You Only Need 4 Pairs of Underwear. Yes, Really.

The honest answer to ‘How much underwear do you really need to pack for your next trip?’

This article includes my reviews and recommendations for some of my favorite travel underwear. Some, but not all, of the links are affiliate links. Just a heads up.

Four pairs of underwear. That’s all you need to pack for any trip to any destination for any amount of time. Actually, you can usually get by with even less than that, but let’s not get carried away.

I just returned from a 10-month trip around the world that included hiking across Spain, sleeping in an Irish yurt, and countless adventures in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, Komodo, Java, The Philippines, and Tasmania.

I even drove a tuk tuk around Sri Lanka.

And I only packed four pairs of underwear for the entire trip.

Underwear today has practically become science fiction.

My minimal packing list is probably smaller than what you’re used to, but you can absolutely pack a little less—starting with your underwear. And the reason for this radical downsizing is simple:

Underwear has gotten absolutely amazing.

Travel underwear is awesome now

Over the past few years, “travel” style clothing and other “performance” fabrics have gone mainstream.

Formerly fringe hiking and travel features like “quick-drying fabric” and “anti-bacterial odor-resistant fibers” are the new normal for everything from shirts to socks. And that means better, longer-lasting clothing you can wear more often between washes. (Yes, even underwear).

Massive retailers like Uniqlo and H&M — and smaller clothing companies — are all rushing to develop sweat-wicking, stain-proof, odor-resistant space-age fabrics.

And that’s fantastic.

Because it means that you probably already own some pretty great travel clothing, especially if you’re willing to pay a little bit more than the stuff you find at big box stores.

Underwear today has practically become science fiction. It performs better, lasts longer, and feels amazing for years. And that quality boost means you can save some space and pack a whole heck of a lot less underwear for your next trip without sacrificing any performance.

How much does ‘good’ travel underwear cost?

Merino wool is easily one of the best clothing materials for travel (and everyday life) thanks to its incredible comfort, insulation, and odor-fighting properties. You can literally wear a merino wool shirt for months without having to wash it.

And while merino underwear is still pricy, it’s not as expensive as it used to be.

Yes, Icebreaker merino underwear can still top out around $60. But you can also find official Icebreaker merino underwear on Amazon for as low as $19.

And even if you pay a premium for merino underwear from Wool & Prince, Unbound Merino, or other boutique brands, they’re all way better than your tighty whities from Target.

Quality travel underwear lasts a heck of a lot longer, which means in the end, they’re a lot cheaper than you think.

The best travel underwear brands

As a travel writer, I’ve tested dozens of travel underwear styles and brands over the past decade. And while I have a few favorites—brands that I’ve trusted for years—I’ve been continually surprised by how many new companies are making excellent travel underwear.

So to help you get started, here are my top four favorite travel underwear brands and why I recommend each pair for your next trip.

Wama hemp underwear ($24)

Wama hemp underwear came out of nowhere to become my favorite travel underwear. They’re literally the first underwear I put on out of the wash, which is saying something.

When Wama sent me two pairs of hemp boxer briefs to test (I test a ton of gear as a travel writer), I figured they’d be fine. They blew me away. Seriously, if you’ve never worn organic hemp underwear, you gotta get on this train.

The hemp fibers are comfortable, breathable, and odor resistant. They even get softer the more you wash them. Wama hemp underwear gives me the stretch and freedom of movement I need for hiking, biking, and long travel days, and honestly, they just fit and feel great.

Hemp is also one of the most ethically produced and sustainable fabrics you can buy (nice) which makes me feel good recommending them. They make great underwear for men and women.

ExOfficio Give N’ Go travel underwear ($17–25)

Exofficio boxer briefs were the first pair of travel underwear I ever bought ten years ago. And the company has only gotten better since.

Exofficio travel underwear is lightweight, quick-drying, and odor-resistant—everything you need for long travel days.

I’ve been rocking my boxer briefs for years, and they're still going strong. My only complaint is that they’re techy looking, and the fabrics aren’t quite as comfortable as merino. But if you’re looking for a badass pair of travel underwear—for men and women—ExOfficio is a great place to start.

Saxx underwear ($22)

Saxx underwear aren’t technically “travel underwear.” However, the unique “Ballpark sack pouch” design keeps your…well…sack separate from the rest of your body — a nice feature for hot, muggy destinations.

Saxx underwear definitely aren’t for everyone, but they’re certainly worth a try. One of my friends absolutely swears by Saxx underwear to the point where he’s slowly replaced his entire underwear rotation with Saxx. So there’s that.

I’d start with one pair and see how you like the pouch. It’s not for everyone. It’s also worth noting that Saxx underwear takes the longest time to air dry out of all the underwear I’ve tested. Probably because of the extra material.

Uniqlo AIRism underwear ($15)

Uniqlo is another clothing retailer that doesn’t technically make “travel clothing.” However, some of my favorite travel clothing has come from Uniqlo (and H&M) for the simple reason that they’re affordable, fashionable, and perform really well on the road.

And that’s true of Uniqlo AIRism underwear.

AIRism boxer briefs are the lightest and quickest drying travel underwear on this list, and while they don’t outperform Wama or Exofficio underwear, they are more than capable for any trip. Especially if you’re on a budget.

How to hand-wash travel underwear

The easiest way to pack fewer pairs of underwear is to invest in quality clothing like the brands listed above. Another way to shrink your packing list is by hand-washing your clothing as you travel.

Luckily, it’s super easy to keep travel underwear looking clean and smelling fresh. Here’s how to hand-wash travel underwear:

Fill a sink with cold water
Soak your underwear for 5 minutes
Drain the sink and rinse the underwear
Fill the sink again and add liquid soap or scrub the underwear with a bar of soap
Rinse thoroughly
Wring them out (gently)
Hang dry

It sounds like a lot of steps, but you can usually wash your underwear in less than ten minutes. I often wash mine when I take a shower. And if you buy quick-drying fabric, you’ll be able to pack or wear the underwear the next day.

How much underwear do you need?

Overpacking is still one of the most common travel mistakes. Far too many people cram their bags full of “just in case” items and expensive gear they don’t need, and it leads to heavy luggage, expensive overage charges, and tons of hassle on already stressful travel days.

It’s important to be prepared when you travel. But less really is more—even when it comes to underwear.

Regardless of who you are or where you’re going, you never need to pack more than four pairs of underwear for any trip. Seriously. In fact, you can usually get by—quite comfortably—with less.

Invest in a few pairs of quality travel underwear and wash your clothing as you travel, and you’ll be able to streamline your packing list down to just four pairs of underwear. Yes, really.

Shawn Forno is a freelance copywriter, content manager, travel writer, and blogger with over twelve years of experience. He loves to talk about himself in the third-person. You can check out his writing portfolio or his super-duper helpful travel articles for more helpful tips and tricks for writers and travelers.