Boxers vs. Underwear, What's the Healthiest (+ Coolest) Type of Men’s Underwear?

Men’s underwear was less of a fashion statement and more of a functional one in the early years. In 1925, boxing apparel Everlast’s Jacob Golomb created the first elastic waistband trunk; et voilà, men’s boxer shorts were born. However, wearing men's underwear was still not widely adopted until much later. 

Fast forward to 1934, Arthur Kneibler invented the modern briefs as we know them today. Variations started to appear on the market with briefs, trunks and boxers to match every man’s demand, and of course, now, there is debate as to which is best. 

Boxers or briefs? Tighty-whities or loose-fitting boxers? Is one better for me than the other?

Today, we'll provide a balanced answer to these questions, empowering you to make the decision that best looks after your package.

What is the difference between underwear and boxers?

In short, nothing at all. If you, like millions of other men (and women), wear boxers, you too are wearing underwear. But under the umbrella of underwear, there is remarkable diversity.

Imagine boxers at one end, loose and unstructured; and at the opposite end briefs, form-fitting and highly structured. In between these two poles, a vast grey area called "boxer briefs" – essentially a combination of the two. A compromise between freedom and order.

So how do you choose between boxers and briefs? Of course, personal preference comes first. Some prefer the structure that briefs offer while others find that they are too cramped and restrictive. These guys therefore opt for free-swinging freedom boxers which brief-lovers find outright unpleasant! And so the debate begins… 

There is an area of exception to this – in terms of reproductive health – there is a real difference in sperm count and viability between these two types of underwear. 

Boxers with testicle support:

Trust science when there is doubt...

Credit: Getty Images

The biologically male reproductive organ needs temperature regulation. If it's too warm (like our core body temperature), it doesn't work as well. It needs to be cooler than the rest of us. Fascinating right? You would have thought evolution had this covered!


How do you take care of your manhood?

Generally, tighter clothing can increase your body temperature. In a controlled study conducted over several months, individuals who wore tight underwear experienced a reduction in their sperm count compared to those who wore looser-fitting, breathable boxers.

Conversely, if you’d preferred tight underwear in the past and now switch to wearing boxers, evidence suggests the change will boost sperm production.

Different shorts for different folks

Your choice of underwear will also depend on your occupation. For instance, taxi and truck drivers who spend most of their day sitting in vehicles should be particularly conscious of their hygiene, including their underwear. On the other hand, Personal Trainers and athletes will create more natural airflow as they move and are more likely to wear underwear designed for sports and performance to aid movement. The key point here is that it's about the heat, not the fit. 

Dangers of non-breathable underwear

Overheating of the genitalia isn't just a problem for those who want to be able to reproduce. Heat and moisture are a recipe for irritation, stickiness, odour and skin problems.

So guys, it’s time to pay attention to fabric as much as women do. If your underwear is made from cheap, non-breathable fabric, it will lead to problems. Sometimes it’s worth spending a little more to buy nice, and not twice.

Try different pairs with varying fits, and pay close attention to how they feel and the type of fabric they are made from. The daily benefit of great underwear is well worth the time.

Are loose-fitting underwear bad for men?

While there's nothing inherently good or bad about loose underwear, boxers have a few definite drawbacks. Without the structure to guide the contents of male underwear, miscalculations can occur. Sit at the wrong angle, an unexpected run for the bus, and the jostling can be very uncomfortable.

And a piece of style advice: baggy boxers can make some pants look ridiculous.

For many, it isn't necessary to dwell in either extreme. Boxer briefs provide a valuable compromise, possessing most of the heat regulation of boxers while still giving the support that makes wearing briefs appealing.

Should you wear boxers to bed?

Many men wear shorts to bed, without underwear. Is this a problem? It's a deceptively important question. The answer is that, as mentioned above, our nether-regions need good temperature regulation. Sleeping naked is the easiest way to make sure your skin and reproductive organs are able to cool off. Just make sure your sheets are clean and your partner is happy for you to do so! Please find out more in our blog about whether men should wear underwear to bed.

Crossfly's take

We're biased, but hey, we wouldn't be doing this if we didn't think our underwear is the absolute best.

Crossfly's fabric and fit are precisely designed to provide breathability, moisture-wicking, and odour-repelling benefits, all while offering comfortable (yet non-invasive) support. Not too much, not too little. Crossfly’s patent-pending innovations, the X-Fly opening offers quick access when nature calls, and the Coccoon internal pocket device is just something every man has to try - the support and comfort provided are unrivalled. Open a new pair, and you'll never go back to your old ones.

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