Different types of men's underwear: which best suits your needs?

There is no single perfect type of underwear for every man. Which underwear suits you best depends on your personal preferences, body shape and when you wear it. In this guide, we explain the differences between the various types of men's underwear and answer the question: “What type of underwear do men wear most?”

What are the different types of men's underwear?

Although all underwear serves the same basic purpose, there are significant differences in fit, length and comfort. It is precisely these differences that determine which type best suits your needs.

Different types of boxer briefs and boxer shorts

Boxer briefs are by far the most popular choice among men, but not all styles are the same. Many men wonder what the difference is between boxer briefs and boxer shorts. In practice, boxer briefs usually refer to a close-fitting style with legs, while boxer shorts have a looser fit and offer more room to move.

Boxer shorts

Boxer shorts have a roomy fit, providing plenty of freedom of movement and ventilation. Do you value comfort, ventilation and a roomy feel more than additional support? Then boxer shorts are an excellent choice. Because boxer shorts provide less support than long-leg boxer briefs with a close fit, they are less suitable for intensive work or exercise.

Boxer briefs

Boxer briefs are the most commonly chosen type of underwear among men. They have a more elastic design than boxer shorts, providing good support and helping them stay in place during everyday activities. Due to their close-fitting design, boxer briefs offer less ventilation than boxer shorts.

Sports boxer briefs

Sports boxer briefs are specially designed for intensive movement and are often made from breathable, moisture-regulating materials. This makes them particularly suitable as underwear to help prevent sweating. However, this is not the case when sports boxer briefs are made primarily from synthetic materials. Natural fabrics such as Mellowood feel softer, last longer and offer the greatest benefits during exercise.

Trunks

Trunks are very similar to boxer briefs, but they have shorter legs and a more compact fit. They provide plenty of freedom of movement and remain virtually invisible under shorts or slim-fit trousers. However, for men with broader thighs, trunks may be more likely to ride up.

Briefs

Briefs have no legs and fit closely against the body. This gives you plenty of freedom of movement while still providing good support. The difference between briefs, trunks and boxer briefs is that briefs provide less coverage and do not protect against chafing between the thighs.

Thongs

Thongs provide minimal coverage and are designed to be as invisible as possible under clothing. This makes them popular among men who wear tight trousers or sportswear. However, the distinctive fit is not equally comfortable for everyone, which is why many men prefer boxer briefs or trunks.

Jockstraps

Jockstraps were originally developed as sports underwear and are still used by some athletes during intensive training. Thanks to the combination of firm support and an open design, they provide plenty of freedom of movement and ventilation. One disadvantage is that the fit differs from traditional men's underwear, which means not every man finds them comfortable for everyday wear.

Which underwear suits you best?

Which style suits you depends on your personal preferences, the activities you take part in and the level of support or freedom of movement you prefer. The guide below will help you quickly determine which type of men's underwear best suits your needs.

What you're looking for	Type of underwear
Everyday wear with a good balance between support and comfort	Boxer briefs
A roomy feel and maximum ventilation, for example on relaxed days or while sleeping	Boxer shorts
Suitable underwear for switching between exercise and everyday wear if you regularly take part in intensive sports	Sports boxer briefs
Underwear that is barely visible under tight-fitting clothing	Trunks
Underwear without legs that provides freedom of movement.	Briefs
Underwear with the least visible fit	Thongs
Underwear with an open design for plenty of ventilation without additional support	Jockstraps

Ultimately, the best men's underwear is the underwear you feel comfortable in all day long.

What is the best underwear for men?

In reality, there is no single best men's underwear for everyone. Which underwear suits you best depends on your personal preferences. Some men feel most comfortable in boxer briefs, while others prefer trunks, briefs or boxer shorts.

Besides the fit, the material also plays an important role. The best fabric for underwear not only feels soft, but is also breathable, moisture-regulating and retains its quality for longer. That's why Undiemeister's boxer briefs, trunks and briefs are made from the patented Mellowood fabric. This means you're not only choosing a style that suits you, but also long-lasting comfort.