Hiking underwear is undervalued as hiking gear. That is until you’ve experienced painful chafing from underwear that rubs. Or hiked in uncomfortable underwear soaked in sweat. The right ones will keep you comfortable and dry for the duration of your hike.
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When you think of hiking gear, underwear is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. You likely think of hiking backpacks, hiking jackets or hiking boots.
If you’ve ever had a bad experience with chafing or moisture you know how important it is. And if you haven’t, trust me, you don’t want to. I’ve had chafing so bad that it actually bled!
There’s even odour-resistant active underwear, perfect if you’re doing a multi-day hiking tour and want to keep your load light. Plus, hiking underwear dries quickly, which is perfect when you arrive late afternoon and need your underwear dry by the best morning.
Here are our top hiking underwear recommendations for both men and women:
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Men’s Hiking Underwear
The Best Merino Wool Underwear for Men
Meriwool Boxer Briefs
These 100% merino wool briefs are super comfortable. The specific knit allows for optimum breathability and moisture-wicking. They also include a loop for easy hanging no matter where you are. This hiking underwear is a must-have for winter explorations.
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Icebreaker Anatomica Boxers
This merino blend brief offers you comfort and great mobility.. You’ll be able to move freely in these boxers, leaving you with less chafing. This hiking underwear is excellent for any activity and will keep you warm in winter.
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Ridge Boxer Briefs
The Ridge Boxer Briefs will wick moisture and add comfort to your hike. This hiking underwear is made with flatlock seams to ensure less chafing. They are also odour resistant and are made to be durable and long-lasting.
Apex Merino Wear Boxer Briefs
With its ergonomic fly, you’ll be guaranteed comfort and support. The Apex Merino is an excellent example of hiking underwear that does everything that you need. It’s longer leg is designed to reduce chafing on your upper legs.
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Meriwool Base Layer 250
The Meriwool Base Layer offers the ultimate comfort. Made with ultrafine merino wool, you won’t find softer hiking underwear. It is perfect as a base layer and will keep you dry and warm. Best of all, they are easy to care for and quick drying.
Lapasa Merino Base Layer 250
Made of 100% merino wool, you are guaranteed comfort. This hiking underwear is an excellent base layer and works to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. They are breathable and give you great comfort.
Smartwool Underwear
Smartwool Boxer Brief Sport 150
These are the ultimate boxer briefs for the active man. They have a slim-fit design that ensures a snug fit to reduce chafing. They are naturally odour-resistant and breathable and are sure to keep you dry on your hike.
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Smartwool Wind Boxer Brief – Merino Sport 250
Durable and warm, this hiking underwear won’t let you down in cold weather. The material will keep its shape and wick away moisture for you to maintain comfort no matter how vigorous your workout.
Smartwool Base Layer 150
These are so soft; you’ll forget you are wearing them. The Smartwool Base Layer 150 has moisture-wicking technology that will keep you dry. This hiking underwear is an excellent base layer, and you won’t have to worry about pesky chafing while wearing them.
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Smartwool Base Layer 250
This hiking underwear offers you great comfort and anti-chafing technology. Made with 100% merino wool, it is odour resistant and will wick away any moisture. The targeted insulation and ventilation ensures that you stay warm in all the right places.
Exofficio Underwear: Great for Hiking
Exofficio Give’N’Go Mesh
These briefs are made of breathable mesh and are perfect for high-intensity workouts. This hiking underwear offers you odour-resistant technology to make sure they stay fresher for longer.
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Exofficio Give-N-Go Sport
The Give-N-Go Sports briefs are made with an antimicrobial treatment to help reduce odour, making them great for all kinds of outdoor activities. They include a versatile mesh, which allows for better breathability.
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Performance Base Layer
This hiking underwear is the perfect lightweight layer that offers comfort and odour control. Also, the microfibre mesh makes this base layer breathable and moisture-wicking.
Exofficio Give’N’Go Briefs
These briefs are lightweight, comfortable, breathable and are odour resistant. This hiking underwear is perfect for under your base layer or on its own in warm weather. These are also incredibly quick-drying, perfect for multi-day hikes
Patagonia Underwear
Patagonia Hydro Cross
These are great for most activities, including water sport. The Hydro Cross are quick-drying, stretchy and comfortable, ensuring you won’t chafe while wearing them. These are also made from recycled material and environmentally friendly.
Patagonia Sender
The Sender is made for high-performance activities. This hiking underwear is made with a stretch micromesh fabric, breathable and moisture-wicking, ensuring your comfort.
Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Crew
The Capilene Thermal is the perfect base layer. It is incredibly breathable and offers you excellent odour control. This hiking underwear is ideal for cold conditions and offers you Polartec and Power Grid fabric.
Patagonia Capilene Air Bottoms
The Capilene Air Bottoms are seamless to ensure optimal comfort. You won’t find warmer hiking underwear. They are made of a blend of merino wool and recycled polyester, which wicks moisture, offers odour control and is quick dry.
The Best Moisture Wicking Underwear
Cariloha Bamboo Boxers
The Cariloha briefs are great hiking underwear. Made with quality bamboo fabric, they are durable and breathable. They also wick away moisture, making sure that you stay dry and comfortable.
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Hanes Comfort Flex Fit
Lightweight and breathable, these Hanes briefs are great for hiking. They offer good support and keep you cool in warmer weather. This underwear also offers you freshening and wicking technology.
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C9 Champion Boxer Briefs
With the C9 Champion, you can rest assured that you will be comfortable and dry during your hike. This hiking underwear is anti-chafing and offers you excellent mobility and breathability.
David Archy Ultra Soft Mesh
These are not only great looking but are also soft and moisture-wicking. The seams give you extra comfort, and the mesh fly makes them breathable. These are an excellent choice for hiking.
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Carhartt Force
The Carhartt Force will keep you warm, dry and odourless. This hiking underwear is a generous base layer for winter expeditions. The specific knit traps heat but still allows the fabric to dry quickly and wick moisture.
The Best Antichafing Underwear
Under Armour Tech
This hiking underwear is made with 4-way stretch fabric, which will ensure you can comfortably move around. Every seam has been added with careful thought to ensure that these briefs remain comfortable even if worn for an extended period.
Adidas Performance
This hiking underwear uses Climacool technology, ensuring that you keep dry and cool while out on the trail. These briefs include a comfortable tagless waistband and have a fit that won’t ride up as you move.
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New Balance Boxer Briefs
Great for the active guy, these New Balance boxer briefs are anti-chafing and offer wicking technology that will keep you dry and comfortable. The 4-way stretch material gives you flexibility and breathability, perfect for hikers.
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Thermajohn Ultra Soft Thermal
This thermal hiking underwear set is perfect for moderate weather. They are fast-drying and comfortable so you won’t chafe easily. The fabric will remain odour-free for some time, making these a favourite for multi-day hikes. This hiking underwear comes in a set.
Women’s Hiking Underwear
The Best Merino Wool Underwear
Lapasa Thermal Underwear Long John Set
The Lapasa thermals are made with rib-knit merino wool and will keep you warm and comfortable. They are stretchy and will keep you warm in cool conditions. The fit of this base layer is excellent.
Meriwool Base Layer Bottoms
Quick-drying and odour resistant, this merino wool underwear are great for hiking. They offer you great comfort and are light enough to use as a base layer without weighing you down.
Meriwool Long Sleeve Base Layer
This base layer is made with high-quality merino wool that will ensure you keep warm and comfortable on your hike. It is odour resistant and quick-drying, so you won’t have to worry about changing too often on a long hiking adventure. This hiking underwear also comes in stylish colours.
Runderwear Merino Briefs
These merino briefs offer you great comfort and moisture-wicking. Their unique design will ensure that you don’t chafe, and the high-grade merino wool will ensure you stay odour free. These are also great for activities such as running.
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Icebreaker Sprite
Great for winter, this merino wool underwear will keep you warm and dry. They offer a great fit that is slimming yet comfortable. You can’t go wrong with this great pair of merino wool briefs
Ridge Shorts
This hiking underwear is made of a merino wool blend that will keep you dry and odour-free. They have a no-flip waistband for extra comfort, and the labels are removable. These are a great pair of merino wool underwear.
Ecoable Merino Brief Panties
Made of a blend of merino wool and mulberry silk, this pair of hiking briefs offers you the ultimate comfort. These are great for any climate as merino naturally regulates temperature. You’ll have no problem with chafing and odour either.
Kari Traa Lokke Base Layer Bottoms
You’re hiking underwear doesn’t have to be boring with these Kari Traa base layer bottoms. It is designed to fit you like a second skin, making it more comfortable to wear under any layers.
Icebreaker Siren
The Siren does not have side seams, which allow for better movement and comfort while on a long hike. The elasticated strap design allows you added versatility. These are great for every day and every activity.
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Thermajane Ultra Soft Thermal Underwear
Made to move with you, this hiking underwear set is perfect for any trip. The thermal construction will keep you warm and odour-free while the smooth, lightweight fabrics feel amazing on your skin.
The Best Smartwool Underwear: Keeps You Dry When Hiking
Smartwool Base Layer Top – Merino 250
Although this base layer is heavier, it still gives you exceptional comfort. The moisture-wicking and odour-resistant fabric are perfect for any long adventure. You won’t have a problem with chafing either, as the seams are soft on your skin.
Smartwool Women’s Merino 150 Bikini
With moisture-wicking technology and dor control, this hiking underwear is a great choice. These bikini briefs fit well and will give you added comfort on your hike. They are also quick-drying, making them a perfect choice for backpacking.
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Smartwool Seamless Hipster
The wool interior on these hipster briefs will provide you with great comfort. This hiking underwear looks great and feels amazing while you move. They are also odour resistant and moisture-wicking.
Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Bottoms
Versatile and warm, these Smartwool base layer bottoms are perfect for winter hiking. They feature a merrow seam, which won’t chafe. You won’t find a more comfortable fit.
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Smartwool Seamless Strappy Bra
This seamless strappy bra offers excellent support with extra merino padding and removable cups. They are perfect for winter hiking and will keep heat in. The merino fabric will keep you dry and odour-free.
Exofficio Underwear: Great for Hiking
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs
Made with breathable mesh, these bikini briefs will keep you dry and comfortable. This hiking underwear is made with odour-reducing technology and is machine washable.
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Bikini Brief
This hiking underwear is excellent for multi-day hiking and travel. It is quick-dry and made with a breathable mesh, which also offers odour control. You won’t find a more comfortable bikini brief.
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ExOfficio womens Give-n-go String Bikini
With an excellent active fit, this hiking underwear will give you optimum comfort on multi-day hikes. The mesh fabric is odour resistant, quick-drying and moisture-wicking. They also come in some great prints and colours.
Patagonia Underwear
Patagonia Wild Trails Sports Bra
This hiking bra is excellent for outdoor activities. They offer you fantastic support, and the elastic band is moisture-wicking to add to your comfort. The full moulded foam panel provides compression and support that will give you confidence.
Patagonia Cross Beta Sports Bra
If you are looking for a bra that gives you support and keeps you cool, the Cross Beta sports bra is the perfect choice for you. The fabric is moisture-wicking and quick-dry, and the perforated elastic ensures breathability. This is an excellent choice for active women.
Patagonia Active Briefs
These seamless briefs are perfect for hiking. They are lightweight, stretchy and moisture-wicking and even include odour control. And they come in some great colours.
Patagonia Sender Briefs
This hiking underwear is made of recycled nylon and spandex mesh, giving you excellent breathability and moisture-wicking. These underwear are even great for long-distance travel as they are incredibly comfortable.
Patagonia Barely Thong
You won’t go wrong with this hiking underwear. The Barely Thong is seamless and quick-drying and offers you an excellent fit for ultimate comfort.
The Best Moisture Wicking Underwear: To Keep You Dry When Hiking
Fruit Of The Loom Coolblend Panties
The Coolblend Panties will keep you cool and comfortable during any activity. The microfiber leg and waistband sections guarantee you comfort. These are also moisture-wicking and will keep you dry. You won’t regret investing in this underwear.
Reebok Seamless Hipster Panties
These seamless hipster panties are great for hiking. They offer you moisture-wicking to keep you dry, and their excellent design will ensure you stay chafe free and comfortable.
C9 Champion Mesh Sport Brief
These are great for hiking as they dry fast and are moisture-wicking to ensure you stay dry and comfortable. The seamless design is a bonus as it is anti-chaffing.
New Balance Performance Thong
The Performance Thong from New Balance is the perfect hiking underwear. The elastic waistband will keep them in place and provide comfort. They are also fast drying and offer odour control and an anti-chaffing design.
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Under Armour Pure Stretch Thong
The Pure Stretch Thong is laser cut, ensuring that you have no seams to cause discomfort. They fit perfectly, and the fabric also offers odour control. You won’t have a problem keeping dry with them either, as the material is moisture-wicking.
Balanced Tech Seamless Thong Panties
This is an excellent choice of hiking underwear. The Seamless Thong is quick-dry and moisture-wicking. The seamless design ensures that you are comfortable at all times, on and off the trail.
Champion Curvy Sports Bra
The Champion Curvy offers you breathability, moisture-wicking and a stylish design. This bra gives you generous support and comfort while still looking incredible.
Hiking Gril Seamless Comfort Sports Bra
This hiking underwear offers you comfort and support while still looking great. The wider under seam provides you with extra comfort, and the moisture wicking fabric will keep you dry.
Hanes Sport Seamless Racerback Sports Bra
You can count on this bra to keep you dry while out on your hike. The moisture-wicking fabric is breathable and will keep you dry and cool. This bra offers excellent support and comfort.
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Puma Solstice Seamless Sports Bra
The Solstice seamless bra is moisture-wicking and comfortable. They have removable cups for added convenience and a tagless design to reduce chafing.
The Best Antichafing Underwear for Hiking
New Balance Performance Seamless Hipsters
Breathable, comfortable and odour resistant, this hiking underwear is a great option. The seamless design is anti-chaffing, and the moisture-wicking fabric gives you added comfort while out on the trail. You won’t regret purchasing this underwear.
Lapasa Mesh Hipster Panties
This Lapasa underwear is mostly meshed, which is breathable and quick-drying. They are anti-chaffing while hiking and travelling. This underwear is an excellent buy.
Hanes X-Temp Constant Comfort
This underwear I great for hiking and won’t pinch or chafe on a challenging trail. The fabric is breathable and moisture-wicking, giving you added comfort.
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Nike Swoosh Sports Bra
The Nike Swoosh Bra is designed to pull moisture away from your body to ensure comfort. This sports bra offers you excellent support on the trails and has a firm fitting design that will reduce chafing. You won’t regret buying this underwear.
Under Armour Seamless Longline Sports Bra
Great for smaller women, the Longline Sports Bra is great for low impact sports and hiking. The lower under seam gives you increased comfort, and the moisture-wicking and soft fabric are anti-chafing.
Champion Spot Comfort Sport Bra
This hiking underwear offers you a mesh upper layer that ensures breathability and gel-infused adjustable straps for added protection from chafing. The lower under seam is flexible, too, so you have optimum comfort. This is a great hiking bra.
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Full Cut Brief
The mesh fabric of this hiking underwear ensures better breathability and comfort on the trail. The generous fit and style of this underwear ensure a next to skin fit that won’t chafe.
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Bamboo Fiber Leakproof Panties
These are great to use on hikes if you’re looking for that something extra for your needs. They will retain minor leaks and are comfortable and anti-chafe too.
Wirarpa Long Leg Shorts
These long leg shorts are moisture-wicking and offer you great comfort. They won’t roll up under your clothing and are anti-chaffing. These shorts are a great buy.