11 Best Boxer Shorts for Men 2024, Tested and Reviewed by GQ

Big time boxer shorts guy and GQ Style Commerce Writer Gerald Ortiz loves these for the fabric, surely, but says that the curved panels at the back are a game changer. “Not only does it make for a better fit, it means they don’t bunch at all,” he says. The majority of our testers preferred the open fly of the Sunspel boxer shorts over the buttoned fly that most other options had and found that they maintained easy access while keeping everything contained. “Without question, they’re my favorite boxers”, Ortiz says. “They don’t fit like a garbage bag, they’re very well made, super comfortable, and actually elegant.” They’re an investment, for sure, but when they’re up against cheaper alternatives that won’t last as long and feel worse the entire way, we think you’re better off with these.

Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: S-3XL | Fly: Functional; button-fly | Colors and Patterns: Available in various colorways and patterns

Generally speaking, when it comes to underwear, you get what you pay for. So we’re of the opinion that you should shell out what you can for a better pair because the cheap stuff is cheap for a reason. That said, there are always exceptions to the rule. That exception is Uniqlo. It’s difficult not to keep quiet about the label’s affordable, straight-forward menswear which is chock full of modern staples and spot-on collabs. But an area where Uniqlo excels more than others is its underwear. The go-to store for Japanese minimalism for dirt-cheap prices makes some of the best boxer briefs we’ve tested. We gave Uniqlo top scores for value in the boxer briefs category and the brand’s boxer shorts are sharing the winner’s podium.

Uniqlo’s cache of woven boxer shorts (which they call “trunks” for some reason), is a great value proposition; when he isn’t wearing his only pair of Sunspel boxers, Ortiz defaults to these the other six days of the week. The cotton is soft and airy, the fit is spacious, and the elastic waistband is mercifully pinch-free. Ortiz says he’s worn them for years, and hasn’t noticed any sagging or pilling that plague lesser versions after too many launders. That said, you might not appreciate all the room that Uniqlo’s “trunks” offer as the rear is a single, somewhat shapeless panel that’s prone to bunching or chafing if you wear slimmer pants.

Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: S-3XL | Fly: Functional; open | Colors and Patterns: Available in various colorways

Derek Rose’s royally luxurious boxer shorts give expensive underwear a good name. We tested their flagship pair which is cut from 100% cotton that feels remarkably like silk, complete with a regal sheen worthy of Derek Rose’s impressive CV.

Even our staunchest anti-boxer shorts coworkers were impressed, and loved the extra top buttons and couldn’t deny the top-shelf quality. We did have one point of criticism. We’d love to see a couple of notches at the side seams for even more comfort, especially for the folks with thunderous thighs. Now, $70 ain’t nothin. But if your bank account can take the hit and you only want the best, you couldn’t do any better.

Material: 56% Polyamide, 29% Polyester, 15% Elastane | Sizes: S-XXL | Fly: Functional; button | Colors and Patterns: Available in 2 colorways

In the nether regions, breathability is key. We maintain that boxer shorts are undeniably superior to boxer briefs in this respect. But some brands are pushing the boxer shorts’ inherent breeziness to its max with ingenious fabrics and cutting edge design. Enter Mack Weldon’s AIRknitx boxers. They’re cut with the same the brand’s flagship AIRknitx material (the same they use for their boxer briefs) which is a lightweight knit mesh material that wicks moisture and blocks odors like Mutumbo swats basketballs. They also employ what they call “cool zones” to provide even more breathability to specific areas so you can stay air-chilled even through the hottest months. With elite-level specs and enough spandex to best the most intense yoga master, they can easily go toe to toe with the best performance boxer briefs.

GQ associate commerce director Michael Nolledo swears by these boxer shorts. “They’re more spendy than many options out there,” Nolledo notes, but adds “the price matches the quality” for those willing to invest. He says the super soft fabric has an incredible handfeel, and is extremely comfortable for sleep. He also likes that there are no back seams, which adds to the all-day comfort.

Material: 95% Tencel lyocell, 5% elastane | Sizes: S-XXL | Fly: Functional; open | Colors and Patterns: Available in 2 colorways

We loved CDLP’s boxer briefs for many reasons, but one of the most significant is its fabric. It’s stretchy, indestructible, and is the softest fabric out of the options we tested. That’s because CDLP uses a heavy dose of lyocell, a natural alternative to silk that feels much cooler and more breathable to the touch. Oh, and it’s not nearly as expensive nor as precious as silk.