High-tech skivvies at a good price?

mnblade

mnblade

Joined
Feb 7, 2000
Messages
6,676
We're all pals, right? So you won't mind me mentioning something unmentionable? :o When I go on long hot-weather hikes, all too often I get, well, uhh, chafed. Sure takes a lot of the fun out of a day or two in the woods! I've found that lightweight mesh boxer-briefs made with modern, moisture-wicking fabric help a lot (as does a blast of talcum powder). Problem is, most cost quite a bit more than your average three-pack of BVDs from the MegaLo Mart. Any tips on where to get a good price on high-tech skivvies? How about any recommended brands? Anyone else man enough to fess up to this problem? :D
 
Its the top of the thighs rubbing that gets me on long hikes. I wear those lycra undershorts popular with Football and Rugby players, available at sports shops.
 
I like a slightly tighter fitting boxer brief in a cotton/poly blend (70 poly 30 cotton seems ideal) these seem to stay put, don't rub, and don't hold moisture on long hikes. It's even better if you get a couple percentage points of Spandex in there too. I have some by Jockey and some by Hanes that are perfect. They did cost a bit more, but it's worth it for extra miles of comfort.
 
I've tried the cotton blends and they were better than 100% cotton. I think I need to move up to 100% synthetic though. Campmor has some good looking pairs.
 
I use Jockey boxer briefs, and love them. They cost a bit, but they're worth it.
 
I tried both boxers and briefs--cotton, silk, polyester, nylon, polypropylene, etc. Everything chafed (and I constantly needed to make re-adjustments). Finally I wised up and stopped wearing underwear.

I use baby wipes to keep clean, and hang loose in the outdoors.
 
Brothers & Sisters of Unmentionables,

Kilts have been the fashion about the manor. Baggy travel shorts are an acceptable alternative. Removable leg cargo pants...Sans undergarments, of course.
Speedos for a wicking problem. Reduce the friction, reduce the heat!

Regards,
Lance Gothic
Shibumi
 
You could try taping them up...no movement, no friction, right? :)

Personally, boxer briefs...or sports compression shorts...and when I'm cycling, I add some talc powder to reduce moisture and chaffing.

Burton
 
Originally posted by Rumble
You could try taping them up...no movement, no friction, right?
Click to expand...

Actually, that is exactly what the doc recommends when you find yourself in serious trouble. Look at this last month's issue of Backpacker - it tells all about it.

Basically, taping your scrodes up is recommended for the times when friction is getting the best of you, and for a few other more serious maladies, as well. By taping them you lift them up and get them out in front, which would look funny but might save you a LOT of grief.

Then to remove the tape...:eek:

Never tried it, hope I never have to.
 
I went ahead and ordered a couple pairs of <a href="http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=20415&prmenbr=226">Duofold Hydrid CoolMax Ultralight</a> boxers and a <a href="http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=103764&prmenbr=226">Duofold Coolmax Alta Lightweight</a> t-shirt from Campmor.com, the first high-tech, moisture-wicking garments I've had. We'll see how they perform. Hopefully they get arrive in time for our Memorial Day camping trip.
 
I too have just recently entered the modern age and bought high-tech socks and skivvies. The best place to by stuff like that cheap is either Sierra Trading Post or Campmor (both have web sites). They sell overstocks, seconds, discontinued items, etc. They have a lot of the name brands however what they have in stock changes month to month.
 
is there any downside to just freeballing it? I mean, in the winter I understand the desire for more insulation, but in the summer is there any point to insist on underwear when hiking?

Nitin
 
High tech underwear can move moisture better than cotton, but some of the poly fibers also holds odors longer than cotton, so I wash them with a detergent that is formulated for clothing odor. I let these, and all of my high tech clothes air dry. They dry quickly, it only takes an hour or so, and the ones I've got can 'cook odors in' when I use the dryer.

I wear knit boxer-briefs, or long johns in season, or nothing at all. Works for me. I hate it when the term 'that really chaps my ass' takes on significance. ;)
 
>"is there any downside to just freeballing it? I mean, in the winter I understand the desire for more insulation, but in the summer is there any point to insist on underwear when hiking?"

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It's personal preference. I tried freeballing once or twice and found it really unpleasant. With or without skivvies, you're going to sweat and that sweat has to go somewhere. In warm-to-hot weather, without drawers, the crotch of my pants gets all soaked - not a pleasant way to walk around, plus it leads to chafing. One could choose to walk around with no socks (as I used to, being the <i>stylish</i> Florida boy ;) ) or no undershirt. I've found, though, that I'm way more comfortable wearing absorbent socks and undershirts. And, of course, something to hug my boys. :D
 
>"I went ahead and ordered a couple pairs of Duofold Hydrid CoolMax Ultralight boxers and a Duofold Coolmax Alta Lightweight t-shirt from Campmor.com, the first high-tech, moisture-wicking garments I've had. We'll see how they perform. Hopefully they get arrive in time for our Memorial Day camping trip."

=====================================

Now that the camping trip is over, and I'm back on the job :( I guess it's time for a performance review of the stuff from Campmor.com. I'll make it short and sweet: Both the drawers and the t-shirt are GREAT.

The Duofold Hydrid CoolMax Ultralight boxers stayed dry and I had no chafing or irritation even after a nine-mile hike in 90-degree heat. The Duofold Coolmax Alta Lightweight t-shirt, though was even better. I wore it on the same hike and then for the rest of the day and evening. I hung it on the line before retiring for the night (it wasn't wet, I just thought it could benefit from some air). Then I wore it all the next day too and my wife kept commenting how it looked clean and didn't smell all sweaty and stinky like usual. ;) Last thing, both the underwear and the t-shirt <i>felt</i> like soft cotton - VERY comfortable in all respects.
 
Coolmax Tee-shirts rule. Since it's summer now, start watching for sales on high performance winter coolmax/thermax layers at outlets like Campmor and Sierra Trading Post and so on. I wear coolmax/thermax tee shirts and 'long john' tops year round. I like hiking in thermax/coolmax 'long john' bottoms under good hiking shorts, my legs don't get sunburned but they don't over heat, either. Pretty good poison ivy, tick & chigger prevention, too. I may not win fashion awards, but the fashion police are afraid to follow me out onto the lone prairie anyway.

Let's hear it again for these modern moisture control fabrics!
 
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