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Men’s underpants: Types, cuts & materials compared

You think there’s only a wide range of underwear styles for ladies? Far from it! Just take a look at the different types of men’s underpants and it quickly becomes clear: Men also have to choose between a variety of cuts, designs, and materials. Find out here what the differences are in men’s underpants and how to find the right fabrics for your needs!

by CALIDA

29 September 2023 • 5 min reading time

Calida underpants on a line

Your choice, your style: men's underpants styles for every need.

The 4 most popular types of men’s underpants in comparison

Tastes in men’s underpants vary widely. While some like it more loose and casual, others go for a better fit or more exposed skin. No matter what kind of underpants you prefer: In the online shop of CALIDA, you find a huge selection of men’s underwear that fits your requirements in terms of cut, design, comfort and materials perfectly! Here are the four most popular types of men’s underpants at a glance.

The casual ones: Boxer shorts

You like it airy, light, and casual? Then the boxer shorts are the ideal underpants for you! The loose cut of these classic men’s underpants promises maximum comfort without pinching or unpleasant wetness, especially in summer. The wide-cut legs of the boxer shorts usually go to the middle of the thigh to avoid faux pas and pack everything in well.

The wide cut makes boxer shorts best suited under trousers that are also wide cut, such as jogging trousers, loose jeans, or cargo trousers. To avoid sagging under slim and skinny jeans, it’s better to go for tight briefs or boxer briefs for men in these cases.

The classic one: Men’s briefs

Men’s briefs are also a very classic model among men’s underpants. While the buttocks are completely covered, unlike with a string, the insert at the front, known as pouch, provides the best support. The tight fit of the legless briefs is ideal for any undergarment, whether cycling shorts, slim jeans or jogging pants.

Since many men do not feel secure enough with the tight cut of the men’s briefs or find the fit uncomfortable, they choose the middle path between boxer shorts and briefs: boxer briefs or trunk pants!

The modern ones: Boxer briefs & trunks

Boxer briefs and trunks are modern underpants which have experienced a real upswing in recent years. With their tight cut, short legs, and pre-shaped pouch, they offer maximum comfort and safety in every situation. The boxer briefs or trunks are also very popular with the ladies!

The differences between trunks and briefs lie in the waistband height and leg length: Trunks are cut a little more compactly, so they have a lower waistband and shorter legs. At CALIDA, you find both trunks and boxer briefs under the name New Boxer!

The functional one: Long men’s underpants

Long underpants are absolutely essential in the cold months of the year! The angle-length pants keep you cosy and warm not only on ski holidays but also during snow walks or in frosty winter nights. To avoid sweating, you should always choose men’s long underpants made from natural materials, as we offer them in the large assortment of CALIDA.

The right waistband: Low rise, mid waist, or high waist?

In addition to the different cuts, the waistband of men’s underpants also contributes to the optimal fit. You can opt for a covered waistband, a wider soft waistband, or seamless pants. In any case, the waistband should be elastic to fit your physique perfectly.

You can also choose between low-cut low-rise pants such as boxer briefs or high-waist pants for men. A middle path between low-rise and high-rise models is the classic mid-waist pants.

Men’s pants made from comfortable & practical natural materials

Besides the right cut, the choice of materials also determines the wearing comfort of men’s pants. For all types of men’s underwear, we recommend textiles made from natural fibres. They ideally balance the temperature, absorb moisture and are breathable.

Cotton: Pure nature for every occasion

Probably the best-known natural material for underpants, but also for high-quality men’s undershirts is cotton. At CALIDA, you find a wide selection of cotton unterpants in a variety of cuts, colours, patterns, and designs to suit every type. We rely on the sustainable origin of the cotton, which convinces with a pleasant skin feeling and ideal temperature regulation in every season and for every occasion.

TENCEL™: The best for you & the environment

With TENCEL™, MicroModal finds its origin in the natural and renewable raw material wood. Thanks to its soft and breathable fibres, the material clings to the body like a second skin and promises the best temperature balance in every season. Discover all men’s pants types made from TENCEL™ in the huge men’s underwear range of CALIDA!

Polyamide: Light and airy with HeiQ Fresh technology

Thanks to its quick-drying properties, the robust, smooth material polyamide is also a popular choice for men’s underpants. In our PERFORMANCE NEO product series, you find a wide range of polyamide underpants with the unique HeiQ Fresh technology. It promises a long-lasting feeling of freshness, which is guaranteed by particularly light, breathable fibres.

Wool-silk: Exclusive quality in summer & winter

If you want to stay warm on the ski slopes and during long walks in the snow without sweating during après-ski, you should reach for high-quality men’s long underpants made from wool-silk. The exclusive material mix offers the highest quality and easily balances out both cold and warm temperatures.

Which type of men’s underpants is the best?

Choosing the right men’s underpants contributes to greater well-being and self-confidence in everyday life. Which cut suits you and your requirements is always a matter of taste and type. Therefore, it’s best to try out different cuts and see if you prefer tight-fitting pants or if you like it loose and airy. Different waistband heights and waistband types such as the soft waistband, the covered waistband or the seamless waistband also influence the wearing comfort!

The many graduations in waistband and leg length, cut and fit allow you to find exactly the men’s underpants types that make you feel good and confident.


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