Gear Review: Men’s & Women’s ExOfficio Underwear

ExOfficio makes many articles of clothing but their most popular item among hikers is underwear. Both my fiancé and I used ExOfficio undies for our Appalachian Trail thru-hike. I think the time for a review of this underwear is in order (from both of our perspectives).

Note: I am not endorsed by ExOfficio. Both the men’s and women’s underwear were paid for in full.

This review will focus on:

 The Women’s Give-N-Go Bikini Brief 

womens

The Men’s Give-N-Go Boxer Brief

mens

SPECS for both Men’s and Women’s

To eliminate odor: Aegis® Microbe Shield™
94% Nylon / 6% Lycra Spandex
Diamond-weave mesh fabric
Quick-drying

SPECS for Women’s Give-N-Go Bikini Brief

Price: $18
Sizes: XS-2XL

SPECS for Men’s Give-N-Go Boxer Brief

Price: $26
Sizes: S-XXL
Inseam: 5.5”
Weight: 2.5 oz

ExOfficio Warranty: A refund can only be valued if the item was purchased from ExOfficio. No warranty length was specified on ExOfficio.com

Women’s Test Subject:

Weight: 115 pounds
Height: 5’1”
Underwear Size: Small

Men’s Test Subject:

Weight: 165
Height: 6’0”
Underwear Size: Medium

First Impressions:

Women’s:  
The first thing I didn’t like was the price: $20 for a pair of underwear?! However, I made the plunge and purchased two pair. I enjoyed the fit and the underwear seemed true to size.

Men’s:
Enjoyed the comfortable fabric but had some reservations on if and how the fabric would reduce odor.

Pros of the ExOfficio Give-N-Go:

True to Size
For both the women’s and men’s models, the fit was true to our size. However, in some online reviews of the women’s, the leg hole seemed to be too small for some customers.

Comfortable/Breathable
Women’s: The underwear were extremely comfortable to wear 24/7. I did not have a problem hiking in them.
Men’s: Perfect for hiking. The fit was snug enough to prevent chaffing but also loose enough for air flow.

Durable
Women’s: I still have both my pairs I wore on the Appalachian Trail. I still wear them. One pair is fringing a bit on the band but, for the most part, the underwear are extremely durable.
Men’s:
I still have both my pair as well. I wear them often. I am very surprised at how well they stayed together.

Fast Drying/Moisture Wicking
Women’s: Your underwear will get wet from sweat, it just happens. I do agree the underwear dry fast but not too quickly in a moist environment. However, they dried the fastest out of any of my articles of clothing.
Men’s: They are fast drying. If they are damp and I use my body heat to dry them, they will dry fast.

Repress odors
We both agree they will repress odors for the first one or two days of wear. However, at some point after those two initial days, no hiker odor can be hidden for too long.

Variety of Colors and Models
Both models come in a variety of colors and styles. ExOfficio offers women’s styles in a string bikini and a thong both with or without lace. ExOfficio offers men’s styles in a brief and boxer as well.

Cons of the Exofficio Give-N-Go:

  • Bit constricting on inner leg (women’s)
  • Not very stylish (women’s): This model is not very stylish. ExOfficio does offer different styles with lace and fun colors. Mine looked more like granny panties than anything.
  • Women’s problem: The underwear are not quite compatible with panty liners or pads.  They do not stick all too well.
  • Expensive

Rating System

Based on my own experience, I have rated the ExOfficio underwear on a 1-5 scale, 5 being the best rating.

Comfort:  4
Design: 5
Durability: 5
Fit: 4
Value: 3

Alternatives:

ExOfficio has great alternatives if you are not interested in the styles/models evaluated here. However, different brands have great travel underwear worth checking out as well.

Women’s Alternatives:

Women’s ExOfficio Give-N-Go

Lacy Bikini and Lacy Thong: Both models are a lot more stylish but do cost more. I don’t know about about the durability of the fabric if hiking in lace.

Women’s Smartwool Underwear

Men’s Alternatives:

ScotteVest Boxers: Can double as shorts and has two security pockets, $20

Men’s Smartwool Underwear

OVERALL RATING: 4.2

Check out the Women’s Underwear || Check out the Men’s Underwear

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Comments 1

  • George Baldwin : May 1st

    Don’t ever wear anything resembles bikini. Only wear boxer type that are snug fit not loose fit. You get protection between your thighs by the cloth not by your sweat between you legs. Chafing causes red rash combine that with a salty sweat and no wicking from a brief underwear can be serious rash. The picture above is very thoughtless depicting a male and female like a female never chaff. The reason any body male or female gets a rash between the legs is because skin rubs against skin that is wet causing chafing. I am sure we know about how to make chafing in our bodies from an early age. It is a sham we can not carry our childhood wisdom to adulthood about red rash between our legs and upper thighs. Thing that happen in children not suppose to happen in adults. Wear them bikini briefs your an adult now and female they never chaff. Until it happen and your 5 mile to nearest town swearing to yourself every step. No vasoline just skin to raw skin in 82f 28c degree weather.

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