# Boxer briefs that are not tight? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 11, 2025, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759 "2025-11-11T02:30:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![craft458](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@craft458](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/craft458)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/1 "2025-11-11T02:30:44Z")
I’m looking for boxer briefs that are not tight. So, I don’t want them tight around the leg or around any part of me. They used to be that way back in the day, and now they’re all tight. ---
**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/2 "2025-11-11T02:32:23Z")
They’re called boxer shorts. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/3 "2025-11-11T02:36:03Z")
As @zoobi says: you don’t want boxer _ **briefs** _. Boxer briefs are a relatively new style of men’s underwear, and are a hybrid between jockey-style briefs and traditional boxer shorts: they are meant to be snug/form-fitting, like briefs, but extending down the thigh a bit (like boxers). You want boxer _ **shorts** _. Boxer briefs: [![](https://dynamic.jockeycdn.com/fit=crop,width=1640,height=2048/product-img/003497/0645/OMF.jpg) ](https://dynamic.jockeycdn.com/fit=crop,width=1640,height=2048/product-img/003497/0645/OMF.jpg) Boxer shorts: [![](https://www.derek-rose.com/cdn/shop/files/6000-AMAL001BLU_117.jpg?v=1753862998&width=2000) ](https://www.derek-rose.com/cdn/shop/files/6000-AMAL001BLU_117.jpg?v=1753862998&width=2000) ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/4 "2025-11-11T02:43:03Z")
Part of the problem is possibly that boxer shorts are becoming increasingly harder to find in retail outlets. Boxer briefs seem to have taken over, no matter how uncomfortable I find them. ---
**Author:** ![craft458](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@craft458](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/craft458)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/5 "2025-11-11T02:45:53Z")
I have tried those before and they didn’t provide enough support. That’s why I use the boxer briefs. Now they have started adding spandex to them and so they are too tight . ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/6 "2025-11-11T02:48:28Z")
If all you really need is support, have you ever tried just plain briefs? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/7 "2025-11-11T03:14:25Z")
I got a pair of Hane’s with (Oh, too much information!) name on them. They don’t ride up like ‘loose’ boxers and are pretty comfortable. I doubt she’ll send you a pair. I’m her favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/8 "2025-11-11T03:41:08Z")
Don’t buy Hanes. The elastic waistband loses its stretch much faster than Fruit of the Loom. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/9 "2025-11-11T03:58:32Z")
I’ve really enjoyed the ExOfficio ones I’ve had over the years, but they’re quite expensive ($30 ish a pair). I can only afford a few a year, but they are by far the most comfortable ones I own… just enough elasticity to hold them up, not enough to strangle or be uncomfortable. They were also bought a few years ago by a bigger company and people say the quality has gone down, but they seem OK to me. Still a lot better than anything else I’ve found. ---
**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/10 "2025-11-11T04:07:33Z")
Buy a size larger. You aren’t getting any younger. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/11 "2025-11-11T13:44:05Z")
This^^. I recall a scientific paper published by a group of MDs. In their practice they encountered many middle-aged male patients with vague gastro symptoms and general discomfort. They thought to measure the patients’ actual waistlines and the actual circumference of the pants they wore to the clinic. Most of the complainers had pants 2-3" smaller than their actual waists. And this a 20-30 years ago; before pants with various elastic features were common. “But that was the size I wore in my late 20s” was the usual response. Dr **LSL** prescribes going up a size. Or two. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/12 "2025-11-11T15:05:13Z")
Boxer shorts come in full and trim cut. Perhaps the trim cuts might suit you better. Or, as suggested, a larger size of boxer briefs. Forget the shorts. Where do I buy abs like in the photos of **kenobi** upthread? Damn, man - you are RIPPED! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/13 "2025-11-11T16:34:30Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Where do I buy abs like in the photos of **kenobi** upthread? Damn, man - you are RIPPED! 😉 LOL! I had the same thought. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/14 "2025-11-11T17:16:46Z")
> [@Zoobi](#): > > They’re called boxer shorts. What this made me think of: > [@](#): > > “It’s weird they don’t make pants that are just one big pantleg for both your legs.” > “You mean a skirt?” > “No! th— you’re not getting it, and my thing is different, so shut up.” (From _[The Good Place](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1319766058152118)_) ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/15 "2025-11-12T02:16:09Z")
“Boxer briefs” is a great example of using two incorrect words where one correct word would be incomparably better. In Australia they’re called “trunks”. We have boxers, trunks, or briefs. One word for each, no confusion. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/16 "2025-11-12T02:22:59Z")
Try Duluth Trading. Their “Buck Naked” boxer briefs are very comfy. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/17 "2025-11-12T04:31:03Z")
Funny, “trunks” here in freedomland are just wet boxers, ie plastic boxers used for swimming. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/18 "2025-11-12T04:42:20Z")
I don’t buy their boxer briefs, just the boxers, but they are a well made product. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/19 "2025-11-12T05:03:10Z")
Something of an incidental note, not directly a response to the OP. But by force of habit I’ve always worn briefs, not boxers, and my brand of choice was Jockey. Sadly, sometime in the past decade or so the brand has gone to hell, probably due to a takeover by some predatory leveraged buyouts, but whatever, their product is shit. The last set I bought were hard to find (no surprise!) and even though they were the exact same size as the ones I always wore, they were ridiculously too small. I ended up throwing most of them out and using a few as small cotton washcloths. I’m fine with Fruit of the Loom briefs and the elastic holds up fine to hot-water washings and hot drying. I’ve never found briefs of the right size and fit to be too tight. For me, the relative snugness is a feature. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759/20 "2025-11-12T05:31:59Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > In Australia they’re called “trunks”. We have boxers, trunks, or briefs. One word for each, no confusion. In the U.S., we have “trunks,” too. Boxer briefs typically have longer legs than trunks do, though that may vary by brand. I wear Adidas trunks, and the legs are several inches shorter than their boxer briefs. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxer-briefs-that-are-not-tight/1024759.md?page=2)