Undies

[maverick]

Which do you prefer? Did you wear one style and then change over, if yes, why?
And what material did you prefer? Poly, wool, a mix, or other?

A. Briefs

B. Boxers

C. Thongs

D. Au Natural

[Timberline]

come on, Mav, I find most of your questions intriguing, but isn't this getting a little wierd? Ah well, so OK, but you go first!

[maverick]

Why is it weird Timberline? It is part of our clothing, and we all have preferences.
I started with A, then went to B, just to see if they were more comfortable when
hiking for several days.
B rides up to much when doing a lot of uphill or climbing for me, so I am back to A.
I like poly, though my shirts have been wool for several years now and I am very happy
with the comfortable feel of wool, though for briefs I do not know whether they
would transfer sweat fast enough.
I know some folks who like D, I have tried it a couple of times for short periods of time
just to see why the preferred it, but I prefer A.
C I just do not get. I had a girlfriend way back who loved them, I just cannot imagine
how they can be comfortable in the backcountry or any where else for that matter.

[gary c.]

For me it makes a difference. I used to be a boxer guy but started having some chaffing discomfort about half way through a day of hiking. I had read that briefs would help and they did (basic cotton) to some extent. One day I ran across a really good deal on a pair of Patagonia Capilene Boxer Briefs and decided to give them a try. Despite the fact that it chaffed my butt a little to pay for them I'm very glad that I did. I've never had another problem since I switched over.

[oldranger]

For 95% of my summer hiking none of the above! I use shorts with a mesh liner. Then several times a trip if not everyday I go swimming in them to get the salt out. I never hike in them if they are wet though, they chafe like h--- then. In the evening I either wear nothing under my lightweight trousers or boxer briefs. Most winter hiking and all crosscountry skiing I wear boxer-briefs, fit snug and go down my legs a few inches, sort of like compression shorts. Completely eliminates any chafing.

Mike

[frediver]

Briefs but now commando with boxer swim shorts for emergencies.

[BSquared]

I'm still flummoxing. On my JMT through-hike with my son about 6 years ago I started with briefs (which I usually wear in the front country) but then switched to Colin Fletcher style (d) on the third day. I know it sounds odd, but after a few days in the back country, the briefs begin to pinch my butt, and to my pleasant surprise, the without-briefs style felt much, much better. But the last couple of trips it hasn't been that comfortable, so I'm not sure what to do. Maybe I'll try Mike's idea of shorts with a mesh liner by day, boxers in the evening.

[sparky]

I go with synthetic boxers. Zero chaffing, and rarely an issue riding up. Sometimes instead of a traditional boxer short, ill wear gym shorts for a bit more insulation. Plus the option of hiking or hanging around camp in them is a bonus.

[Carne_DelMuerto]

I was about to channel Newt Gingrich...

I'm with oldranger, synthetic shorts with a mesh liner. Plus, they double as swimming trunks after a day of hiking and dry quickly. Around camp, either boxers or long underwear under my pants.

[rlown]

cotton briefs, even with the mesh liners in the shorts. I don't like "junk" floppin around. If it's hot out and I sweat enough, they get changed and then washed.

Hmm, Mike.. would have figured you for a thong guy..