by 
When it comes to underwear, you’re likely in one of two camps. You’re either giving it zero thought, just keeping on with whatever style and brand you settled on in high school or college, or you’re constantly checking out new materials, cuts, and the like. Whichever camp you’re in, if you’re thinking you’d like a little more room to move, you may want to have a look at what ManMade has on offer.
The Material
For me, the material used is a big part of the decision if I’m going to try out a new pair of boxer briefs. I look for something that offers ease of movement, some level of ventilation or wicking, and something that will have a relatively soft touch. Oh, and I’m also looking for a claim that the legs won’t ride up. Yes, mileage varies with that claim, but if they’re talking about it, that means they’ve given it some thought.
For the ManMade boxer briefs, they’ve gone with modal, which is a natural fiber derived from the beech tree. Producing it takes less water than cotton, and of course it’s going to be able to break down over time, unlike a synthetic. Here, the mix is 91% modal and 9% spandex, which gives things flex so they move with you. Modal is also naturally moisture absorbing, so any sweat moves away from your skin.
Wear Comfort
That’s great and all, to talk about the material, but as they say – the proof is in the wearing. To be clear, that photo above is not me, so don’t worry, we’re not sharing too much with you. However, that gives you a sense of the fit and comfort. For starters, the modal fabric used on the ManMade Boxer Briefs is very soft, much softer than any cotton you’re used to. To help with comfort, you can see they’ve constructed a pouch in the front that allows your unmentionables to have their own space to keep cool. As far as the leg cuffs go, they do a reasonable job of keeping the legs from riding up, the best I’ve experienced from a mid-length pair like these. So, for daily wear, you won’t have any problems. On the other hand, these may not be the ones you’d want for a more vigorous exercise session.
Also, ManMade socks?
That’s right! Just like any good underwear brand, ManMade also offers socks, which we took a look at. Rather than eschewing cotton, here, it’s embraced. The cotton is used to create a cushioned bottom to the sock, and is also blended with nylon and spandex to give some stretch on top and in the cuffs, as well as to put some built-in ventilation on the upper portion of the sock so the heat and moisture can escape. As far as socks go, while I tend towards wool, these were plenty comfortable, and the seamless toe was a great addition.
Wrapping things up
You can get a boxed set – which comes with three pairs of boxers and two pairs of socks – for $75 – $80. Alternatively, you can pick up a single pair of boxer briefs for $22, or a pair of crew socks for $11. You can check out the full ManMade range of products (which also includes a t-shirt) over at manmadebrand.com
