Posts Tagged travel underwear
New Developments in Travel Underwear
Despite what it’s covering, travel underwear is not really as sexy to review as fancy ski jackets and cool $200 shoes, but for most travelers its a very important subject. You probably wear underwear every day no matter what and let’s face it, that underwear requires frequent washing.
Fortunately you no longer just have to buy what’s hanging from a hook at Target or Wal-mart when you hit the road these days. You can buy underwear made specifically for travelers. This means undies that can be sink washed, will dry quickly, and will not stay soaked with sweat when you’re wearing them. Here are a few noteworthy types to choose from.
ExOfficio Give-n-Go underwear is probably the best-known for travelers because it was the first to really market travel undies heavily and raving fans (like me) helped spread the word after seeing how well they performed on the road. Many women weren’t as excited as us guys though because the original offerings were far from sexy. The new line-up has changed all that though, with these Give-n-Go Lacy Low-rise bikini ones saying “Technically Sexy” on the tag.
They’re still odor-resistant, quick-drying, and lightweight, but they wouldn’t look out of place at Victoria’s Secret. Unlike those though, these are treated with Aegis Microbe Shield and are made from nylon and Spandex so they’ll dry overnight after a sink washing. They come in six sizes, three colors, and list for $15-$20 depending on style. I’m no cross-dresser, but my bedmate tried them out and will use them on her next journey. Yes, they look good on. See the whole travel underwear line at ExOfficio.com and buy direct or see the Lacy l0w-rise bikini, string bikini, or Lacy regular bikini at Backcountry.com, where they have pretty much the whole line.
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Polarmax AYG (for all year gear) underwear has been reviewed in detail on this gear blog before, but the company continues to expand the offerings and add new styles. Polarmax has put all the technical know-how it’s gotten from making great base layers and applied it to what’s under your shorts in hot weather as well. They now offer briefs, boxer briefs, and regular boxers. The first two come in “four-way stretch” synthetics that are anti-microbial, wicking, quick-drying, and breathable. These all work well, look good, and feel good, though if your size is borderline then err on the side of buying too large. These seem to have the world’s strongest waistbands and the medium is tighter than I would like in, ahem, some regions. These are great to have though if you’ll be involved in adventure activities or on tours that involve cycling or hiking. Good support and all that.
The boxers have a more traditional loose feel and are made with TransDRY “wicking cotton.” Yes, I know, sounds like an oxymoron, but although they won’t wick as quickly as nylon, they certainly do so much faster than your Fruit of the Looms. They’re also treated to be odor-resistant, which you’ll be thankful for if it’s been too long between laundry sessions while on the move. They’re made in the USA, but are priced in line with those put together in China. I’ve found these to be comfortable and they perform as advertised. My main problem with the whole AYG line is the actual footprint of the product: pack five pairs of these and it’s a rather sizable wad of fabric. It’s best to mix in one or two pairs with others that are more compact. See more details at the Polarmax site and check prices on the Polarmax AYG line at Amazon, including the TransDRY cotton briefs and boxers.
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With this Saxx Underwear, there’s no worry about your junk getting squashed. Think of it as underwear that incorporates a jock strap, though it’s all in thin, lightweight stretch polyester that dries quickly when sink-washed. Its “ergonomic comfort pouch” keeps you cool and dry and it has “added compression to keep everything in place.”
I saw the whole line on display at the Outdoor Retailer show and though it seemed kind of gimmicky, I’ve got to admit that I keep returning to the Pro Elite Boxer Briefs I got a sample of to try out. They’re quite comfortable, I do feel cooler when I have them on, and they’re great for outdoor activities in hot weather. These come in six sizes and the medium fit my 34-waist body well, as in not too tight. (Sorry ladies but no, that’s not me in the photo to your right…)
The company makes four main fabric styles, from 24/7 (cotton, w/5% Spandex) to Luxury (modal, cotton, Spandex). Each comes in varying leg lengths and three colors. These are thinner and take up a bit less room than the Polarmax ones and will take anything you throw at them in terms of the washer and dryer. Saxx also makes long johns, but for the regular underwear the list prices are around $24 to $35. See more at the Saxx site or follow these links to buy from Backcountry: Pro Elite boxer brief, Luxury boxer brief, or 24-Seven Trunk. (You can browse around from there to the others.)
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The Ibex Balance Boxer Briefs are the most expensive here, at 50 bucks a pair list price. Most men aren’t used to laying out anything close to that amount for underwear, but in all fairness these are made from the soft New Zealand merino wool that Ibex is known for, plus a smidgen of nylon and Spandex to give them more stretch. Merino wool is naturally quick-drying, odor resistant, and wicking, so these accomplish what the all-synthetic ones do without needing additional chemical treatment.
Think of this underwear as a base layer for your torso. The fabric feels great against the skin and it’s very good at temperature regulation. In the interest of testing I wore these far longer than I normally would a pair of underwear on two recent trips and the odor-resistant properties are for real. These take some getting used to though as they’re about the most snug pair of underwear I’ve ever had in this size. I would strongly advise going up one size or even two if you’re at the high end of the range in waist size. Thes Balance Boxer Briefs are the opposite of the Saxx ones: there’s not a lot of extra room in the front. “Are those going to fit?!” my wife asked when I pulled them out of the package. They’ve got a lot of give, but go bigger unless you’re very small…
See more at the Ibex site or order the Ibex Balance Boxer Brief – Men’s at a tad off list price at Backcountry.com. If you buy last season’s color, the price drops more.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on April 12th, 2012
Smartwool Microweight Underwear
Merino (my wooly fiber of choice, as you may know by now) gets shoehorned over into the cold weather clothing cubby, and really, it makes sense. Stylish sweaters, soft long underwear and hoodies, it’s the kind of stuff that makes up good winter base and mid-layers. But Smartwool makes what they call a “microweight” layer, too, and believe it or not, it works well in hot weather, too. I know — I wore this stuff for a long sweaty day in 94F weather.
First, I really like the material. It’s soft, and no, for the 1000th time, it’s not itchy even though it is, indeed, wool. Smartwool’s “intimates” line is made of their 150 weight merino, which simply means it’s their finest, lightest fiber. It launders up nicely, getting softer each time I put them in the wash and while I prefer not to dry my woolens, the underwear made it through the dryer without shrinking.
Next up, the fit. Smartwool’s clothing seems true to size, meaning they fit exactly as I expect they would. The underwear stays put, no awkward climbing (a-hem). The adjustable straps on the camisole don’t slip. It’s all really comfortable, no itchy plastic-y stitching next to your skin, no bunchy seams, no weird lines wrecking your svelte (okay, or not so svelte if you’re me) profile.
As for wearing super light wool in next to the skin on a 94F day? I’m sold! Sure, things got a bit sweaty. But the clothing didn’t stick to my skin, develop that weird sweat plus artificial ingredients smell, and it dried quickly.
I tried the camisole and the underwear but Smartwool’s microweight line comes in a bunch of cuts and colors, for both men and women. As usual, Smartwool’s products aren’t cheap — the camisole is $45 and the boyshort/hipster underwear are $40. If you’re used to buying expensive underwear, this won’t surprise you, but it is a pretty steep price for a person who’s used to paying department store prices on three packs of boyshorts from Hanes. (And now you know more about my underwear than you ever needed to know. Apologies.).
That said, if you don’t mind paying the price, I can tell you that I have Smartwool in my travel and outdoors wardrobe that’s easily 15 years old and still performs very well. It’s tough stuff, it feels great next to your skin, and it lasts. That makes for great travel gear, even in the blazing heat.
Want your own microweight Smartwool underwear? Sometimes, you can find it for a bit less than Smartwool’s full retail price on Amazon.
Need more merino wool? We’ve reviewed a whole variety of stuff. Start here.
Posted by Pam in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on September 16th, 2011
Five Things I Always Pack — Mike Barish
Mike Barish is a freelance travel writer and regular contributor to Gadling. He is a universally respected expert in the SkyMall catalog whose work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, Budget Travel, World Hum and Intelligent Travel. He was also the host of Chevrolet’s Travel Cruze-arati web series. You can always see what Mike’s up to on his own site and on Twitter. Mike is based in New York City where he lives with his fiancée and their two dogs.
1. Merino Wool Underwear
Between sitting on planes for hours, going on hikes and layering various types of clothing to keep the elements at bay, my special areas can get a tad warm. My absolute favorite items for travel are Icebreaker’s Beast 150 Boxer Briefs with Fly. They’re breathable, don’t absorb odor and are phenomenally comfortable. I’m able to pack fewer pairs of underwear because I can wear these several times before they need to be washed and, if I do wash them on the road, they dry quickly. Speaking of which…
2. Liquid Soap
I refuse to spend time at laundromats while traveling. That just seems like lost time. Instead, I wash clothing in the sink at my hotel or, more often than not, the apartment that I’ve rented. Most of the clothing that I pack dries quickly, so sink washing and hang drying is my best strategy for keeping fresh and not wasting time. Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild Liquid Soap isn’t too abrasive, can be used on clothing as well as body and, most importantly, is unscented.
3. Extra Batteries
Maybe I’m a jerk, but I always giggle when I hear someone moan, “Oh, crap, my camera battery is dead,” while I’m traveling. Whether you’re on a family vacation or searching for Dr. Livingstone, you know you’re going to be taking plenty of pictures. Don’t let an easily remedied issue keep you from capturing your memories. I shoot with a Canon PowerShot S95 and love my off-brand spare battery that actually lasts longer than Canon’s stock battery.
4. Collapsible Backpack
The quickest way to lose or forget your belongings while traveling is to frequently unpack and repack your bags. That’s why the bag that I use on the plane for my headphones, iPad, passport, etc never goes out with me on day trips. Instead, I bring a second, easy-to-pack backpack with me. My favorite is the Patagonia Lightweight Travel Pack. It’s a tad pricey, but it’s far more durable than other travel packs out there, has a few easy to access pockets and packs down to a fantastically convenient size.
5. Baby Powder
I’ll end the same way I started, by discussing my crotch. Whether I’m going someplace hot and humid or ice cold, I always bring some baby powder with me. If you’ve ever gotten a heat rash or – and let’s all behave ourselves now – crotch rot, you know how uncomfortable and trip-ruining it is. Rather than overpay for expensive talcum powders that often come in large bottles, I opt for a simple travel-sized bottle of Johnson’s baby powder or a store brand if they have one.
Curious about what other travelers have on their “Five Things” list? The entire series is here.
Posted by Pam in General Gear, Travel Light on July 1st, 2011
Hi-tech (but soft) Underwear from Polarmax
Kara and I have raved before on here about travel underwear from ExOfficio and Tilley, but Polarmax wants to get into the game with something made from cotton.
This is not your department store cotton underwear though, it’s “TransDry cotton” that is supposed to breathe and wick away moisture. “Wicking cotton?” Yes, it sounds like an oxymoron, but the short version of the story is that the fibers are treated so they’ll take on more characteristics of synthetics, but still feel a whole lot softer against your skin.
These AYG Boxer Briefs (from the All Year Gear collection) do indeed feel great. As soft and comfy as any other cotton underwear I’ve worn. I don’t have a lab to run any wicking tests on them, but they do seem to stay dry better than Hanes and the like and they’re treated with Acclimate Fresh technology that makes them anti-microbial.
Alas, cotton is still cotton when it comes to sink washing on the road. When I washed these, a pair of ExOfficio underwear, and a pair of regular cotton underwear about the same size, these dried faster than the regular ones, but not by much. They took an hour longer in the outside breeze than the synthetic ones, so figure two hours more than synthetics (at least) indoors.
Still, you can wear these longer than regular cotton before you need to wash them, they dry a bit more quickly, and they’re comfy. (There’s 4% spandex to make them a little stretchy too.) So I’ll be packing them for many trips, especially when I’ve got some others to sink wash in a pinch. For men they come in the boxer brief style pictured at the top, a shorter sports brief, and regular boxers. They make styles for women too: see the whole AYG TransDRY cotton collection here.
The best bets for finding Polarmax boxers is to order from Amazon or hunt around at the sites on this dealer locator.
Posted by Tim L. in General Gear on June 8th, 2011
5 Things I Always Pack: Pam Mandel
Pam Mandel is a freelance writer stricken with wanderlust and a bizarre affection for the ukulele. She’s written stories for World Hum, National Geographic’s Intelligent Traveler, MSN, WGBH Boston (an NPR affiliate), Perceptive Travel, and lots of online travel publications. She’s a recovering guidebook author (British Columbia and Hawaii for Thomas Cook). Next up on her travels is Antarctica, as a blogger for TravelWild.
The really cool part? She’s about to start regularly blogging for us here at Practical Travel Gear. We had her give us our picks before that went down though, so here’s what she packs for her worldwide adventures:
1. Noise-canceling headphones
Good news, everyone! The price on these things has come way down since that fancy brand hit the market with their luxury headphones. I’ve got a pair from Able Planet, and while I’ve never compared them with the pricier brands, I can tell you my set really does cut down on noise, big time. They’re on the must have list for long-haul flights; I rarely travel without them. Bonus? They come in plaid.
2. Pashmina shawl
I am not a fancy person, not by a long shot. But that does not mean I can’t appreciate a soft, cuddly, and elegant even, wrap. I have a few of these, they take up almost no space in my luggage. I use them for extra warmth on the plane, as an evening wrap in the tropics, wrapped around my head when I’m somewhere windy and feeling a little bit wacky… they’re versatile and not as expensive as you’d think.
3. Pepto Bismol
Oh so unglamorous. But what’s worse than having to sit through a long bus trip or flight when you need to leg it for the loo every 23 minutes? It’s also good for settling general travel nausea, and hey, it’s pink and comes in TSA-friendly chewable tablets.
4. Merino wool long underwear
Lightweight, warm, washable, not too heavy if the weather goes sunny on you… I don’t leave home without it. I wear the bottoms as leggings under a skirt sometimes, or the whole set as jammies. I pack ‘em even for the tropics, you never know when it’s going to get chilly — sometimes I just wear them as a base layer on a long flight — planes are often too cold. Lots of folks make them, SmartWool (pictured at right) and Ibex are my favorites.
5. A plastic bag
Yeah, yeah, I know, plastic is evil, use something recyclable. Thing is, sometimes there are dirty shoes or a wet swimsuit or a leaky bottle of sunscreen or who knows what oddball item you have to wrap up and keep isolated from the other stuff in your bag? If it’s any consolation, I have started to throw in a reusable shopping bag too. Confession: Sometimes I poach the laundry bags from hotel closets because they’re slightly heavier weight and have those drawstring closures on them.
Pam blogs about Hawaii at Holoholo Wale and Nerd’s Eye View. If asked to list a sixth item, she’d have included her ukulele.
Posted by Kara in General Gear on January 25th, 2011
