Underwear is judged on all-day comfort, where support and fabric matter most. Our winner is SAXX, with an SR Score of 88, because its BallPark Pouch, flatlock seams, and stretchy fabric solve the chafe-and-shift problems other brands ignore. Tommy John (86) is the soft, no-roll runner-up, and Calvin Klein is the value-and-style pick.
The ranking
| Rank | Brand | Best for | Typical price (USD) | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SAXX | Pouch support | ~$28–$40 | 88 |
| 2 | Tommy John | Soft, no-roll | ~$34–$42 | 86 |
| 3 | Calvin Klein | Value & style | ~$13–$30 | 84 |
| 4 | ExOfficio Give-N-Go | Travel & fast-dry | ~$35 | 84 |
| 5 | MeUndies | Micromodal softness | ~$20–$28 | 83 |
| 6 | Smartwool Active Merino | Odor control | ~$35–$40 | 85 |
| 7 | Uniqlo AIRism | Best value | ~$13–$20 | 82 |
Methodology
The Style Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria summing to 100:
- Comfort & support (30) — pouch design, seams, fit.
- Fabric & breathability (25) — feel, wicking, airflow.
- Value for money (20) — comfort per dollar.
- Durability (15) — elastic and fabric longevity.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — owner and tester consensus.
Comfort leads because underwear’s only job is to feel right all day. Re-weight toward value and Calvin Klein and Uniqlo climb; toward odor control and Smartwool wins.
SAXX
The pouch-support winner. Around $28 to $40, the Non-Stop Stretch and similar lines feature the BallPark Pouch, flatlock seams, and comfortable material that prevents shifting and chafe.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & support | 28/30 |
| Fabric & breathability | 22/25 |
| Value for money | 16/20 |
| Durability | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: the pouch design feels unusual at first and runs warmer than mesh.
Tommy John
The soft, no-roll pick. The Second Skin Boxer Brief ($38) uses a silk-like lightweight fabric with a supportive pouch and no-roll waistband; Supima cotton boxers run about $34.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & support | 26/30 |
| Fabric & breathability | 23/25 |
| Value for money | 15/20 |
| Durability | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: premium pricing for what is ultimately everyday underwear.
Calvin Klein
The value-and-style pick. Cotton Classics run about $50 for a 4-pack ($13 each), pairing iconic styling with reliable, breathable cotton.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & support | 23/30 |
| Fabric & breathability | 22/25 |
| Value for money | 19/20 |
| Durability | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: basic cotton lacks the technical pouch and stretch of premium pairs.
ExOfficio Give-N-Go
The travel pick. Around $35, the Give-N-Go Sport 2.0 dries faster than almost anything in testing, making it the go-to for travel and multi-day trips.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & support | 23/30 |
| Fabric & breathability | 24/25 |
| Value for money | 15/20 |
| Durability | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the technical mesh feel isn’t as plush for everyday lounging.
MeUndies
The micromodal pick. Around $20 to $28, MeUndies’ silky micromodal fabric and bold prints have a loyal following, often via a subscription model.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & support | 23/30 |
| Fabric & breathability | 22/25 |
| Value for money | 16/20 |
| Durability | 11/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the soft modal pills and loses shape faster than sturdier fabrics.
Smartwool Active Merino
The odor-control pick. Around $35 to $40, Smartwool’s merino blend regulates temperature and resists odor exceptionally well, making it the best for travel and active days.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & support | 25/30 |
| Fabric & breathability | 24/25 |
| Value for money | 14/20 |
| Durability | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: merino is the priciest fabric here and needs gentler washing.
Uniqlo AIRism
The value pick. Around $13 to $20, Uniqlo’s AIRism boxer briefs deliver smooth, cool, wicking fabric at the lowest premium-adjacent price here.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & support | 22/30 |
| Fabric & breathability | 23/25 |
| Value for money | 19/20 |
| Durability | 11/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the support pouch is basic and the elastic softens over time.
Verification
- SAXX — ~$28–$40 verified on saxxunderwear.com.
- Tommy John — Second Skin ~$38, Supima ~$34 verified on tommyjohn.com.
- Calvin Klein — Cotton Classics ~$50/4-pack verified on calvinklein.us.
- ExOfficio Give-N-Go — ~$35 verified on exofficio.com.
- MeUndies — ~$20–$28 verified on meundies.com.
- Smartwool Active Merino — ~$35–$40 verified on smartwool.com.
- Uniqlo AIRism — ~$13–$20 verified on uniqlo.com.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best men's underwear brand in 2026?
- SAXX wins overall for its signature BallPark Pouch support, flatlock seams, and stretchy, comfortable fabric. Tommy John is the soft, no-roll runner-up, and Calvin Klein is the value-and-style pick for classic cotton at accessible prices.
- Boxer briefs, briefs, or boxers?
- Boxer briefs are the most popular all-rounder, combining support with thigh coverage. Briefs offer the most support and least bulk. Loose boxers are the most breathable but offer no support. Most of our picks are boxer briefs, the best balance for everyday wear.
- What's the best fabric for underwear?
- Cotton is breathable and natural but slow to dry. Modal and micromodal (used by Tommy John and MeUndies) are silky-soft and moisture-wicking. Merino wool (Smartwool) excels at odor control and temperature regulation. For sport, a synthetic stretch blend dries fastest.
- Are premium underwear brands worth the price?
- For the fabric feel and fit, many think so. SAXX's pouch and Tommy John's no-roll fabric solve real comfort problems. But re-weight our rubric toward value and Calvin Klein and Uniqlo deliver solid comfort for far less. Buy a single pair to test before committing.