Best Sweat-Wicking Underwear to Keep You Dry
Stay comfortable through sweaty workouts and hot days.
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Few things are more uncomfortable than underwear that stays damp after a workout or on a hot, humid day. Fortunately, many styles are made with fabrics that help manage moisture, so you stay drier and more comfortable than you would in traditional cotton pairs.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Knix Essential No-Show Bikini
- Best value: Athleta Sleek Form No Show Bikini Underwear
- Best multi-pack: Tommy John Women's Air Brief (3-Pack)
- Best cooling: ThirdLove TempSync Hipster
Our fiber scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab looked for underwear made with moisture-wicking materials and considered factors like comfort, fit, and everyday wearability to find options that suit different needs and preferences. Our favorite pair is the Knix Light Leakproof No-Show Bikini which offers excellent absorbency.
Best Deal
Pros
- Smooth, lightweight construction
- Variety of styles and sizes available
- Machine washable
Cons
- Some testers said the waistband felt loose
Although Knix makes period underwear, the Essential No-Show Bikini isn't designed for absorbency. It's made from a silky smooth nylon and Lycra blend that helps keep things drier and provides a lightweight feel, with a cotton gusset for added comfort and breathability. The thin, flexible design impressed testers, who appreciated its comfortable, barely-there feel and lack of bulk.
When we tested absorbency in the Textiles Lab by pouring viscous liquid onto the gusset from different angles, we were impressed by how much this pair was able to soak up despite being one of the thinner styles we evaluated. The brand offers a variety of coverage options, so you can choose the silhouette that works best for you, and the machine-washable design makes it easy to care for. On the downside, some testers noted that the waistband felt loose and shifted down throughout the day, requiring occasional readjustments.
| Sizes | XS–XXXXL |
| Colors | 6 |
| Materials | Nylon and Lycra blend with a cotton, spandex, and carbon lining |
| Care | Machine wash cold |
Pros
- Flat raw-cut seams don't add bulk
- Soft and stretchy fabric
- Designed to be worn when exercising
Cons
- Not as much coverage as other styles
This bikini is made from an ultra-light recycled nylon and elastane blend with a medium-rise silhouette and medium seat coverage, offering more coverage than a thong while maintaining a lightweight feel. The nylon-rich fabric is designed to wick moisture away from the body and dry quickly, while the stretchy elastane helps it move with you.
The raw-cut seams lay flat against the body for a smooth look under leggings and other fitted clothing, though the medium-rise cut may not be the best fit for shoppers who prefer high-rise or full-coverage underwear.
| Sizes | XS–XL |
| Colors | 3 |
| Materials | Recycled nylon and elastane |
| Care | Machine wash and dry |
Pros
- Held up well in wash tests
- Testers said it was comfortable for working out
- Smooth, no-show design
Cons
- Some loose threads impacted durability scores
Tommy John's brief is made from a lightweight nylon and spandex blend with a breathable construction that helps manage moisture to keep you comfortable during workouts or warm-weather days. The smooth, flexible fabric and no-show design make it a good option for wearing under leggings or other fitted clothing without added bulk.
In previous underwear testing, testers loved this style (specifically the thong) for working out, noting that it stayed in place while moving and felt comfortable enough for everyday wear. In our previous Textiles Lab testing, this underwear held up well after washing, with no noticeable shrinkage or major changes in appearance, though we did note a few loose threads around the seams.
| Sizes | XS–XXL |
| Colors | 11 |
| Materials | Nylon and spandex |
| Care | Machine wash cold |
Pros
- Proprietary cooling technology
- Tagless and smooth fabric
- Cotton gusset for comfort and breathability
Cons
- Silhouette may not be ideal for workouts
This pair from ThirdLove is made with a nylon-based fabric and a proprietary technology that the brand says helps regulate body temperature before you start to feel overheated. The 100% cotton gusset adds comfort and breathability, while the mid-rise style offers moderate rear coverage.
The tagless design and machine-washable construction make it an easy everyday option, though shoppers looking for a pair specifically for intense workouts may want to consider styles with athletic-focused features like mesh panels or a sportier fit.
| Sizes | XS–3X |
| Colors | 6 |
| Materials | Nylon and spandex with cotton lining |
| Care | Machine wash using a mesh delicates bag |
How we choose the best moisture-wicking underwear
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab regularly tests underwear for factors like comfort, fit, stretch recovery, washability, and durability. While we haven't evaluated underwear specifically for moisture-wicking performance, we selected these picks from styles that performed well in our previous testing and prioritized pairs made with materials known for their moisture-managing properties, including nylon, polyester, and modal. Many also feature cotton gussets for comfort and breathability, so the entire garment may not be moisture-wicking.
What to look for when shopping for the best sweat-wicking underwear
✔️ Style: Start by choosing a silhouette you'll actually want to wear. Briefs offer classic, full coverage, while bikinis have a lower rise and slightly less coverage. Hipsters sit low on the hips with wider side panels, boy shorts provide the most coverage, and thongs eliminate visible panty lines. Other popular options include cheeky styles, which offer moderate back coverage, and French-cut silhouettes with higher-cut leg openings.
✔️ Fabric and construction: Look for performance fabrics like nylon, polyester, or modal, which are better at wicking moisture than cotton. For athletic styles, a cotton gusset can add comfort while the rest of the underwear is made with moisture-managing materials. Features like mesh panels can also improve airflow, and flat or minimal seams help reduce chafing.
✔️ Activity level: If you plan to wear your underwear for running, HIIT, or other high-sweat workouts, choose styles made primarily with performance fabrics like nylon or polyester and look for features like flat seams and mesh panels. If you just want to stay comfortable on hot days or during travel, softer moisture-managing fabrics like modal or merino wool may feel more comfortable.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Brigitt Earley is a writer and content creator with more than 15 years of experience covering consumer products, including apparel and intimates. To create this roundup, she reviewed Good Housekeeping Institute testing data and consulted with Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director Emma Seymour to identify underwear made with materials known for their moisture-managing properties.
Seymour, who has been at GH since 2018, oversees Lab and consumer testing for apparel, including bras, leggings, and underwear, and recently led an evaluation of more than 90 pairs of underwear, assessing factors such as stretch recovery, washability, fit, and overall comfort.
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