No matter the type of exercise you prefer, your apparel choices can make or break your workout. Wearing improper clothing — especially underwear — can be uncomfortable and hinder performance. Nothing’s worse than picking a wedgie during a HIIT workout. But the best workout underwear stays secure on your body even during high-impact movement. It also helps you feel dry down there, and moves with your body through every stretch and stride. Have you ever experienced a sweat-induced yeast infection? If not, let’s just say you’ll want to take the proper precautions to avoid it as much as possible.
According to Adrienn Myers-Woods, Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and pH-D Feminine Health Advisor, “breathable fabrics,” like “cotton or modal,” work best to promote comfort while working out, given their ability to “decrease the warm, wet, dark environment” that naturally starts to form while exercising, increasing the risk of “the growth of yeast and bacteria.” So, essentially, the safest way to prevent any risk of discomfort or pain post-workout is to snag a pair of exercise-ready undies and add them to your rotation ASAP. Got it.
Considering various types of movement, different materials (both natural and synthetic), styles, size range, and budget inclusivity, Shape editors thoroughly researched and tested many of the most popular workout underwear options on the market today. These include tried-and-true editor favorites, options from beloved exercise brands like lululemon and Alo Yoga, and innovative options sure to change the underwear game forever. Read on to discover Shape’s curated list of the best workout underwear.
Huha understands the importance of material when it comes to crafting the best workout underwear, which is why the brand uses unique elements like zinc oxide. “Hey, isn’t that the ingredient in my mineral sunscreen?” you might be wondering — and you’re correct! Zinc oxide boasts multiple uses besides sun protection; it has antibacterial properties and soothing abilities, limiting irritation in your genital area. This, of course, is a significant bonus while working out (no matter the intensity level). The Huha Thong also utilizes plant-based fibers, specifically beech wood, to create the brand’s unique fabrics that feel soft and breathable.
While the brand offers various underwear styles, the thong is our favorite because it’s less visible under tight compression leggings and biker shorts. Plus, the extensive size and color range can’t be beat, with seven hues to choose from and sizes ranging from 2XS to 3XL, making this one of the most inclusive underwear options on the market.
Sizes: 2XS-3XL | Materials: TENCEL™ Modal x Micro, TENCEL™ Lyocell | Colors: 7
If you work out often and want to keep more than enough pairs of appropriate underwear in your arsenal at all times, consider buying a budget-friendly multipack like this one. Not only will this pack help you save money, but each pair guarantees a comfortable fit like others mentioned on this list, so you won’t ever feel like you’re sacrificing quality to stay within your budget. These boast supreme breathability (their design literally has holes in it to help air flow during workouts), and the cotton gusset ensures extra breathability in the area that matters most. The seamless design also serves as a major bonus.
“For just over $2 a pair, I was expecting some cheap undies that wouldn’t outlast my washer or dryer, but lo and behold, these stood the test of time,” says Summer Cartwright, Shape’s senior commerce editor and resident marathon runner. “I’ve worn them throughout the past year and every pair has held up well. I recommend getting the all-black or nude options as bright colors can show through lighter leggings or shorts.”
Sizes: XS-XXL | Materials: 90% polyamide, 10% elastane | Colors: 10 5-pack variations
Thongs are a favorable style for workouts due to their barely-there feel and less visible appearance under tight leggings and biker shorts. Shape editors choose Alo Yoga’s Airbrush Invisible Thong as their favorite pair, given its all-around comfort that makes your undergarments the least of your worries when exercising. Made from nylon and elastane, these provide ample stretch without losing their shape and have a tight-to-your-body feel that ensures they stay in place during your workout without sacrificing comfort. Plus, the Airbrush Invisible Thong has no seams, so your compressive workout clothes won’t have any pesky underwear lines underneath. As the name suggests, this pair feels practically invisible — the exact feeling you’d want from a thong during exercise.
Sizes: 2XS-3XL | Materials: TENCEL™ Modal x Micro, TENCEL™ Lyocell | Colors: 7
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Runs small
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Only 2 colorways
If you prefer a pair of workout underwear that’s more traditionally comfortable than a thong, look no further than Paradis Sport’s Natural Fiber Bikini. This option takes the cake for comfort for a few reasons, starting with its fuller-coverage fit. The bikini design covers more of your butt without riding up, thanks to the brand’s unique design choices, and the front panel is double-layered for additional coverage. Shape editors also love the thicker waistband that feels great on the skin and further assists with keeping them in place during workouts.
Similar to the Best Overall Huha pick mentioned earlier, Paradis Sport’s Natural Fiber Bikini uses beech for its signature fabric, creating yet another plant-based alternative workout underwear material that’s moisture-wicking, breathable, and, of course, comfortable.
Sizes: S-XL | Materials: 88% Micromodal 12% Lycra | Colors: 2
Looking for the ultimate coverage in your workout underwear? Consider workout boxers instead of a proper panty. Woxer specializes in creating boxer-style underwear for every type of body and person, genuinely championing inclusivity alongside boxer comfort and effectiveness. The Baller Flex is the five-inch-inseam style made for exercise, boasting a sweat-wicking polyester fabric that won’t rub or chafe your skin (the brand’s no-dig waistband also prevents irritation in the waist/stomach/back area) and a cotton gusset for maximum breathability. This pair comes in a compressive (medium compression) fit to ensure it’s secure on your body even during the most intense workouts.
And, if you love the workout-friendly version of this and want an everyday option, the Woxer Baller comes in a slew of fun colors and patterns.
Sizes: XS-4XL | Materials: 88% Recycled polyester, 12% elastane | Colors: 4
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Stretchy and comfortable one-piece fabric
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Modal allows for breathability
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Bombas donates to those in need with every purchase
When engaging in a high-intensity workout like running, it’s crucial that your underwear moves with you. Few pairs do this better than Bombas’ Seamless Thong, thanks to its one-piece construction, which ensures maximum stretch and comfort during your sprints and strides. Made from a modal, nylon, and spandex blend (which includes the same beech material that some aforementioned brands use in their plant-based pairs), this thong feels soft, slightly compressive (in a supportive way, not a restrictive one), and flexible, and even boasts a seamless ribbed design so they’re not noticeable under tight workout gear. Plus, the modal keeps the thong breathable — a must during long, sweaty runs.
“These have never failed me on a long run,” says Cartwright. “I’ve worn them during the depths of summer on double-digit runs, during 5k races, and even during sprint sessions on the track. Regardless of when and the weather, they never irritate, and honestly I forget they’re even on, which, in my mind, is the point.”
These thongs conveniently come in three packs of either the same-colored underwear or three different shades. As a bonus, Bombas will donate a pair of underwear to programs aiding those in need of basic necessities (including homeless shelters and rehabilitation centers) so you can feel good about your purchase in more ways than one.
Sizes: XS-2X | Materials: 63% tencel™ modal, 26% nylon, 10% elastane, 1% other fiber | Colors: 6 3-pack variations
Shape writer Maddie Barber prefers lululemon’s UnderEase Thongs for her weekly workouts, mainly when dealing with low-impact exercises. “As someone who prefers mat pilates and yoga over a long-distance run outside, these thongs are perfect,” she says. “They literally feel like a second skin, preventing me from worrying about any discomfort while practicing slow, low-impact movements.”
This style, which comes in a convenient pack of five, is made primarily using modal to give each pair a super-soft feel, combined with elastane for ample stretch. The design is so smooth that there’s no chance of chafing or digging, so you can focus on your vinyasa flow and side planks instead of your underwear underneath your leggings.
The material does not wick sweat like other pairs mentioned on this list, so it may be wise to choose a different style for high-intensity workouts that cause more perspiration.
Sizes: XS-XXL | Materials: 88% Modal, 12% Lycra® elastane | Colors: 5 5-pack variations
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Merino wool naturally wicks moisture
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Seamless and smooth design
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Nude colorways available
When thinking of wool, itchy winter sweaters likely come to mind. However, wool is a versatile material, and its uber-soft relative, merino wool, makes the perfect material for workout underwear because of its moisture-wicking abilities. Branwyn uses an ultra-fine version of this material for its Essential Bikini to improve comfort during more intense workouts where you’re breaking a major sweat — as the brand says, the material “dries in the blink of an eye.” With a smooth, seamless design with fuller coverage that doesn’t dig, chafe, or move around, Shape editors trust that this style suits workouts of any intensity and impact level.
Branwyn also offers the Essential Hipster and Essential Thong in the same merino wool material if you prefer even more coverage or like thongs the best.
Sizes: XS-XXL | Materials: 81% extra fine Merino wool, 12% nylon, and 7% spandex | Colors: 5
Many people prefer a light-as-air feeling from their underwear in general, but this desire proves even more vital during exercise. Continuous movement and compressive clothing make a barely there pair favorable, like this Victoria’s Secret No-Show Thong. With various styles and colorways to choose from, this classic option sets the standard for seamless underwear, whether you opt for the fun scalloped edges or any of the simple, smooth pairs.
Of course, this thong wouldn’t have a place on this list if it weren’t suitable for working out, as well; after polling a few serious runners, Shape editors discovered this pair to be the top pick for those participating in long, grueling, early-morning runs. One runner calls her No-Show Thong “super light and comfortable,” so much so that “it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing any underwear.” Plus, “they absorb sweat,” she notes, likely due to the polyamide material that wicks sweat like no other.
Sizes: XS-XXL | Materials: 71% recycled polyamide, 29% elastane | Colors: 20+
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Come in four-packs to make stocking up easy
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Include a small percentage of spandex for additional stretch
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Wide waistband further supports the abdomen area
Myers-Woods “always recommend[s] 100% cotton, full-coverage underwear” whenever possible thanks to the material’s natural breathability. An option like this one works best for anyone who prefers to sweat in sweatpants or looser-fitting shorts, considering the full-coverage, high-waisted design that would show more underneath tight leggings or bike shorts. Plus, the double-layer crotch area and slightly compressive high waist keep you feeling snug in all the right ways while working out, whether you’re doing at-home pilates or going on long-distance runs.
Sizes: XS-XXL | Materials: 71% recycled polyamide, 29% elastane | Colors: 20+
CUUP’s The Thong perfectly balances everyday utility, style, and workout practicality, making it an ideal pair to stock up on. Offering a slew of colors and fun patterns (like lime green and cheetah print), a primarily modal composition to promote breathability during everything from commuting to the office to intense barre workouts, and an antimicrobial bamboo gusset that wicks sweat away, there’s nothing The Thong can’t do. Shape editors also love the mid-rise fit, which differs from other thongs that often sit too high on the hips and peek through jeans and shorts.
Sizes: 1/XS-7/XXXL | Materials: 88% modal, 12% elastane | Colors: 20+
What to Know About Workout Underwear
- Materials: When it comes to workout underwear, materials matter the most. Nothing’s more important than wearing a pair that lets you feel dry and comfortable in your genital area, especially while sweating more than usual. Cotton and modal (a material made from beech trees) offer maximum breathability to keep you feeling cool down there. When it comes to wicking excessive sweat, consider natural materials like merino wool or synthetic options like polyester and polyamide.
- Coverage: Many deem thongs as the workout underwear style of choice because they rarely show under tight exercise gear, but not everyone feels comfortable with the limited coverage. If you prefer that fabric protects your entire bottom area, consider a cotton or modal bikini-style pair of underwear, which mesh well with looser gym shorts, sweatpants, or track pants.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What underwear is best for under gym leggings?
“Many people skip [underwear under leggings] due to panty lines but may [also] opt for a thong option,” says Myers-Woods. Shape editors agree, noting that seamless thongs do an even better job of preventing lines or bulkiness under tight leggings or biker shorts based on experience. As Myers-Woods mentions, underwear made with cotton or modal is best, so look for these materials in your thongs for the utmost comfort and breathability. Just keep in mind that “thongs can cause irritation for some and increase the occurrence of urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis,” Myers-Woods explains, so be sure to change out of your exercise thong ASAP to limit your chances of these things happening.
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Should I wear tight underwear in the gym?
Myers-Woods states it plainly: “Preferably no.” Too-tight underwear in a “non-breathable fabric can be a factor in recurrent vaginal symptoms/infections,” she says. Plus, restrictive pairs “can also rub along the groin so much that it results in irritation or folliculitis (ingrown hairs).”
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What is the best underwear to stop sweating?
“Some people are going to sweat a lot, and underwear won’t change that,” says Myers-Woods. However, those finding themselves excessively perspiring during any workout can find solace in “cotton underwear and sweats or joggers,” she states, rather than “tight […] leggings and thongs.”
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Should I change my underwear after working out?
Myers-Woods answers this with a resounding “yes.” “The most important thing to do when you are done exercising is to strip off all your workout clothes and change into breathable underwear and light, loose, breathable pants/shorts. Don’t be the person who says, ‘Oh, I’ll just grab a coffee or run a quick errand first.’ You will, in fact, run seven errands and still be in your sweaty leggings five hours later. Remember: warm + wet + dark = perfect place for yeast and bacteria to grow. So, change out of those clothes ASAP.”
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Is it better to wear underwear or not when working out?
Myers-Woods notes that “it is totally fine to go with or without underwear” when working out. It’s totally a personal choice! If you want to wear underwear while exercising, ensure you’re wearing a pair made from sweat-friendly fabrics.
Why Trust Shape
Maddie Barber is a Shape commerce writer. She spent hours researching different workout underwear options on the market, even testing out some pairs herself (her favorite is the lululemon UnderEase Mid-Rise Thong Underwear!), and tapping editors and regular exercisers for their top choices. The Shape team used the following expert for additional professional insight:
- Adrienn Myers-Woods Board-Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and pH-D Feminine Health Advisor
Read the full article here