The best exercise underwear for comfortable workouts – from jogging to hiking (original) (raw)

1

Best exercise underwear

Gymshark No VPL Hipster

Score: 94/100

Our winning underwear was a real all-rounder, pleasing all of our testers because of its genuinely invisible-under-leggings design and comfortable fit – some described the hipsters as so comfortable they forgot they even had them on.

There was no gathering, falling down or digging in during workouts either and testers found the fabric lightweight and cooling. They work just as well in a gym class as they do on a hike, making this underwear our top pick if you’re after a pair of knickers that feel just right, whatever workout you take on.

Key specifications Sizes: XS to XXL
Colour: Brown, light pink, taupe, white, black, pink
Material: Nylon and elastane
Good for: High- and low-impact exercise

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Runner-up underwear for exercise

Lululemon Invisiwear Mid Rise Hipster Underwear

Score: 92/100

This three-pack will see you through a week’s worth of workouts comfortably. Our testers wore them for everything from yoga to gym training and said their wicking fabric was cooling and the seamless design fitted well. In fact, one said they felt tailor-made.

If you prefer your underwear to give maximum coverage during exercise, these might not be for you, but the minimalist style didn't cause any chafing and sat smoothly against the skin, staying hidden nicely underneath leggings.

Key specifications Sizes: XS to XL
Colour: Purple, pink and grey or black, pink and polka dot
Material: Nylon and lycra
Good for: High- and low-impact exercise

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3

Best for hiking

Montane Women’s Dart Briefs

Score: 91/100

If you’re after underwear to slip on underneath your walking trousers, these briefs are the ideal pair. The fabric – which is what the brand uses for its base layers too – felt breathable and moved well with our testers’ bodies, especially for more gentle workouts and activities.

The fit was on the looser side and the design isn’t seamless, meaning they were visible under leggings. We found them comfortable under looser clothing though and would reach for them when heading out on a dog walk or into the hills.

Key specifications Sizes: UK 6 to 16
Colour: Blue and grey
Material: “Apex D-Fuse”
Good for: Low-impact exercise

4

Best for sweat-wicking

Shock Absorber Activewear Sports Brief

Score: 90/100

When things get sweaty, this underwear will keep you cool thanks to its quick-drying fabric and clever ventilation holes, which sit along your lower back. Our testers barely noticed the briefs were there during their workouts and no one else will either as their smooth seams are practically invisible.

Testers found that they moved well as they worked out but noted that they could ride up occasionally. The design doesn’t feature much compression either but this didn’t put anyone off, with reports that they still felt supportive. These will be just as handy in a spin class as on a sunny dog walk.

Key specifications Sizes: XS to XL
Colour: Black
Material: Polyamide and elastane
Good for: High- and low-impact exercise

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5

Best for support

Decathlon Running Boxer Shorts

Score: 90/100

These boxer shorts are designed for running and impressed not only on the pavements but as all-rounders too; thanks to their stretchy fabric there was no chafing or bunching up. Testers also liked them for the support they offered – the design provides a lot of coverage and compression for a secure fit.

Some of our testers with larger stomachs found the waistband didn’t sit right for them, but generally, the style fitted snugly and true to size. All this makes them well-suited to wearing under shorts and a reliable addition to your exercise wardrobe.

Key specifications Sizes: XS to 2XL
Colour: Black and navy
Material: Polyester, polyamide, elasthane
Good for: High-impact exercise

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Best for running

Runderwear Women's Running Hipster

Score: 87/100

Whether you’re a Couch to 5K convert or a seasoned runner, you’ll know that underwear can make things go from comfortable to not pretty quickly when it’s not right. Luckily these hipsters are firmly in the comfy category and our testers found they didn’t need adjusting at all while running.

They are visible under leggings and they have a close fit, so you may need to go up a size. That said, testers liked the way they look and the stretchy fabric worked well for workouts other than running too.

Key specifications Sizes: S to XL
Colour: Black, blue and pink
Material: Polyamide and elastane
Good for: High-impact exercise

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7

Best for temperature regulation

Smartwool Women's Merino 150 Lace Bikini

Score: 87/100

Wool underwear might not be something you’d naturally turn to when we’re in the middle of summer, but this design will surprise you – in a good way. The merino fabric is temperature regulating and our testers found that it was lightweight, keeping any sweat away.

It’s worth noting that some people find wool irritates their skin, so if you’ve found this in the past, we’d suggest trying an alternative.

The style is supportive and our testers found it comfortable to wear, noticing little movement during their workouts. These bikini briefs did fit small, though and worked best under looser clothing, but they’re a pair you can rely on all year round and for both high- and low-impact workouts. A thumbs up from us.

Key specifications Sizes: XS to XL
Colour: Black
Material: Merino and nylon
Good for: High- and low-impact exercise

8

Best budget exercise underwear

Puma Women's Seamless Hipster 2 Pack

Score: 76/100

Strike a pose in these ultra-comfy hipsters that come into their own for gentle workouts and everyday wear. The close-fit design comes up true to size and testers found the stretchy fabric smooth against the skin.

They did have to deal with the odd wedgie during higher intensity workouts, so if that’s your preferred form of exercise, we’d suggest trying another of the styles on our list. You do get two pairs for the price of one of some of the others featured, however, and they are a reliable buy for the likes of yoga, Pilates and hiking, or even as a comfy everyday wear.

Key specifications Sizes: XS to XL
Colour: Black, white and pink
Material: Nylon and elastane
Good for: Low-impact exercise

Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.

Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.

Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.