Melensdad
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2016 SJPdP to Santiago, Finisterre. Hadrian's Way, 2015. Sections of the AT + National & State Park trails.
LADIES WARNING: contained in this thread may be more personal information and or discussions of the male anatomy than your delicate constitutions may endure, proceed at your own risk.
MEN: This is a serious thread, but clearly male sensibilities meet a somewhat lower bar than that of the ladies, still I encourage you all to keep this "family friendly" when you post.
Unless I am totally clueless we men may choose to hike/walk/wander wearing 'boxers,' 'briefs,' the new 'boxer brief' or nothing at all (aka 'Commando').
In my normal non-walkabout life I generally prefer the loose fit of the 'boxers' which allows for massive airflow and ventilation of the boys, but when I am on a hike or a long walk, the option of some support for the twig & berries, combined with the reality of chafing of the thighs, leads me to the 'boxer-brief' hybrid undergarments. This is especially so in hot & humid conditions.
Being a certifiable (actually my mom had me tested and I'm technically not 'certifiable' but my wife debates that point) "gear junkie" I tend to buy, test, try, and generally abuse as many different types of gear as I can afford.
Here are my conclusions:
First, and most obvious, observation: COTTON (or COTON) is the worst possible choice for undergarments. It retains moisture, which yields a wonderful enviornment for bacterial growth, providing ample opportunities for dreaded 'crotch rot.' Cotton also does not breath when it gets wet so any hope of ventilation is eliminated in hot/humid environments.
After numerous trials, I narrowed down my search for VENTILATION, SUPPORT & ANTI-CHAFE PROTECTION to 3 finalists.
UNDER ARMOR "Heat Gear" boxer-brief with 6" inseams
EX OFFICIO 'Give n Go' boxer-brief with 6" inseams
EX OFFICIO 'Give n Go' Sport Mesh boxer-brief with 9" inseam
The clear winner of those 3 finalists was the EX-OFFICIO Sport Mesh Boxer-Brief wtih 9" inseam. It has the most open fabric weave of any brand I tried. The longer inseam provided extra Anti-Chafe protection, but it also allowed the brief to hug the thighs over a larger surface area which minimized the fabric from riding up the leg and bunching in the privates region. There is just enough crotatorial support to keep your personal gear in place but no so much as you need to reach down to make adjustments or alter yourself for comfort.
RUNNER - UP was the EX OFFICIO standard 'Give n Go' boxer-brief with a 6" inseam. NOT as breathable as the 'sport' version because it uses a different fabric. Also the legs tended to be slighlty more likely to ride up into the crotchal area and crush the junk. The gripage of the package offers only modest support and allows for some free willy movement, providing a casual and comfortable environment for the fellas.
LOSER BY A METRIC MILE: The UNDER ARMOR Heat Gear boxer briefs. These had a nice light fabric and provided a good amount of ventilation. They provided plent of supportive protection for the twig. But they had a smaller than average 'pouch' that tended to want to crush the berries. And by crush I do not mean like simply squeezing them in a vise, no, not that gentle. I mean like wanting them to be crushed by a hydraulic claw while simultaneously trying to stuff them back up inside your body cavity.
Others tested were not as good as these 3 so buyer beware. Clear winner was the pair the bottom of this photo.
MEN: This is a serious thread, but clearly male sensibilities meet a somewhat lower bar than that of the ladies, still I encourage you all to keep this "family friendly" when you post.
Unless I am totally clueless we men may choose to hike/walk/wander wearing 'boxers,' 'briefs,' the new 'boxer brief' or nothing at all (aka 'Commando').
In my normal non-walkabout life I generally prefer the loose fit of the 'boxers' which allows for massive airflow and ventilation of the boys, but when I am on a hike or a long walk, the option of some support for the twig & berries, combined with the reality of chafing of the thighs, leads me to the 'boxer-brief' hybrid undergarments. This is especially so in hot & humid conditions.
Being a certifiable (actually my mom had me tested and I'm technically not 'certifiable' but my wife debates that point) "gear junkie" I tend to buy, test, try, and generally abuse as many different types of gear as I can afford.
Here are my conclusions:
- If you WANT SUPPORT then "briefs" or "Boxer-Briefs" will fullfill your needs, but all are not created equally.
- If you WANT PROTECTION from chafing then "Boxer-Briefs" may be your inner thighs new best friends.
- If you WANT maximum VENTILATION then "Boxers" are the clear choice, but not all are created equally.
- If you WANT VENTILATION + SUPPORT + PROTECTION from chafing then the newest high tech fabrics, in "Boxer-Brief" cut, with 9" inseams are your best choice.
First, and most obvious, observation: COTTON (or COTON) is the worst possible choice for undergarments. It retains moisture, which yields a wonderful enviornment for bacterial growth, providing ample opportunities for dreaded 'crotch rot.' Cotton also does not breath when it gets wet so any hope of ventilation is eliminated in hot/humid environments.
After numerous trials, I narrowed down my search for VENTILATION, SUPPORT & ANTI-CHAFE PROTECTION to 3 finalists.
UNDER ARMOR "Heat Gear" boxer-brief with 6" inseams
EX OFFICIO 'Give n Go' boxer-brief with 6" inseams
EX OFFICIO 'Give n Go' Sport Mesh boxer-brief with 9" inseam
The clear winner of those 3 finalists was the EX-OFFICIO Sport Mesh Boxer-Brief wtih 9" inseam. It has the most open fabric weave of any brand I tried. The longer inseam provided extra Anti-Chafe protection, but it also allowed the brief to hug the thighs over a larger surface area which minimized the fabric from riding up the leg and bunching in the privates region. There is just enough crotatorial support to keep your personal gear in place but no so much as you need to reach down to make adjustments or alter yourself for comfort.
RUNNER - UP was the EX OFFICIO standard 'Give n Go' boxer-brief with a 6" inseam. NOT as breathable as the 'sport' version because it uses a different fabric. Also the legs tended to be slighlty more likely to ride up into the crotchal area and crush the junk. The gripage of the package offers only modest support and allows for some free willy movement, providing a casual and comfortable environment for the fellas.
LOSER BY A METRIC MILE: The UNDER ARMOR Heat Gear boxer briefs. These had a nice light fabric and provided a good amount of ventilation. They provided plent of supportive protection for the twig. But they had a smaller than average 'pouch' that tended to want to crush the berries. And by crush I do not mean like simply squeezing them in a vise, no, not that gentle. I mean like wanting them to be crushed by a hydraulic claw while simultaneously trying to stuff them back up inside your body cavity.
Others tested were not as good as these 3 so buyer beware. Clear winner was the pair the bottom of this photo.
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