Tag Archives: BoxerBriefs

WATCh: Walkers Against Thigh CHafing

There’s no card to carry for a membership to Walkers Against Thigh CHafing, although everyone should be an unofficial member by their third decade or so round this lovely planet. The admittance process likely starts on a day we’ve all had where thigh-chafing occured and threatened our happiness, maybe even paused the day’s mission. Forget about it. Another summer is around our corner and it doesn’t take a mastermind to reach thigh chafe zero.

Sometimes called chub-rub, all body shapes can get it. Women and men of all genders get it. It happens when it’s really humid and you’re a moving human. Leg bands, tights and other delights can help, an old wives’ tale or two — but the most plentifully available defense against TC are boxer briefs. We’re not endorsing any brands, but after shoes, underwear is pretty important so cheap out at your own risk. Thank your folks or your buddy for keeping you underwear’d up all these years, but no one can make a purchase quite like you. Adults buy their own underpants, so command that.

Screen: Commando arcade game, released as 戦場の狼 in Japan (Capcom 1985)

 

So you’re on your own and buying underwears.  Just like trousers, you’ll end up liking a few pairs more than others. There’s your direction. Thinking of going commando (no underwear) on a long walk? A real commando would have bulletproof boxer briefs with a phone pouch. Basketball shorts commanding the living room couch is okay, going commando on a long hike? No way fool. So many brands are designing new things for you, are you going to leave them hanging like some damn enemy of fun? Thigh-Chafing shows no mercy. Don’t let two spaces on your skin often no bigger than an inch collab on this self-sabotage

Waste size: You don’t want your drawers slipping off your butt but if the waistband is too tight this can be hurtfully uncomfortable. Be sure to examine the package size chart end error on the up if your waist measurement is on the border between sizes. The wrong kind of boxer-briefs can creep up and cause crotchetiness or worse deliver a slow wedgie. Some have thin polyurethane strips around the leg openings to keep from slipping. Some will fit great. Some won’t. You won’t know until you try. We can always do a test rehearsal wear around the home turf before choosing to don the underclothes on a long day trip.
ReusedUnderwearBox

Factory outlets, shops at malls, your favorite sneaker company’s site — find some, buy some, try some! All good drawers certainly don’t come in a box. One of our excellent performers dangles freely on the racks at one of our favorite outdoor retailers. Stay away from buying multipacks at first, unless you know they’re great. Note things you like: Good space in the front, or the back, or the width or the length. Read the tag even if you have to use a magnifier. Are they cotton, polyester, combinations of the two, rayon, wool blend — futuristic proprietary fabrics? Put it on a phone note. There’s your data recording.

Avoid underwear ‘subscriptions’ until you’ve played the field.  And since there are so many brands — you’re lying. Sizes can be so inconsistent between brands too, it’s rather hilarious at times. We have some Larges that are bigger than XLs. Some fabrics dry slow, some fabrics dry quick. All elastic bands aren’t created equal. Sometimes it takes a few tries to feel what’s best in what weather. Do you want that big logo on them? If your body is a temple, take care of the anacondas and they’ll love you back by not chafing each other while propelling you forward. If some underdrawers aren’t working out, cut them into rags and buy a little harder in the future. Unlike outer-apparel oversights, no one else saw you fail  The lovely simple things, I could go on and on..

Please join up with Walkers Against Thigh CHafing if you haven’t already.

“For the simple pleasures are worth more than treasures, that your paper money ever bring..” – Minnie Riperton

Off The Path: FRIGO Revolution Underwear

At a Manhattan pop-up last December, the friendly folks at Frigo were kind enough to flow me a pair of FRIGO 2 boxer briefs. We agreed that along with footwear, good underwear is a key ingredient for great walking. The Frigo 2s are 92% polyamide & 8% elastane (feels like spandex). The revolutionary feature on these drawers is the netted pouch with a patented “soft lock” adjustment system. I’ve been wearing them every couple of weeks for six months, and now that hot temperatures and high humidity are upon thee in the northeast, I’m happiest to have them in my rotation.

FrigoRevolutionwearBlack2

There’s an inner line of fabric that is adjustable by a button on each out side of the hip. These small buttons are unnoticeable while wearing. Guys! you put them on carefully and find the right adjustment so that your family jewels are comfortably supported, then you keep the adjustment as is with the buttons. There is some counting involved. The design thoughtfully and structurally acknowledges male anatomy, and is light years ahead of some pitiful dollar store endcap tighty whiteys. Imagine a time when you experienced chafing of the thighs while walking, or underwear discomfort while exercising… chances are underwear like this may offer an antidote for that. You’ve got a smartphone now, why are you still wearing dumb underwear? I like the way they provide a little lift, and are in no way time consuming to put on or take off.

Inside-out Frigos
REVOLUTIONWEAR Inside-Out

In my experiences, most boxer briefs are too short and/or without properly elasticized leg bottoms- they tend to inch up the thigh, leading to wedgie conditions. Longer legged boxers help against wedgies. The FRIGOs feature a 6″ inseam.  Along with elasticized leg openings, they also have a strip of silicone material going around the inner thigh that successfully serves to keep the boxer legs from creeping toward the crotch during long wear. The strap-pouch gets all the attention, but these “stay4sure” hem stabilizers are just as cool of a feature- a good step in the war against wedgies.

FrigoStay4SureHem
No ride-up hem

 

FrigoRevolutionwearBox
Comes in a VHS style box

Many underwear companies now incorporate some sort of pouch for the male package. How are things in the FRIGO Zone? Keep in mind that these are the entry-level FRIGO “2s”. Their top of the line product has similar construction, but uses pricier fabric. I’m intrigued enough by the design to where I’d invest in a pair of the “1s”. The company is still new, so has an open horizon to grow the line and dream up more innovations. My bros and I are definitely starting to be more accepting of newer underpant designs. Some Joe Sixpacks may balk at the $100 price tag on the FRIGO 1s, but a little math containing X amount of lousy underwear the average dude has probably bought or been gifted, it’s freaking worth it for the long haul. MLB star Derek Jeter, a big investor in the company, is retiring from baseball after this season and- who knows- might devote more energy to Revolutionwear. More visibility and more adoption lead to higher chances that your family or loved ones may buy you some as a gift. Good luck. 

Image from Freshpair.com
Image from Freshpair.com

I washed them a bunch, air-drying each time on a wooden rack. Aside from a few very small fabric pulls, and a stray thread or two, the sewing has kept together fine. I envision these lasting for years. They are a great choice for walking. Once you put on your favorite overwear, and everything starts to settle, they offer a pleasant machine-like feeling that promotes healthy completion of one’s day.

Popdiatry occasionally writes about other wearable gear in this feature called “Off The Path”