The Best Hiking Underwear of 2026

Long legs are the simplest fix for thigh chafe. The Boxerjock extends the leg well down the thigh, so there is fabric between your thighs where shorts can ride up, and the four-way stretch lets you step high without the brief pulling. The waistband is flat and wide enough to sit under a hip belt without rolling.

The fabric is moisture-wicking and soft, with a close fit that keeps everything in place. That close fit is the point: it stays put on long climbs instead of bunching at the crotch. The trade-off is warmth. The long leg and snug cut add coverage, so in peak summer heat they can feel like more underwear than you need. If you overheat easily, a shorter brief is the better choice.

Where this pair earns its place is on the hike where chafing can end your day. We prefer it for long approaches, humid climbs, and anyone who has finished a trail with raw inner thighs. It is not the lightest or cheapest option here, but the extra fabric does a real job. If you want a shorter leg and a lower price, the New Balance pair is the obvious alternative.

A three-pack of Hanes is an easy way to try a performance pouch. The Total Support Pouch adds a separated front panel, moisture-wicking fabric, and odor control in a cut that looks like a normal pair of underwear. For a week of camping or day hikes, that combination is easy to justify.

What we like is the support without a compression-short feel. The pouch keeps things separated and reduces the skin-on-skin rub that starts after a few sweaty miles, and the wide waistband stays put. The fabric is soft rather than slick, so it feels more like everyday underwear than a technical base layer. That makes it a good first hiking pair for someone who does not want to think about underwear.

The limits are real. The pouch does not have much room for every body, and seams can come loose with heavy washing. Neither issue makes it a bad buy, but it is not the pair we trust for a monthlong thru-hike. Use it for weekend trips, camp backups, or a simple drawer rotation, and save the premium pair for the days that matter.

If the top pick's premium feels like more than you need, the New Balance set is the value answer. You get three pairs of a lightweight, moisture-wicking boxer brief with a contoured pouch and a 6-inch leg. That leg length is the detail that matters: it covers enough thigh to reduce rub without the extra fabric of a long-leg short.

The fabric is 90 percent polyester and 10 percent spandex, and it has a light, stretchy feel that moves with you on climbs. The wide jacquard waistband is soft and stays flat, and the fly opening makes them practical for everyday wear. We also appreciated the no-chafe stitching, because the seams sit smooth against the skin rather than creating a ridge.

Sizing is the catch. These run small for many builds, and the legs can climb on thicker thighs, so start by checking the size chart and consider going up if you are between sizes. Seams are the long-term question; heavy washing can shorten their life. Still, for the money, this is the pair we reach for when we want a simple performance brief and can live with those caveats.

SAXX asks a premium for one specific job: keeping everything separated and supported while you move. The Core Performance Mesh uses the brand's BallPark Pouch, a breathable mesh fabric, and a no-ride-up leg. If you have ever spent a hike adjusting yourself through a shorts pocket, the design makes immediate sense.

The mesh is the part we appreciate most. It moves sweat away and feels airy under a pack, and the pouch reduces the skin-on-skin contact that leads to chafe. The leg openings stay put without squeezing, and the three-pack takes some of the sting out of the price. This is the pair for a hot, long day when support matters more than minimal fabric.

Not everyone wants a pouch. Some builds find the support too structured, and the price is high enough that it should be a deliberate choice rather than an impulse add-on. If you want a simpler brief with a lower profile, the Under Armour long-leg pair is the better fit. If chafe and support are your two biggest problems, pack the SAXX first.

For a woman who hikes in leggings, the appeal of the GRANKEE thong is simple: a high waist that stays put and a seamless front that does not show through. The six-pack gives you a rotation for a trip, and the cotton crotch lining adds a breathable layer where it matters. We like that the waist sits above the hip rather than cutting across a pack belt.

The stretch is generous, so the pair moves with you instead of digging in. That same stretch is why sizing is the main caveat: these run small for many builds, and a pair that feels snug in the packet can turn uncomfortable after a long climb. The thong cut is also a personal choice; if you prefer more coverage, a brief is the better shape.

This is not a technical hiking fabric in the same way as the ExOfficio or Under Armour picks, but it solves a specific layering problem well. If your hiking pants are thin or your leggings are unforgiving, the seamless high-waist cut is the reason to choose it. Size up if you are between sizes, and test the waist under your pack before a long day.

A five-pack for less than many single premium pairs is the reason the Puma set earns a budget spot. The briefs are performance boxer briefs with a soft, stretchy feel and a cut that stays put under shorts. For a first hiking drawer or a camp backup, the math is easy.

The fabric is breathable and smooth, and the fit stays in place without riding up for many builds. The waistband does not roll, and the legs do not need constant adjustment on a climb. The softness is a bonus; these feel closer to everyday underwear than a technical mesh brief.

The trade-offs are durability and sizing. Seams can come apart with repeated washing, and the fit runs close enough that you should check the size chart. The pouch area is not as roomy as a dedicated support brief, so if you want separation, the Hanes or SAXX is the better pick.

Our read: this is the pack to buy when you need several pairs for a trip and do not want to spend premium money. It is not the pair we trust for a long thru-hike, but it handles weekend hikes, camp backups, and sweaty workouts without fuss. If durability is your first concern, pay for the ExOfficio or SAXX instead.

The first thing to know about the BAMBOO COOL brief is that the fit can slip. The fabric is soft and stretchy, but the waistband does not stay put on every body, and the sizing runs small for many builds. That is not a dealbreaker for a short, hot hike, but it is the reason this pair sits in our also-consider group rather than the top tier.

Where it shines is breathability. The fabric feels cool against the skin, and the moisture-wicking finish keeps sweat from turning the brief clammy on a hot climb. The mid-rise cut gives more coverage than a thong without feeling bulky under hiking pants. The five-pack is a practical rotation for a trip.

The fabric feels soft against the skin, and the five-pack gives you a practical rotation for a trip. Just do not expect the same technical feel as a mesh performance pair; this is a softer, more everyday brief that happens to handle heat well.

The fit is the make-or-break. Order based on the size chart, not your usual underwear size, and test the waist on a long walk before you commit to a backpacking trip. If you want a no-show thong or a more secure high waist, the GRANKEE is the better women's pick; if you want a technical quick-dry brief with a more predictable fit, keep looking.