Ex Officio Men's Boxer Shorts : One Pair is All You Need

Ex Officio has built a solid heritage on travel gear, honed through years of experience in the furthest reaches of the globe. But you have to strip away Ex Officio’s great looking clothing to, uh,…uncover the world’s best underwear. The men’s boxer shorts that I tested are nothing less than the exceptional garments you might expect from one of the world’s best travel gear companies.

Underwear is a funny topic. (Most) everyone wears it, yet few like to talk much about it, save for the clerks at the Victoria’s Secret store. Well I have no qualms about discussing the matter publicly. Anything that resides so closely with my most intimate body parts deserves to be the best that I can obtain, especially if it helps to relieve any travel-related stress.

Ex Officio’s boxer shorts fulfill the company’s marketing slogan better than almost any product I’ve ever tried: “17 countries. 6 weeks. And one pair of underwear.” Eager to put the boxers to the test, I packed one pair for a mere weeklong trip and crossed my fingers. Luckily for me and my nether regions, the boxers came through with flying colors.

Their lightweight construction—not cotton, not silk, but a blend of nylon and spandex—ensured that I felt dry, despite my destination’s warm, humid climate. The comfortable, wide waistband added to the seamless feeling that they imparted. In short (pun intended), this amazing mix of high-tech fabric and thoughtful construction produces an undergarment that has replaced most of the former residents of my underwear drawer.

The best feature of the shorts was their ability to dry quickly. Before retiring each night, I quickly laundered them in my hotel sink, wrung them out, and hung them over a chair to dry. Each morning, I awoke to a fresh pair of shorts. In the name of a good product review, I also sacrificed better judgment and gave the shorts a quick “sniff” test each night. Surprisingly, the shorts consistently resisted odor, perhaps due to the fabric’s anti-bacterial properties.

Beware, cotton briefs, there’s a new sheriff in town, and the name on the label reads “Ex Officio.”

Bottom Line: Before your next trip (even if it’s just a weekend getaway), seriously consider purhcasing a pair of Ex Officio’s boxer shorts. Their light weight, odor resistance, and extreme comfort make ordinary cotton underwear so…last year. They’ll cost more than your average 3-pack of tighty whities, but are well worth the price. --G.P. (Feb 06)

Price: $24

Manufacturer's Site: www.exofficio.com

Buy Online: ,