Underwear for the summer with maybe a weird question

[unnamedplayer]

Hello all,

It's time to start replacing my old boxer briefs that are starting to fall apart (reminds me of that Seinfeld bit haha) and being as I live in a hot and humid climate most of the year wanted some of those new fancy synthetic boxer briefs I keep hearing people rave about.

I was going to try the Uniqlo AIrisms (non-mesh) since they are cheaper than the Exofficio but I have a doubt after reading a review and a couple of reddit posts. I've seen a couple of people complain that the Airisms are so thin that their pants actually end up absorbing a lot more odor and end up stinkier. Is this a valid concern? Would the Exofficios be a better option? Are they thicker and not see through? Or is that maybe another option I should be looking at?

Thanks for any input!

[caktaylor]

Gross.

I live in Houston, which is both hot and humid. I have several pair of Airism boxers briefs. The mesh ones. And, I have one pair of Ex Officio Sport Mesh boxer briefs. I agree that the Airism boxer briefs are thinner than the Ex Officios, but I have never encountered the problem you describe in your post. While I work in an office building and not outside farming, herding cattle, or engaging in other strenuous outdoor work, I do hike and spend time outdoors recreationally. I have never, ever had the problem you describe. I suspect those are exaggerated accounts.

In my opinion, the Ex Officios ARE better than the Airisms, but not so much better that they are worth the additional cost (especially at full retail price). If you can find them at a decent discount and can afford them, I would recommend the Ex Officios. If you cannot, then the Airism boxer briefs should work well.

[unnamedplayer]

Gross.

I live in Houston, which is both hot and humid. I have several pair of Airism boxers briefs. The mesh ones. And, I have one pair of Ex Officio Sport Mesh boxer briefs. I agree that the Airism boxer briefs are thinner than the Ex Officios, but I have never encountered the problem you describe in your post. While I work in an office building and not outside farming, herding cattle, or engaging in other strenuous outdoor work, I do hike and spend time outdoors recreationally. I have never, ever had the problem you describe. I suspect those are exaggerated accounts.

In my opinion, the Ex Officios ARE better than the Airisms, but not so much better that they are worth the additional cost (especially at full retail price). If you can find them at a decent discount and can afford them, I would recommend the Ex Officios. If you cannot, then the Airism boxer briefs should work well.

Thanks for the feedback, That is good to hear. I normally would have just chalked it up to one person being overly dramatic but since I saw a couple of other posters basically agree it gave me some pause.

[DocDave]

I have no experience with the Ex Officios, and have recently started wearing the Airism from Uniqlo. I do not live in super humid/hot climate, but we get in to the low to mid 30s. For far, I have not experience anything like you are referencing.

Again, I work in an aircond office and I'm not doing a heck of a lot of strenuous activity. For me, the Airism are working out fine.

[paintflinger]

Hello all,

It's time to start replacing my old boxer briefs that are starting to fall apart (reminds me of that Seinfeld bit haha) and being as I live in a hot and humid climate most of the year wanted some of those new fancy synthetic boxer briefs I keep hearing people rave about.

I was going to try the Uniqlo AIrisms (non-mesh) since they are cheaper than the Exofficio but I have a doubt after reading a review and a couple of reddit posts. I've seen a couple of people complain that the Airisms are so thin that their pants actually end up absorbing a lot more odor and end up stinkier. Is this a valid concern? Would the Exofficios be a better option? Are they thicker and not see through? Or is that maybe another option I should be looking at?

Thanks for any input!

Problem with Airisms is that they are 100% synthetic. Stuff that stinks likes to grow on synthetic fabrics. Exofficio gets around this by treating their briefs with antimicrobial. My personal preference is merino wool briefs. Expensive (although on par with Exofficio) and they work better than anything I've ever tried. Merino wool tshirts are great as well, but stop working as soon as deodorant gums up the pits.

[unnamedplayer]

Problem with Airisms is that they are 100% synthetic. Stuff that stinks likes to grow on synthetic fabrics. Exofficio gets around this by treating their briefs with antimicrobial. My personal preference is merino wool briefs. Expensive (although on par with Exofficio) and they work better than anything I've ever tried. Merino wool tshirts are great as well, but stop working as soon as deodorant gums up the pits.

Yea, I get synthetic fibers hold on to odors more than cotton and FWIW the Airisms are suppose to have anti-microbial treatment too. But, this particular complaint was not so much with the boxers themselves but rather that the outer garment (ie your pants or shorts) end up absorbing more odor.

[Nandyn]

Go with David Archy separate pouches micro-modal trunks or boxer briefs from Amazon and never look back. Keeping your twig separate from your berries does wonders for keeping you dry and comfortable. It's literally life changing. It's the only underwear I ever wear anymore.

As far as odor transfer to your outer garment, not sure there's much you can do if you spend a lot of time sitting or something, as that sweat vapor has to go somewhere, and the outer garment is going to wick away the sweat/odor from the underwear especially if sitting or something.

[carlitos]

I had never even heard of Ex Officio until the post on the main site about the Costco sale. After buying a set of 3 by mail, I liked them so much, I went to Costco and got another set of 3 for $19.99 in store. Super comfy, and the legs don't bunch up on me even though I have quadriceps.

[DocDave]

I bought a pair of SAXX the other day and gave them a whorl. They are supposed to be super comfortable but to be honest I didn't notice them too be very much different from the Airism.

[Tacitus]

FWIW I've definitely noticed when I wear Airisms to the gym, etc. that they tend to hold more odor than non-synthetics.

[Hebrew Barrister]

Gross.

I live in Houston, which is both hot and humid. I have several pair of Airism boxers briefs. The mesh ones. And, I have one pair of Ex Officio Sport Mesh boxer briefs. I agree that the Airism boxer briefs are thinner than the Ex Officios, but I have never encountered the problem you describe in your post. While I work in an office building and not outside farming, herding cattle, or engaging in other strenuous outdoor work, I do hike and spend time outdoors recreationally. I have never, ever had the problem you describe. I suspect those are exaggerated accounts.

In my opinion, the Ex Officios ARE better than the Airisms, but not so much better that they are worth the additional cost (especially at full retail price). If you can find them at a decent discount and can afford them, I would recommend the Ex Officios. If you cannot, then the Airism boxer briefs should work well.

I, too, live in Houston. I, too, wear airism all summer. They're fantastic for the price, zero issues.

Random plug - BR sells boxer briefs that fit like the airism and have the same stretch, but are thicker. They're perfect for winter. They're pricier than airism, but do actually seem worth the cost.

[charlielo]

I agree that the Airism boxer briefs are thinner than the Ex Officios, but I have never encountered the problem you describe in your post.

Ditto. I own several pairs of each. The ExOfficio's are way better imo, but pricier. I have boxer briefs as well as regular briefs from Ex and I love them both. If you have issues with excess stink, I would look into something with merino wool, like Smartwool 150 boxer briefs (although these are even pricier at $30 and they don't have a lot in stock, may have to go through rei or something).