Products You May Like
There’s nothing worse than heading out for a hike only to realize that your undies are not cut out for the trail. A bad pair of hiking underwear can be uncomfortable, distracting, and even not the healthiest choice for your body.
So what’s a girl to do? You’re in luck. As an all-women team here at Bearfoot Theory, we have years of experience trying and testing out the best hiking underwear that are comfortable, quick-drying, and stay in place while you walk. We also provide a few tips to help you choose the right pair for your active pursuits.
Best Hiking Underwear at a Glance
1. lululemon InvisiWear Mid-Rise Boyshort Underwear
Best Seamless Women’s Hiking Underwear
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As someone who hikes and lives an active lifestyle, I need my underwear to stay in place so I’m not constantly picking out wedgies. I also hate panty lines, since I almost exclusively wear leggings. I was so happy to discover the lululemon InvisiWear Mid-Rise Boyshorts because they eliminate both these pet peeves!
The InvisiWear underwear are lightweight and have a barely-there feel, which I love. The edges are seamless, making them truly invisible under leggings. Plus, the edges are designed to really stay in place and I’ve found that they do so better than any other hiking underwear I’ve tried.
I wouldn’t say these fit like a traditional boyshorts, though. They cover your whole butt, but they don’t go down over your leg. For reference, I weigh 140 pounds and wear size 8 pants, and the medium fits me well.
These also come in a Bikini version (which BFT team member Linda loves – she weighs 115 pounds, wears size 4 pants and the small in these underwear fits her well).
These also come in a 3-pack which I’ll be picking up now that I know how much I like them.
2. ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Underwear
Best Quick Drying Women’s Hiking Underwear
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ExOfficio makes versatile clothing designed to keep travelers comfy and active. So it’s not surprising that their women’s hiking underwear also gets the job done.
We love the ExOfficio Give N Go Sport 2.0 Bikini Brief Underwear because they are lightweight, flat-seamed, breathable, and high-performing – meaning they can keep up whether you’re roaming the streets of a foreign city or going for a trail run at home.
The mesh fabric is incredibly breathable and dries fast, so if you’re traveling and need to do laundry in the sink, these are a great option.
Depending on what pants you wear, panty lines might be visible, especially in leggings. We have also found that these stretch out over time, but they should last you for plenty of adventures.
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3. Patagonia Women’s Active Hipsters
Best Medium Coverage Women’s Hiking Underwear
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If you prefer medium coverage, you’ll be a fan of Patagonia’s Active Hipster. This mid-rise underwear has flat-lying seams that won’t budge or roll over as you move. The fabric is a blend of recycled spandex, polyester, and nylon that has antimicrobial properties.
Most importantly, these are breathable, so you stay fresh and dry all the time. They’re also available in briefs if you want more coverage.
4. Boody Women’s Full Briefs
Best Full Coverage Women’s Hiking Underwear
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Besides having a great name, Boody makes eco-friendly bottoms out of bamboo fabric. They’re also one of the most budget-friendly women’s hiking underwear on this list.
I love the Boody Full Briefs because they provide full coverage and a high waist, which is great for comfort and staying in place while hiking. In addition to these, you can also choose from hipster bikinis, classic bikinis, thongs, and boy short styles.
Each style is breathable, thermo-regulating, and even hypoallergenic.
5. Tommy John Second Skin Briefs
Bearfoot Theory reader favorite
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Several Bearfoot Theory readers have commented that the Tommy John Second Skin Briefs are their favorite women’s hiking underwear because they stay put, are light and breathable, and come in great colors and prints.
If you don’t love the brief style, Tommy Johns makes their second skin underwear in a range of options including boyshorts, cheeky, thongs, and more.
6. KÜHL Bikini
Best Lightweight Mesh Hiking Underwear
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If lightweight and super breathable are your priorities, look no further than the KÜHL Bikini women’s hiking underwear.
Made from thin mesh material, they are highly breathable, but still durable for days out on the trail. They stay in place when walking, biking, doing yoga, or any other activity, which is one of our biggest criteria.
If you don’t like the bikini style (or you want to order a few pairs), these also come in hipster and thong styles.
7. Icebreaker Siren Hipkini
Best Merino Wool Women’s Hiking Underwear
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Icebreaker is a New Zealand company known for its high-quality merino wool outdoor apparel.
Bearfoot Theory’s team member Courtney loves the Siren Hipkini Underwear because they stay in place and don’t ride up while hiking.
The merino wool is also much softer than other synthetic underwear, so they’re great for long days on the trail. They are odor-resistant and don’t trap moisture thanks to the great moisture-wicking capabilities of the fabric, making them a great choice to backpack in or do longer day hikes.
Icebreaker also makes these in a bikini style if you prefer that cut.
This pair is a little more pricey than other options on this list but definitely worth the investment if you’re looking for good hiking underwear.
8. Icebreaker Siren Thong
Best Women’s Hiking Thong
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If you prefer to hike or work out in a thong, the Icebreaker Siren Thong is a great choice.
Made from a blend of merino wool, nylon, and lycra, it’s lightweight, breathable, and resists odors naturally.
We also love that even for a thong, it stays in place and is comfortable on long or short hikes. Plus, you don’t have to worry about panty lines, especially if you wear leggings.
Tips for Choosing the Best Hiking Underwear
Avoid cotton
Similar to other outdoor, travel, or athletic clothing, cotton underwear is never a good fabric to wear when you’re active. Cotton doesn’t dry quickly, so if you get sweaty or even just raise your body temp enough to create some moisture, cotton won’t help keep you dry or cool. In worse-case conditions, it can even cause chafing.
On top of that, cotton underwear will absorb and trap moisture and odors, which is definitely not desirable, and it can also lose its shape over time.
Go for durability
There are a lot of cheap, low-cost options out there for women’s underwear, but we recommend not getting the budget undies because you want something that will be durable.
High-quality women’s hiking underwear is made to last and withstand active outdoor pursuits.
Pick a comfortable cut
Every woman has their own personal preference when it comes to underwear style, but think about which style will help prevent inner-thigh chafing the most.
You may love boy shorts, but since the fabric contours the inside of your thighs, they can cause uncomfortable chafing.
Looking for additional women’s tips & gear recommendations? Check out these posts:
We hope you found this post on the best women’s hiking underwear helpful! Did we miss one of your favorites or have you tried any of these? Let us know in the comments below.
