I love the summer, but the news of another heatwave on its way didn’t fill me with joy. The first heatwave was a novelty – gathering friends to sit at a rooftop bar (in the shade, obviously) or in the park, it felt like we were in the Med with our British tapas from M&S. But the fifth?!
If you (just about) survived the last four heatwaves, you’ve probably run out of complaints about the uncomfortable commutes and nightly struggles to get to sleep, and now it’s the little things that are getting us talking in the GH office: namely, sweaty under-boobs and damp knickers. But does sweat-proof underwear even exist?
Well, fortunately last year the Good Housekeeping Institute tested the best women’s underwear on the high street for the very first time, and we may have found the answer. We asked 100 panellists to test over 25 styles of knickers from leading retailers, including Next, M&S and Spanx, and while Stripe and Stare won best underwear brand overall, Step One’s knickers were voted the best for breathability, which is exactly the type of pant you want to be wearing when the (latest) heatwave strikes.
Why Step One’s pants are built for the heatwave
So, what makes Step One’s pants so breathable? The Aussie-born brand uses a bamboo viscose material to create its underwear – a natural fibre that helps to wick away moisture and sweat from the body. We tested three types of knickers from the brand, with the SmoothFit thong coming out on top, scoring an impressive 97/100. While many of our panellists complimented the fit, they also praised their breathability. “They felt fresh throughout the day, and I didn't feel sweaty or uncomfortable,” one person told us.
As well as being big on breathability, panellists praised the soft and stretchy fabric, and the thong fans praised its high-rise design, which didn’t rub or dig in, making it a year-round staple, rather than just a heatwave essential.
However, if a thong isn’t right for you (we hear you), we also tested two other styles from the brand that impressed. The Smooth Fit Brief scored 87/100, with our panellists finding them supportive and comfortable. Many also commented on how moisture-wicking the seamless pants were. “They stayed comfortable during activity and long walking days,” one person said, making them a great choice for more active days and heatwaves.
If you want more coverage, the brand’s SmoothFit Boyleg knicker is a high-rise design that uses the same moisture-wicking material and tech. Scoring 80/100, our testers raved about the fit and comfort, noting they dried quickly during exercise. Another huge plus if you’ve just spent 30 minutes on a sweaty train ride to work.
Shop the Step One underwear range at Amazon, Step One and John Lewis
Sarah is our wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. She can be regularly found on a yoga mat or training for a run, so she knows what to look for when it comes to the best yoga leggings, hydration vests or running trainers. From fitness trackers to the best supplements, she also has extensive experience writing about the latest products and writing detailed honest reviews.
Prior to joining the GHI, Sarah was a freelance journalist for 10 years, specialising in health, fitness and travel for national newspapers and magazine. During her time at Women’s Health, she interviewed celebrities about their fitness routines, for the Telegraph she investigated the health risks of Lime Bikes and visited Thailand to look at the trend of longevity travel - while for the London Standard she wrote about topics including AI powered PTs and smart ice baths.
When she isn’t testing out the latest smart watches, lifting weights at the gym, or hopping on a flight, Sarah can be found running around South London or devouring the latest trending TV show.
