The Best Underwear for Hiking Men and Women in 2024

Undies, panties, knickers, boxers, briefs, under-crackers, crown-jewel protectors. Whatever you call your underwear, it can be a bit of game-changer if you don’t wear the right pair when hiking. Of course, a simple solution is to not bother with them at all! But without going into too much detail, hiking underwear is kind of essential without throwing all levels of hygiene out the window. And making sure you have the best underwear for hiking will make your time on the trail SO much better.

So, we’ve dragged our sweaty backsides over mountains and through dales on a quest to find the best hiking underwear for women and men in 2024. Here’s what we found:

• Best underwear for hiking: women’s
• Best underwear for hiking: men’s
• Best sports bra for hiking
• What to look for when choosing underwear for hiking
  • Comfort
  • Quick drying
  • Odour control
  • Fabrics

Summary of the best underwear for hiking in 2024

Disclaimer: We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.

Best underwear for hiking: women’s

Smartwool Merino Sport Seamless Bikini

Best for: Odour control and comfort

The Smartwool Merino Sport Seamless Bikini are definitely the best merino underwear for hiking that I’ve tried. Boasting 68% merino content, the soft and comfortable fabric provides temperature regulation in both hot and cold conditions as well as excellent odour control on multi-day hikes. But because the fabric is blended with nylon and elastane, they keep their shape for much longer than the Howies 100% merino Boxhers. The result is less riding up and elevated comfort levels.

I wear size S in most clothes, however, I opted for size M in these and they fit great. But I’m not much of a fan of skimpy knickers!

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Smartwool

Royal Robbins Readydry Full Brief

Best for: Sustainability, quick-drying and comfort

For those of you who want for nothing more than a big old pair of granny pants (and all their glorious comfort), look no further than these Readydry Full Briefs by Royal Robbins. In terms of coverage, they are comparable to the Runderwear Briefs offering good cuppage of the buttocks, to keep them from riding up, and a high waist that comes right up to the belly button. This is a little high for me as I like to wear my shorts and hiking pants on the hips.

When it comes to sizing, the Readydry Briefs are the opposite of the Runderwear Briefs. I wear a size M which is, for the first time in panties, a little bit on the baggy side. So perhaps consider sizing down unless you like your knickers extra airy!

Speaking of airy, the mesh fabric, combined with HeiQ Smart Temp thermoregulation technology, feels great when hiking in warmer conditions and wicks moisture away efficiently.

But my favourite feature is that the polyester fabric is constructed using S.Café® – a technology derived from used coffee grounds. Clever stuff! This is supposed to permanently resist odours.I’ve found the odour-resistance to be nowhere near as effective as merino undies making them less well suited to multi-day wear. However, their finest property is how quickly they dry. So if you have access to water on multi-day trips then after a quick wash at the end of each day, they’ll be dry in no time, unlike merino options.

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Royal Robbins

Runderwear Women’s Briefs

Best for: Comfort and support

If you’re after unrivalled support and comfort on the trail then Runderwear Briefs are where it’s at. These are big panties — the sort I just want to snuggle up in! Their tight fit around the legs cup the buttocks nicely — no chance of them riding up. Plus, the high waistline holds me in well around the stomach. I love that they are seamless (other than the lined crotch area). And the wide, elasticated waistband doesn’t create a muffin top! That said, I am usually a size S but opted for a size M — they fit perfectly. So it’s worth ordering a size up, unless you like your undies super tight.

There’s a lot of fabric in these briefs. And although the polyamide/elastane blend does a super job at wicking moisture away from my body, I can’t help feeling like I wouldn’t sweat quite so much if there were less of them! The Odlo Briefs might be a better option if you need something cooler and a little more skimpy. For extra warmth when winter hiking, however, these Runderwear Briefs are a cosy, high performance option that come with a chafe-free guarantee.

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Amazon | Runderwear

Odlo Women’s Performance Light Sports Briefs

Best for: Comfort and coolness

For summer hiking when staying cool is top priority, the Odlo Women’s Performance Light Sports Briefs are hard to beat. Not only are these virtually seam-free with no chance of them riding up, they are also incredibly lightweight and airy. I’ve barely noticed myself sweating in them at all. And when I do, they deal with the moisture with expert wickability, drying in no time, too.

But what really makes them stand out from crowd is their ability to deal with odour, despite their synthetic makeup. The Oldo-Effect Anti-odour system inhibits the growth of bacteria on the fabric. This is down to a silver treatment when the fabric is created. Clever stuff, and worth the relatively high price tag.

I love how comfortable I feel in these lightweight briefs, and choose them every time for summer hiking.

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Baselayer | Odlo | Amazon

Howies Boxhers Merino Undies

Best for: Odour control and comfort

If you’re not quite sold on boxer-style undies but love the idea of their comfort and chafe-free warmth, then these Howies Boxhers are a superb option. They are shorter in the leg than the Rab Boxers and offer a much more snug fit around the buttocks without riding up. They’re shaped more like a brief — but with a little ‘extra’. The elasticated waistband is super comfortable and stays in place nicely without being too tight. Otherwise, the main fabric of these undies is 100% merino, with no added elastane. The downside of this is that they loosen slightly with wear. They also take a little longer to dry that the Rabs. However, they come out on top when it comes to odour control, lasting a good few days in the mountains without the need to change.

These are my go-to choice for multi-day hiking trips in cooler conditions.

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Howies | Amazon

WAMA Underwear Hemp Bikini

Best for: Sustainability, durability and comfort

The world’s most eco-friendly hiking underwear has arrived! WAMA Underwear is made of 53% hemp — which is the world’s most sustainable fabric — and 44% organic cotton. Spandex makes up the other 3% for that all-important bit of stretch to prevent movement. Hemp is also a super durable fabric — the world’s strongest natural fiber, in fact — making these an excellent option for life on the trail, excess wear and multiple washes. But, like magical merino, hemp is also naturally anti-microbial which means you can get away with prolonged wear without having to wash them as often.

Comfort-wise, the fabric is surprisingly soft. It feels cosy and very comfortable next to the skin, as does the elasticated waistband. The waistband isn’t too tight and fits true to size without creating a muffin-top! However, if your cheeks are on the fuller side, as mine are, there isn’t quite enough fabric in the seat of the pants. The result is that they don’t cup my buttocks but tend to ride up slightly as I walk. In this case, you might be better off choosing a size up. For those with smaller backsides, the sizing should be just fine.

These planet saving panties are my number one choice from a sustainability point of view. They’re comfy, durable and you don’t need to wash them as much as synthetic undies. They’re also very reasonably priced for something that will last such a long time. And despite the durable fabric that is thicker than the synthetic options, they are still relatively breathable, though not as quick drying as other options.

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WAMA Underwear

Best underwear for hiking: men’s

Howies Penn Merino Boxers

Best for: Odour control and comfort

Updated with a new elasticated band-style waistband, the Howies Penn Merino Boxers are a huge hit here at Cool of the Wild. A first wear, almost two years ago, converted Rob to the luxury of merino undies instantly — he’s barely taken them off since! Yep, they do a cracking job at odour control, and they’re still going strong, despite their overuse. The 100% merino fabric is a little thicker than the Rab’s, although no less comfortable. This makes them slightly too warm for summer hiking, but they are ideal for hiking in all other temperatures and are the favourite option for winter adventures.

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Howies

Runderwear Merino Briefs

Best for: Comfort and coolness

Rob, our reviewer, is a boxers boy. That is, until he found the Runderwear Merino Briefs! Little did he know how wonderfully cool and comfortable one can feel in a pair of tighty-whities. As with all the merino options we have reviewed, they excel at moisture wicking and odour control. But, the blend of polyester Thermocool, polyamide and elastane, make these briefs pretty fast drying too. And because of that, they are Rob’s first choice for multi-day hiking in the summer. Although they’re more fitted than the boxers on our list, the lack of fabric around the legs makes for a cooler, freer feel when hiking in the heat. Plus, their seam-free construction eliminates any risk of chafing or irritation.

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Runderwear | Amazon

Rab Men’s Merino 120 Boxers

Best for: Lightweight, odour control

It’s merino all the way in the men’s hiking underwear department, with another superb contender from Rab. These are the boy version of the women’s Rab Boxers, offering superfine, soft and lightweight merino comfort. Unlike the women’s boxers, there is no central seam making them sit very nicely around the buttocks without riding up. And because the merino/polyester single jersey fabric construction is so lightweight, they feel nice and airy, despite being the longer in the leg than the Howies (so I’m told!).

They feature an opening fly, flat lock seams and the standard moisture wicking, odour resistant qualities of merino fabric.

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Rab

Best sports bra for hiking

A quick dry sports bra for hiking is an essential item for every outdoorsy gal out there. Sweaty cleavage is unavoidable, no matter your size. When you’re moving, you don’t really notice it that much. But as soon as you stop and your body starts to cool, trapped sweat that hasn’t been wicked away or a sodden sports bra next to your chest can cause a chill quicker than you might realise.

Smartwool Merino Sport Seamless Strappy Bra

Best for: Comfort, style and moisture wicking

Another excellent offering from Smartwool is the Merino Sport Seamless Strappy Bra. Along with the BAM Crop Top, this gets top marks from an aesthetic standpoint. It also compares very closely in terms of comfort, providing good coverage in all the right places with a really flattering (and comfortable) strap configuration. It’s the kind of hiking bra that I’ll happily wear during the summer without a t-shirt over the top.

I wear a 32D bra and so chose a size small. It fits me well and isn’t too tight. However, like almost all hiking bras of this style, it doesn’t provide quite enough support for extended wear or for any kind of dynamic activity, making it best for smaller bust sizes. That said, the support is sufficient for day hikes and offers excellent moisture wicking properties.

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Smartwool

BAM Clothing Unity Bamboo Crop Top

Best for: Comfort, style and sustainability

There’s a lot of things to love about this crop top. Firstly, it looks fab! I love the bright pattern of the Rainforest print, but if you prefer something a little less bold, then BAM has you covered. The shape is also really flattering with good coverage at the sides/under the arms and a stylish scoop-cut back that is complemented by split straps. Secondly, the fabric is none see-through thanks to the heavier weight Enduro bamboo jersey fabric. This is supportive, really soft on the skin and does a good job at absorbing sweat on those strenuous days on the trail.

But best of all, the Unity Crop is made from a bamboo, organic cotton and elastane blend and created by a climate positive company. This means that for each crop top made, the positive environmental impacts equate to 180 litres of water saved, 0.5kg of CO2 emissions and 170mg of pesticides avoided.

I also really like that it’s not a racer back, which tend to compete with backpack straps for space on the shoulders. These work with backpack straps well and also don’t add pressure and tension to the shoulder and upper back muscles.

The main downside is that it doesn’t provide much support if you are a C-cup or greater.

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BAM Clothing

Runderwear Low-Impact Crop Top

Best for: Comfort and quick drying

The Runderwear Low-Impact Crop Top is the best quick dry bra for hiking on our list. This is down to a blend of synthetic fabrics, coupled with a perforated lining that keeps air flowing nicely, wicking moisture away from the skin well. Although it’s not suitable for running in for anyone larger than a B-cup, it provides ample support for hiking. Plus, its seamless design is ideal when worn underneath a heavy backpack — nothing digs in, irritates or rubs, and the fabric feels very soft on the skin.

An excellent choice for summer hikers, and like the briefs, it comes with a no-chafe guarantee.

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Runderwear | Amazon

Icebreaker Sprite Racer Back Bra

Best for: Odour control

When in comes to odour control, the Icebreaker Sprite Racer Back Bra comes out on top. You can wear this thing for days and days without it getting stinky. With 83% merino, blended with lycra, you can also enjoy all the moisture wicking properties one would expect from a high performing hiking sports bra. It provides a little more support than the Runderwear Crop Top, and is an excellent option for high energy hiking adventures! It also has a much more flattering shape. However, despite its super fine merino fibers, the Sprite struggles to compete with the Runderwear Crop Top (and its seam-free construction) when it comes to comfort.

An ideal option for long distance hikers, if you find the seams comfortable enough.

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Amazon

What to look for when choosing underwear for hiking

Comfort

No matter how technical your undies may be, if they’re uncomfortable you’re going to hate wearing them. Hopefully, you’ve worn underwear for long enough by now to know what sort of style and fit works for you. Good. Then stick with that when it comes to choosing hiking underwear. Knickers that ride up, boxers that chafe, elastic that digs in, or fabric that irritates will be 100 times more noticeable (and annoying) on the trail, compared with everyday life. Get a style that is comfortable and suits you, and you’ll be off to a good start.

If you’re not sure, then here are your options:

• 

  Briefs

  If elasticated at the legs, briefs shouldn’t ride up and should cup your buttocks (and everything else) nicely! Arguably the most comfortable style of undies — if you get the right fit.

• 

  Boxers

  These help to prevent your inner thighs from rubbing together (though ill-fitting boxers can actually cause chafing). They provide extra warmth in cold weather and are a favoured choice by men.

• 

  Thong

  Ideal for the minimalist, thongs take away any risk of your underwear riding up. They’re lightweight and packable — ideal if you need to bring multiple pairs, assuming you find them comfortable!

Quick drying

As well as being mega comfortable, underwear that is specific to hiking should also be quick drying. Moisture management is essential to prevent nappy rash and chafing. You’ll be sweating loads, potentially drip-drying after bathroom stops, sitting on damp grass or rocks and getting intermittently battered with rain. Soggy undies makes for a dampened mood.

Lightweight synthetic fabrics wick moisture away from your skin efficiently and dry super quickly too. They are an excellent option if you know you’re a very sweaty hiker. However, some find synthetic fabric to be an irritant to sensitive parts, especially when damp or wet.

Merino fabric is excellent at wicking moisture away from your skin and deals with low levels of moisture well. If you manage to get your underwear really soaked, however, merino takes longer to dry out than synthetic fabric. For those sensitive to synthetic fabric, merino is the closest you’ll get to wearing cotton, without having to deal with its slow drying, water holding properties.

Odour control

If you are hiking for days at a time, you don’t want to have to take a fresh pair of underwear for each day. Equally, you don’t really want to have to put on unclean, smelly smalls each day. This is where the magic of merino really comes into its own. The naturally occurring antimicrobial properties of the wool fibers inhibit the growth of bacteria, making them odour-resistant. With a couple of days of inside-out wearing, you can probably eek 4 days of wear out of a single pair of merino undies. Maybe?!

Synthetic fabric doesn’t do so well in this department. So if you’re wanting to keep your packing list short but don’t want to fork out on merino underwear, add some biodegradable wash to your list and make panty-washing part of your evening routine!

Fabrics

I’ve already mentioned many of the properties of the hiking underwear featured in this article. But just to make sure we’re all on the same page, here are the pros and cons of each:

Merino

Synthetic

Hemp

What about cotton?

For many people, cotton is the only fabric that works for them in terms of comfort and minimising irritation in sensitive areas. As you may know, however, cotton is pretty terrible at dealing with excess moisture. It holds it, becomes heavy (think chafage and rubbing), and takes ages to dry. Although this isn’t an ideal option for hiking, if it’s the only thing that brings you comfort then you’ll just have to have lots of spares to change into when they become too wet.

Now that you’ve got your undies sorted, you just need to figure out the rest of your hiking get-up. For some guidance on hiking clothing, check out our article on what to wear hiking.

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