Going Commando — or Choosing Smart? A Guide to Functional Underwear

Commando? Maybe for a date night or a soft office chair. But if you’re facing heat, sweat, gear, and a full day of movement, you’ll want reliability over freedom. Choosing the right underwear in summer is anything but trivial—the right cut and material can save your day, your skin, and your dignity. Here’s our no-nonsense guide to performance underwear that works where it counts.

Why Underwear (Even in Summer) Is No Small Thing

Underwear is the first layer you put on in the morning. If it doesn’t work, you’ll notice it—fast. In extreme weather or high activity, the wrong kind of underwear can turn even a short mission into long-lasting discomfort. Friction, moisture, and bad fit lead to skin irritation, chafing, or even full-on abrasions in all the wrong places.

Add a backpack, gear, or ballistic protection to the mix, and comfort in the lower region becomes mission-critical. When you spend your day sweating, moving, sitting, and shifting, you’ll quickly realize that dependable underwear is just as essential as well-fitted boots. Maybe even more—because you can take off your boots. Underwear stays with you all day.

What Good Summer Underwear Should Look Like

In heat, under gear, and during all-day activity, underwear becomes a key part of your kit. If it doesn’t work, you’ll know within the hour—and you’ll remember the day by your chafing, not the route you took.

Sweat, friction, transportation, marching, moving from one position to another—it all places more stress on your base layers than you might expect. That’s why grabbing your regular cotton boxers won’t cut it. Whether you’re in the field, on a course, or just commuting during a heatwave, you need underwear that stays in place, wicks moisture, and doesn’t get in your way.

Outdoor without compromise. When your shorts stay in place even in rough terrain, you know you’re geared up right.

☑️ Quick-Drying Materials

Cotton feels nice to the touch—but once it gets wet, it traps moisture like a sponge. That means dampness, friction, and overheating.

Better options include:

🧵 Synthetics – most commonly polyester or polyamide. Lightweight, quick-drying, excellent at wicking moisture away from your skin, and holds shape even after days of wear. Great for when you alternate between movement and waiting (e.g., march → wait → action).
🐑 Light Merino wool – a natural fiber that wicks moisture but stays soft even when damp. Naturally antibacterial, so it doesn’t smell even after multiple days. Ideal for quieter operations, sleeping outdoors, or wearing under gear where comfort matters.

☑️ Antibacterial Treatment

For multi-day wear—in the field, on treks, or during training—you’ll appreciate underwear that doesn’t turn into a biological hazard after a few hours. Antibacterial fabrics help reduce bacterial growth, and with it, odor and skin irritation.

☑️ Flat Seams and Ergonomic Fit

Thick seams, rough edges, and tight waistbands are a recipe for serious discomfort—especially when you sweat or wear heavy gear. Look for underwear with flat seams or seamless designs, and a cut that follows the body’s shape without squeezing or sagging.

☑️ Breathability and Active Moisture Wicking

In the heat, it’s not just about whether you sweat—but where that sweat goes. Quality underwear channels moisture away from your body and keeps air flowing in the areas that typically suffer: the groin, buttocks, and lower belly.

What Cut Should You Choose?

Choosing a cut isn’t just about style. A good fit can prevent thigh chafing, while a bad one can ruin your day after a single mile.

• Boxer briefs with a longer leg – the best summer choice for active movement. They protect the inner thighs from friction, stay in place, and don’t ride up.

• Classic briefs or short boxers – may feel fine for everyday use, but during movement or uphill walking, they often bunch up and chafe.

• Seamless designs – ideal under gear or tight trousers. Great comfort with no pressure points or digging in.

Always check not just the leg length, but also how it fits at the waist and groin. A good fit stays put without squeezing. And most importantly—it stays in place during movement.

When you choose your own path. Minimalism, movement, and a well-earned view.

⚠️ Common Mistakes When Choosing Summer Underwear

❌ Cotton in the heat – absorbs but doesn’t dry. Keeps moisture against your skin and increases irritation risk.
❌ Cheap waistbands – can dig in, twist, or stretch out after a few washes.
❌ Wrong sizing – too loose rides up, too tight restricts airflow and movement.
❌ Ignoring the seams – bulky seams in the wrong spots (like between your cheeks) will earn you blisters or abrasions.
❌ Buying from random e-shops – underwear is the most intimate part of your gear. It pays to invest in proven quality.

"Go Commando" — Complicating Things from the Bottom Up

June 22 marks International No Panties Day. For some, it’s a quirky reminder of freedom and fun. For others, just another hot Sunday. In military and outdoor contexts, however, going commando takes on a whole new meaning.

The term “go commando” comes from U.S. military slang, where it referred to soldiers skipping underwear under their uniforms. Reasons varied—from limited hygiene options to extreme heat or a desire to reduce layering beneath gear. Today, it simply means wearing no underwear.

In theory, it might sound logical—fewer layers, no bunching, faster drying. But in practice, it’s often more trouble than it’s worth.

What You’ll Find in Our E-Shop

Mountain silence, peace of mind. Technical shorts and dialed-in gear for the moments you keep just for yourself.

What About the Top Half?

If you’re thinking about comfort and sweat control below the belt, it makes sense to do the same up top. Here, too, the closer to your skin, the more the material and fit matter.

From our selection:

Just like with underwear, the same rule applies here: cotton does not belong in strenuous activities. Opt for a functional layer that won't get heavy with sweat, and the day in motion will be noticeably more pleasant.

Final Thought: Don’t Underestimate the Base Layer

Everyone talks about backpacks, boots, knives, and tactical lights—but what about what’s right against your skin? Underwear can make or break your day in the field. It’s the layer that keeps you comfortable, wicks moisture, prevents chafing, and reduces stress.

Well-chosen underwear isn’t a minor detail. It’s a foundation for comfort, confidence, and performance. And when you get the material, fit, and brand right—you won’t even notice it’s there. Which is exactly how it should be.