Most of us consider anything we grab to be “workout underwear” while we are packing our gym bag or are wearing during the day. Underwear is typically the last item on people’s minds because there is so much other gear available.
I’ll tell you what, though: Have you ever done Pilates while wearing lace underwear and ended up with the pattern stuck to your butt? Or had you ran and been so chafed that you had to walk instead? or attended a session on indoor cycling and come out with a crotch drenched in sweat? If any of those apply to you, you might want to think about purchasing underwear designed specifically for exercise.
Because workout underwear is frequently composed of smooth, elastic materials like nylon that wicks away moisture and perspiration, it may make working out more pleasant. This is beneficial to one’s health. Experts say that wearing moisture-wicking underwear and changing out of perspiring leggings and underwear after working out will help avoid vaginal infections, as the bacteria and yeast that cause these illnesses like warm, damp conditions.
Are you sure you need a new pair of underwear? Here are the top looks to wear when exercising or doing any other activity that makes you perspire.
Our editors have chosen each connected product on their own. We could receive a commission if you buy any of these goods.
Skims Cheeky, Naked Hipster Undies Workout Underwear
Best for: Daily commando-level comfort
Skims’ Naked line is perfect if you want to go commando but just can’t bring yourself to do it. With raw cut edges and seams around the leg opening, the adored R29 brand now offers you complete coverage that feels (and appears) undetectable beneath clothes.
Shop Skims Workout Underwear
Skims Naked Cheeky Hipster at Skims for $18.00.
Lululemon InvisiWear Boyshort Underwear, Mid-Rise
Best for: Yoga workouts or dance.
If you’re set to bust a move or become bendy and prefer greater coverage, check out this seamless Lululemon boy short made of a silky, elastic Lycra mix fabric. No matter how you flex your body, you can no longer slip!
Shop Lululemon
The Lululemon InvisiWear Mid-Rise Boyshort Workout Underwear 3 Pack retails for $54.00.
Underwear Athleta Ritual Boyshort
Best for: Everyday sweats
For women who, regardless of their activity level, always seem to be a tad on the toasty side, these boyshorts are perfect. These airy, moisture-wicking underwear, made of a nylon and cotton blend, can help banish embarrassing sweat lines from your buttocks.
Shop Athleta
Athleta Ritual Boyshort Underwear, $16.00, available at Athleta.
Alo Invisible String Thong with Airbrushing
Best for: Spin class bike seats.
These thongs, which are made of Alo’s renowned lightweight Airbrush fabric, have an almost weightless sensation. Wedgie-picking is over five minutes into spin class!
Shop Alo
Alo Yoga Airbrush Invisible String Thong, $18.00, available at Alo Yoga.
Patagonia Active Hipster
Best for: Hikers or casual wear
A pair of underwear that is soft, lightweight, moisture-wicking, and odor-controlling seems ideal for a strenuous hiking day!
Shop Patagonia
Patagonia Women’s Active Hipster, $26.00, available at Patagonia Workout Underwear.
Thong Bombas No Show
Best For: Permanent power
This sweat-wicking, ultra-smooth pair of athletic underwear from Bombas has an interior patterning technology that keeps your panties snug on your skin. Here, there’s no sliding and slipping!
Shop Bombas
Purchase the $18.00 Bombas Women’s No Show Thong at Bombas.
Happily Seams Uwila Warrior Briefs
Best for: Wearing form-fitting training attire and covering up.
Mesh panels on these briefs provide ventilation and, unofficially, provide a nice little secret under your sweaty exercise panties.
Shop Uwila Warrior
Uwila Warrior Happy Seams Briefs at Nordstrom, which retail for $38.00.
Daily Classic Fit Bikini by Pact
Bwst for: If you want your underwear with more covering.
These organic cotton underpants, which are a reader favorite, feature a smooth waistband that stays in place no matter how hard you work out, are incredibly breathable, and don’t contain tags.
Shop Pact
PACT Everyday Classic Fit Bikini, $14.00 $10.00, available at PACT Workout Underwear.
Hipsters with Under Armour Pure Stretch 3-Pack No-Show
Best for: Intense exercise.
Even if you detest wearing full-bottom underwear, these are the ideal pair for working out. The mesh-like material is very light and breathable, and leggings won’t be able to see through the laser-cut edges. It also has anti-odor technology applied to it.
Shop Under Armour
Under Armour Women’s UA Pure Stretch 3-Pack No Show Hipster, $32.00, available at Under Armour.
Skims Universally Fitting Mid-Rise Short
Best for: Remaining comfortable while working out.
These mid-rise briefs from Kim K’s well-liked shapewear brand, Skims, combine a light-as-air sensation with incredibly soft comfort.
Shop Skims
Skims Fits Everybody Mid Rise Brief, $20.00, available at Skims.
Siren Thong, the icebreaker
Best for: Situations in which changing out of your exercise attire is impractical.
Although the idea of wearing underwear made of merino wool may make you wince, the fabric dries quickly and has inherent microbiological qualities.
Shop Icebreaker
Icebreaker Siren Thong, $30.00, available at Backcountry Workout Underwear.
Summersalt Feel Free Moment
Best for: Comfort throughout the day.
These airy and lightweight barely-there briefs come in sizes XS-2X. Additionally, they have a soft waistband that is pleasant and stays in place while you move.
Shop Summersalt
Summersalt The Feel Free Brief Underwear, $15.00, available at Summersalt.
Hiphugger AIRism Ultra Seamless from Uniqlo
Best for: Remaining cool when doing heated yoga.
With these practically invisible Uniqlo AIRism underwear, moisture-wicking is the name of the game.
Shop Uniqlo
Uniqlo AIRism Ultra Seamless Hiphugger, $9.90, available at Uniqlo Workout Underwear.
Subset Mid-Rise Organic Cotton Brief
Best for: Coverage that breathes.
No matter how much you perspire, this mid-rise short made of 95% certified organic cotton will keep things airy.
Shop Subset
Subset Organic Cotton Mid-Rise Brief, $20.00, available at Subset.
Tommy John’s Cool Cotton Boyshort
Best for: People who are easily chafed.
You can stay covered without wearing sticky compression shorts if you wear cotton boy shorts. Additionally, compared to conventional cotton mixes, this fabric is made to cool and dry more quickly.
Shop Tommy John
Tommy John Cool Cotton Boyshort, $18.00, available at Tommy John Workout Underwear.
PlayStretch Natural Rise Thong by Hanky Panky
Best for: Steering clear of the dreaded VPL.
Generally speaking, thongs are unpleasant, but not this one. Wearing Hanky Panky’s thong underneath all your favorite exercise shorts and leggings is ideal since it feels as comfy as going commando. It’s also available in fourteen vibrant, playful colors—or neutral, if that’s more your style.
Shop Hanky Panky
Hanky Panky PlayStretch™ Natural Rise Thong, $23.00, available at Hanky Panky Workout Underwear.
Silky Brief in the negative
Best for: Teaming with leggings and low-rise shorts.
Although you adore the way silk underwear feels and looks, let’s face it: its breathability and capacity to wick away sweat aren’t its strongest points. Presenting these opulent nylon briefs that, once you put them on, you’ll want to wear them only.
Shop Negative
Negative Silky Brief, $35.00, available at Negative Workout Underwear.
Girlfriend Group Classic Short
Best for: Maintaining composure while protecting the environment
These lightweight, breathable full-coverage briefs with a moisture-wicking lining. Not to mention that they are composed of recycled water bottles and come in sizes XXS–6XL.
Shop Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective Classic Brief, $18.00, available at Girlfriend Collective Workout Underwear.
