The Best Breathable Briefs for Hot Weather 2024
Stay-cool underwear options for the hot summer months.
Whether you live in a warm climate, or the summer months are starting to roll around, a high-quality pair of breathable boxer briefs is underwear that you’ll never regret reaching for in the drawer.
Because we’ve all felt it before.
The swampy, pooling of sweat in our seat (commonly known as “swass”) that leaves you damp, sticky, and miserable.
But if you thought this was an unfortunate reality that you were resigned to live with, here’s some good news for you.
Swass is a treatable discomfort.
For reasons unknown, underwear has been an overlooked and underappreciated factor in staying cool.
It certainly shouldn’t be, however, as it’s the first thing you put on and the layer that rests right against your skin.
It makes perfect sense that when you incorporate breathable fabrics and garment features into the design of underwear, it can help to regulate body temperature and wick away moisture.
This in turn helps you stay cooler and drier for longer, whether you’re out in the sweltering heat or simply going about your everyday routine.
Here, we’ve rounded up the best breathable brief options for hot weather in 2024.
Stock up on your favorites and stay cool this summer.
How We Make Our Picks for Best Breathable Briefs
Every pair of underwear falls somewhere on the breathability spectrum.
Lots of underwear brands claim their briefs have great breathability but certain options certainly perform better than others.
From extensive testing of men’s underwear options in hot and humid circumstances, we’ve found that 2 characteristics significantly boost underwear breathability.
1. Extra Lightweight Fabric
When the temperature rises and your body starts to sweat, there’s nothing worse than damp and heavy fabric sticking to your body.
The weight of the fabric before it gets damp and how it handles sweat will play a big role in overall breathability.
Typically, the best option is going to be a mesh fabric or a naturally breathable material with a permeable construction.
Not only does the permeability of these fabrics allow heat and sweat to move away from your body but it also helps your underwear dry faster.
2. Strategic Ventilation
The major obstacle in designing breathable underwear is creating a garment that maintains its structural and functional integrity.
In other words, underwear that’s super lightweight and permeable is useless if it doesn’t perform the other necessary features.
This balance can be achieved through strategically placed ventilation in optimal spots.
Adding ventilation to the spots where it’s needed most will go a long way in keeping you cool while still offering other key aspects like comfort and support.
Note: Featured products are independently selected and reviewed by The Underwear Review. If you purchase through our links, we may earn commission.
1. Tommy John Air Briefs
The Tommy John Air Briefs feature a signature feather-light Air Mesh fabric that’s extra breathable, quick-drying, and weighs in at a mere 2oz.
Shop at Tommy John: Tommy John Air Briefs
Tommy John’s Air Briefs utilize a stay-put waistband, comfortable contour pouch, and a Quick Draw horizontal fly.
2. Mack Weldon AIRKNITx Briefs
The Mack Weldon AIRKNITx Briefs feature a breathable performance design that keeps you cool, dry, and comfortable with moisture-wicking capabilities and targeted cool zone construction.
Shop at Mack Weldon: Mack Weldon AIRKNITx Briefs
Shop at Mack Weldon: Mack Weldon AIRKNITx HD Briefs
Mack Weldon’s AIRKNITx Briefs utilize a supportive flyless pouch, a comfortable no-roll waistband, and odor-fighting properties. These briefs are also available in several rich HD colors.
3. Separatec Micro Modal Breathable Quick Dry Briefs
The Separatec Micro Modal Breathable Quick Dry Briefs feature a comfortable and breathable micro modal fabric with fast moisture absorbing and dispersing OsmoHive technology.
Shop at Separatec: Separatec Micro Modal Breathable Quick Dry Briefs
Separatec’s Micro Modal Breathable Quick Dry Briefs utilize a 3D pouch design for supportive freedom, a soft elastic waistband, and a fitted texture structure with lightweight natural fiber.
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4. Gregg Homme Room-Max Air Briefs
The Gregg Homme Room-Max Air Briefs are crafted with a soft high-end micro mesh fabric that’s incredibly soft and breathable. These briefs have great stretch, a comfortable fit, and a stable one-inch waistband that’s great for everyday wear.
Shop at HisRoom: Gregg Homme Room-Max Air Briefs
Gregg Homme’s Room-Max Air Briefs have a unique inner front panel construction that provides a gentle lift for improved freedom and slight volume enhancement.
5. LEO Ultra-Light Briefs
The LEO Ultra-Light Briefs feature a signature quick-drying FitTech fabric that’s specially woven to provide exceptional airflow. These briefs utilize a supportive ergonomic pouch and a wide waistband that lies flush for the perfect fit.
Shop at LEO: LEO Ultra-Light Briefs
Available on Amazon: LEO Ultra-Light Briefs
LEO’s Ultra-Light Briefs utilize a soft to the touch textured material that’s ultra lightweight and perfectly adjusts to your physique. These briefs are available in multiple stylish color options.
6. 2(X)IST (X) Sport Mesh No Show Briefs
The 2(X)IST (X) Sport Mesh No Show Briefs feature a performance-ready mesh fabric that’s extra lightweight and breathable. These briefs are stretchy and moisture-wicking for a dry and comfortable all-day fit.
Shop at 2(X)IST: 2(X)IST (X) Sport Mesh No Show Briefs
2(X)IST’s (X) Sport Mesh No Show Briefs have a smooth and streamlined microfiber elastic waistband and a clean turn back hem. These briefs sport a low-rise design, seamed 2-ply contour pouch, and a no-show leg binding.
7. Jack Adams Air Bikini Briefs
The Jack Adams Air Bikini Briefs feature a single-layer breathable cotton fabric with punch-hole perforations that deliver strategic ventilation and superior moisture-wicking abilities. These briefs are available in multiple color options.
Shop at Freshpair: Jack Adams Air Bikini Briefs
Available on Amazon: Jack Adams Air Bikini Briefs
Jack Adams’ Air Bikini Briefs utilize a thin banded elastic low-rise waistband and a contour pouch with flatlock seaming to eliminate chafing. These briefs have a touch of added elastane stretch, double-stitched contrast trim, and covered elastic bindings for a soft fit.
8. Jack Adams Air Fit Briefs
The Jack Adams Air Fit Briefs feature dual pouch technology that lifts and supports in the front for extra comfort. These briefs have a soft and stretchy cotton and elastane fabric blend with great breathability.
Available on Amazon: Jack Adams Air Fit Briefs
Jack Adams’ Air Fit Trunks utilize a contour pouch with excellent support, flat seams to reduce chafing, and a low-rise fit that sits just below the waistline.
9. Pair of Thieves SuperFit Briefs
The Pair of Thieves SuperFit Briefs feature a cool-to-the-touch mesh fabric that’s quick-drying and extra breathable with special micro-ventilation. These briefs have no-chafe seams, 4-way stretch, and an uber soft waistband.
Shop at Pair of Thieves: Pair of Thieves SuperFit Briefs
Available on Amazon: Pair of Thieves SuperFit Briefs
Pair of Thieves’ SuperFit Briefs utilizes a comfortable polyamide and spandex fabric blend that wicks moisture from your body.
10. SAXX DropTemp Cooling Cotton Briefs
The SAXX DropTemp Cooling Cotton Briefs feature incredibly fast moisture-wicking DropTemp Technology to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable. These briefs have a super soft feel with comfortable 4-way stretch.
Shop at SAXX: SAXX DropTemp Cooling Cotton Briefs
SAXX’s DropTemp Cooling Cotton Briefs are designed with non-chafing Flat Out Seams, a patented BallPark Pouch to reduce friction, and a stay-put anti-roll waistband.
11. Nike Dri-FIT Ultra Stretch Micro Briefs
The Nike Dri-FIT Ultra Stretch Micro Briefs feature a soft brushed fabric with sweat evaporating Dri-FIT technology to keep you dry and comfortable.
Shop at HisRoom: Nike Dri-FIT Ultra Stretch Micro Briefs
Nike’s Dri-FIT Ultra Stretch Micro Briefs utilize 4-way stretch for a complete range of motion, flat seams for comfort, and signature banded leg hem to keep in place.
12. Summer Code Micro Mesh Briefs
The Summer Code Micro Mesh Briefs feature a comfortable and breathable mesh material in a sporty cut. These briefs have a full back design with a contoured pouch in the front for extra comfort and support.
Available on Amazon: Summer Code Micro Mesh Briefs
Summer Code’s Micro Mesh Briefs utilize a perfect-fit elastic waistband and a high-quality nylon and spandex fabric blend that’s soft and stretchy.
Here's What to Look for When Buying Breathable Underwear
When the hot summer months arrive, keeping cool becomes a priority for everyone.
One of the best ways to beat the heat can be found in your clothing choices.
Breathable garments, including underwear, help tremendously with your body’s ability to regulate temperature and keep from overheating.
While cotton fabric has long been considered the most breathable choice for underwear, fabric type is really just one aspect to consider if you’re looking for breathable underwear options that will keep you cool and dry.
For example, think about what happens to cotton when it gets wet (i.e. when you sweat).
The fabric gets damp and heavy, absorbing the moisture rather than dispersing it.
Underwear that also takes sweat and moisture management into consideration will help you stay cooler and drier for longer.
Because it’s not that you don’t want sweat to happen. Sweat is a good thing. It’s your body’s natural process of cooling down.
So, when browsing for breathable underwear to help you stay cool in hot weather, keep an eye out for underwear designed to assist your body’s temperature regulation process.
Look for underwear with breathable fabrics and design elements, such as cooling vents or breathable mesh, as well as sweat-wicking technology that will remove moisture from your skin.
This combination of design features, both the breathable and the moisture-wicking, will help you stay cooler, drier, and more comfortable in hot conditions.
If you’re looking to add some great briefs to your rotation, be sure to check out our list of the Most Comfortable Briefs and the best briefs Available on Amazon.
And for more breathable underwear options, check out these Best Breathable Picks.
