Comfortable Underwear Supporting a Good Cause

Throughout the past decade, Bombas has become the internet’s favorite sock brand. Then, when Bombas underwear was named one of Time’s best inventions, we decided to see just how significant their design could be. Sure enough, we found everything we love about their socks to ring true in our Bombas underwear review.

Between the comfy, durable designs and its social mission to donate a pair of socks for every pair sold, there’s a lot to love about the brand. After socks, underwear are the second most requested item at homeless shelters, so it made total sense for Bombas to expand their mission in this direction. Bombas goes a step even further in this “Bee Better” initiative via the Take Back Bag, which allows you to make space for new pairs by recycling instead of sending old pairs to a landfill. 

This collection has something for everyone, from comfortable cotton Modal boxer briefs to moisture-wicking, quick-drying active hipsters. Below, we break down our experience testing different material types and styles, and share why we consider Bombas to have some of the best underwear for women and best underwear for men.

Sizing and fit

After testing Bombas underwear, we found that most styles ran slightly small. If you’re in between sizes, we would recommend going with the bigger size. The one exception is Bombas seamless women’s styles, which run true to size. 

Men’s Cotton Modal Underwear Review

Made from 46% cotton, 46% modal (a natural material made from beechwood tree fibers), and 8% spandex, Bombas Cotton Modal underwear delivers the breathability of cotton, the softness of Modal, and the right amount of stretch for comfort. Some of my favorite daily comfort and loungewear pieces, from T-shirts to lounge pants, use Modal for that silk-like feeling, so I was happy to see it used by Bombas for its underwear.

The material itself feels soft against skin, but other design elements like minimal seams, no tags, and a wide waistband also add to the comfort. I like my underwear to have a fly, and Bombas’ diagonal fly is unlike any other design I’ve seen; it provides easy access and gets the job done.

I personally only wear boxer briefs, but you’ll also find looser-fitting boxers, trunks with a shorter inseam, and briefs with no inseam. —Amir Ismael, style editor, Reviews

Men’s Active Flyless Underwear Review

Sizing options: S-3XL

If you’re looking for underwear better equipped for performance or you simply want a more sustainable design, the Active Underwear is the pair you’ll want to go with. They’re made from 86% recycled polyester, and Bombas’ Active Underwear has a significantly lower carbon footprint than the Cotton Modal blend. Using a quick-drying, moisture-wicking micro-mesh, the Active Underwear is designed to keep you cool and dry (because the last thing anyone wants is underwear soaked in sweat).

While they don’t have a fly like the Cotton Modal Underwear, the Active Underwear features an active support pouch to keep things in place and reduce friction in your groin. Other features like the active comfort waistband and snug leg opening help keep the underwear in place if you’re working out or moving around.

At $34, Bombas Active underwear costs a few dollars more than the Cotton Modal Underwear, but they’re worth the extra cost for anyone who’s active. —Amir Ismael, style editor, Reviews

Women’s Cotton Modal Underwear Review

You can’t really go wrong with any of Bombas cotton Modal underwear. It’s soft, comfortable, and doesn’t fall apart in the wash. There’s nothing super special about it, but that’s all you can really ask of underwear. I’m also a fan of the lace waistband because it stays hidden under clothes. It’s nice enough that I’d buy more, and it lives up to the quality you’d expect from Bombas. —Ashley Phillips, former Insider Reviews style and beauty editor

Women’s Seamless Underwear Review

The seamless underwear from Bombas is really soft and comfortable, but I’ll note that it’s a thicker material, so even the thong wouldn’t necessarily be my first choice to wear under a fitted dress or pair of leggings. It’s also really stretchy: I usually size up in all underwear, but the material makes it true to size. —Ashley Phillips, former Insider Reviews style and beauty editor

I tested the high-rise version of these underwear and they’re my go-to for wearing under flowy dresses. The material is thicker, as Ashley noted, but I appreciate feeling like I have some extra coverage under my flowy outfits. I love that there’s no tag to bother my lower back, and the seamless nature means no annoying digging. The waistband is essentially an extension of the underwear, so it’s comfortable and flexible but won’t ride down. —Sally Kaplan, Executive Editor, Reviews

Women’s Active No-Show Underwear Review

The Active No-Show underwear comes in two styles, the thong and the hipster. They come with a grippy, textured detailing on the inside that’s intended to keep the underwear from moving around when wearing under leggings or other activewear. I personally didn’t find that the textured detailing was particularly helpful, but I do like the silky feel of the underwear. If you feel more secure with high-waisted styles, I wouldn’t recommend this pair — but if low-rise is your usual go-to, these are a comfortable option I’d definitely recommend.  —Sally Kaplan, Executive Editor, Reviews

The bottom line

Overall, Bombas underwear are just as impressive as the socks they’re known for. They’re thoughtfully designed to be comfortable and durable, both of which are equally important for essential garments we wear every day. While they’re a bit pricier than some underwear we’ve tested, they’re also not the most expensive, plus knowing of their recycling program and that Bombas will donate a pair to those in need makes every purchase worthwhile.