Synthetic Versus Cotton: Best Underwear Choices for the Active Male

Pros and Cons of Synthetic and Cotton Men's Underwear

If you’re a man who cares about staying in tip top shape, you know that physical activity keeps you in the best possible health, while also looking your best – both in and out of your clothes. As an active man, keeping dry and comfortable during physical activity is probably one of your top priorities. When buying underwear to wearduring athletic endeavors, you have two main categories to consider: cotton and synthetic. Let’s take a look at these two options, so that you can decide which fabric suits you best as you hike, bike and work out.

• Cotton. Cotton has long been touted as “the fabric of our lives.” (TM) A natural fiber, cotton is a great choice for athletic underthings for a number of reasons. First and foremost, cotton is highly breathable and hypoallergenic. This means that cotton will not irritate your most sensitive parts while you are getting your exercise on. Furthermore, the highly breathable fabric won’t trap sweat and bacteria against your goods. Cotton does have a few downsides. First of all, 100% pure cotton has almost no stretch, which sometimes conflicts with activities requiring constant movement. You can avoid this issue by buying underwear that is made from a cotton blend, which will give you all the benefits of cotton and the movement capacity of rayon or lycra. Additionally, cotton is highly absorbent, which means that it may not stay dry when you sweat.

• Synthetic Fabrics. Synthetic performance fabrics are all the rage, in everything from heavy outerwear to skimpy underwear. Synthetic fabrics have been engineered to withstand even rigorous athletic activity. They often have a great capacity for stretch, which means that your underwear will move with you, regardless of your activity. Furthermore, synthetic fabrics are designed to wick away sweat and other moisture, which will keep you and your boys both dry and comfortable. Additionally, because moisture is kept away from sensitive skin, the risk of a fungus or other unpleasant ailments is almost completely eradicated. Like cotton, synthetic fabrics do have their downsides. Synthetic fabrics are often made with petroleum byproducts, and the manufacture of synthetic fabrics can cause quite a bit of pollution – something environmentally conscious men may chose to avoid. If you do choose synthetic underwear, you may want to research synthetic fabric manufacturers to find the most eco-friendly options.

When you are getting dressed to work out, you have many undergarment options. Whether you choose cotton or a synthetic fabric, make sure that your underwear is as supportive as you need, while also allowing you the freedom to move.