By BestTravelGear

Published Oct 13, 2026 Updated Oct 13, 2026

Field note 24

Underwear

Merino boxers, a longer cold-day brief, and a 2 oz brief the maker says dries quickly.

Method on this page. Desk research from maker pages. One pick is merino. One pick prints an ounce weight and a dry-fast claim.

Underwear is either merino you can wear again, or a light pair that dries after a rinse. Those are different trips.

Icebreaker, Wool&Prince, and Unbound are the merino pairs, including a three-pack. Smartwool adds a two-pack and a wind brief. The Echo is the 2 oz pair the maker says dries quickly. The Wool&Prince long brief lists a 6.5 in inseam.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Columns: logged price, Price, Fiber, Pack, Fabric. A figure that is not on the gear note is marked not published.

Pick Price PriceFiberPackFabric
Icebreaker Men's Merino 150 Anatomica Boxers $50 $50not publishednot publishedMerino wool and Corespun
Outdoor Research Men's Echo Boxer Briefs $14.4 to $36 not publishednot publishednot publishednot published
Smartwool Men's Active Boxer Brief 2-Pack $80 $80ZQ-certified merino wool2 briefsnot published
Smartwool Men's Active Wind Boxer Brief $55 $55Merino and recycled polyesternot publishednot published
Smartwool Intraknit Boxer Brief Men's $55 $55not publishednot published56% merino, 19% TENCEL lyocell, 11% polyester, 9% nylon, 5% elastane
Unbound Merino Men's Boxer Brief 2 Pack $85 $85not published2 boxer briefsnot published
Unbound Merino Men's Boxer Brief 3 Pack $120 $120Merino wool3 boxer briefsnot published
Unbound Merino Men's Boxer Briefs $35 to $45 not publishedMerino woolnot publishednot published
Wool&Prince Men's Boxer Briefs $48 $48Merino woolnot publishednot published
Wool&Prince Men's Long Boxer Briefs $52 $52not publishednot publishednot published

Gear picks in this note

10 items

FAQ

Which one dries fast?

The Outdoor Research Echo Boxer Brief. The page lists 2 oz and says it dries quickly.

Which one is merino?

The Icebreaker Anatomica Boxers, Merino 150, listed at $50.