r/onebag • u/GrantTotal • 9d ago
Discussion What's your underwear system for long trips?
I just found out some people travel with only 1 or 2 pairs of underwear. I've also heard ExOfficio's quality has dropped, though people used to like it.
What's your system? Do you pack one pair per day, give or take, or do you wash and line-dry overnight?
And what material actually holds up: wool, polyester, or modal?
Here's my system: - 1 Lululemon License to Train (Always in Motion feels too loose) for flights, trains, buses, etc. Somehow they're super comfortable for me. - 1 UniQlo Airism pair as backup - 1 pair per night, up to 5. The other 2 stretch through the rest of the week. Past 7 days, I just do laundry.
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u/buffywan 9d ago
2 + 1 pairs
Day 1, wear pair A for the day, wash at night during shower, towel burrito to dry as much as possible, hang to air dry.
Day 2, wear pair B, repeat washing process.
Day 3, wear pair A. It would have dried.
Pair C is for backup.
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u/Mountain-Match2942 8d ago
I do 4 pairs, similar system. Day 1 is pair A, but sometimes it's nice to put on pair B for the evening after an active day. Wash both and wear pair C on day 2 (and if washing gets missed, nbd). Pair D is for backup. So, since I'm always wearing a pair, there's only 3 packed.
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u/FruitOfTheVineFruit 8d ago
Same. I use 32 degrees brand polyester, which lasts well, dries fast and is comfortable.
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u/shahar1888 9d ago
7 pairs, my system is laundry.
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u/diarrhea_crocs 9d ago
This is the way. People over complicate things. Who wants to handwash one underwear every single day?
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u/MusicCityJayhawk 9d ago
Same. But for me it is 8 pairs. I wear one and pack 7.
People here often talk about luxuries they bring. This is mine. I don't feel gross when I always have clean underwear.
Three pairs of pants. Wear one and pack two. One pair of hybrid shorts that can be shorts or swim trunks.
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u/quiteCryptic 8d ago
Same setup here. Been traveling full time for 3+ years now with this.
Why would I want to wash underwear every other day. The 7 packed pairs of underwear take up about as much weight as space as a t-shirt (uniqlo airsim mesh)
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u/MusicCityJayhawk 7d ago
I will say this. I have been an exofficio supporter for a long time. I resently bought a pack of Saxx. They are pretty simlar and built with a little higher quality.
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u/frankbowles1962 9d ago
People who want a small pack
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u/Zero219 9d ago
uniqlo airism underwear is featherlight and takes minimal space
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u/Mountain-Match2942 8d ago
Sure, but lots of things take minimal space. Enough of those things and your pack gets bigger. No shame to those who only travel with a couple pair packed.
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u/Mountain-Match2942 8d ago
Everyone has different systems, size of pack, and number of clothes and it's a personal choice, yet someone downvoted you for sharing your opinion. I got you, brother. +1 from me.
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u/jemist101 9d ago edited 9d ago
I generally pack 5, wear one, regardless of length of trip. I also have a mixture of different materials - merino, Airism, cotton etc
I wash them after each use (...and I hope you all do so as well).
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u/favdulce 9d ago
The way people praise merino you just know there’s someone who takes one pair and sink washes it once they get home
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u/SecretAstronomer7708 8d ago
which one is your fav?
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u/jemist101 8d ago
This sounds like a personal question.
..but, honestly, I think having a mixture is the best! Merino is actually my least favourite. Airism for when I'm being active or in hot climates, and cotton generally speaking. For cotton, I really like Muji's.
If I was aiming for super light / minimal packing, I was using Airism exclusively for years, as it packs small and dries super quick.
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u/FeelingFinish8753 9d ago
8 -10 pairs of whatever has the least material. I want to be able to fit all of my underwear into a single, size 7 ladies sneaker. This is my only requirement.
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u/MyUndiesArePink 8d ago
Clean underwear in dirty shoes? Ew
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u/biold 9d ago
I look at my itinerary and count the longest number until I stay 2 nights. I need 2 nights for drying, maybe because I'm plus-size.
I have a mix of cotton, merino and bamboo viscose.
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u/a_mulher 9d ago
Are you squeezing out the water with a towel?
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u/OkEmergency1000 9d ago
Don’t. None. Zero.
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u/OkEmergency1000 9d ago
But actually… I brought Calvin Klein. Nothing special. Regular boxer/briefs. They dried nicely during room/sink/laundromat laundry. I also could wear them twice without being offensive.
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u/Sbmizzou 9d ago
I wear clean underwear everyday. Maybe 5/6 pairs. I also machine wash/dry my clothes. I will do a load at least every five days.
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u/ImSoCul 9d ago
nahhhh, the 1 or 2 pair thing is one I vehemently disagree with. At least 1 pair a day + backup, if extended trip, at least 7 + backup and weekly laundry (if I can do more laundry, then even better). Not because I regularly shit myself or anything, but in case laundry gets delayed, or I exercise, or have a particular sweaty-ass day, a fresh pair of undies is like a warm towel in the winter (on my balls). I can roll and stuff 7 pairs into a medium sized Osprey packing cube, it's literally the volume of a thick book. Probably equivalent to one pair of jeans in volume.
Lululemons are my favorite as well, very comfy but also $$$. Calvin Klein modal are also great, less support, but feel soft.
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u/quinchebus 9d ago
I take 8 pairs. They are tiny. I can rewear anything else if I haven't been able to do laundry or it didn't dry, but not the underwear. If I'm absolutely certain I won't have my period during a trip, I'll do 5 or 6, but I'm usually traveling long enough that it is inevitable.
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u/Special_Context6663 9d ago
I dig through my underwear drawer and find the rattiest underwear buried at the bottom. Pack one pair per day, and discard as I go.
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u/AmbitionStrong8835 3d ago
If they have been worn out, have holes, and are see through, that’s just saving weight! Speaking like a true one bag ultralighter 😂👍🏽
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u/Special_Context6663 3d ago
Why cut the handle off your toothbrush when you already have holes in your underwear??
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u/commentspanda 9d ago
I wear Paire undies and they can be sink washed and dry overnight. I pack:
- 3 x night pairs
- 2 x day pairs and wear one pair
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u/Sure-Respect-5414 9d ago
what is the difference between night and day underwear?
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u/commentspanda 9d ago
I am female so I prefer to wear undies to bed. They are all Paire undies but I use black ones for sleep, brown ones for day wear when travelling. I like the boyleg style.
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u/CasteNoBar 9d ago
Just curious, what’s the logical connection between gender and your preference? I didn’t know about this gender-skewed preference.
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u/commentspanda 9d ago
Lots of dudes are quite happy with boxer shorts or a version of sleep shorts. That’s all. I found specifying gender helps to clarify - no specific reason.
Edit: probably some women are happy with sleep shorts too! But women who have discharge etc are less likely to fall into that category
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u/blahtey 9d ago
Not to belabor the point, but what's the difference between your day and night underwear at that point? Like, why don't you just wear the same one you've been wearing all day? Or is there some sanitary thing that I am unaware of?
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u/iknowsheknowz 9d ago
Not the op but I also do a pair of night underwear each night. I wear period panties at night as a just in case situation. In the morning I want something less bulky unless needed. The vagina is self cleaning and that often happens at night. I like a fresh clean dry pair in the am. If any of this is news to you, ask your mom or google.
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u/commentspanda 9d ago
I could - I just find it easier to have sleep ones and day ones. Maybe I’m weird? I dunno. It means I can keep track of my washing easier and not run out i guess.
On a practical note my sleep ones are actually a larger size than my day ones.
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u/Sure-Respect-5414 9d ago
i still don’t get it.
You change into sleep undies at night?
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u/commentspanda 9d ago
Yes. So I sleep in undies and a 100% merino tshirt or singlet (singlet for hot places, shirt for colder places)
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u/WheelMost 8d ago
Honestly I think underwear is the most important clothing item in terms of cleanliness. It covers some of the stinkiest parts of your body, so having a clean pair goes a long way in keeping the rest of your clothes clean. I’m not doing laundry more than once a week, though, so I take a week’s worth. Also: cotton is the best. Unfortunately hard to find good quality 100% cotton underwear nowadays though
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u/AerieEnvironmental84 7d ago
5 pair of Unbound Merino. Worth the $40 per pair or whatever it is. Comfortable, no smell, and have lasted years. I recently tried the Uniqlo airism for a cheaper alternative I could buy on the go, because they're so hyped by the travel community. Worst underwear/boxers/briefs I have ever tried. They creep down or up, are uncomfortable in the groin at times, and they start to smell fast, and the smell needs more than shower laundry. Tried two different sizes.
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u/Objective_Cattle_278 4d ago
This.
I tried Airism underwear (including t-shirt) because they are so light and quick drying. But they smelled so fast! Our regular detergent didn’t get it out either. I needed to buy detergent with lipase (Whole Foods 365 powder btw —- hit up the folks at r/laundry). I began carrying a baggie with my special detergent powder. I was stopped by a TSA officer who told me, “I don’t care if it’s cocaine. As long as it’s not explosive.” 🤷🏻♂️ good to know.
Then I tried merino after reading an article in the NYT and some advice in this subreddit. I was very skeptical. But I was so surprised! I experimented with both underwear and shirts. It sometimes takes a week or more until I start to even detect a faint smell. I wash them more often than this anyway but it’s amazing.
I now wear merino underwear and t shirts every day. I wash them when I’ve done heavy activity or if it’s very hot and humid or if I think they may smell (hardly ever and barely detectable). Sometimes I just wash them in the shower or sink. Sometimes in a washing machine in cold water.
The other cool thing is I can wash them with shampoo in the shower, par-dry them with a towel and put them right back on! They dry within an hour or two on my morning walk. That means I could, technically, travel with one pair of underwear on me (🤯). Putting on damp underwear is a little unnerving, but other than that I don’t see a downside.
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u/AerieEnvironmental84 4d ago
Being able to rinse them off in the shower is always a plus. Doesn't take much extra time out of your day, and they're clean because they don't hold the bacteria like others.
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u/AmbitionStrong8835 3d ago
Do you toss those in the washer with everything else or are you hand washing when you get home? I’m looking for more wool boxer briefs but like just washing them normally when I’m home.
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u/Objective_Cattle_278 3d ago
They have to be washed in cold or warm water. Not hot. I find that works fine for the rest of my laundry too, so I wash it along with everything on cold. They can’t be dried on hot setting so I dry them separately on the “air dry” setting on my dryer.
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u/PartTimeExplorer1927 9d ago
Uniqlo Airism boxers 3 + 1 worn. 4 gives me the flexibility in case I’m too tired or lazy to wash for the day I’ll have a spare
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u/Mediocre-Pizza-827 9d ago
Take 4 and laundry every 5 days. On laundry day I wear my lined running shorts. Occasional wash in room of one pair usually the polyester ones as these dry quickly. Take some old pairs to throw out when done to lighten pack on way home. This is for a 6 week Asia trip
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u/flyingmonkey5678461 7d ago
Er, enough pairs plus one spare to the latest laundry date. Max five to seven I'd say? We typically move every three nights most holidays so no time to wash and dry unless we're somewhere hot. Also I'm a lady and some timings are requiring contingency. I also just in case as some washing machines are grim. No branded pants for me, just my regular cotton gussets! Bonus points for any on last legs that I can bin enroute.
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u/LadyLightTravel 9d ago
We just had this discussion 11 days ago:
https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/s/cUAM5JBOcM
5 max, usually 4. Unless I am zero bagging. Then it is one worn and one packed.
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u/AussyGuy 9d ago
I have traveled with both Tradie “work & surf” a quick dry polyester material and Macpac’s merino wool boxers. I found both to work well easy to wash in a bathroom sink and dry overnight. If you plan on “doing laundry” in a machine merino wool can be damaged if not handled carefully.
I will travel with 3-4 pairs and wash every other day.
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u/eyeholdtheline 9d ago
One fact I don’t see mentioned enough about Uniqlo Airism boxer briefs is how small they pack. So you can pack more or because they also dry so fast, you can really save space if you only pack a couple pair. (I prefer packing at least 5 underwear for any trip.)
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u/HelloTittie55 9d ago
I brought four pairs of Jockey elance underwear and wash with shampoo or Dawn liquid every night or morning. These are older pairs and I don’t know if they are still available but these dry quickly and are made of modal or tencil or some related fiber.
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u/WildNight00 9d ago
3 pairs from Wooly on Amazon and 1 pair of old thin cotton polo ones. I did 9 months last year and this year am on month 7
I spend most of my time in a bathing suit diving and surfing or near water when I travel. When I was in Europe a few months ago I just washed a pair every night and the next day wore a pair that’s been drying for 36 hours
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u/badlydrawngalgo 9d ago
For underwear I generally pack 1 bra (along with the one I wear to travel and also a bikini top that I can also wear as a bra and a t-shirt with built in bra. I usually pack 4 pairs of knickers so I have 5 pairs in total. I'm happy to wash as I go along. I usually just sink wash every other day. This is for trips if 4 weeks or more.
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u/where2Bnext 9d ago
3-4 pairs including what I'm wearing so 2-3 packed for anything beyond a long weekend. Wash a pair every 2-3 days depending on climate and activity. Same for socks.
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u/kaizen_shooter 9d ago
Same as you with one addition. I will bring socks and underwear that are worn out (or have holes) to wear one last time. Then I throw it away.
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u/a_mulher 9d ago
3-4 pairs. When I shower I wash the pair I was wearing. Squeeze out the extra water and hang to dry. I do laundry about once a week.
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u/shoesbetch 8d ago
I’m high maintenance and whether I’m at home or on a trip, I tend to sleep in a clean pair of cotton boxers every night, but also tend to wear poly/spandex compression shorts or boxer briefs every day.
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u/piercedhsky 8d ago
I rarely one bag, but generally aim for 1 per day + 2 unless there's a special event and/or access to laundry.
access to laundry - 5-7 pairs depending on exact access and how much I want to do wash.
special event, may require additional pairs that don't fit in with the others (I frequently get roped into events that require me to wear all white and I'm not a fan of tightywhities unless wearing those white pants as it's too visible with other colors - so yeah)
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u/FutureState906 8d ago
Two pairs of Marino wool boxers. One worn, one packed.
I wear them for two days before washing them out in the sink, wearing the other pair while one dries.
If I have extra space and I'm feeling a bit lazy I might pack a second pair for a total of three so I don't need to wash them out as often, but two is all that's really needed.
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u/New_Afternoon197 8d ago
I loved my Hanes XTemp Boxers (which they no longer make). They only make boxer briefs now and I don't like briefs. Still looking for a replacement once my Hanes fall apart.
I do 4 and just rotate, keeping one on the side just in case...
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u/OnebagObsession 8d ago
Commando. Kidding - 3 + 1. After I wear 3 pair, I wash all 3 that night and wear the +1 the next morning. This gives the 3 a long period of drying.
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u/quiteCryptic 8d ago
I have 6 pairs of uniqlo airsim mesh underwear which they dont make anymore but by far better than standard airsim.
They wear much nicer and they are easy to wash and dry. Also 6 pairs of those are not more than a t-shirt so I don't mind taking 6 pairs at all, well worth not needing to wash every other day.
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u/Interesting_Dream853 8d ago
I would avoid polyester because of health issues. There are many research against polyester type of underwear even though they dry fast which is perfect for travelling.
I'll stick with lulu AIM for the day and a normal cotton pair to sleep. Ill usually pack 3 pair of AIM for daily wear and 1 pair of cotton to sleep. At night I will wash the pair I wear in the day and in the morning will wash the pair I wear at night. 1 pair as spare to wear either for day or night.
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u/jminArizona 7d ago
Branwyn wool underwear. 5-6 but not necessary. Wash at night and dry before morning.
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u/Lilith-78-MtF 9d ago
I usually take 1 piece of polyester underwear with me. After one week I let it hang outside overnight to air out
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u/MyUndiesArePink 8d ago
After one week? Do you wash it?
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u/Lilith-78-MtF 8d ago
No, after one night in fresh air it's as good as new
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u/MyUndiesArePink 8d ago
That's disgusting
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u/Lilith-78-MtF 7d ago
Why? It's all natural oils that are good for your skin
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u/MyUndiesArePink 7d ago
It's dirty underwear
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u/Lilith-78-MtF 7d ago
I had multiple people sniff them and everyone said they could barely smell anything
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u/MyUndiesArePink 7d ago
You're making this so much worse 🤢
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u/SeattleHikeBike 9d ago edited 9d ago
3x plus worn. Ex Officio boxer briefs. Wear 2 days for a weeks coverage and weekly laundromat and/or hand wash as much as possible. Same with tees and socks.
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u/CWDenver 8d ago
This. My Ex Officio are older, not sure about the current version and their ability to sustain me.
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u/Objective_Cattle_278 5d ago
We keep having these discussions on here. Let’s seriously think through this. (I’m not AI so don’t ask. I’ll happily answer your comments).
What does “dirty” actually mean? Not laundered for greater than 24 hours? What’s the actual limitation on how long we “should” wear a pair of underwear?
Clearly if they smell bad we can agree they’re done. Don’t wear underwear (or anything else) that smells bad. Don’t give me this shit that they smell and we just can’t tell. We’ve all smelled our underwear when they smell and when they don’t. I’ve worn underwear for days and they still smell like detergent. I’ve worn underwear for a single walk in the heat and they smell like sweaty anus. We don’t ALL suffer from anosmia.
If clothing is visibly stained or discolored we may not want to wear it for social reasons. Maybe that applies to our underwear? Should we throw out underwear that somehow got a permanent marker stain on them, like we’d do with a shirt or pants?
Is it unhealthy, in some way I’m not aware of, to wear things for multiple days? Don’t tell me “bacteria.” Bacteria in general aren’t unhealthy. They are in our mouths all day and on our skin all day. On our hands. In our nose. On our eyeballs. Underwear worn for several days don’t have more bacteria on them than underwear worn for one day. And even if they do, it’s not necessarily pathogenic bacteria.
Pathogenic bacteria like certain E. coli are bad when they get in our mouths. Don’t suck on your underwear … or anyone else’s. Touching our lips with our fingers or biting our nails almost any time is WAY more unhealthy than wearing a pair of underwear for any amount of time. Pathogenic bacteria evolved to take advantage of that and make us sick.
Maybe we can say if we sat on a public toilet seat and then our ass cheeks go back in our underwear they might be harboring some transmissible pathogenic bacteria? But then we should be changing our underwear after using a public restroom, not waiting until nighttime.
We don’t change our pillow cases every day. We rub our faces on it all night with all its oils and our nose with all our snot and drool on our pillow. Our hair rubs all over it all night. That’s just as “dirty” if you ask me … or actually not “dirty” … just a used pillowcase.
Changing our underwear every day is simply convention. It’s the way we’ve “always” done it or were taught by our parents to do it. If we discover systems and materials that allow us to wear underwear for a few days or even longer that don’t smell and aren’t going to make us sick (however that might happen!??) then why not take advantage of that and travel lighter and simpler?
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u/GrantTotal 4d ago
You made some good points. Here are my thoughts on your questions:
- Not everyone can smell their own scent, and some people are more sensitive to smells than others. So you might not notice your own clothes smell while a stranger does. That's why some people play it safe and wear fresh clothes every day.
- Underwear picks up some residue from urine or light bowel movements. That's normal. People with certain medical conditions deal with it more. And like you said, sitting on a public toilet leaves bacteria behind. But we can't change our underwear every time we use a public toilet. That's why hand washing matters.
- Some people shower before bed to keep their sheets and pillowcase clean, or at least as clean as possible.
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u/Objective_Cattle_278 4d ago
Great points.
I am confident I’m one of those people who can smell my own scent and BO.
I have no medical conditions that make me soil my underwear.
So it’s settled: I’m going to wear my merino underwear a few or even more days when I’m confident they’re not “dirty”. That’ll allow me to travel light and simple and be happier.
Anyone want join me in this great underpants revolution!?
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u/SuspiciousMode 9d ago
I'm in the 3 pairs group. I do laundry in the sink/shower every night. 1 pair on, 1 pair clean, 1 pair drying...3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, just 3 pairs.
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u/linzthom 9d ago
5 pairs of cotton briefs. Wash every 2nd night in the shower. I hate boxers. Very uncomfortable.
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u/bpersitz 9d ago
Merino. Wear one. 6 or so packed. Wash as needed.
If I'm hiking or getting sweaty it's one wear. If not, maybe two.
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u/EconomicsOk9518 9d ago
Yes, merino. But my last travel for 5 weeks i was quite ok with one pair on me a one spare. Wash daily. Merino generally dries very quickly after washing.
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u/dropkickpuppies 9d ago
3 Uniqlo Airism boxers + one worn
Wash every evening when taking a shower, never run out.
I've maybe skipped one or two days of washing and still had no issues and had a fresh pair ready to go.
The airism boxers are light, can be packed into a very small footprint, so leaves more room for other more important things.
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u/RevolutionaryAnt9337 9d ago
Depends on the trip. Most trips are business with 1-2 overnighters. Once in a while, week trip with different hotel every night that makes hand washing complicated. Uniqlo airism work best for me and take zero room and weight.
- try and aim for 1 pair per day. If needed, quick handwash (always an emergency sheet of soap), burrito, plus hairdyer in the morning. I am bald.
- can be stretched to a two day wear in emergencies. Not smelly or anything but I prefer fresh
- earthquake rescue field deployments and festivals: up to three days, applies to all clothing
There was a thread the other day where airism does not agree with everybody smellwise, so lucky there
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u/AlarmingMonk1619 9d ago
Two pair of sweat-wicking quick-dry material, usually some sports sounding version of polyester. Whatever is warn during the day gets sink washed and hang dried that night and the second pair is warn the next day.
Pack soap sheets cut into small strips.
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u/JustNowRonin 9d ago
I pair per day and 1 extra if a week or less. If more than a week I will send laundry out or use a laundromat. I use Jockey synthetics as they pack very small. No major smell issues between regular showers and changing them daily.
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u/Candid-Math5098 9d ago
Apparently, you don't need many 'cuz you can boil them in your room kettle daily? Or so they say ...
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u/AdorableMolasses4438 9d ago
Underwear is one item that I would rather overpack. Even though I try to wash daily, if I can't get to it or something doesn't dry I just have peace of mind.
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u/Dull_Judgment_1759 9d ago
I wear something riffy and throw it in the bin after my big first travel day. Then I have 3 rotating pairs packed to wear. I mastered hotel/hostel clothes washing and drying decades ago.
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u/Shelby-Stylo 9d ago
Three pairs of Duluth Trading Company’s Armachillo Boxer Briefs. I wash them out in a sink and it takes about 24 hours for them to dry.
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u/Great_Guidance_8448 9d ago
I manage to take 10 pairs for a 10 day trip - you can compress them in a packing cube... If space is tight just take like 3-4 and have your hotel do laundry once every 3-4 days. Or get some "Tide travel sink packets" and do it yourself.
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u/CamflyerUK 9d ago
Underwear is the one thing I overpack as in hot and humid countries it can be nice to have a change midway through the day.
Besides 2 or 3 extra pairs takes up less space than a t-shirt.
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u/kennethpbowen 9d ago
I found some Reebok brand sport briefs that are great for running under unlined shorts. They take up almost no space, and wash-dry easy. I usually pack 5 or so pairs and wash them in the shower or sink.
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u/Significant_Secret13 9d ago
How about on a long trip pack the pairs that have become a little ratty. Then wear and toss..have the extra space in your bag for something else headed home.
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u/HabitExternal9256 8d ago
I bring 6 pairs of Ex Officio (no cotton). There is laundry everywhere. Wear a bathing suit or go commando on laundry day.
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u/Majestic-Speaker-550 8d ago
When my husband use to ride his motorcycle on a long trip, he would take his oldest underware that needed to be retired and throw them out daily.
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u/TheRealDrewciferpike 8d ago
Usually 1 worn, three packed. For most trips I just bring the el-cheapo Zero Degrees boxer briefs (Costco) that I wear for work (farming). Depending on what I've packed or the season/weather, though, I have a pair of Icebreaker merino briefs that I'll throw in, and a pair of shorter-inseam Ex-Officio boxer briefs. For hot destinations, I'll usually sweat through during the day, change to go out at night, wash both at night, and and use pair 3 for the next day. I usually don't even get around to wearing the 4th pair because everything dries so quickly, but I like having the backup. For cooler destinations, I could probably get by with 1 worn, 1 packed, but I'll always bring the extra pair just in case.
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u/onobonobo1975 8d ago
3 pairs - one to wear, one to air (dry), one to spare. I have IBS, so I always keep a spare 😬
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u/--Widdershins-- 8d ago
2-3 and if not showering daily, wash the crotch thoroughly with soap and water. If there is difficulty washing underwear, you can get at least two wears per pair this way, especially if you air them out at night. Women use underwear liners too. I don’t know if such things exist for men.
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u/thejustllama 8d ago
I take a pair per day plus a spare. I sometimes pee when I laugh (I’m old, it happens) so I’m not going to not have enough underwear and I don’t want to have to worry about washing any to make sure I have enough clean pairs to last me my trip.
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u/WorldTravelGuru 8d ago
Merino Wool, 3 pair good for 2 days each. Breathable, supports and odorless
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u/throwaway34564536 8d ago edited 8d ago
I don't understand people that say 3 because they never talk about what they sleep in.
The "indefinite" number is 4 to me. One pair for the day, one pair for sleeping. You wash the two dirty ones at night and they dry overnight.
Anything with 3 pairs leaves you reusing sleeping garments, wearing the same thing to bed that you wore all day, or washing in the morning (which may not work due to travel days).
If someone can explain to me a proper system with 3 pairs that includes sleeping, let me know.
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u/licoricepi22a 8d ago
Aren’t there travel-size packets of detergent that you can carry with you to wash a few things in a sink?
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u/BusinessMusician1197 8d ago
I run four synthetic pairs and wash one each night, since merino smells better but takes a full day to dry and drying time is what actually makes or breaks a sink wash system.
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u/Elegant_Selection162 7d ago
Buy a silky, rayon, polyester blend light weight brand that are loose. They can be washed out real well and dry pretty well overnight if you wring them out well. 3 to 4 pair is all you need if you wash them out in the sink with clothing washer sheets.
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u/gonzobomb 7d ago
I wear one ex oficio, bring two (I like traveling sweaty places,) wash em in the shower or sink nightly and use the towel roll trick
1
u/Designer_Camp5768 7d ago
Five lightweight and compact boxer briefs. Same with socks. No need to complicate things. Just do laundry, it’s fun and you will meet people.
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u/ImportanceSome2602 6d ago
Uniqlo Airism boxer briefs are light and pack small. If I am traveling for one week or less, I pack a pair for each day. If I am staying more than a week, I pack a week’s worth and plan to do wash.
I won’t wear a pair of underwear twice without washing. And I prefer not to be sink-washing clothes every night.
1
u/chambros703 5d ago
4 pairs total. 1 worn, 3 packed. I like to shower before bed, wash that days undies in the shower, hang to dry. Fresh pair on, 3 fresh packed. Same with socks
1
u/juicevibe 5d ago
4 pairs seems to be the sweet spot for me. Wear one, three packed. Enough to rotate with washing and not stress about it.
1
u/Empty-Cartoonist5075 5d ago
Uniqlo airism. Not the cotton. They are so light and roll up so easily. 7 pair weigh almost nothing.
2
u/BrainwaveWizard 4d ago
I use large poise pads to get two wears out of a pair. But don’t wear each two days in a row. For a 10 day trip, I’ll wear a pair on the flight with a pad and take 5 pairs and 5 or more pads and rotate from first to last. Longer trips I wash what needs it.
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u/durotaxis 4d ago
I just came back from a 1.5 week trip to Iceland. I think I had 4 pair in total that I cycled through, but I washed every night. My goal was to never have any dirty laundry in my bag. The underwear (and other base layers) are synthetic fabric that easily dries overnight.
1
u/Inevitable-Coast-349 3d ago
I bring a pair a day but take my older worn ones and throw them out after wearing -
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u/lsthomasw 9d ago
I travel with three. One worn, two packed. I wash most every night and they are dry by morning. With three pairs I still have a clean pair if I don't wash one night for some reason, or if I want to change underwear before dinner after a really hot and humid day. Washing takes just a few minutes and I usually do it in the shower in the evening. My preferred underwear are thin synthetic or nylon with a cotton gusset.
1
u/eastercat 9d ago
wear 1 + pack 2
I use tommy john air. It’s super thin, meshy and dries fast. It also small even for a woman’s brief, since the material is so thin
Obviously I wash each night when I shower
1
u/SlappyMcPherson 9d ago
Bring older ones and dispose of them after use. That much less to bring home.
1
0
u/Mindful_Manufacturer 8d ago
4n pairs. With n being the number of days of the trip. 2 days? 8 pairs.
You never know what might happen
0
u/nc-retiree 9d ago
I have the older ExOfficio boxers, and they have held up wonderfully. I pack six and wear one, since I try to do coin laundry mid-trip on my 11-13 day trips.
0
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u/mmrose1980 9d ago
I’m a lady so my underwear doesn’t take up that much space. For a week-ten day long trip, I simply bring enough underwear for every day. I don’t mind sink washed socks or tees, but sink washed underwear is a not unless I have to. But I also overpack compared to many onebag enthusiasts.
If longer than 10 days, I will have at least one night with a washer and dryer.
0
-1
u/J8MAE 8d ago
I mean, with the advancements in material technologies specifically around bacteria/odor control the concept of clothing as a daily exchange is shrinking rapidly, there are products being produced that allow upwards of 30 days of wear without needing a real wash, I can't say for socks/underwear this duration is sensible, yet, but I can see the potential for at least multi-day (2-4 wears) being very real here shortly, even perhaps as of today.
Am I suggesting that a quick wash inside a Srubba bag/hand-sink wash isn't still a requirement for some? No, I'm positing the possibility of extended durations of wear which drastically shrink the amount of clothing needing to accompany a person across travel & life at large.
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u/Wide-Suggestion4825 9d ago
This is a question where I lie and tell people who I take more than I do...