Best Travel Underwear for Men: Guide to Comfortable, Packable Pairs

Whether you're heading to Europe or further afield, most men don't think much about their underwear day-to-day. But when you're travelling whether it's a two-week backpacking trip, a business run through multiple cities, or a long-haul flight the wrong underwear can genuinely ruin your day. Too synthetic and you're dealing with heat and odour. Too bulky and your bag has no room. Getting this right is worth it.

What Makes Underwear Good for Travel?

• Manage heat and moisture: particularly important in warm climates or when moving around a lot

• Resist odour: you might not get to wash every day

• Pack small: every gram matters in a carry-on

• Dry quickly: hand washed and back in the pack within hours

• Hold up to repeated washing: travel underwear gets washed more, often in less-than-ideal conditions

• Stay comfortable through long days on your feet and long hours on planes or trains

The Best Fabric for Travel Underwear

Bamboo viscose (our top pick)

Naturally breathable and temperature-regulating, bamboo viscose keeps you cool in the heat and comfortable in cooler climates. It's naturally odour-resistant, meaning you can get more wear out of a pair without them becoming unwearable. It's also incredibly soft, which matters when you're wearing the same pair through a 14-hour travel day. Quick to hand wash and relatively fast to dry.

Merino wool

Also excellent for travelling: naturally odour-resistant, temperature-regulating, and durable. Can be expensive and takes longer to dry than bamboo.

Synthetic (polyester/nylon)

Dries fastest, but doesn't breathe as well and can hold odour. Fine for athletic travel but less comfortable for long days.

Cotton

Comfortable but takes ages to dry and gets heavy in humid conditions. Not ideal for travel.

Which Style Works Best for Travel?

Boxer briefs are the most popular travel choice for men. They don't ride up, provide inner-thigh coverage to prevent chafing, and look like regular underwear. Boody's Men's Seamfree Boxer Briefs are designed exactly for this: seamfree bamboo viscose construction that eliminates any rubbing, a comfortable waistband that doesn't dig in, and a profile that packs flat.

How Many Pairs to Pack?

• 1-3 day trips: 2-3 pairs, no washing needed

• 1 week: 4-5 pairs with occasional hand washing

• 2+ weeks: 3-4 pairs with regular washing, bamboo dries quickly enough to rotate

Washing Underwear on the Road

Hand washing in a hotel sink is easier than it sounds. Use a small amount of travel detergent (or even shampoo in a pinch), rinse well, and hang to dry. Bamboo viscose dries significantly faster than cotton and in warm climates, overnight drying is usually sufficient.

Boody's Travel Edit for Men

Boody's Travel Edit Collection includes the Men's Seamfree Boxer Briefs and men's sweats range. All bamboo viscose, all designed to pack small and perform on the road. The seamfree construction is particularly appreciated on long travel days when you're in and out of planes, on your feet sightseeing, or navigating airports.

 

SHOP MEN'S UNDERWEAR

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pairs of underwear for a 2-week trip?

With hand washing, 4-5 quality pairs of underwear is plenty for two weeks. Without washing, pack one per day plus a spare.

Can you wash underwear while travelling?

Absolutely. To wash underwear while travelling, hotel sinks, laundromats, and Airbnb washing machines are your friend. Bamboo viscose hand washes well and dries faster than cotton.

What is the best fabric for travel underwear?

The best fabric for travel underwear is bamboo viscose for comfort, breathability, and natural odour resistance. Merino wool is also excellent if you don't mind the higher price.

Is bamboo underwear good for travel?

Yes, bamboo underwear is a popular choice for travel as It's breathable, naturally odour-resistant, incredibly soft for long wear, and dries reasonably quickly. Our top recommendation for travel.