I/O BIO Women's Contact Boy Brief

I'll admit that I was a bit intimidated by I/O BIO's Women's Contact Boy Brief when I first saw this photo on their web site. The model is in much better shape than I am (and at least 10 years younger!), so I wasn't sure this minimalist brief would fit me.

When the I/O BIO merino wool Contact Boy Brief arrived, it was definitely a more low-cut style than my usual underwear (a baggy all-cotton "bikini" style that has seriously modest-but-not-quite-granny coverage), but I was game. After all, my favorite jeans and workout pants are all low-rise so maybe it was time to update my underwear. Also, the brief is made out of ultra-thin merino wool, a fabulous material for underwear because it breathes, it dries quickly, and it's naturally odor resistant.

Cutting to the chase....the brief fits just fine. The first time I wore it, I put it on in the morning and never thought about it again until I took it off that evening. I liked the low-rise cut because, as I imagined, my underwear didn't show with my low-rise pants, even when I bent over. At first I wasn't the back to come up a smidgen higher, but once I got dressed and went about my day I was perfectly happy with the lower style.

The I/O BIO Women's Contact Boy Brief is a very comfortable style for every day wear, as well as for active wear, because there's no excess material to deal with and it has a nice wide waistband. I also liked that the "inseam" area was wide enough. Too many companies make women's underwear that's so narrow down there that the underwear moves all over the place throughout the day. Irritating!

I recently went on a vacation, including six days on the road, and wore this brief almost every day. Stuck in a hot car with no air conditioning in 95 degree temps was brutal, so I was very happy to have underwear that breathed and wicked away moisture. Each evening at our hotel, I simply rinsed out my Contact Boy Brief in the sink; it was dry by morning. (See size chart before purchase. I'm usually a size M, but needed a L in this style.)

I/O BIO makes merino wool apparel for women and men, including the men's Contact Boxer Brief. (See shopping link below.)

Colors: Black, Nightshade (blue), Fuchsia (pink), Lemoncello (yellow).

Fabric: 96% merino wool (160g/m2), 4% elastane.

Sizes : Women's S-XL

Bottom Line: Forget everything you might think about the wooly long under clothes of your youth. I/O BIO's merino is super soft, highly breathable, and totally fashionable. I love this underwear.--E.D. (Aug '10)

BUY ONLINE : $26.99, click to shop

Manufacturer's Site: www.io-bio.com

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