5 min read
UNDERWEAR SITS CLOSER to me more than anything in my closet, so I can’t just put on any pair and hope for the best. Plus, it’s the article of clothing that’s in constant contact with the most sensitive real estate on my body: the crown jewels. A bad fit can send my whole day sideways; a good one keeps me feeling fresh, comfortable, supported, and ready for anything.
That’s why details matter — the fit, the feel, how it moves with you at the gym, and how it sits when you’re hunched over at your desk. Our Men’s Health team is no stranger to Mack Weldon; we’ve already crowned the brand a winner for making the best t-shirts and underwear for men. Our Style Editor Joseph Cheatham tested the famed Airknitx Boxer Brief, so I was curious to see whether the 18-Hour Rib Boxer Brief could measure up. In this case, “measuring up” would mean having a waistband that doesn’t roll when you lunge, support that keeps everything in place without intense compression, temperature regulation to prevent that swamp feeling and a feel that’s as soft as your bedsheets.
I got my hands on a sample pair and wore it for about a month. I worked and played in the 18-Hour Rib Boxer Brief in every way imaginable: workdays, workouts, bike rides, sweaty trail runs, dinners out, the list goes on. I tested under a variety of pants ranging from chinos to tailored trousers as well as gym shorts. By the end, I genuinely liked this pair more than I expected. And with the holidays coming up, the 18-Hour Rib Boxer Brief makes a great gift for your brother or any guy who could use a reliable upgrade in the basics drawer.
Get the underwear that made us famous: insanely soft 18-Hour Jersey, now in a luxurious ribbed texture.
The Material: Soft and Stretchy With Some Weight
There’s no denying the softness here. Putting them on is a bit like snuggling up to your favorite winter bedding or a smooth new pair of long johns. That said, it has a bit more weight than a lot of boxer briefs. Yet, it feels sprightly on, thanks to a nice amount of give and a smooth-as-satin waistband.
The boxer is mostly cotton and modal, with just 5% spandex. Washing didn’t affect the feel of the brief and even now the texture is softer than when I first pulled it out of the bag. While the weight has been great for the offseason, I can imagine it to be a little too much in peak summer. Despite excellent ventilation, keeping cool even during workouts, it sometimes felt bulky. It’s not my preferred boxers for long jogs or a night out in skinny jeans. Tighter clothing tends to pull on the brief, causing slight bunching at the base. It’s mostly a visual issue, though the fabric is soft, and it rarely became a nuisance.
But again, in these cooler months, it really shined. I’ve found this pair to be ideal for outdoor strolls and sports. When engaging in the latter, I was impressed by the breathability, insulation, and odor-tackling abilities. It may feel like your favorite pair of sweatpants, but it performs like something much slimmer.
The Fit: A Contemporary Classic
I found the length of the boxer brief is just right. It fits like a classic pair of soccer shorts, resting about halfway up my quads. That makes them good even for shorter pairs of shorts as you don’t have to worry about the leg area of the underwear showing. Since I’m 5’11 (180 pounds) I went with a medium and thought the fit was just about ideal. (I’m 5’11” and 180 pounds).
There’s ample crotch room with enough support to keep things in place no matter the activity. The seams are all well-placed, with no uncomfortable feels. The crotch area offers a clean aesthetic, with a nice curved build and high-functioning corner vent, so my crown jewels can breathe. How did the fit hold up? Just fine. When sweaty or wet, they dried quickly, but that was a rare occurrence as the so-called cool zones seemed to live up to their name (ask me during a hike in Tucson in August and maybe I’ll be singing a different tune).
And let me not overlook the aesthetic. This is a clean pair of underwear, no doubt. The look is flattering and the feel is fantastic. I appreciate the monochrome look and the fact that the lettering is mostly kept to the inside of the waistband. I also found the texture to offer some nice presentation points, namely the micro-striped design that makes up every part of the brief save for the part running along your man zone.
Again, the feel and functionality of this brief makes it great even for fitness fanatics, so long as you don’t mind a little extra weight. I learned to embrace the slightly heavier build especially with winter approaching, seeing the boxers as almost a small base layer that fares well in cold-weather activities like skiing and snowshoeing.
The Verdict: A Go-To For Most Months
For the majority of the year, this boxer feels ideal. At $32, it’s not cheap, but its durability and versatility make it worth it. I’d switch to something lighter in peak summer (or if you live somewhere extremely hot like Miami) or for extremely strenuous workouts.
For everything else—daily wear and cooler months—the 18-Hour Rib Boxer Brief is outstanding. I suggest picking up a couple of pairs to get you through the winter and spring (there are only three color options at the moment). They will last a long time, are quite versatile, and fit comfortably under just about every pant style along the spectrum: chinos, jeans, and dress pants. Just keep in mind: it can shift under tighter-fitting slacks. The pros certainly outweigh the cons. With Mack Weldon’s track record, there’s built-in trust, and this boxer lives up to it. Plus, it could score you some points as a cool stocking stuffer gift for the holidays.
SHOP MACK WELDON 18-HOUR RIB BOXER BRIEF
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Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon who covers food, drink, travel, culture, outdoors, gear, and tech. He’s formally trained in journalism but stumbled into the wine industry just when it was getting good and can’t seem to fully let it go. His outlets are many, from Men’s Health, Women’s Health, and The Manual to Vinepair, SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, and others He’s a devout soccer fan and thinks about Iceland daily.
As the Style and Commerce Editor for Men’s Health, Joseph covers all-things fashion and grooming. Previously, Cheatham was a commerce editor for Spy, and he has written for Travel + Leisure.
