When talking about travel gear, this is probably the least “sexy” thing to be reviewing but if you think about it, it’s actually one of the most important things to pack in your suitcase. It wasn’t until I discovered the ExOfficio boxers called the Give-N-Go Boxer Brief that my life was changed.
Keep on reading this ExOfficio underwear review and what makes it the best hiking underwear and really must-have travel underwear that you need to know.
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ExOfficio Boxers Review
You could say my life was changed when I discovered the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs. I had heard good things before my epic trip to Asia that started my blogging journey and so I picked up a pair.
For 3 months, the ExOfficio quickly became the best underwear in my backpack and since then I’ve more or less gotten rid of all of the other underwear in my closet.
Their tagline when they started was “you’ll only ever need one” and yeah I have to say it’s true.
Why the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs are so good
Underwear is as personal as it gets so I totally understand that this’ll be biased but here’s my ExOfficio boxers review.
Specs
It’s funny to be looking at specifications for travel underwear but let’s point out some of the key features to find on the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs.
- 94% nylon and 6% elastane (lycra spandex)
- Quick drying
- Breathable
- Moisture wicking
- Odor resistant
- Stretch material fabric and durable
- Easy to wash and wear
Sizing
The above is the official sizing chart for the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs.
From my experience, the sizing is pretty accurate although if you’re on the fringes of the waist sizes, you can definitely either size up or size down.
As an example, I’m normally 32 but that’s certainly fluctuated over the years. I have pairs of Medium which have been pretty comfortable but my latest purchase of ExOfficio boxers has been Small and I’ve fit those just as well. They haven’t felt excessively tight or uncomfortable.
What I really love about the ExOfficio boxers is that they have the perfect balance of being snug enough around the waist, thighs, and everything else without being too restrictive.
Comfort
The ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs use 94% nylon and 6% elastane (lycra spandex) mix that has gives the underwear its comfort qualities.
The key to its comfort is in it feeling lightweight and not bulky. The mesh design of the material allows for better airflow and wicking moisture away which ultimately keeps you dry.
Lastly you have the waistband which stretches to fit while retaining shape.
Longevity
Standard cotton underwear has a limited life to them and it usually comes down to the elastic breaking down, the underwear over-stretching, or holes in the fabric.
I’ve owned my original pair of ExOfficio underwear for 10 years so far and I haven’t noticed any of those things happening.
What I love is that my ExOfficio boxers have outlasted my cotton Calvin Klein and Hanes underwear. I’ve thrown out a bunch of the latter and my entire collection now is all ExOfficio travel underwear.
That said, the underwear is still going to wear a bit over time. As an example,the logo imprinted on the fabric has disappeared and a few lint balls have formed on a few of my original pairs.
On the topic of pilling, I have noticed it on certain ones and on others it hasn’t been much of an issue. There are spots where you’ll see a little but certainly not as exaggerated as other ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Brief reviews we’ve seen online.
Washability
An overlooked factor in underwear for hiking and travel is how easy they are to wash.
If you haven’t gotten into the habit yet, I highly recommend that you start handwashing your underwear for long trips. Whether you’re packing light or spending a lot of days on the road, you’ll eventually run out of underwear.
The worst is when underwear takes more than overnight to dry after washing. With the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs, you don’t have that problem at all since they dry incredibly fast.
Portability
This underwear is lightweight and not bulky. You’ll be able to roll them up into a compact bundle which will help you save space and weight when you’re doing a multi-day hiking trip or travelling.
When it comes to minimalist travel packing, this is a must-have.
Why is it the best hiking underwear?
Hiking is one of those activities that always puts your underwear through its paces. Let’s just say that there’s a lot of movement for long periods of time and it gets pretty warm down there.
Chafing. Sweating. Locked in.
When you’re making those leaps across gaps in the trail or scrambling on rocks, you’re exerting a ton and the best type of hiking underwear is the kind that does its job in stealth.
What I can say about the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs is that they’re comfortable even when you’re pushing hard. None of the elastics ever feel restricting, the material is so lightweight, and it’s so damn breathable.
If you’re going backcountry, you also have the added benefit of its anti-odor treatment. If you want to wash them after a long day of hiking, you can easily string them up at night and have a fresh pair the next morning.
The underwear just does its job under stress and that’s why they’re so awesome.
How does it perform against competitors?
Over the years I’ve had a chance to compare them with a few other brands. Here are my honest thoughts about each one of them.
- Under Armour Boxerjock – Might be a personal thing but I just found these way too tight and restricting.
- MEC All Day Essential Boxer Briefs – I found these not as snug and while the material was nice, not as good as the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs.
- SCOTTeVEST Travel Boxers – I’ve done a full review of these boxers and I’ll be honest, they perform very similar to each other. I do like that the SOCTTeVEST ones have a hidden pocket but I honestly don’t use it that much in real life. Ultimately, it comes down to price and I’ve seen better deals on the ExOfficio underwear.
Lesson learned: Not all moisture-wicking and breathable material are made equal.
The difference between Give-N-Go 2.0 vs. the original?
ExOfficio recently introduced an update to the beloved Give-N-Go travel underwear so what’s different about the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Boxer Briefs?
It ultimately comes down to the update in the material itself where they’ve gone to a 89% nylon and 11% elastane (lycra spandex) mix vs. 94% nylon and 6% elastane.
Now the claim is that it is 4 times more breathable, 50% more moisture-wicking, and 25% more quick-drying compared to our original Give-N-Go material.
The 2.0 ExOfficio boxer briefs also seem to have more color options. The originals only had basic solid colors (black, grey, red, blue, and light blue). The new ExOfficio underwear have more color combinations and patterns as well.
However, if you read the reviews, many people say that the 2.0 version is a big step backward in terms of comfort, fit, and abnormally fast wear. Our opinion is that you really should go for the tried and true ExOfficio Give-N-Go 1.0.
What about ExOfficio Give-N-Go for women?
I wish I could give specific feedback on this but the design of the fabric carries through to the women’s line of underwear.
For women, ExOfficio has the Give-N-Go Bikini Brief, Give-N-Go Full Cut Brief, Sport 2.0 Hipster, Sport Mesh Bikini Brief, and Sport Mesh Hipkini.
This means that there are a lot of choices out there.
Where to buy the ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxers?
Online
Two of the best places to buy ExOfficio underwear are either at the official store or on Amazon.
The official store will always have the most selection and the latest gear such as the newer Give-N-Go 2.0 however they are full price but pay attention to seasonal sales. I’ve also noticed that they stopped selling the original Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs.
Code: Try EXO-DU6DHUD2TY to save 15% off online orders from ExOfficio.
My recommendation is to actually take a look at Amazon to see what the prices are. You’ll need to monitor them but they will periodically drop significantly. I’ve grabbed individual pairs for as a low as $13.71 USD, ExOfficio boxers two packs for $40 USD and I’ve seen bundles of 3 go as low as $21.99 USD but has been recently closer to $59 USD.
Alternatively, there are also online stores such as Moosejaw.
Locally
If you’re in the US, you can find it in many sports stores including REI and Dicks Sporting Goods.
ExOfficio also has 3 physical flagship stores. One is in downtown Bellevue and Sea-Tac International Airport.
If you’re from Canada and looking for where to buy this, Sportchek and Mountain Equipment Co-op carry ExOfficio on occasion. Sportinglife and SAIL are also worth looking at.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard boxer briefs (if not stated) is the 6″ length. However, they do offer a 3″ and 9″ length brief.
Yes, multiple colors are available beyond the standard black including blue, red, light blue, and grey. The new Give-N-Go 2.0 has even more colors than before.
Yes and no. They claim that the Give-N-Go 2.0 is 4x more breathable, 50% more moisture wicking and 25% easier to dry. That said, owners of both will tell you that the original is better because of fit, comfort, and durability.
The official store has the most selection of sizes and colors however you can often find really good deals on Amazon where I’ve seen bundles of 3 go for as low as $21.99 USD but on average costs $59 USD.
Yes, ExOfficio products carry a 1 year satisfaction guarantee from date of purchase.
Yes, you can machine wash the ExOfficio boxers with other clothes.
Yes, you are able to use a machine dryer when cleaning your ExOfficio underwear.
Final Thoughts
I’ve tested it on the road and it’s simply the best underwear I’ve owned. Not only is it great for travel, but I’ve just been wearing them on a daily basis and for things like working out and it’s just as awesome.
Buy a pair of ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs and it’ll transform your life!
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