Best Hiking Underwear of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Hiking underwear isn’t the most exciting item on any gear list, but like a quality pair of socks or long johns, it’s key to behind-the-scenes comfort for all-day adventures. If you’ve ever suffered through a switchback with sweaty cotton drawers with tight elastic scraping your skin, you understand just how miserable the wrong pair can make a trek to the top.

Good-fitting undergarments can keep you feeling cool, dry, and comfy no matter the conditions. We tested out a few pairs to find some of the best hiking underwear for both women and men for your next trip to the backcountry.

Best Overall: Smartwool Intraknit Hipster

Best Womens: Patagonia Active Hipster Brief

Best Mens: KUIU Ultra Merino Boxer Brief

Best Wool: Icebreaker Merino Siren Thong

Best Quick Dry: Duluth Trading Co. Armachillo Cooling Hipster

Best Budget: REI Co-op Active Bikini

How We Picked the Best Hiking Underwear

As a seasoned hiker, I’ve donned dozens of different pairs of hiking underwear in the great outdoors. Some were so comfy I didn’t think about them all day, and others caused so much chafing and yanking they nearly ruined an adventure. After lots of trial and error over the years, I’ve come to learn what to look for in hiking underwear and what to avoid at all costs.

To compile this list of the best hiking underwear, I considered fabric, fit, and overall comfort. I sported some on the trail and researched each pair at length, looking at size options, material, durability, and more.

Best Hiking Underwear: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Smartwool Intraknit Hipster

Specs

Materials: 38% merino wool, 38% lyocell, 16% nylon, 8% elastane

Rise: Low

Coverage: Full

Sizes: XS-XL

Pros

Seamless knit is incredibly soft and comfortable

Regulates down-there temperature in any conditions

Stretch fabric blend doesn’t slouch or stretch out

Cons

More expensive

Care instructions call for only washing in cold water

Whether you hike across national parks in the hot and humid summer months or trek through snow-covered wilderness in the winter, you’re bound to work up a sweat in your nether regions. A pair of hiking underwear that wicks moisture away from your skin and regulates body temperature is critical to keeping you dry, comfortable, and funk-free on the trail. These Smartwool hipsters check all those boxes.

Made with a blend of responsibly sourced merino and Tencel lyocell, they have all the benefits of wool—like a soft feel—along with the performance of a semi-synthetic fiber. Smartwool’s Intraknit technology creates a seamless design that breathes and flexes. When I wore them, the underwear didn’t add any bulk under my shorts or dig into my midriff.

I could wear these all day and barely even notice them on. -Emily Kantner

These are some of the comfiest underwear I’ve ever worn. Even as I sweated, the hipsters kept me dry without stretching out or sliding down. And they stood up well to a cold wash cycle followed by a low tumble dry. They’re a pricey pick, but they’re durable enough to stand up to years of adventure.

Best Womens: Patagonia Active Hipster Brief

Specs

Materials: 88% nylon, 12% spandex

Rise: Low

Coverage: Full

Sizes: XS-XL

Pros

Made with 40% recycled nylon in Fair Trade Certified factory

Seamless waistband stays smooth under clothing

Single-sided binding on leg openings prevents chafing

Cons

Large tag stitched into waistband

Not as durable

If you’re on the hunt for hiking underwear that performs at a high level and is a more sustainable option, check out the Patagonia Active Hipsters. The underwear is constructed with breathable recycled nylon that’s produced in a Fair Trade Certified factory. The lightweight fabric blend features miDori bioSoft, upping the softness and moisture-wicking factor, and HeiQ Pure helps control odors during sweaty treks.

The hipsters sport a seamless waistband that won’t dig in or bulge under clothing. Along the leg openings, single-sided bindings prevent chafing. If you can get past the potentially itchy tag stitched into the waistband—which I’m sure you could cut out—the Patagonia underwear is incredibly comfortable for all sorts of adventures.

Best Mens: KUIU Ultra Merino Boxer Brief

Specs

Materials: 67% merino wool, 33% polyester

Rise: Mid

Coverage: Full

Sizes: M-XXL

Pros

Soft Nuyarn merino comfort

Designed for any temperature conditions

Low-profile waist and flat-lock seams

Cons

Easily stretched out

Our male tester was a big fan of these KUIU boxer briefs thanks to their buttery soft feel and superior breathability. I can vouch for KUIU’s Nuyarn technology which makes for the softest, stretchiest wool I’ve ever worn. The merino wool blend staves off stink, keeps your skin dry, and maintains its quality wear after wear. The KUIU underwear also boast merino’s incredible ability to regulate temperature. So whether you’re sporting these on a mid-summer hike or a backcountry hunt in the heart of winter, at least part of your body is going to stay comfortable.

Our male tester wore these for hours and said they’re some of the most comfortable boxer briefs he’s tried. -Amanda Oliver

We found they provide ample support where it matters and strike a good balance of roomy yet snug. The boxer briefs are finished with a low-profile waistband and flat-lock seams to prevent bulk and chaffing.

Best Wool: Icebreaker Merino Siren Thong

Specs

Materials: 83% merino wool, 12% nylon, 5% LYCRA

Rise: Low

Coverage: Minimal

Sizes: XS-XL

Pros

High merino content for wool performance

No VPLs under leggings or compression shorts

Slim fit to eliminate bulk

Cons

Gusset and waistband run small

While I’ll occasionally wear hiking shorts, I usually opt for compression leggings or bikers shorts on the trail. Because I hate having visible underwear lines—no matter what I’m doing—a thong is my best bet when I gear up for a hike. The Icebreaker Merino Siren thong is one of the best options out there anyone like me who prefers minimal coverage. It’s also one of the best pairs of wool hiking underwear you can buy.

Made with a high percentage (83% to be exact) of merino wool, Icebreaker underewar is moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and thermo-regulating. The 18.9-micron merino feels soft and doesn’t itch your skin, and the ultralight style features a slim, no-bulk design.

Best Quick Dry: Duluth Trading Co. Armachillo Cooling Hipster

Specs

Materials: 91% nylon, 9% spandex

Rise: Low

Coverage: Full

Sizes: XS-XXL

Pros

Microscopic jade keeps skin cool

Doesn’t bunch or ride up

Durable quality will stand up to abuse

Cons

Wide and somewhat stiff bands around waist and leg openings can dig into skin

The Armachillo Cooling hipsters from Duluth Trading Co. live up to the brand’s tough and gritty reputation. I could tell they’d hold up to plenty of wears and washes as soon as I slipped them on, thanks to the thick durable material and quality construction. But what truly sets these underwear apart is the microscopic jade embedded in the fabric to keep things nice and cool down south, even when the weather is blazing. And after suffering through a few 95-degree days, I can tell you it really works.

I never had an issue with this underwear riding up or slipping down. -Emily Kantner

They also prevent swampiness with a moisture-wicking fabric blend and odor-fighting treatment. These hipsters don’t bunch or budge, so you won’t have to worry about picking or pulling at your shorts on the trail.

Best Budget: REI Co-op Active Bikini

Specs

Materials: 86% polyester, 14% spandex mesh

Rise: Mid

Coverage: Medium

Sizes: XS-3X

Pros

Lightweight, barely-there feel

Mesh fabric is super breathable

Available in a wide range of sizes

Cons

Can slip and slide

May not hold up well to washing

Underwear is a lot like socks in that my favorites often seem to go missing after a trip to the dryer and I replace them on a regular basis. So I don’t like to splurge on a piece of clothing I won’t keep for too long—and especially one that other hikers won’t ever see. The affordable price is one of the big selling points of the REI Active Bikini underwear. While it performs well, it’s cheaper than others on this list so you can stock up for the hiking season without sticker shock.

For the price, you really can’t beat this REI hiking underwear. -Emily Kantner

The underwear is constructed of a synthetic mesh that’s so lightweight and breathable that sweat doesn’t stick around for long. I was able to wear it for hours in the heat of summer without feeling damp or uncomfortable. Even better, it’s finished with an antimicrobial treatment to prevent the stink that often comes with long days on the mountain. I really like the low-profile seams on this underwear, which made it a cool and comfy choice on a recent hike. This pair is easily one of my new favorites.

What to Consider When Choosing Hiking Underwear

Comfort

After years of hiking trails in all different conditions and geographic locations, I can confidently say that comfort is the most important factor when picking hiking underwear. While your personal preference in style will play a part in how you feel in a pair, comfort comes down to more than just hipster versus thong. Look for options that won’t dig into, chafe, or irritate your skin — seamless, tagless designs are usually best. Avoid thick elastic around waistbands and leg openings, but make sure the underwear still stay in place when you move. Opt for lightweight materials that wick moisture away from the body and dry quickly to avoid a soggy bottom.

Odor Control

Even if you’re solo hiking, you still won’t want to smell your own stink. Choose underwear that offer some form of odor control. Some materials, such as merino wool, naturally prevent odors, while many many underwear constructed with synthetics feature odor control technology to keep funk at bay.

Quality

You don’t need to buy the priciest underwear to get great performance, but you probably don’t want to go with the cheapest pair, either. You get what you pay for. Choose underwear made with high quality material and durable construction to avoid fabric fraying or elastic snapping mid-hike.

FAQs

Best Hiking Underwear: Final Thoughts

Best Overall: Smartwool Intraknit Hipster

Best Womens: Patagonia Active Hipster Brief

Best Mens: KUIU Ultra Merino Boxer Brief

Best Wool: Icebreaker Merino Siren Thong

Best Quick Dry: Duluth Trading Co. Armachillo Cooling Hipster

Best Budget: REI Co-op Active Bikini

The best hiking underwear is constructed with quality materials that will keep you dry, comfortable, and stink-free for hours. We like every pair on this list, but my favorite is definitely the Smartwool Intraknit Hipster thanks to its soft fabric and superior fit.

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

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