Gear

I suspect that there isn't so much call for underwear which makes wicker baskets for you

More seriously lots of types of wicking underwear from various brands. Basically most people who do tops. If you get really stuck try searching the website for a shop or two.

If you've got wickering underwear, I'd check for hiding badgers or fox cubs...

There have been threads on this subject in the past: the 'search forum' facility even finds them (unusually...)

Geordie. wrote (see)

Ok so you all picked up that I cannot spell .Did a search and have got some m&s microskin to try.

I was never that keen on the M&S microskin ones myself - I found them rather sweaty.  My favourites are the M&S Ultrafit Sport ones, which come in a variety of styles (if they still do them!).  I find them much more comfortable, and have replaced the Lowe Alpine ones I used previously.  I'll admit that some of the reason is cost

I'm just cutting and pasting this from a previous thread (called 'pants heheheh'!)

 "X-Undergear Bionic Vitalizers are amazing (despite the very, VERY silly name and awful anti-eco packaging). They definitely beat the hell out of my Icebreaker tops for anti-whiff on a multi-day wild camp and they dry out quickly.

Downside is they're expensive and hard to get hold of. Ultralight Outdoor Gear is the only place I've found that do them in my size (I take the XXL. Their sizing comes up pretty small; I'm XL or L in Icebreaker leggings)."

and I'll add that they wick very, very well. Really good in the weather we're having now

Geordie. wrote (see)

Ok so you all picked up that I cannot spell .Did a search and have got some m&s microskin to try.

Jon Doran wrote (see)

XBionics good ime. Also Patagonia Capilene boxers, though they're sized rather large so you may need to go down a size.

Not good for your ego dropping a size, have you tried rolled up socks?

Another vote for capilene from Patagonia. I also had a pair of HH briefs but they wore out so got a pair of the lightest merino wool boxers from one of the main merino wool brands. great in winter or if used under waterproofs in rain but if they ever get even slightly wet because you don't put on waterproof trouser soon enought or because you do but you have sweated buckets in the plastic pants then they will never get dry on you. That is why I started going back to the patagonia that I stopped using because I thought they were too baggy and caused friction.

It is important to get the right ones for you. I find stretch tight but not restrictingly tight is good fit. I intend to get some more brands soon so maybe a group review of a few brands might make it out of my pc to the website. It would be good if OM could do a group review of some brands and also compare with M&S / Aldi or Lidle ones. Could also include non-outdoors brands too as I am sure there must be some makers of sports pants for other sports that could be used outdoors. At this time of year I am sure we all hate to meet Betty Swollocks so such a review would be good.

In all honesty, my quest for the perfect pants is not complete! But I've had varying degrees of success with a load of different stuff and have found that, unsurprisingly, the best choice from my selection depends on what I'm doing and in what conditions. And... (easily forgotten) what I'll be wearing with them.

These are what I've currently got 'in service':

Helly Hansen LIFA Dry briefs

Helly Hansen LIFA Dry wind briefs (as above but with a ?nylon? windproof layer over the important bits!)

Helly Hansen LIFA Dry boxers

Subzero Factor 1 briefs

Subzero All Active boxers

Patagonia Capilene boxers

My thoughts are subjective and have a lot to do with my rather burly Burley thighs - the result of years of rowing and a bit of a cheese abuse problem.

So.. the LIFA dry briefs are excellent for travel and as underwear for rock climbing, rowing and other non-impact sports. Easily washed/dried overnight as very fast drying.  However, they don't protect from chafing and LIFA can be clammy in hot weather. Work well under leggings or lycra sports shorts.

LIFA wind briefs are an excellent invention IMO. They have the additional benefit over the standard LIFA briefs of being protective in cold weather and they also have more elasticity giving better support for impact sports. I use them a lot in winter for running, worn under a light pair of leggings, as they keep off the windchill and hold everything in place if you know what I mean. Sorry for that... but it's a selling point IMO.  However, they are even more clammy in hot weather than the LIFA briefs as there's an extra layer of fabric.

LIFA boxers. These have the fabric advantages that I listed for the briefs and are a nice fit for me so are good for protecting from chafing for hiking & other day-long activities. Still a bit clammy in summer.

SZ briefs are made from Factor 1 nylon and it wicks extremely well. These are my warm weather sports underwear of choice for running/rowing/climbing in summer as they are more supportive than the HH LIFA brief without being constrictive and don't get clammy. However, I'm not sure they are sold anymore and I regret not buying more pairs when they were a fiver a pop.

SZ All Active boxers are an odd cut (although mine were from the sub standards clearout). I think the cut is standard however. Anyway, they are very stretchy with a significant lycra content and wick extremely well. They are firmly supportive which makes them good for sports and I like them a lot for rowing as they come up almost to the navel keeping my lower back warm when I'm bent over forwards. They're also good for protecting from chafing but the fit isn't perfect for me so I can get a bit 'tangled' in certain circumstances. Still, an excellent allrounder and no wonder that Bob at BPL stocks them.

Patagonia Capilene boxers are a more baggy style than the other two I've listed and the fabric is quite an open weave. They are great in hot weather and can help reduce chafing but aren't very supportive. Probably my first choice for summer walking.

I'll continue to try new things when I find them at bargain prices (none of the above cost me more than a fiver) but for now I've got solutions that aren't quite perfect...

John