Review – Page 29 – Underwear News Briefs

In Men's Underwear

Review – New Balance Hip Brief

June 3, 2011 No Comments

Anyone who owns some form of sportswear is able to attest to the name New Balance as being one that brings with it a reputation of being a leader in the sports clothing industry. Even I have gone through several pairs of shoes and clothing from this famous manufacturer. I was excited about trying out their underwear and was curious if the pair I was asked to review would live up to the same standards that I’ve become accustomed to with their other line of products.

The particular pair was the hip brief which is constructed from 87% Polyester and 13% Elastane materials. These briefs felt incredible during a rigorous workout which included 30 minutes on the elliptical machine. With the additional multi-panel construction in the pouch area, the brief provided additional support for a perfect fit while keeping me dry. New Balance advertises their underwear with a moisture and odor control feature; however, I’m not convinced this is technically possible after numerous washes. So far, I’ve been very pleased with quality and construction of this pair after multiple washes.

As shown in the picture, this high quality brief is constructed with a contoured New Balance signature waistband and a closed fly. The lightweight blend and flexible materials keep the brief in place around the legs and buttocks. The traditional style comes in the following colors: white (as shown), gray, black, blue and red. I would consider the hip brief one of the best pair of white briefs I’ve tested in a long time and would highly recommend them to anyone. If you’re looking for a traditional brief, or curious about their other lines which include trunks, boxer briefs, and boxer shorts, you should seriously consider giving them a try. With the classic looks and styles we’ve come to appreciate from New Balance, you simply can’t go wrong.

Personal scoring as follows:

Fit:	5.0
Materials:	5.0
Construction:	5.0
Look:	5.0
Daily Wear:	5.0
Overall:	5.0

This boxer brief was provided by New Balanceand can be purchased directly from their website at the following:http://www.newbalanceunderwear.com

In Men's Underwear

Review New Balance Sport Brief

June 2, 2011 No Comments

I think people like to be startled; you know, like when you peel back the paper of a can of biscuit dough and wince as you anticipate the “pop!” Come on, you know you like that. Relieved of its pressure, the dough bulged and squeezes partially out of the can. Well, that’s sort of how I felt when I wore the New Balance Sport Brief. Not the “pop!”, but the emerging dough.

In the world of compression shorts and underwear, there are two types of gear: those that make room for your boys and those that just wanna squash ’em flat. The NB Sport Brief was the latter. My boy parts were compressed and bulging out of these briefs in a way that would have impressed Pillsbury. Compression shorts really ought to provide some sort of contour pouch. It might work for sports bras to compress everything down to maintain control, but men’s parts are different and need lift and cradling. I was adjusting these undies all day.

I wore them twice, once to work (a sedentary office job), and then to the gym a few days later, thinking that the second wearing might offer some reprieve–perhaps the front stretched out a bit from the previous wearing? No dice. Again, a contour pouch would improve this underwear 100%. They look great, the waistband is firm and stays in place and doesn’t roll (even during kickboxing), and the flat piping around the leg holes was very comfortable. The material is very lightweight and allowed my body heat to escape nicely.

What I did like

Waistband
Material

What I didn’t like:

No pouch

Fit:	2
Materials:	5
Construction:	2
Look:	4
Daily Wear:	1
Overall:	2.8

These were furnished by New Balance for review

In Men's Underwear

Review – New Balance Boxer Briefs

June 1, 2011 No Comments

New Balance boxer briefs are not normally what enters my mind when I decide to try a new pair of boxer briefs. New Balance is a shoe company, after all. With a boxer-brief from a shoe company, one would expect a mixture of leather and breathable fabric with a large NB emblem in the middle of the waistband and a high arch in the back. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the experience.

This two pack of boxer-briefs from New Balance came in black and black with a neon green waistband and small NB on the lower left leg opening. I found the styling to be appropriate, the fabric soft and stretchy (95% cotton, 5% Elasthane), and the fit adequate. When I first pulled the boxer-briefs out of the package, I thought the style was fairly similar to other boxer briefs I have tried except these had no pouch. I do not mind a pair of underwear not having a pouch if the fabric is stretchy and conforming. The New Balance boxer-brief is definitely stretchy and appears to have been made for comfort. After trying them on, the fabric was soft and the fit was good.

First I wore this boxer-brief for normal daily activity and found it to be comfortable and soft. I wore dress pants and they slipped up over the boxer-brief easily and never felt like they were sticking to the fabric or pulling on my pants. I cannot stand a pair of underwear which feels like they are being pulled on by my outer layer of clothing. Next, I wore them to the gym where they were subjected to five miles on the elliptical machine and weightlifting. I like boxer-briefs at the gym as they keep you from chafing and these were no exception. I enjoyed wearing them to the gym more than wearing them as daily underwear.

Overall, the fit was great and true to size large before and after washing and drying. The fabric was soft and conforming. The style was fairly normal and I liked the stripe around the waistband. Although I really enjoyed this pair of boxer-briefs, there are a couple of negatives associated with them. First, the price is $29 for the two boxer-briefs. After a few web searches, I was able to find them for $21 with free shipping from a website, so price may not be an issue after all. Second, some guys will not like the lack of a pouch, but it was stretchy and conforming enough for me.

PROS

Fit
Style
Design
Fabric

CONS

Price
Lack of Pouch

Fit	4
Materials	4
Construction	4
Look	3.5
Daily Wear	4
OVERALL	3.9
*OUT of 5*

This pair was furnished for review by New Balance

In Men's Underwear

Review: New Balance Total Fit Lifestyle Trunk 3

May 29, 2011 No Comments

The New Balance Total Fit Lifestyle Trunk 3 is the perfect trunk for guys who jog or run a lot, or who have a job that requires a great deal of heat and sweating to complete. They are made from a soft 87% polyester and 13% Elasthane blend, and are lightweight and maneuverable. Built with a contoured Total-Fit closed fly (no fly, no pouch), these trunks have Lightning Dry moisture control, which means you can stay dry and feel cool. The trunks include multi-panel construction for an advanced, comfortable fit and breathability. In addition to the previous features, these trunks also have anti-odor and anti-microbial features.

Features:

3″ Inseam
Square-cut trunk
Lightweight
Articulated grip around leg, groin, and rear
4-panel construction for advanced fit and breathability
Contoured New Balance Total-Fit Closed Fly
Moisture & odor control
Locker hook and center panel in back

I decided that with all the features that these trunks have, I would wear them to the gym and see what happened. After a few miles on the elliptical machine, I checked for moisture on my body and was surprised to find none. Apparently, these trunks do what they are said to do. I found this to be the best feature of these trunks and, as with most trunks, I experienced zero chafing and things stayed in place during my workout. I do not mind the lack of a pouch because I like tight underwear while working out, but some guys might not like this particular feature.

Overall, the fit was great and true to size: large before and after washing and drying. The fabric was soft and conforming, but not stretchy. The style was fairly average, but I did like the steel gray color. Although I really enjoyed this pair of trunks, there were a couple of negatives associated with them. First, the price is $28 for the one pair of trunks. After a few web searches, I was able to find them for $16.99 +shipping from a website. Second, some guys will not like the lack of a pouch.

PROS

Fit
Style
Design
Fabric

CONS

Price
Lack of Pouch

Fit	3.5
Materials	4
Construction	4
Look	3.5
Daily Wear	3
OVERALL	3.6
*OUT of 5*

These were provide for review by New Balance.

In Men's Underwear

Review: New Balance Sports Brief 9

May 27, 2011 No Comments

New Balance is one of the newer entries into the men’s underwear market. They are best known for their footwear and not their underwear; however I think this may change. The entire underwear line is very sports focused which is broken into performance, lifestyles and essentials. I am seeing underwear for sports and active guys really take off. This doesn’t just include a jock, but boxer briefs, briefs and shirts as well.

The pair I reviewed is in the performance line—the Sports Brief 9. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s not a brief but, a longer boxer brief. As many of you know I’m not a fan of boxer briefs, especially longer ones. This pair, however, is the exception to my rule. I did enjoy the pair except for one thing—they were very warm! They were warm, not because of the material, but because I wore them to an event that was hot from the moment I got there till I left. Had I known that, I wouldn’t have worn them that day. These would be perfect for a cooler day. Summer, on the other hand, would not be the ideal day to wear them all day.

The pair itself fit quite well. I was very happy they kept their shape and that the legs didn’t ride up. They are made from 83% polyester and 17% elastine which makes them super stretchy. The length is longer than most. The pair has a 9 inch inseam while most traditional boxer briefs are around 4-6 inches. The colors available are red, blue grey black and white. I got the red pair which I think was a great color. They are really great underwear for running, being active or working out and give you extra support in the legs when you need it.

What I liked:

Support they give through out the day
Colors are not limited to black and white
They held their place all day
Very reasonable price

What I didn’t like:

They were extremely warm
Wish they had a cooler waistband (I love great waist bands) it’s pretty plain

Fit:
Materials:
Construction:
Look:
Daily Wear:
Overall:
Fit

These were furnished by New Balance for review. They are available at the New Balance store for $19.99

In Frank Dandy Underwear

Review: Frank Dandy Paper boxer-brief

May 22, 2011 No Comments

Hi everyone! I’m the new UNB reviewer/writer, Brad. For my first time out, I have test-driven a pair of Frank Dandy Originals boxer-briefs. Overall I really like them–good fit, comfortable cut, very comfortable fabric blend. They are a really comfortable pair of underwear.

The Frank Dandy Originals boxer-brief is a normal boxer-brief trunk cut made of 95% cotton and 5% elastane. The elastic waist band is black with “Frank Dandy” in white lettering around the waist. The boxer-brief is white with “Frank Daddy” in multicolored stenciling all over the boxer-brief.

I test-wore the boxer-briefs a couple of times to make sure I had a good idea of how they would perform while I was at work, the gym and just out and about. I was very pleased with how well they performed. At times it was like I wasn’t wearing anything at all! Very comfortable to sit in all day (with or without other clothes on…), even when traveling in a car in Georgia’s humid spring heat! I was a bit concerned with the gym since in my experience boxer-briefs tend to bunch up during crunches and cardio. To my surprise, the Frank Dandy Originals stayed perfectly in place during my entire workout with no irritation at all! Just like when I wore them through a normal day, it felt like I was wearing nothing at all at the gym. Add to that they are easy to maintain: throw them in with your colored laundry on a cold wash, then stick them in the dryer and you’re done.

On the whole I had very few complaints about these boxer-briefs. The first complaint I had was that they were a bit looser than what I was expecting. I prefer my briefs and boxer-briefs to be nice and tight on me and these were a smidge too loose. But this is a very minor complaint. My major complaint was the styling on the boxer-briefs. I felt at times like I was wearing a “happy birthday” banner as my underwear because of the bright, multi-colored Frank Dandy logo stenciled all over the white of the Originals. It might have looked better if there had only been a couple of colors used in the stenciling, but five bright colors were a bit much. That said, in the scheme of things these are fairly minor complaints.

PROS

Care
Wear
Design
Fabric

CONS

Look/styling
Fit

Fit	4
Materials	5
Construction	5
Look	3
Daily Wear	5
OVERALL	4

These were furnished for review by Kingston Lounge Now for review.

In Frank Dandy Underwear

Review: Frank Dandy Men’s Fish

May 21, 2011 No Comments

It wasn’t exactly love at first sight with the first pair of underwear I was given for this, my first review for Underwear News Briefs. But then love is blind and you’d almost have to be when you set your eyes on the Frank Dandy Fish Trunk. Radioactive sea-foam green meets Christmas red piping are a color combination that did indeed make me smile throughout the day—you know, just the thought of wearing brave colors under khakis is a cheery notion, but the screen-printed koi motif prevented me from walking around the locker room in my skivvies.

Now, I promise this review will get more favorable if you stay with me, gentle reader, but allow me one more cynicism: Functional-fly briefs are usually suspect in my book because the pouch region is usually never adequate in them. I require a lot of room up front, and fly briefs never seem to have the contoured pouch I prefer and I usually end up mitigating the Great Garment-Scrotal War, which is not attractive at a cocktail party to say the least. But behold! The Frank Dandy Fish Trunks were comfortable and supportive, and my cows didn’t try to escape. The overlapped panels of the fly adjusted to my package and kept everything up and out. So nicely supported was I that I wore them later that afternoon to the gym in lieu of my usual Bike jock. The rear panel hugged nicely too I might add.

What I did like

the colors
the ample pouch
good butt underwear

A few things you didn’t like about the pair and how they can improve

The screened-on koi pattern

Fit	2
Materials	5
Construction	2
Look:	5
Daily Wear	1
Overall:	2.6

This pair was furnished by Kingston Lounge Now. It is available on their site for $29 U.S.

Editors Note: Nick is a new writer/reviewer for UNB. Nick is an Atlanta-area underwear enthusiast who is always on the look-out for a great supportive pair of underwear or jockstrap. Briefs with pants. Jockstraps with jeans and gym gear. He usually goes commando in shorts all summer.

In 2(x)ist

Review: 2(x)ist Neon Sports Brief

May 17, 2011 No Comments

I remember when 2(x)ist first came on the underwear scene. They quickly became one of my favorites because they were one of the first to make underwear for men that men wanted to wear. I drifted away from them in the past few years. However, 2xist was recently on our podcast and went over some of their new lines and some of the upcoming styles. The Neon Line gave me a good opportunity to try them out again. I got a pair of the Neon Sports briefs size XL. The sizing fit pretty much true to size.

2xist always makes extremely well-constructed underwear. This one had a slight cosmetic fray of the seam at the leg however it wasn’t anything major with the construction.

I am a fan of briefs, so I was very happy they sent me the sports briefs. I the pair received was Mediterranean blue. The design with the side panel I found to be very cool. That said, the panels occasionally stretched a little strange at times. It wasn’t anything binding or constraining, but just noticeable.

What I liked:

Color: glad to see they are using some bright colors. I got the blue and it’s awesome
The design with the pouch and construction, a really cool look

What I didn’t Like:

Stitching came loose near the side panel. Luckily it’s just cosmetic
As much as I liked the design, sometimes the pieces at the leg openings pulled a little strange at times.

Fit:	4.5
Materials:	4.5
Construction:	4.0
Look:	4.5
Daily Wear:	4.5
Overall:	4.5

These were furnished by 2xist for review.

In Frank Dandy Underwear

Review: Frank Dandy Big Logo Boxer

May 16, 2011 No Comments

Frank Dandy is an underwear company out of Sweden and is known for it’s really fun and wild designs and patterns. This is one company not for the shy or those who want plain underwear. I first noticed the company about two years ago and they are never one to conform to standard rules of underwear.

I got to try the Big Logo Boxer. This pair is one with a black background with Frank Dandy Written in blue letters on. I loved the design because you couldn’t tell what it was at first, but the longer you look you will see it’s the letters spelling out Frank Dandy.

As the regular readers know, I am not a big fan of boxer briefs. I prefer briefs or trunks. The legs of boxer briefs will ride up a lot and will just drive me crazy—short trip, I know. I was a little worried but they fit very well, held their shape and didn’t ride up. They weren’t as tight as I would have liked but if they put more elastic in the legs I probably would have liked them more.

If you are a fan of boxer briefs I think you should definitely check out some of the fun designs Frank Dandy has to offer.

What I liked:

The design is fun and cool
Great Waistband

What I didn’t Like:

Could have been a bit tighter, I prefer boxer briefs that are tight
More elastic in the leg opens would have been nice

Fit:	4.5
Materials:	4.5
Construction:	4.0
Look:	4.5
Daily Wear:	4.5
Overall:	4.5
Fit	True

These were furnished by Kingston Lounge Now for review. They are the US Distributors for Frank Dandy.

In Men's Underwear

Review: Saxx Underwear Ultra Boxer Brief

May 14, 2011 No Comments

When I was in Las Vegas I got a sample pair of Saxx which I then put in my bag, brought home and promptly forgot about them until I finally unpacked a more than a month later. I know many people think when you go to Magic and Curve, you get tons of underwear to bring back home, but the opposite is true. Shows like these are designed for buyers and very few companies actually give out samples. Saxx is the only company I got a pair from this year.

The first thing I noticed is Saxx’s continued design innovation. This new design is made for guys who are active in sports, hiking and other vigorous activities where chafing is a concern and comfort is a must. However, when you first see it you will be going “HUH?” and will think there is no way this is going to work. But yet, it does work and works quite well. The pair has a lining that is perfect for an active guy.

Not all underwear is made alike, especially for the activities listed above. Not only does the design help prevent chaffing but it also wicks moisture away. If you are like me and are active, the last thing you want is wet underwear.

I didn’t wear these doing anything active—just normal daily activities. It still amazes me how well they fit. I love a pouch in my underwear and while this pair doesn’t have a traditional pouch, everything is still held together nicely .The construction is top notch and I had no issues with the qaulity. I have a friend who’s an HVAC technician and he got some of this same pair and loves them for working. So if you are in an active job or do a lot of activities, check out Saxx.

What I liked:

It’s a really innovative design for men’s underwear
They make a really great pair of underwear

What I didn’t Like:

Could have been a bit tighter, I prefer boxer briefs that are tight
Just available in black and white right now. I am looking forward to more colors

Fit:	4.5
Materials:	4.5
Construction:	4.0
Look:	4.5
Daily Wear:	4.5
Overall:	4.5
Fit	True

These were furnished by Saxx Underwear for review. You can see the entire line at the Saxx Site.

In Men's Underwear

Review – Naked Boxer Brief

May 12, 2011 No Comments

Trying the Naked boxerbrief from www.nakedboxerbrief.com was a fantastic experience. This boxer brief is like being naked. It fits close, but it is not tight or restrictive. When you rub your hands over the fabric and onto your own skin, it is hard to tell that you went from skin to fabric to skin. Strange? Maybe for some, but I felt this to be the best feature of this pair of boxerbriefs.

While filming a documentary in 2008 in South Africa for his charity, Project World Citizen, Joel Primus developed the idea for Naked underwear. When he returned to Canada, he could not find underwear that was like underwear he had seen in South Africa. After a couple of years of development, the brand became a reality. Thank goodness!

There are three basic styles for Naked underwear, boxer, boxerbrief, and brief. The boxer has longer legs than the boxerbrief, but retains the close fit and is not the normal boxer we tend to think it would be. There are no waistbands on Naked underwear as they would only be a distraction to the style and fit. The pouch is ample, supportive, and soft two-ply fabric. The fabric itself is from Italy and is 86% Polyamide and 14% Elastane (microfiber).

I wore this boxerbrief for normal daily activity and found it to be comfortable and soft. I wore khaki pants and they slipped up over the boxerbrief easily and never felt like they were sticking to the fabric and pulling on my pants. I hated to take them off at the end of the day.

Overall, the fit was great and true to size large. The fabric is some of the softest I have felt. The style was modern and made me think of life in the city in a loft. I love these boxerbriefs! I would like to try the brief from Naked and see if it has the same fit and overall niceness of fabric. Even though I really enjoyed this pair of boxerbriefs, there are a couple of negatives associated with them. First, the price is $42 for the boxer brief, $44 for the boxer, and $38 for the brief. While these are the best boxerbriefs I have ever worn, the price would prevent future purchases. Second, the lack of a waistband will bother some guys I am sure. Last, the care instructions are: Cold Wash, Hang Dry. This will deter some guys from purchase because having to wash your undies out in the sink and hang them to dry may not be the most convenient way of caring for your undies.

PROS

Fit
Style
Design
Fabric

CONS

Price
Care
Waistband (for some)

Fit	4
Materials	4
Construction	4
Look	4
Daily Wear	4
OVERALL	4

These were furnished by Naked and can be bought at the Naked Website for $42.

In Men's Underwear

Review: Sly Underwear The Real McKoi

May 10, 2011 No Comments

SLY Underwear, out of Australia, has the following information on their website: “Born amidst a flamboyant and forward thinking youth culture on Australia’s eastern shores, Sly Underwear provides an alternative in male underwear for those wanting to look and feel good from the bottom up.” After viewing their website, I would partially agree with their statement. The styling consists of a boxerbrief (workhard), long-legged boxerbrief (playharder), and a pair of boxer shorts (resteasy) which all reflect the reticence of young men to wear anything but a boxerbrief-type pair of underwear. The patterns/configurations are fun and up-to-date. I partucularly like the workhard pair with the gun printed on the side.

The pair I road-tested is the Real McKoi playharder boxerbrief in black and gold. This pair is 95% cotton and 5% elastane with a two-inch nylon/elastane waistband. This is a very soft fabric combination with a stretchiness that provides a lot of support and comfort. On the right trunk resides a gold koi fish that appears to be swimming upwards toward the torso when you have it on. Integrated into the small pouch is what SLY calls a “fire exit” for the forward facing endowed human beings (That’s a “fly” to us Yanks!). As mentioned, the actual pouch is rather small, but the fabric allows for stretch around your parts and it is the playharder boxerbrief meant for athletic activity.

I wore this pair of boxerbriefs for an entire day which included grocery shopping, teaching a college class, and a trip to the gym. The boxerbrief was fine for normal wear to the grocery store and for teaching class. Normally for the gym I wear a jock, but I decided to test out the playharder boxerbrief to see what would happen. The brief was supportive and kept things in place during rigorous cardiovascular exercise. The long legs were great and made for a very comfortable five miles.

Overall, this is a great pair of boxerbriefs. I enjoyed the fabric and the fit. The styling was spot-on and the design was modern. The size large was true to size and very wearable. On the negative side, I really do not like the two-inch waistband for everyday wear, but it could look nice peeking over the top of a pair of jeans. Also, the brief says not to tumble dry it. I think, for most men, that this may be a deterrent. Having to wash the brief and hang it or lay it flat to dry may be too many steps to complete.

PROS

Fit
Design
Pattern
Fabric

CONS

Large waistband
Special washing and drying

Fit	4
Materials	4
Construction	4
Look	4
Daily Wear	3
OVERALL	3.8

These were furnsihed for review by Sly Underwear.

In Men's Underwear

Naked Boxer Brief

April 29, 2011 No Comments

You’re browsing through the underwear department at your favorite store and your eyes immediately discover an interesting looking box or package of underwear but you’re not quite convinced what’s inside. Your curiosity gets the best of you and immediately the package is opened for further investigation. I recently experienced something similar upon receiving the latest pair of Naked Boxer Briefs. The mere weight and size of the boxer brief alone had me wanting to know more and eager to experience for myself. Boy was I pleasantly surprised and for all the right reasons!

This particular style, simply called Boxer Brief Black, came with no visual surprises as they definitely looked like the traditional boxer. This manufacturer takes it to whole new level. These boxers consist of a seamless, fitted, no waistband design and are extremely sleek and lightweight. The simple design is constructed from 86% Polyamide and 14% Elastane. This Italian microfiber blend fits seamlessly to your body yet provides the proper fit and support. With the spacious crotch and reinforced seam around the legs, there’s no need for worry.

As shown in the picture, the high quality brief has a slight sheen that looks classic, and carries a simplistic, elegant style. This includes the brushed steal colored signature “Naked” name printed on the upper left hip. I found these extremely light weight and incredibly comfortable throughout the entire day. I wore these all day at work and in the gym and not once did I have to be concerned with adequate support you would often fear from wearing such a lightweight brief. I would consider this one of the best pair of boxer briefs I’ve tested in a long time and would highly recommend them to anyone. Don’t be surprised, however, by the extreme elasticity of this pair. There’s no need in attempting to squeeze into a smaller size. Stick with your traditional size and you won’t be disappointed.

Fit:	5.0
Materials:	5.0
Construction:	5.0
Look:	5.0
Daily Wear:	5.0
Overall:	5.0

This boxer brief was provided by Naked and can be purchased directly from their at http://www.nakedboxerbrief.com/.

In Frank Dandy Underwear

Review: Hank Trunk Frank Dandy

April 28, 2011 No Comments

This is our first video review and we want your feedback. We will be bringing you more and hope you enjoy this. Alex reviews the Hank Trunk from Frank Dandy. This pair furnished for review by Kingston Lounge Now.

In Men's Underwear

Review: SLY Underwear Boxer Brief

April 14, 2011 No Comments

There are so many amazing underwear manufacturers coming out of Australia. I was extremely curious and excited to have an opportunity to evaluate a recent boxer brief released by SLY Underwear. To add some context around SLY, the company focuses on three primary themes for their underwear; work, play, and rest. The intent is to offer underwear to fit your lifestyle and therefore accommodate the needs of hard working, party loving guys that also appreciate quality and comfort.

This particular pair titled “picnic green” falls within their work category due to the construction and fit of the boxer. The classic boxer brief is designed to help prevent the boxer from riding up and is accomplished by adding elastic around the leg. The materials consist of a 9% cotton and 5% elastane blend along with a nylon/elastane waistband.

As shown in the picture, the print is a two toned lattice green design, which is perfect for spring. I’ll have to say…I’m not a fan of the mint green color, which reminds me on of the linoleum tile in my grandmother’s kitchen. Honestly, they should have taken this to a darker color as I don’t see too many guy…straight or gay…appreciating this particular shade. Perhaps a different primary color like blue, black, or red would have worked much better. Another feature includes a pocket on the right leg, but I fail to see the practicality of incorporating this on any underwear. After all, how many guys do you know sport a condom or iPod on the outside of their underwear?

These are extremely comfortable, however, well-constructed and provide a high quality of materials and definitely represent high end, fashionable underwear. I wore these all day and not once found them uncomfortable or even realized I was wearing a boxer brief. While I’m not excited about the design, I was impressed by their website and would encourage you to check it out for their latest styles and designs as they have a lot to offer.

Fit:	5.0
Materials:	5.0
Construction:	5.0
Look:	3.0
Daily Wear:	4.5
Overall:	4.5

This boxer brief was provided by SLY Underwear and can be purchased directly from their website at http://slyunderwear.com/store.

In Andrew Christian

Review: Andrew Christian Shockjock Flirt Brief

April 7, 2011 No Comments

My Second outing on my Enhancement Underwear journey was with the Andrew Christian Shockjock Flirt Brief. This particular style is what inspired me to start thinking about the different styles of enhancing undies. When I first saw Shockjock Flirt Brief I thought “This has gone too far!” Andrew Christian is one of my favorite brands, so put my initial thoughts aside and gave them a try.

The Shockjock brief, according to Andrew Christian, can add up to 2 inches ( 5cm ) to your frontal measurement. This enhancement is accomplished by means of an insert which they call the “Active Shaping Technology Cup.” This “cup” is inserted into the brief in a pouch. This cup is essentially a padding that is shaped to look like a man’s bulge.

As with virtually every pair of Andrew Christian I have worn, the Shockjock brief was extremely comfortable. It is made of 90% Cotton and 10% Spandex so the stretch is apparent.

Here are my thoughts on the Shockjock Flirt Brief:

Fit –5/5- The size provided to me was a small, and the fit was perfect for me. The stretch of the fabric will provide anyone with a great fit. Plenty of room up front, even with the cup insert put in.
Comfort –5/5- Since the enhancement is provided by the cup and not by your own goods, you don’t have to put them in a cup or pouch or sling. It feels like you are wearing traditional undies with a tiny pillow up front.
Enhancement Factor – 5/5- Whether naturally big or small, the cup really will add 2 inches to your front. The male features on the cup attempt to make the bulge look natural, but to me it just looks like you are padded.
Deception Factor – 5/5- I gave the Shockjock Flirt Brief the highest Deception Factor because I have a few problems. If you are close enough to someone where they are going to see you in your underwear and be so close as to see male features on your bulge, then most likely that pair is coming off. I think it would be an embarrassing moment when they determine the package doesn’t match the wrapping.

Final Thought – My second wear of the pair I did without the cup insert in place. This is how I will wear this pair in the future–just another comfortable stylish Andrew Christian design that is better off without the cup gimmick.

These were furnished by Andrew Christian for review. You can find them on the Andrew Christian Site!

In Aussiebum

Review: aussieBum Wonderjock Pro

April 6, 2011 2 Comments

I have owned a few pairs of Aussiebum’s line of Wonderjock briefs. Needless to say I was excited to try their new line of Wonderjock Pro. The Wonderjock Pro, at first glance, looks just like the older version of the Wonderjock. As soon as you feel the fabric though, the difference is clear. The Pro is much softer and has a “stretchier” feel than its predecessor. The style is traditional Aussiebum with their signature logo waistband and colored piping along the borders of the brief.

The enhancing effect is once again, like the original Wonderjock, accomplished by a sewn in pouch in the front to which you put your entire package. The Pro feels much more comfortable than the original, and allows for more movement so you don’t feel so compressed. Aussiebum is using the term “free swing technology” which I think is a fitting name and a praiseworthy upgrade from the previous design. I was comfortable all day and never once felt like I was wearing anything but traditional stretchy underwear. The enhancing the briefs provide is noticeable but not laughable. The Wonderjock Pro provided with a boost but no one would be the wiser that you are wearing enhancement briefs.

Here’s how I rated the Wonderjock Pro:

Fit – 5/5 – I wear a size 29 waist and the size small fit great. Lots of room up front and the waistband and leg openings were comfortable and true to size.
Comfort – 5/5 – Stretchable high quality cotton and a scratch free tag.
Enhancing factor 4/5 – A natural looking boost, but I feel unless you have something of substance to put in the pouch, not much would happen
Deception Factor 0/5 – No one would know you are wearing enhancing undies through clothes, without clothes, or when they come off.

These were furnished for review by aussieBum. They can be bought at the aussieBum site.

In Intymen Underwear

Review: Intymen Fill It Jockstrap

April 4, 2011 No Comments

When I first received this jockstrap, the words that entered my mind were, ‘you’ve got to be kidding’. However, being the open-minded person that I self-proclaim, I was open to trying the innovated design and construction that sets this manufacturer apart from their counterparts. Based on the quality of materials and traditional style of the typical jockstrap, something convinced me that it couldn’t all be wrong.

This particular line designed by Intymen called ‘Fill It’ consists of a built in c-ring that is sown into the pouch that provides a comfortable and and yet supportive feature, which turns up the sex appeal without compromising the functionality of a jockstrap. The exterior portion of the pouch includes two lateral slots on either side providing easy access to your goods. As intended, this jock provides a lifting effect and enhances your overall package.

I pushed the envelope a bit and gave this jock a real workout at the gym recently. It provided adequate support as a good jock should and still felt comfortable and unobtrusive in supporting the goods. I guess it comes to no surprise considering that these are constructed with 92% cotton and 8% Spandex. Likewise, the pouch is trimmed in black along with the company’s signature name across the front of the waist band. I was totally pleased with the visual appeal and fit of this jock which says a lot for a guy who prefers the traditional trunk for everyday underwear.

In summary, with warmer weather just days ahead for most of us, if you’re looking for a new jock to add to your spring collection, you might strongly consider this manufacture. However, if you’re simply looking to add some sex appeal to your underwear collection, Intymen also provides a variety of additional jockstraps, thongs and several see through pieces.

Personal scoring as follows:

Fit:	4.5
Materials:	5.0
Construction:	5.0
Look:	4.5
Daily Wear:	4.5
Overall:	4.7

This jockstrap was provided by Underwear Station and can be purchased from various vendors listed on their website at the following: http://www.underwearstation.com

In Croota Underwear

Review: Croota WW-III US from the World Collection

February 18, 2011 No Comments

Thanks to Croota, even guys from the United States can parade around in our underwear and be patriotic. With some red, white, and blue, we can show our pride on Independence Day as we walk around our parties and as we lie down by the pool. Who wouldn’t be proud to sport these as you celebrate our freedoms…including being able to share what underwear we love!

In the same fashion as the Australian pair we reviewed earlier, there are pockets for storing the important things for your celebratory events. The pouch does a great job storing important things as well.

Maybe it was the pair I wore, but waist seemed to fit a tad lower than the other. Not every pair is going to come out of the factory the same. You can only count on a certain percentage to come out of mass production as twins. Nevertheless, this pair was just as wonderful as the one preceding it. I failed to mention in the previous review how much I loved the waistband. The inner side of the waistband is an unbelievably comfortable cottony spandex feel, making it smooth to the skin. There is nothing more irritating than having a waistband cutting into your midsection, especially if you plan to have pictures taken of you later in the day. The red cut marks aren’t appealing. Models, you have nothing to fear with this World Collection offering.

Fit	4.5
Materials	5
Construction	5
Look	5
Daily Wear	5
OVERALL	4.9

If you are ready to set off some fireworks outside or in the bedroom, head over to http://www.croota.com and give the World Collection a try. If your country is featured, definitely buy a pair, pull them on, and salute!

In Croota Underwear

Review: Croota WW-III AUS from the World Collection

February 17, 2011 No Comments

We have had the great opportunity of reviewing Croota underwear a few times since their creation and it has been no less of a thrill. They have been busy over there creating underwear for the creative, style conscious, and the playful. The WW-III selection from their World Collection is our interest for this review and honestly, this one pair proved they are ahead of many in the game.

At first glance, something about these stands out. That would be the pockets on both legs. It’s not a large pocket, so don’t think you can get pack happy! It’s a small pocket that could come in handy to store something to help you out a great deal in the near future. Who knows what may happen when you wear these Australia square-cuts. When you pull them on, go ahead and put something important in a pocket for your night out.

The pouch had to be my favorite asset to this pair. It provides you the much needed room for your assets and allows them to push forward.

I give this collection an A+ for creativity. The color combination is terrific. This pair, as pictured above, is called Ultramarine. It has an white waistband with two stripes of coordinating colors. As the major accent, the rear features the country letters AUS, accompanied by three stars.

The fit was perfect and hugged the body as it was meant to. As mentioned, the pouch offered a generous amount of room. I can’t express in words how well they fit me. The tag is sown so that it is not irritating to the back. On the tag, the advice given was “Best Before: Marriage.” That’s awesome! I have worn these through busy days at school and around town and I have also worn them for days sitting at work. In either situation, they proved to be comfortable and never binding. It’s another hit for the creators at Croota.

Fit	5
Materials	5
Construction	5
Look	5
Daily Wear	5
OVERALL	5

You can find this Australia selection at the Croota website located at http://www.croota.com. You can choose from their numerous countries in the World Collection. This pair was provided for review.

In Diego Barberi

Review: Diego Barberi Trunks

February 11, 2011 No Comments

We were contacted by Diego Barberi last month. They are a new company out of Switzerland. Here is what they sent us:

“We are four friends from Switzerland and Germany. While getting a beer at the “Apres Ski” (-> it´s called, when you get a drink at a bar or pub directly after skiing. It´s very common in Switzerland/ Austria/ Germany) in St. Moritz (Switzerland), we met a really crazy guy called “Diego Barberi”.

Because we loved him and his name immediately, some more beers later we decided: Wouldn’t it be great to create our own underwear label named “Diego Barberi”!? Style, fabric, fitting, quality, comfort… just the way, as we envision a perfect underwear!???

Now, some months later, we really produced our first Diego Barberi – Trunks 🙂 Please check them out here: www.diegobarberi.com”

The line right now is a set of trunks, each one featuring a different embroidered design. I wasn’t expecting that. The pair I received was the Snow Flake. As you know, I’m not a big trunk/boxer brief fan, but I always try to keep and open mind.

The box is very cool. It presents the great photography produced by the company. They’ve captured their models in the picturesque settings of Switzerland. They have blown me away with the photography. When I pulled them out of the package, the first thing I noticed was the embroidered design. I like that because it will not fade or wear off over time. The next thing, being the cardboard that underwear is usually wrapped around for packaging, is a post card. Yes, a real postcard you can mail to your friends. We take our hats off to you guys for being creative.

I wore them for a day and enjoyed them. These are the types of trunks I like since they are very form fitting. I don’t care for trunks that loose their shape. These moved with me through out the day. The cotton stretched nicely and with the 5% spandex, it definitely moved well with me. If you are a trunks fan, you will definitely like these. They began with a small line and only a few colors but we hope they will grow and we will see more from them.

Fit	4
Materials	5
Construction	5
Look	4.5
Daily Wear	4.5
OVERALL	4.6

These are available in four designs and colors. The colors are white, red, light blue, and blue. You can see them all at the Diego Barberi website. These were furnished for review.

In Cocksox

Review Cockcox Sports Brief

February 9, 2011 No Comments

I have to admit that Cocksox has been one of my favorite underwear companies for quite some time. I love the way they fit and they have an amazing pouch. I was recently sent a pair of the sports briefs to review. These are some of the more “conservative” pairs they have to offer. Most of their offerings are bikini or other cuts. That being said, I’m always excited to try some of the new pairs they produce.

I liked the more traditional styling of the pair. You could easily wear these to the gym or around town without drawing too much attention. The pouch wasn’t as pronounced as the others which would have been a good thing when I was on a job interview a few months back. The CX01 creates a rather pronounced pouch. It was quite noticeable. These still provide a good pouch but didn’t push things out to that extent. You could definitely wear them to work or other events.

I wore these under jeans for a day of errands, hanging out with friends, and relaxing on a low-key day. I loved the look, as I said, and the fit. Cocksox genuinely knows how to make underwear for men. There was, however, one minor problem…the tag. We have all had undies with a tag that drove us crazy during the day. This one was only mildly annoying as it irritated every so often. Although a minor issue to me, I figured this was a production issue. Other than that, it was a pretty awesome pair.

Fit	4
Materials	5
Construction	5
Look	5
Daily Wear	4.5
OVERALL	4.6

If you have wanted to try Cocksox and wanted a more “conservative” pair to start with, these are for you. This would be great. Cocksox furnished these for review.

In 2(x)ist

Review 2(x)ist All Star No Show Brief – Underwear of the Month

February 7, 2011 No Comments

We are restarting Underwear of the Month here at UNB. In the past, we entertained the thought of having an Underwear of the Week, but coming up with 52 pairs a year is difficult to say the least. For certain weeks, there were not many new pairs to feature. Changing to monthly made it much easier to manage.

The first pair we selected is the 2(x)ist All Star Brief. If you aren’t familiar with these, they feature the waist band that is similar to a sock. This is a feature I found very cool. It’s something new that hasn’t been attempted often. If you are a long-time reader of the blog, you know that I love the waistbands. Brands that pay close attention to the waistband and try new things always get my attention.

The waistband is sort of ribbed like a sock top. Here is the description from the 2(x)ist site:

“A classic athletic-inspired collection, All Star combines technical functionality and sporty fashion. The collection is made up of a breathable 55% cotton / 37% modal / 8% spandex fabrication constructed in a pique knit, with super sporty bindings and waistband. The trims are inspired by retro basketball sock designs; with varsity colored stripes in red, white, and blue as well as emerald, white, and gold.”

I do like sporty underwear. I love the way they fit and keep everything in place. I know there are many out there who don’t like feeling “constricted” but I like the extra support. I really love the stripes and design of these. I’m a firm believer that your underwear should reflect your personality. Why dress great but wear plain and boring undies. You have nothing to worry as these are nowhere close to boring.

2(x)ist is always known for great underwear. These are no exception as they really did fit very well. I will admit that I didn’t check to see if they were no show under clothes. The fabric was very breathable and form fitting. To me, it is important that you be able to wear sports-inspired briefs during any strenuous activity. It is a pair I would recommend for an active guy. The pair gives you support and fits wonderfully.

Fit	4.5
Materials	5
Construction	5
Look	5
Daily Wear	4.5
OVERALL	4.8

Men’s Underwear Store furnished this pair for review. You can purchase them directly from Men’s Underwear Store.

In Men's Underwear

Review Ristefsky Macheda Retro Brief

February 2, 2011 No Comments

A waistband is all a stranger can see of your underwear. I feel a waistband can make or break you. The Ristefsky Macheda briefs I recently reviewed have a stellar waistband; not to flashy but still enough to know the rest of the undies are hot. The waistband has a simple black line on top and a bold raised logo across the band. Luckily, the briefs are just as great as the waistband.

These briefs are wonderful in look and fit. They are full briefs with a new twist on a retro style. Purple piping and the wide waistband accent the charcoal fabric nicely. A problem I usually have with briefs is the lack of a pouch. I often find the boys are pushed back and squashed, but the RM briefs are supportive without constriction. They are perfect for all day wear. The small “functional” fly isn’t worth much and could have been left off. It’s a little extra detail to stay true to the retro styling.

This was my first time wearing Ristefsky Macheda and, although they have a limited product line, I hope to soon add more of these to my underwear drawer.

Fit:	4.8
Materials:	5.0
Construction:	5.0
Look:	4.6
Daily Wear:	4.9
Overall:	4.8

These and other briefs from Ristefsky Macheda can be found at http://www.ristefskymacheda.com. There briefs were provided for review

In Men's Underwear

REVIEW: Ristefsky Macheda Retro Low Rise Brief

January 31, 2011 No Comments

Ristefsky Macheda is a company that has combined the sexy sophisticated style of Europe with the masculine casual feel of Australia and girding our loins since 2005. You can definitely see the mixture of suave and fun in their collection with underwear from either end of the spectrum. Today we are going to take a look at one pair, the Retro Low Rise Brief.

The brief definitely has a style of its own. Overall, the entire look is very traditional and classy yet, as the name suggests, there’s a retro twist to it. The colors for this brief are great! It comes in charcoal grey trimmed with blue, yellow, red or sky blue. All great contrasts and I love the not quite black spunk of the charcoal. The fabric is 95% cotton which makes them very comfortable and 5% elastane which help the brief keep its shape and support all day long with out getting saggy. This brief has a refined nostalgic look with a contemporary luxury. The elastic waist band has the branded label in a bold print and does not repeat all the way around. It’s just one clear gallant statement centered right in the front then white with a thin black strip through the rest. I think this is a terrific way of bringing attention to the brand and shows the purposeful and careful craftsmanship of the brief. The waist line sits low, just under your hip bone, however I didn’t find that it sits as low as some low rise underwear. I think this lower waist line is becoming the norm in pants and is carrying over into underwear.

I wore these briefs right after they arrived in the mail. I was pretty excited after examining the look and feel in my hands. I wore them for an entire day of work and errands and have to say they were very comfortable and supportive. I washed them and then wore them again. The underwear machine-washed and dried well so it is definitely a pair that will last. For the second wearing of the briefs I wore them to the gym where I worked out and taught a yoga class. They were very supportive and comfortable and didn’t ride up or chafe plus they looked good in the locker room. They make great gym undies. For everyday wear, they sat well with my jeans. As previously stated, the new trend is a lower waist and these fit perfectly in place with the new trend.

If you’re a guy who likes a nice full plentiful seat you may notice that the waist band comes just above your gluteal cleavage and, after a while, that can feel a little irritating. The tag is the main reason for that and it can be removed. I usually snip the corners off so that it’s not so scratchy. Even though the look suggests ‘vintage’, the configuration is very up to date. The front, with its clichéd fly, has an added dimension to it so that the base protrudes just enough to mimic a pouch. This gives your man bits the room and coziness they crave while still keeping them supported. I never felt confined and had little adjusting to do. I typically wear a size medium comfortably however I found these mediums to be a little snug. Not tight but slightly less spacious than other undies I have. Although, after I had them on for a while, they didn‘t feel that tight. But if you are a man who’s on the edge of a size or like a roomier fit you may want to order a size up.

Overall, the Ristefsky Macheda Retro Low Rise Brief is a great pair of underwear to own for any occasion whether you’re looking for comfort, support or just a great look.

FIT:	4
MATERIALS:	5
CONSTRUCTION:	5
LOOK:	4.5
DAILY WEAR:	4
OVERALL:	4.5

Ristefsky Macheda provided the product for review.