots of walking, hot weather and travel-related challenges. 

At home or in the office, you are likely in an air conditioned environment. Also, you are probably not walking a lot, so a normal pair of cotton underwear is pretty comfortable. But on the road, normal underwear can get pretty uncomfortable. 

The main downside of travel underwear is that it’s often more expensive than regular underwear because it’s made with premium materials that help deal with sweat, heat and odor. But on the upside, you don't need more than 2-3 pairs. Just make sure you save them for travel and wear your usual underwear at home and when going to work. 

5 Things to Consider When Choosing Travel Underwear

Travel underwear is made from materials like wool, bamboo and eucalyptus. These natural materials are typically blended with synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon to keep costs down and because synthetic fabrics themselves have several great qualities — they are quick drying, don't wrinkle and don’t hold onto sweat. 

Here’s what to consider when shopping for travel underwear. 

1. Breathable & Moisture-wicking 

You’ll sweat a lot more from your nether area when you are traveling. Even just sitting down in a crowded airplane for hours can make you uncomfortably sweaty. It’s worse if it is hot.

This is where the premium materials of travel underwear come in handy. Fabrics like wool, eucalyptus and bamboo are breathable and moisture wicking. This has two huge benefits: you stay cool no matter how hot it gets and you don't get sweaty. 

Travel underwear is especially helpful when traveling to a tropical destination where it is hot and humid. You will sweat a lot and the heat can be unbearable. Good quality travel underwear is worth its weight in gold in such situations.  

2. Odor-resistant 

The worst thing about getting sweaty down there, in addition to the discomfort, is the smell. It can make you really self-conscious.

Good travel underwear absorbs sweat and lets it evaporate quickly, so you stay dry and fresh all the time. If you want to feel even more confident, look for travel underwear that has anti-odor treatment. Our very own Kribi underwear is designed to clean itself so you stay smelling clean and fresh even if you wear it multiple times without washing it. 

3. Quick Drying

We’ve recommended time and again that frequent travelers should get quick-drying clothes. It comes in handy when you need to do laundry. You can wash clothes in the evening and they’ll be dry by morning. 

With quick-dry travel underwear, you don't need to pack more than one or two. You can even just go with just the one you have on when you leave home. Wash it in the evening and put it back on in the morning. And in the case of Kribi underwear, you can just air it out and wear it again in the morning and it will still be fresh. 

Another advantage of quick-drying underwear is that it doesn't hold onto sweat. This is one of the reasons why regular cotton underwear is not good for travel. It absorbs sweat well but doesn't let go of it quickly, leaving you feeling damp and smelly. 

4. Soft & Stretchy 

Traveling involves lots of walking, more sore if you are going on an outdoor trip like hiking or mountain climbing. You need travel underwear that stretches easily to accommodate a wide range of movements whether it’s walking, jumping, bending and more. 

It should also feel soft against your skin, ensuring you can wear it for hours without any itching or discomfort. 

5. Well Fitting & No-Chafe Seams

Look for travel underwear with flatlock seams. These won’t chafe at your thighs as you walk or run. 

Also make sure the underwear fits properly. Not too loose that it bunches and rides up all the time and not too tight that it feels uncomfortable. 

Final Thoughts

Good travel underwear is not cheap. But once you experience just how comfortable it is, you’ll realize it’s worth it. And as we said, you only need one or two pairs.