Briefs vs Boxers vs Boxer Briefs (Men's Underwear Styles Compared) (2024)

Wearing the wrong underwear style for your body can cause two big problems:

1. It could lead to all sorts of problems down there.
2. It could turn women off and ruin a perfect end to your date night.

It's never really spoken about. It's only underwear – who cares, right? But how many guys suffer discomfort and long-term problems from cheap, unsupportive underwear?

Getting it right isn't rocket science! You only need a basic understanding of the three different types of men's underwear: briefs, boxers, and boxer briefs.

You guessed it – that's what I'm covering in today's article.

#1. What Underwear Looks The Best?

There are certain things to consider when researching the different types of men's underwear.

Your body type is a significant factor – is your belly a little round or flat? Do you have larger or skinny thighs? Your proportions are nothing to be ashamed of, but you need to know which types of men's underwear will suit your frame.

Boxer Briefs – The Best Of Both Worlds

Boxer briefs are the hybrid option when it comes to the three different types of underwear.

They're like lean shorts that give your legs that extra sex appeal for the ladies. They make your legs look more muscular and trim, helping to hide that excess weight you might be carrying at the tops of your thighs.

But what about skinnier guys who have the opposite problem? Boxer briefs can help you too. Unlike briefs, they don't highlight the pain points of a man's body image. If you think you've got matchstick legs, boxer briefs won't highlight that fact.

In short, gents – boxer briefs cover up all manner of sins.

Boxers – Loose Around The Legs

As a grown man, you may want underwear that's a little more padded and dresses your thighs up. Boxers do that nicely. Since they resemble shorts, they also make the lower body look bigger.

Boxers help adjust the slight disproportions for those on the skinny side. The guys of One Direction all agreed that they would rather wear boxers. Granted, that was a few years back, and most of them could be brawnier these days.

Briefs – Show Off EVERYTHING

Sadly not everybody has the physique of a Calvin Klein model or a professional athlete. It takes a particular build to pull off underwear that's shorter in length.

Briefs will put a lot of pressure on a man who isn't in fantastic shape. The minimal design means almost everything is on show – from your gut to your thighs.

If you're a physically fit man, then this could be a benefit. You've worked hard on your abs; why not show them off?

But it's probably best for my dad-bod and skinny readers to avoid briefs and look at other types of men's underwear.

#2. What Style Of Underwear Is Comfiest

When it comes to the comfort of different types of underwear, the keyword to consider is support.

Let's all remember the big picture when it comes to comfort. There is more to it than just feeling relaxed. We need to give our manhood the necessary support whenever we're walking or moving around.

Briefs – Maximum Support At All Times

Briefs, by far, provide the most support. The better they are made, the more freedom of motion you get. Just hear what soccer superstar David Beckham had to say about tighty-whities: “They're comfortable. I think they feel great, especially when you're playing soccer, as well.”

Boxer Briefs – Great For Comfort And Coverage

Once again, boxer briefs act as a hybrid underwear option. They sit somewhere between the skin coverage provided by boxers and the support provided by briefs.

You'll feel physically comfortable and won't feel awkward because you feel like your manhood is on show. They don't leave your manhood hanging the way boxers do but cover up more of your body.

Try jogging in boxer briefs and boxers, and you will notice the difference.

Boxers – Unsupportive But Great For Sleep

Boxers are good when you're sleeping or don't plan on getting out of bed. Realistically, boxers are like shorts. They're airy and comfortable enough to wear as an alternative to lounge pants.

Aside from that, they lack support. Other men may like the feeling that you're not wearing anything down there – but it's not a great idea if you want to maintain the health of your manhood.

Support is essential as it keeps everything tucked away in a neat package … pardon the pun.

#3. Which Underwear Style Is Most Functional?

Definition: How well they coverand keep things in place

Your underwear has two primary roles:

1. Protection – keeping everything tucked up and out of the way
2. Covering up – no one wants to see your Johnson through the pants, trust me

If what you're wearing sometimes fails at either of the above – consider a switch.

Warning: Some underwear styles can be too tight and put your health in danger.

Boxer Briefs – Functional and Well-Fitting

Boxer briefs cover the inner thighs and are generally immune to the issues that apply to briefs and boxers. They're not too tight that they cause you to overheat and sweat down there, but they're not so loose that they have no support.

Justin Timberlake tried all three before settling with boxer briefs. He likes “the way they hold everything together,” which is essential whenever he sings and dances on stage.

Briefs – The Most Supportive Choice

They're not at much risk of awardrobe malfunction (unless they're the wrong size). Briefs keep everything held in and supported – great for the gym or physical activity.

However, they don't exactly cover the inner parts of your thighs. And there is also a chance they can cause chafing when your body moves around.

Briefs could also cause health issues if the correct precautions aren't taken. As a result of their tight fit, it's common for a man's scrotum to be pushed up against his body while wearing briefs. This can cause them to overheat – which has been linked to a decrease in sperm count.

I'm guessing that's something you want to avoid! Just make sure you buy the correct size for your body. Sure, briefs feel tighter than other types of underwear – but they shouldn't be too tight!

Boxers – A Wardrobe Malfunction Waiting To Happen

They can be quite a loose cannon in the gym! They don't hug the leg and keep your package concealed like briefs or boxer briefs. You might be doing sit-ups only to accidentally give someone a full view of the gems.

Many of us think that sends a wrong message.

#4. Which Style Is The Most Versatile?

Underwear is underwear, right?

Not always.

While most men use their underwear as an undergarment and nothing more, there are other uses if you choose the right pair.

Boxers – Versatile and Multifunctional

At a pinch, boxers can be worn as an alternative to shorts.

Am I saying you should turn up to a family BBQ in boxers? Absolutely not.

However, this underwear style is a perfect alternative to longer sweat pants for lounging around the house on your day off. Be careful when relaxing on the sofa – as mentioned above, you could unintentionally flash whoever's chilling out with you.

Boxer Briefs – The Best Of Both Worlds

Seeing as they cover you up a little more than briefs, boxer briefs could be used as an alternative to sweat pants in the right situation.

Unlike boxers, they have a far tighter-fitting structure. They reveal more than boxers do, so be mindful of who you're wearing them in front of.

At the end of the day, they still look like underwear. However, you could probably get away with them when chilling at a friend's place for drinks and pizza. Just avoid wearing them around your in-laws, friends' kids, or anyone else you're not super close with.

Briefs – The Least Versatile

Briefs are not versatile – at all.

Say a fire alarm goes off, and you have to leave your house or your building in briefs. What people see is what they get – a guy in his tighty whities.

My advice? Unless it's a life or death situation, throw on a pair of pants over the top of your briefs. Alternatively, plan and make sure you're wearing boxer briefs or boxers if you know you'll be seen by anyone but your wife and kids.

#5. Which Underwear Do Women Love On Men?

Women pay more attention to a guy's underwear than you might think.

Just like guys find a woman in lingerie incredibly sexy – women love a man in underwear.

But that doesn't mean any old pair will do.

Gents, the ladies have spoken, and this is one of those times we better hear them out.

Boxer Briefs – Women's #1 Choice

When it comes to the types of men's underwear that women find most attractive, boxer briefs win by a landslide.

This is the design that makes most women swoon. Whether on an underwear model or their hubby's dad bod, the ladies love the tight fit and sexy shape of boxer briefs.

Exude enough confidence in these bad boys, and you're guaranteed to impress the lady in your life. Just make sure to buy the right fitting pair:

1. Not too short or long in the leg – boxer briefs should sit just under halfway down the thigh
2. Not too tight or loose – they shouldn't be mistaken for boxers, nor should they cut off blood circulation to your junk
3. A dark color – the darker, the better. Dark colors look sexy and make you look thinner

Boxers – Good But Not Great

They have the edge over briefs, looks-wise.

For skinnier guys, they help add some weight to the lower body. The ladies seem to like this as it makes slender legs look more muscular and masculine.

This also helps a lot when your mid-section is on the larger side. Wearing boxers correctly as a bigger guy can make a man look more evenly proportioned, which women find attractive.

However, boxers do hide muscle and definition. If you aim to show off whatever hides beneath your underwear, boxers may not be the way to go.

Briefs – Women's Least Favourite

When it comes down to it, most women prefer the other two.

It might have something to do with the briefs they would see their father or little brother wear back home. Many don't find them super attractive beyond those billboard ads by Calvin Klein.

Which Men's Underwear Is Best Overall?

Boxer briefs take the trophy hands down.

Consider the number of Hollywood heartthrobs who prefer sporting boxer briefs: Ben Affleck, Patrick Dempsey, Josh Duhamel, Jared Padalecki, Mark Salling, John Legend, Adam Levine, and John Mayer. Those guys are pretty comfortable in their bodies (and aren't afraid to show it off!). Boxer briefs suit them well, sowho's to say they won't suit you too?

In today's article, we covered:

1. What Underwear Looks The Best?
2. Which Style of Underwear Is Comfiest?
3. Which Style Is Most Functional?
4. Which Style Is The Most Versatile?
5. Which Underwear Do Women Love On Men?

Knowing underwear styles alone isn't enough! Click here to learn more about men's underwear and how they match up with men's body types.