Athletic Underwear for Men: What to Wear for the Gym, Running & HIIT

Underwear becomes performance gear as soon as you add sweat, repeated movement and friction.

A soft pair that feels perfect at a desk can become uncomfortable halfway through a run. A tight pair that seems supportive in the mirror can dig into your thighs during squats. And ordinary cotton underwear can hold onto sweat rather than getting it away from your skin.

The best athletic underwear for men is therefore not simply the tightest boxer brief or the pair with the word "performance" printed on the package. You want a combination of moisture management, support, stretch, coverage and a fit that stays put while you move.

This guide explains what to look for in underwear for the gym, running, lifting and HIIT, when longer boxer briefs make sense, how workout fabrics differ from everyday underwear and where current SAXX styles such as Multi-Sport Mesh, DropTemp, Daytripper and Vibe fit into the picture.

What Is the Best Underwear for Working Out?

For most men, a strong all-around workout pair is a close-fitting moisture-wicking boxer brief with four-way stretch, smooth seams and enough support to limit unwanted movement.

For high-sweat or high-movement workouts, look for:

• Moisture-wicking fabric
• Quick-drying construction
• Close but non-restrictive fit
• Four-way stretch
• Support through the pouch or front panel
• Flat or low-friction seams
• Legs that resist riding up
• Enough inseam coverage for your thighs

The exact balance changes by activity. Running places different demands on underwear than strength training, and a long, hot outdoor workout may call for something different from a 45-minute lifting session in an air-conditioned gym.

What Makes Athletic Underwear Different From Regular Underwear?

Everyday underwear is usually designed primarily around comfort.

Athletic underwear has another job: remaining comfortable while your body is sweating, accelerating, bending and repeatedly rubbing against fabric.

That changes what matters most.

Moisture Management

Sweat increases moisture between your skin, underwear and shorts. More moisture can make friction increasingly uncomfortable.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends moisture-wicking fabrics for exercise because they move sweat away from the skin and dry more quickly than moisture-retaining clothing.

That is why polyester, nylon and other performance fibers appear so frequently in running and gym underwear.

Support

Your underwear also has to control movement without feeling like a restrictive bandage.

A supportive pouch or shaped front panel can keep anatomy more stable during running, jumping and other repetitive movement.

Stretch

Squats, lunges, running strides and lateral movement all ask more from a fabric than walking around an office.

Elastane or spandex blended into the fabric allows the underwear to stretch with your body and recover afterward.

Friction Control

Seams, loose fabric and constantly riding-up legs can all create repetitive rubbing.

Good athletic underwear tries to minimize those friction points rather than merely making the fabric soft. If rubbing is already a problem for you, our guide to preventing inner thigh chafing covers the fixes in detail.

Is Cotton Underwear Good for Working Out?

For low-sweat activity, cotton underwear may feel perfectly comfortable.

For running, HIIT and other sweat-heavy workouts, conventional cotton is usually not the strongest choice.

Cotton absorbs moisture readily. Once wet, it can remain damp against the skin and increase the amount of friction occurring as you move.

That does not mean every garment containing cotton performs identically.

Modern underwear can combine cotton with modal, elastane, specialized pouch fabrics and moisture-management technology. The important distinction is between a basic cotton pair and a garment deliberately engineered to handle moisture.

Moisture-Wicking vs Breathable vs Quick-Dry Underwear

These terms are related, but they do not mean exactly the same thing.

Moisture-Wicking

Wicking fabric helps move moisture away from your skin into the fabric where it can spread and evaporate.

Breathable

Breathability refers to the ability of air and moisture vapor to move through the fabric.

Quick-Dry

Quick-drying fabric releases absorbed moisture relatively quickly rather than remaining saturated.

For sweaty workouts, having all three characteristics is useful.

How Should Men's Workout Underwear Fit?

Athletic underwear should generally fit closer than loose everyday boxers but should not painfully compress your waist, groin or thighs.

A useful fit should:

• Stay against the skin without loose folds
• Support the genitals without crushing them
• Remain in position when squatting or running
• Avoid digging into the inner thigh
• Allow a full range of hip movement
• Keep the waistband in place

If material bunches between your thighs every few minutes, the pair is not functioning well as athletic underwear even if the fabric itself is technically moisture-wicking.

Why Boxer Briefs Work Well for the Gym

Boxer briefs are popular for workouts because they combine relatively close support with thigh coverage.

That additional material can help separate areas where skin might otherwise rub together.

A boxer brief also gives designers room to build in:

• Anatomical pouches
• Mesh ventilation
• Flat seams
• Longer anti-chafe legs
• Compression-style panels

That does not make boxer briefs mandatory. Some men prefer briefs, trunks, compression shorts or the liner already built into their running shorts.

The best cut is ultimately the one that stays in place on your body.

Briefs vs Boxer Briefs for Working Out

Briefs

Briefs use less fabric around the thighs, which can feel cooler and eliminates boxer-brief legs that might otherwise ride up.

They work particularly well for people who do not experience much inner-thigh rubbing.

Boxer Briefs

Boxer briefs provide greater thigh coverage and can reduce skin-on-skin rubbing when the legs fit correctly.

For many runners and gym users, that makes them the more versatile option.

What Inseam Is Best for Workout Boxer Briefs?

There is no universal ideal inseam, but 5- to 6-inch boxer briefs provide a useful middle ground for many men.

They cover enough of the upper thigh to help with friction without extending as far down the leg as long-leg underwear.

Shorter Inseam

A shorter trunk or brief can be useful when:

• You wear short running shorts
• You do not experience thigh chafing
• You dislike fabric farther down your legs

5- to 6-Inch Boxer Brief

A mid-length boxer brief is a versatile choice for:

• Weight training
• HIIT
• Running
• Sports
• General gym use

Long-Leg Boxer Brief

Longer underwear can help people whose thighs rub farther down the leg, but more fabric can also feel warmer.

Choose the coverage your body actually needs rather than assuming longer automatically means more athletic.

What Is the Best Underwear for Running?

Running underwear should prioritize moisture management, stability and friction control.

Running creates thousands of repeated movements during a single workout. A small fit problem can therefore become a large irritation problem over time.

For running underwear, pay particular attention to:

• Quick-drying fabric
• Snug support
• Minimal seam irritation
• Legs that do not ride upward
• Enough coverage for your personal chafing areas

If your running shorts already contain a supportive liner that works well for you, additional underwear may not be necessary. Adding another layer can sometimes create more heat or friction rather than less.

What Is the Best Underwear for HIIT?

HIIT combines sweat with rapid changes in direction, jumping, squatting and other movements.

That makes support and fabric recovery especially important.

Look for:

• Four-way stretch
• A secure pouch or front panel
• A waistband that does not roll
• Quick-drying fabric
• Leg openings that remain stable during deep hip movement

A loose boxer may feel comfortable at rest but is unlikely to control fabric or anatomical movement as well during burpees, sprints or jump training.

What Is the Best Underwear for Weight Lifting?

Lifting does not always generate the same repetitive motion as running, so you may not need an aggressively performance-oriented pair.

What matters most is that your underwear remains comfortable through:

• Deep squats
• Deadlifts
• Lunges
• Bench positioning
• Bracing

A stretchy everyday boxer brief can work very well for strength training if it stays in place and handles the amount of sweat you produce.

This is one area where comfort-oriented styles can overlap more successfully with athletic underwear.

SAXX Multi-Sport Mesh: The Most Workout-Focused SAXX Option Here

Among the current SAXX styles Happibee carries, Multi-Sport Mesh is the clearest choice for actual athletic use.

SAXX classifies it as a Performance Boxer Brief rather than an everyday style.

The current 6-inch version uses:

• 88% polyester / 12% elastane main fabric
• Lightweight mesh construction
• Moisture-wicking performance
• Quick-drying fabric
• Four-way stretch
• No-RideUp Leg design
• BallPark Pouch PRO
• Stop Drop Technology in the pouch lining

The BallPark Pouch PRO is also designed to provide a snugger, more supportive fit than SAXX's standard pouch.

That makes the SAXX Multi-Sport Mesh Boxer Briefs the most straightforward current Happibee option for running, HIIT, gym training and other movement-heavy activities.

SAXX DropTemp Cooling Cotton: Better When Cooling and Softness Matter

SAXX DropTemp Cooling Cotton Boxer Briefs occupy a different position.

SAXX currently describes DropTemp Cooling Cotton as an everyday boxer brief, not its dedicated performance model.

Its main fabric combines:

• 57% cotton
• 38% modal
• 5% elastane

It also incorporates DropTemp evaporative cooling technology, moisture management in the pouch lining, four-way stretch and the No-RideUp Leg construction.

DropTemp makes sense if you prefer the hand-feel of a cotton/modal blend and tend to run warm during everyday activity.

For sustained running or high-output HIIT, however, we would choose Multi-Sport Mesh first because its polyester performance fabric is specifically built around athletic moisture management and support.

SAXX Daytripper: Good for Active Everyday Wear

SAXX Daytripper Comfort Stretch Boxer Briefs sit between basic everyday underwear and a true performance pair.

SAXX describes Daytripper as durable, breathable and moisture-wicking, with stretch for days on the move.

That makes it useful for:

• Walking-heavy days
• Travel
• Casual gym sessions
• Strength training
• Work that involves frequent movement

For repeated sprinting or high-sweat cardio, Multi-Sport remains the more purpose-built choice.

What About SAXX Vibe for the Gym?

The SAXX Vibe Xtra Soft Comfort Boxer Brief is primarily an everyday comfort style.

Its main fabric is a very soft viscose/elastane blend, and current versions include four-way stretch, breathable construction, a No-RideUp Leg and moisture management in the pouch lining.

Could you lift weights in Vibe? Absolutely.

Would we choose it over Multi-Sport for running intervals or an intense HIIT class? No.

Vibe is the better option when softness and everyday comfort are the priority and your workout is only one part of the day.

SAXX Multi-Sport vs DropTemp vs Daytripper vs Vibe

If the question is simply "Which SAXX underwear should I choose specifically for working out?", Multi-Sport Mesh is the most direct answer among these four.

If you're comparing SAXX styles on price as well as performance, Happibee currently offers 30% off in-stock SAXX underwear with code SAXX30. You can review the current offer and terms on our SAXX30 promotion page.

Do You Need Compression Underwear for the Gym?

No.

A close athletic fit and a compression fit are not the same thing.

Performance boxer briefs can remain close to the body without deliberately compressing the thighs and glutes.

Compression underwear can feel supportive to some athletes, but it is not automatically better for every workout.

If compression feels restrictive, creates pressure around the leg openings or limits comfortable movement, a fitted stretch boxer brief may work better.

Should Workout Underwear Have a Pouch?

A pouch is not mandatory, but it can improve support.

Traditional flat-front underwear relies primarily on overall fabric tension. Anatomically shaped pouches create a dedicated space for the genitals and can reduce unwanted movement or skin-on-skin contact.

SAXX's BallPark Pouch is one example. Multi-Sport uses the more supportive BallPark Pouch PRO specifically on its performance model.

The best pouch should hold things securely without forcing you into an unnatural or painful position.

How Do You Prevent Underwear From Riding Up During a Workout?

Ride-up is usually a combination of fit, leg shape, fabric and movement.

If your boxer briefs constantly move upward:

• Make sure they are not too large.
• Try a slightly longer inseam.
• Look for more stretch and recovery in the fabric.
• Choose leg openings designed to remain in position.
• Make sure your shorts are not pulling the underwear upward.

Do not assume the solution is simply buying tighter underwear. A too-small pair can create its own friction and pressure problems.

How Many Pairs of Athletic Underwear Do You Need?

If you work out several times per week, owning enough pairs to use a clean one for every session is more important than building a large collection of nearly identical performance styles.

A simple approach is:

• 3 workouts per week: at least 3 dedicated athletic pairs
• 5 workouts per week: about 5 athletic pairs
• Daily training: 7 or more if you do not wash clothes midweek

Add extras if you regularly train twice in one day or keep a clean backup in a gym bag.

Should You Change Underwear After Working Out?

Yes.

Staying in damp workout clothing leaves sweat and moisture against your skin longer than necessary.

Dermatologists recommend changing into clean clothing after exercising and showering as soon as practical.

Even high-quality moisture-wicking underwear is designed to manage sweat during activity, not to turn sweaty clothing into something you should wear for the rest of the day.

Can You Work Out Without Underwear?

If your running shorts or training shorts have a well-designed built-in liner, yes.

The liner may already perform the jobs normally handled by athletic underwear:

• Support
• Moisture management
• Coverage
• Friction control

Wearing underwear underneath a liner is therefore a preference rather than a requirement.

If the liner fits poorly, however, a separate pair of athletic underwear may be more comfortable.

What Should You Look for When Buying Gym Underwear?

Ignore the marketing name for a moment and inspect the actual specifications.

A useful checklist is:

1. Fabric: Does it manage sweat?
2. Drying: Will it dry quickly during a workout?
3. Stretch: Can it move comfortably through squats and strides?
4. Support: Does the front construction keep everything stable?
5. Seams: Are there obvious friction points?
6. Inseam: Does it cover the areas where your thighs rub?
7. Leg stability: Does the style resist riding up?
8. Waistband: Does it remain flat without digging in?

Those details tell you more about athletic performance than whether the package happens to say "sport."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is athletic underwear?

Athletic underwear is designed for exercise and other active use, typically with features such as moisture-wicking fabric, stretch, support, quick drying and construction intended to reduce unwanted movement or friction.

What is the best underwear for working out?

For most men, a close-fitting moisture-wicking boxer brief with good stretch, stable legs and adequate support is a versatile choice. The exact best style depends on whether you are running, lifting, doing HIIT or participating in another sport.

What underwear should men wear to the gym?

Men should choose underwear that stays in place, handles sweat and allows unrestricted movement. Performance boxer briefs are a practical option for many gym workouts.

Are boxer briefs good for working out?

Yes. Boxer briefs can provide genital support and thigh coverage while still allowing movement, particularly when they are made from breathable, moisture-wicking stretch fabric.

Are boxers good for the gym?

Loose boxers can work for low-movement activities, but excess fabric may bunch or provide less support during running, jumping and high-intensity exercise.

Is cotton underwear bad for the gym?

Basic cotton underwear absorbs sweat and can remain damp, so moisture-wicking performance fabrics are generally more suitable for high-sweat exercise. Engineered cotton blends with specific cooling or moisture-management features may perform differently from ordinary cotton underwear.

What is the best underwear for running?

Running underwear should fit close to the body, manage moisture, provide support and minimize seams or loose fabric that can create repetitive friction.

Should running underwear be tight?

It should be snug enough to remain stable without painfully compressing your thighs, waist or groin.

Is compression underwear necessary for running?

No. Some runners like compression, but well-fitting performance boxer briefs can provide support and stability without a true compression fit.

What inseam is best for running underwear?

A 5- to 6-inch boxer brief works well for many runners, but people who experience thigh chafing farther down the leg may prefer a longer inseam.

Is SAXX good for working out?

Some SAXX styles are specifically designed for active use. Multi-Sport Mesh is currently positioned by SAXX as a performance boxer brief and uses lightweight moisture-wicking mesh, quick-dry fabric and the more supportive BallPark Pouch PRO.

Which SAXX underwear is best for the gym?

Among the current styles compared here, SAXX Multi-Sport Mesh is the most purpose-built for gym training, running, HIIT and sport. Daytripper can work well for lifting and active everyday wear, while DropTemp and Vibe prioritize other types of comfort.

Is SAXX DropTemp good for working out?

DropTemp Cooling Cotton combines a cotton/modal fabric with cooling and moisture-management technology. It can work for warm days and lighter activity, but Multi-Sport Mesh is the more performance-focused option for prolonged high-sweat training.

Should you change underwear after the gym?

Yes. Change out of damp workout clothing and into clean underwear after exercise rather than spending the rest of the day in sweat-soaked clothing.

Choose Workout Underwear for the Activity, Not the Label

The best gym underwear is not necessarily the pair with the most aggressive compression, the most technical-sounding fabric name or the highest price.

Start with the activity.

Running and HIIT put a premium on moisture management, stability and friction control. Strength training gives you more room to prioritize softness and comfort as long as the underwear stretches and stays in position. Hot-weather activity makes breathability and drying especially important.

Then choose the pair whose construction solves those specific problems.

For the current SAXX styles at Happibee, Multi-Sport Mesh is the clearest performance choice. DropTemp Cooling Cotton makes more sense when cooling and a softer cotton/modal feel are priorities. Daytripper bridges everyday wear and active use, while Vibe remains the comfort-first option.

For more help with cuts and sizing, continue with our Men's Underwear Fit Guide, or read the full SAXX Underwear Review for a closer look at fit, fabric and the BallPark Pouch.

Ready to compare the current lineup? Browse the SAXX underwear collection at Happibee. Eligible in-stock SAXX styles are currently 30% off with code SAXX30; see the SAXX30 promotion page for current terms.