For most of us, “workout underwear” is whatever we grab while packing a gym bag or what we are already wearing during the day. There’s already so much other gear that we seemingly need, so underwear is usually not top of mind.
But hear me out: Have you ever done Pilates wearing lace underwear and ended up with an imprint of the design on your butt? Or gone on a run and chafed so much it turned into a walk? Or taken an indoor cycling class and left with a sweat-soaked crotch? If the answer is yes to any of those, you may want to consider getting workout-specific underwear.
Workout underwear can make exercising more comfortable because it’s often made from smooth, stretchy fabric that wicks away sweat and moisture — and that’s important from a health standpoint. Bacteria and yeast that cause vaginal infections love hanging around warm, wet environments, so wearing underwear that manages moisture (and taking off your sweaty leggings and underwear once you’re finished exercising) can help prevent vaginal infections.
Convinced you need some new underwear? Ahead, we found the best styles for working out or any other sweat-inducing activity.
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Uwila Warrior Happy Seams Briefs
Best for: No-show coverage in tight workout clothes.
These briefs have mesh panels that serve two purposes (unofficially ofc): breathability and being a cute lil secret under your sweaty workout bottoms.
Shop Uwila Warrior
Uwila Warrior Happy Seams Briefs, $, available at Nordstrom
Lululemon InvisiWear Mid-Rise Boyshort Underwear
Best for: Yoga workouts or dance.
If you prefer more booty coverage, consider this seamless Lululemon boy short made from a smooth Lycra-blend fabric.
Shop Lululemon
Lululemon InvisiWear Mid-Rise Boyshort Underwear 3 Pack, $, available at Lululemon
Subset Organic Cotton Mid-Rise Brief
Best for: Breathable coverage.
Made of 95% certified organic cotton, this mid-rise brief will keep things easy breezy no matter how hard you’re sweating.
Shop Subset
Subset Organic Cotton Mid-Rise Brief, $, available at Subset
UA Pure Stretch Hipster
Best for: Rigorous workouts.
This is the perfect pair for workouts — even if you hate full-bottom underwear. The mesh-like fabric is incredibly light and breathable, and the laser-cut edges won’t show through leggings. Plus, it’s treated with anti-odor technology.
Shop Under Armour
Under Armour UA Pure Stretch Hipster 3-Pack Underwear, $, available at Under Armour
Pact Classic Fit Bikini
Best for: If you prefer fuller-coverage undies.
These reader-favorite undies made of organic cotton are super-breathable, tag-less, and have a smooth waistband that’ll stay put no matter how intense your workout is.
Shop Pact
PACT Classic Fit Bikini, $, available at PACT
Bombas Active No Show Thong
Best for: Stay-put power
This pair of active underwear by Bombas is super-seamless and sweat-wicking, and it features an internal patterned technology that will hold your undies secure against your skin. No slipping and sliding here!
Shop Bombas
Bombas Women’s No Show Thong, $, available at Bombas
Alo Airbrush Invisible String Thong
Best for: Spin class bike seats.
Made with Alo’s signature ultralight Airbrush fabric, these thongs feel like almost like nothing is there. Say buh-bye to wedgie-picking five minutes into spin class!
Shop Alo
Alo Yoga Airbrush Invisible String Thong, $, available at Alo Yoga
Patagonia Active Hipster
Best for: Hikers or casual wear
Lightweight, soft, moisture-wicking, and odor-controlling sounds like a great pair of underwear for a long day’s hike!
Shop Patagonia
Patagonia Women’s Active Hipster, $, available at Patagonia
Skims Fits Everybody Mid Rise Brief
Best for: Staying comfy during your workout.
Light-as-air feel meets supersoft comfort with these mid-rise briefs from Kim K’s beloved shapewear label, Skims.
Shop Skims
Skims Fits Everybody Mid Rise Brief, $, available at Skims
Lively The All-Day Thong
Best for: No-show comfort during downward-facing dog.
Finally, a thong that you won’t actually hate. Lively’s rayon-blend undies are insanely comfortable and won’t cause any annoying discomfort during your workouts.
Shop Lively
Lively The All-Day Thong, $, available at Lively
Summersalt Feel Free Brief
Best for: All-day comfort.
These barely there briefs are available in sizes XS-2X and are lightweight and breathable. They’re also designed with a soft waistband that feels comfortable but will stay in place with movement.
Shop Summersalt
Summersalt The Feel Free Brief Underwear, $, available at Summersalt
Uniqlo AIRism Ultra Seamless Hiphugger
Best for: Staying cool during hot yoga.
Moisture-wicking is the name of the game for these Uniqlo AIRism undies, which are virtually invisible underneath clothing.
Shop Uniqlo
Uniqlo AIRism Ultra Seamless Hiphugger, $, available at Uniqlo
Hanky Panky PlayStretch Natural Rise Thong
Best for: Avoiding dreaded VPL.
Thongs are notorious for being uncomfortable, but not this one. Hanky Panky’s thong miraculously feels as comfortable as going commando, making it perfect for wearing underneath all your favorite workout shorts and leggings. Plus, it’s available in 14 fun, bright (or neutral, if that’s your vibe) colors.
Shop Hanky Panky
Hanky Panky PlayStretch™ Natural Rise Thong, $, available at Hanky Panky
Icebreaker Siren Thong
Best for: When you don’t have time to change out of your workout clothes.
Underwear made out of merino wool might sound cringe-worthy, but the fast-drying fabric actually has natural microbial properties, and it dries very fast.
Shop Icebreaker
Icebreaker Siren Thong, $, available at Backcountry
Tommy John Cool Cotton Boyshort
Best for: Those who are prone to chafing.
Cotton boy shorts will keep you covered without having to wear sticky compression shorts. This fabric is also designed to cool and dry faster than traditional cotton blends.
Shop Tommy John
Tommy John Cool Cotton Boyshort, $, available at Tommy John
Negative Silky Brief
Best for: Wearing with low-rise shorts and leggings.
You love the look and feel of silk undies, but let’s be honest: They’re not the best for moisture-wicking and breathability. Enter these luxe nylon briefs, which you’ll want to wear exclusively after trying them on.
Shop Negative
Negative Silky Brief, $, available at Negative
Girlfriend Collective Classic Brief
Best for: Staying cool while being kind to the environment
These full-coverage briefs are breathable and lightweight with a moisture-wicking liner. Plus, they’re available in XXS–6XL and are made from recycled water bottles.
Shop Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective Classic Brief, $, available at Girlfriend Collective
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport 2.0 Hipster
Best for: Camping trips
Might sound wild, but you can wash these briefs, and they’ll be clean, dry, and ready to put back on in a matter of hours. (Hikers swear by them.) So, if you’re sweaty on the trails this summer or doing multiple workouts in a day, invest in a pair of these.
Shop ExOfficio
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport 2.0 Hipster, $, available at Amazon
Sweaty Betty Barely There Brief
Best for: Panty-line averse individuals who are also thing-averse
Wearing light-colored leggings and don’t want your underwear to show? Try these high stretch, sweat-wicking briefs in twelve neutral hues.
Shop Sweaty Betty
Sweaty Betty Barely There Briefs, $, available at Sweaty Betty
Knix Super Leakproof Bikini
Best for: Getting sweaty when Aunt Flo is visiting
Periods happen — about once a month. Which can translate to a lot of failed attempts to hit the gym in comfort while Aunt Flo is in town. But not even she can get in the way of your workout time with Knix’s Super Leakproof Bikini. This bad boy is made with stretchy performance fabric, has an ultra-thin gusset, and the absorbency of a whopping 8 tampons.
Shop Knix
Knix Super Leakproof Bikini, $, available at Knix
Jockey Retro Stripe Hi-Cut Panty
The thick waistband will give you that comfy, held-in feeling, so you don’t have to worry about it riding up when you’re squatting or deadlifting.
Best for: Pairing with your favorite pair of high-rise leggings.
Jockey Retro Stripe Hi-Cut Panty, $, available at Kohls
Athleta Ritual Boyshort
Best for: Barely there boyshorts.
Reviewers have hailed them as comfortable “like a second skin” but one that doesn’t show. The bonus is that they don’t seem to ride up!
Shop Athleta
Athleta Ritual Boyshort Underwear, $, available at Athleta
Girlfriend Collective Sport Brief
Best for: Staying cool while being kind to the environment
These full-coverage briefs have a bonded waistband that stays put — no sagging here! Plus, they’re available in XXS – 6XL, and are made from recycled water bottles.
Shop Girlfriend
Girlfriend Collective Sport Brief, $, available at Girlfriend Collective
Outdoor Voices TechSweat Flex Shorts
In the great debate amongst yoga enthusiasts, you can go commando with a pair of lightweight sweat-wicking shorts.
Best for: Sun salutations and other short sessions.
Outdoor Voices TechSweat Flex Shorts, $, available at Outdoor Voices
Parade Sweat-Wicking Workout Brief
Best for: People who want to go commando but, you know, also don’t.
Reader-favorite brand Parade’s recycled Sport+ fabric features moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties. Our pick: this seamless thong, which is virtually invisible under leggings.
Shop Parade
Parade Sweat-Wicking Workout Brief, $, available at Parade
Reebok Ladies Performance Seamless Hipster – 4 Pack
People who work out multiple times a week will appreciate having clean workout underwear on-hand, particularly these seamless Reebok ones.
Best for: A bargain.
Reebok Reebok Ladies Performance Seamless Hipster – 4 Pack, $, available at Reebok
Women’s Premium Micro-Mesh Performance Hipster Briefs
Loose running shorts might feel great in the breeze, but sometimes you need a little extra coverage. These seamless underwear are secure, but breathable. (And they’re available up to size XXL.)
Best for: wearing shorts.
C9 Champion Women’s Premium Micro Mesh Performance Hipster Briefs, $, available at Target
Sport by SheThinx
These period panties have wide-cut leg holes to reduce chafing and are made from a soft and breathable cotton.
Best for: Days when your period is spotting.
THINX Sport, $, available at THINX
Athleta Incognita High Waisted Brief
Best for: Barely-there coverage
These high-waisted briefs from Athleta won’t fall down or roll up during a workout, even when you’re wearing tight leggings. They’re made from a lightweight Nylon fabric, and are totally seamless.
Shop Athleta
Athleta Incognita High Waisted Brief, $, available at Athleta
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