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Most people don’t shop for underwear with the same level of thought and consideration as they would for a mattress or a pair of shoes, but I’m here to tell you that your choice of underwear is just as, if not more, important. After all, we wear it for hours on end daily and even nightly.
As someone who is constantly trying out new pairs to review to keep our best men’s underwear guide up-to-date, I’ve tested dozens of different underwear brands. Then, when writing my Tommy John review, I realized I’d found a new favorite.
Making underwear better overall is at the very core of Tommy John’s existence. The brand stands out because it has invested an extremely generous amount of time and effort into designing undergarments that redefine what we expect from our clothing. Everything from the fit to the seam locations to the materials has been taken into consideration.
Tommy John
Tommy John underwear styles
I personally prefer boxer briefs over boxers or briefs, but Tommy John has a fit for everyone. Here are the styles it currently offers:
Tommy John
What they’re like to wear
The very first time I put on a pair of Tommy John Boxer Briefs, I couldn’t help but notice they were substantially longer than other boxers. It was a bit weird visually and it took a few minutes to get used to having material that far down my leg, but I came to appreciate the length almost immediately.
We’ve all had to do that awkward underwear adjustment through our jeans or the brazen reach up our shorts to pull down our underwear legs, but with Tommy John, I haven’t had to do that. Ever. Along with the great fit, the added length helps keep things in place so you’re not uncomfortable throughout the day. The only feasible downside is that you can’t wear them with shorts with a particularly short inseam.
I also appreciate the design of the Quick Draw horizontal fly because it’s easy to access, but still secure. You won’t have any accidental slip-outs.
I’ve never had any complaints about support with Tommy John, but the brand recently released Hammock Pouch underwear that keeps everything where it needs to be. I like the extra support they provide, but I’m also still very happy with the other pairs I own.
Tommy John materials
Tommy John has a pretty wide selection of material types, and I’ve tried all of them. Second Skin is my personal favorite to wear, but I don’t think any specific pair is exponentially better than the other. Tommy John’s fit and construction are what make the brand so good — the material is what makes the underwear a better fit for your specific usage.
The core materials are Cool Cotton, Apollo, Second Skin, Second Skin Luxe Rib, Air Mesh, 360 Sport, and Basic Cotton. You can shop them in multiple styles, but here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect from each material.
Cool Cotton
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Breathable, stretchy, and moisture-wicking Pima cotton that keeps you cooler than traditional cotton. Great for avoiding uncomfortable underwear soaked in sweat.
Apollo
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Tommy John’s most durable material, Apollo dries four times faster and stays seven degrees cooler than cotton.
Second Skin
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Luxurious, soft, and silky feeling. This is the closest thing to not wearing any underwear.
Second Skin Luxe Rib
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Just as soft and luxurious as the original Second Skin material, but with an even cooler ribbed look.
Air Mesh
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Super lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying. Great for daily use or traveling light. Look closely and you’ll see perforations all over the material.
360 Sport
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The material is stretchy, durable, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant for your workouts. Targeted mesh zones keep you cool where you need them most.
And lastly, the Cotton Basics are soft, lightweight cotton with a comfortable amount of stretch, great for daily use on a budget.
Cons to consider
Originally, the only thing that might be considered a negative was the price, but the brand has done a great job at introducing different materials at more accessible price points. While the most expensive pair of Boxer Briefs at Tommy John is $42, which is admittedly a lot for a single pair of underwear, Tommy John also has Cotton Basics for $24.99.
Although you can still buy a 6-pack for less from other brands, Tommy John is a great value considering the level of quality the brand delivers — even in the basic styles.
The bottom line
As a Reviews editor, I’m in a unique position where I don’t often have to pay for underwear. I have many more pairs than the average person.
But even so, Tommy John is literally the only underwear brand that I’ve spent my own money on over the last few years. And trust me, I don’t just like spending money to spend it; they’re really that good. I’ve also purchased Tommy John underwear as gifts to make other people believers.
If you struggle with uncomfortable underwear — waistbands digging into your skin, legs that don’t keep their shape, lack of support in your nether regions — Tommy John is a great solution.
Even if you don’t struggle with discomfort (you might just be so accustomed to wearing bad underwear that you’ve grown used to those shortfalls), I still recommend giving Tommy John a try. You don’t have to toss out your entire underwear drawer, but after one pair of Tommy Johns, I bet you’ll be ready to add more.
What to try:
