Comfortable Briefs – What Makes the Difference?

Short answer: Comfortable briefs come down to three things: a soft, breathable material, a fit that suits your body, and edges that stay where they should. Bamboo viscose meets all three, which makes it one of the most comfortable brief materials there is.

The material is half the comfort

A brief sits directly against the skin all day, so the fabric has to be soft and able to carry moisture away. Bamboo viscose feels smoother than cotton and keeps you dry, which prevents the clammy feeling late in the day. See the whole range of bamboo briefs.

The edges are the other half

What you feel is rarely the fabric in the middle, but the edges at the waist and in the groin. A wide, softly knitted edge spreads the pressure over several centimetres, while a narrow stitched on elastic cuts a line. The edge decides more than any other single element.

The fit has to suit your body

A brief that is too small rides up, and one that is too big folds. Neither is comfortable. Measure your waist and hips and use the brand's own chart rather than going by a number you usually take, because the charts vary between brands.

As few seams as possible

Every seam is a place where something can rub. Flat or covered seams lie level with the fabric and cannot be felt, while a thick seam in the crotch or at the side rubs thousands of times a day. Turn the pair inside out and feel it with your fingers.

The label is an overlooked detail

A stiff, stitched label at the waist scratches every time you bend, and that alone can ruin an otherwise good pair. Look for a printed size marking instead. It is a cheap detail for the manufacturer and a big difference for the person wearing it.

Stretch is what lets it follow you

A fabric without stretch can only follow the body by folding, and folds travel upwards. A small amount of elastane lets the fabric stretch with the movement and return afterwards. That is why a completely inelastic fabric is rarely comfortable in a brief.

Try it sitting down

Most people try underwear standing, but the problem shows when you sit down. Sit, stand up again, and see whether anything has moved. Also look at the skin when you take the pair off: red lines mean the number is too small.

Washing that preserves the softness

Wash at 30 to 40 degrees and hang them to dry. Fabric softener lays a film on the fibres that closes off the moisture transport and can irritate the skin. Bamboo viscose is soft already. See also bamboo underwear for women. See also find the right style of briefs, size guide and bamboo clothing for sensitive skin.