Best Men’s Boxers for Fishing
We spend a lot of time picking out our clothing for fishing, not just because we want to look good on the water, but also because much of it serves distinct purposes. Whether it’s choosing a comfortable, breathable and dry rainsuit or shoes that won’t leave you with lower back pain, making the right choices can be critical to your fishing success and to your long term health. Yet few of us give much thought to the skivvies we wear on the water. Hanna took a thoughtful deep dive into the best bras for women to fish in (seriously, who doesn’t like a deep dive into a bra?), but guys are afraid to talk about the performance of their undergarments. We may occasionally see a top pro fishing in tighty-whities, or hear Randy Blaukat’s argument that free-balling it is the best strategy in cold weather, but that’s about it. And if you’re not into shrinkage, going commando in cold weather may not be an option.
So while you may just grab the 12 pack from Costco or ride those threadbare boxers until they fall apart around you, there are choices to be made. Here are the factors I recommend that you consider and then some analyses of styles I’ve tried.
Style
I don’t think many guys still wear the traditional briefs. Sometimes I prefer regular boxers, when the twig and berries need to be aired out, but for the most part I believe boxer briefs are the best choice both for everyday wear and more strenuous activities. Besides, regular boxers seem to be on the way out, more and more difficult to find in desired sizes and colors. I assume that’s driven by market forces. Still, there are plenty of options out there if you’re willing to look.
Fit
Even though underwear has elastic waistbands and sometimes features stretchy materials, not all of it fits all of us equally. Some of us have junk in the trunk and some have flat asses. Some are members of the tripod club and some are more like acorns. You may have Rickey Henderson’s thighs or Olive Oyl’s legs. They all fit a little bit differently, even among the same style. If the elastic is going to cut into your midsection, or the front is going to squash your package, you’re going to be focusing on the wrong things all day.
Material
This is where it may pay to get high-quality underwear as opposed to the bargain pack (which isn’t always the wrong option, but is often not the best option). Traditional comfortable cotton underwear may be ok in non-challenging environments, but when you sweat it absorbs the moisture and holds it, defeating any insulating purpose and possibly leading to a bad case of crotch-rot. That means it’s bad when it’s cold and bad when it’s hot. Wool has always been a good alternative, but other than high-end merino wool it can be scratchy on your nether parts. That’s where various synthetics come into play. They are often moisture-wicking, quick-drying, anti-microbial and can be easily washed in a hotel or campground sink to be reused. They’re often more expensive, but you may get what you pay for.
Color
Most of the dudes I’ve fished with are hardly in the running to be Victoria’s Secret Angels or Marky Mark underwear models. Some of them are downright rough and unlikely to have anyone see their underwear, unless someone else does their laundry. Then again, I’d recommend against white, for reasons that should be fairly obvious. Sometimes the less popular colors go on sale first, so if your budget is important to you, don’t be singularly-focused on one particular colorway.
Here are five I can recommend:
Give N Go
Ex Officio’s Give N Go were the first “technical” underwear that I bought. Actually, I bought some of the women’s versions for Hanna first. We were headed on our first trip to the Amazon in 2011 and limited to 40 pounds of gear TOTAL per person. I didn’t want to leave behind any lures or line or terminal tackle, so I invested in some Ex Officio underwear for her. You can wash it in the sink (I believe the ad they used at the time was about someone who wore them for 17 days straight). That led me to buy some for myself and over the ensuing decade I probably had 7-8 pairs of their boxers and boxer briefs. They’re comfortable and packable. I finally had to get rid of some after a while because the waistbands gave out, but they were worth the price, especially if you buy them on sale or from a discounter like Sierra Trading Post. They have even more styles for women, including bikini briefs and thongs (lightest weight for Amazon trips!).
I have lots of AFTCO clothing – from hats to t-shirts to button downs to sweaters to rainsuits – and all of it is top-notch. They’re a great company to deal with, stewards of the industry and the environment, and their gear fits me well. Several years I got some of their solid-colored boxers that were very comparable to the Ex Officios, but subsequently the Captain’s Lounge models became my daily go-to, whether headed to the office, the gym or out on the water. They dry quickly, have stain release (!) in the fabric, and they’re just super-comfortable – exactly the right length for my fat thighs so that they don’t ride up and don’t pinch me uncomfortably. They come in fun, fishing-themed patterns, too, if that matters to you. Just make sure to buy them when you see one you like, because they occasionally cycle new patterns in and old ones out.
M-Boulder 125 Boxer Brief
These were my first pair of Merino Wool undergarments. I was worried that they’d be itchy or scratchy, but on the contrary they’re ridiculously soft, almost silky (but they’re still machine-washable). The upper backside has hard-to-see vents that increase breathability, and they’re odor-resistant, which is always a good thing. For some reason I expected wool to be thick, but they’re super-thin, while still cradling and protecting your huevos. The high quality made me anxious to try some of their long underwear for cold weather applications.
Woolies Tech Boxer Brief
Now that I’d entered the world of Merino Wool boxers, I branched out into Ibex, too. I liked the fact that not only did their gear get great reviews, but that the company takes a socially responsible approach to reducing their carbon footprint. All of that would mean nothing, however, if my ass was itchy. Again, I was impressed with how soft they are and how they just seemed to provide support effortlessly, without reminding me that they’re there, and they ae especially good for cool and cold conditions. They’re not inexpensive but you only get one set of family jewels.
Cool Active Boxer Brief
Hanna bought a few items from this company, and liked not only the pricing, but the fact that they consistently bombarded her with ridiculously low sale price ads. She bought me a really nice pair of casual pants for about 12 bucks, and on her next order (perhaps to meet minimum shipping requirements) she added in some boxer briefs. I’m somewhere between an L and XL in most products. She got the L and they were a little tight, but not terrible. Moreover, on sale for $3.99 a pair, that’s just a fraction of what all of the others on this list cost. They have various styles and a wide range of colors. Don’t let the discount prices fool you – while they don’t seem to be quite as refined as some of the other brands above, at this low price they’re a bargain.
