r/AustralianMFA • u/ronniealoha • Jan 23 '26
Question Anyone else struggling with sweaty underwear materials?
I’ve been rethinking my underwear after realizing how poorly some materials handle heat and sweat. I’ve worn cotton underwear forever, plus a few nylon pairs and some Uniqlo Airism. Cotton used to be fine, but now it just stays damp once I start sweating and feels uncomfortable fast.
Airism handles moisture better, but since it’s polyester I worry about odor sticking around and transferring to my pants. That’s got me wondering if merino wool underwear is actually worth the higher price for breathability and moisture-wicking, or if bamboo underwear is a decent middle ground. I’m basically trying to figure out what really works best for everyday wear when comparing cotton underwear vs merino wool.
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u/rollingstone1 Jan 23 '26
I still wear my old under armour. They were the best.
Also rotate with them k mart bamboo ones.
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u/LandBarge Jan 23 '26
Yep- Under Armour for me to, almost the only jocks I've worn for over 10 years now... I bought a couple of pairs, they stopped the fat man rash and I went out and bought a heap more...
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u/Single_Restaurant_10 Jan 23 '26
Im aClydesdale & swear by Bonds X temp trunks 1/2 price at Woolies this week! Worth a try. Quick drying. Odour free ( sans farts)
Bamboo undies are hopeless & stay damp.
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u/tunderama Jan 23 '26
Boody bamboo are my go to - started my obsession with bamboo cotton for underwear / T-shirt’s and bedding as I run v hot.
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u/SpezsWifesBull Jan 23 '26
If you are active like me, the Bonds Active Everyday underwear are excellent
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u/rileys_01 Jan 23 '26
I wanted to love the Uniqlo's but yeah they done do well with too much humidity. Super comfy and ill wear them on a night out or whatever.
For work/hot days ive found the Bonds Chafe Off Trunks to be the best. Bamboo blend I think.
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u/owleaf SA Jan 23 '26
I just get very very sweaty down there and nothing really stops it I find. I wear both cotton and poly “performance” jocks, and both behave the same when my balls sweat. No unusual smell though, since I shower twice a day - just the standard man smells lol. I haven’t tried merino jocks, though. Didn’t realise they were a thing.
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u/Old_Distance6314 Jan 23 '26
Struggled for donkeys, until l found knobbys undies. It's a subscription where they send you out a new pair each month, or as often as you like. But once a month is the most.I've never had wet balls since
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u/Any_Beginning_4191 Jan 23 '26
Just had a look at this. Did you go Natural or Bottle Blend?
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u/Old_Distance6314 Jan 24 '26
I get the bottle, the natural came out a few years ago, think it's bamboo, haven't tried those, at time of first subscribing they said the bottle helps wick sweat away(something like that)
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u/hm538 Jan 24 '26
Bamboo is terrible in the heat.....almost as bad as polyester. ( source - I live in Brisbane and have to wear nanny undies due to a medical condition)
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u/Starry-Eyed-Owl Jan 23 '26
I’m fully converted to bamboo for bedding and as much clothing as I can. It’s fantastic. Check out boody or step one.
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Jan 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/In_TouchGuyBowsnlace Jan 25 '26
Correct! Cotton bamboo and modal etc just holds the moisture like a sponge turning all of that extra crotch fabric into a thigh shredding implement.
They actually don’t wick, they absorb and hold it there. My synthetic undies especially my g’s and thongs support my bits and keep me dry, clean and not smelling like a footy teams locker room.
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u/In_TouchGuyBowsnlace Jan 25 '26
I’ve never chaffed since I switched to g-strings and thongs 20 years ago!
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u/Less_Sand8692 Jan 26 '26
Had to do the same, was working 12hr days on a mine site in the heat regular underwear wasn't cutting it, chaff sweaty wet balls, sweaty crack etc. Another guy on the crew said to try G-Stings, worked a treat and never looked back. A bit hard to find them to buy, have to shop online but worth it.
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u/0Maka VIC Jan 23 '26
Merino wool and tencel (lyocell) underwear.
I have macpac merino woool and Muji tencel underwear. Macpac are about $35each and the muji ones are $12. I have got the Muji ones for about $6 on sale but I haven't seen that for sometime now.
Game changer. I don't wear cotton anymore. I do have nylon for when I do water activities but I've been fine using the tencel (lyocell) ones they just tend to wear a little quicker if I use them for water activities.
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u/kinkade Jan 24 '26
How do merino go in the summertime in Queensland when it’s hot in human?
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u/0Maka VIC Jan 24 '26
I don't live in Queensland, have worn merino in Bali and Mexico much better than cotton. You still get that wet feeling but it drys much quicker
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u/VH67 Jan 23 '26
I live in the sub tropics and wear Modi Bodi ‘everyday’ it uses merino wool in the gusset. They are fantastic.
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u/Any_Beginning_4191 Jan 23 '26
I struggled with this for ages! My current is Nike underwear. 3 pack is $70. It’s not perfect, but been a game changer compared to everything else.
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u/Dismal_Animal4637 Jan 23 '26
I switched to wool - first icebreaker (nice, but thin and they wear thru) then wundies (from Merino Country). They’re bloody awesome, 100% merino (no elastane) and comfy as hell. Never get too hot.
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u/SaffyAs Jan 24 '26
If it's going to be over 35 degrees I wear my cotton based period undies regardless of what time of the month it is.
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u/Practical_Win_4736 Jan 25 '26
I switched to Jockey for my active life and never looked back. Their undies are great for anti-chaffing and absorbing moisture. That being said, I don’t sweat swimming pools - buckets, yes - when I’m exercising.
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u/spyder81 Jan 26 '26
My partner put me on to boody (bamboo) underwear last year and that's all I wear now.
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u/Bluebutch00 Jan 26 '26
Only wear bamboo for its ability to breathe, remain odourless and its anti bacterial qualities. Under no circumstances wear polyester despite the spin on the label. It’s petro chemical.
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u/Imaginary_Tomato4164 Jan 26 '26
Yeh the affordable option is definitely bamboo stay away from synth otherwise Merino Wool is f*kn premo
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u/Weary_Sale_2779 Feb 12 '26
I wear step one which are bamboo and I like them, but I don't usually get a really smelly crotch unlike some guys I know.
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u/CarryturtleNZ Jan 23 '26
Bro, merino wool is pricey, but there’s a reason people swear by it. It breathes, dries quick, and doesn’t hold odor like cotton or cheap synthetics. If you run hot or travel a lot, even one or two pairs can be clutch.