Unsurprisingly, they were also among the most breathable undies we tested, largely thanks to Lululemon’s proprietary Luxtreme fabric, a silky-but-dry miracle blend that conforms to the body like memory foam without constricting your range of motion. Two downsides: If we were designing them from scratch, we’d probably opt for a functional fly—and make ‘em twenty bucks cheaper.

Best Boxer Shorts Overall: Sunspel Classic Boxer Shorts

How do you do, fellow boxer short apologists? We see you, we hear you, and we have not forsaken you. That’s mostly thanks to the efforts of Sunspel, the generations-old British label responsible for some of the crispest, classiest skivvies on the planet. Sunspel tees were worn by Daniel Craig as James Bond, so naturally, the brand’s underwear is endowed with an inimitable sense of retro Hollywood flair. And just like the clothes of that era, its basics are made better. In this case: Long-staple cotton that’s light, smooth, and far more durable than most of the newfangled schlock.

I’m an avowed boxer shorts-wearer, and I swear by Sunspel for one detail: a back panel that’s actually cut and shaped. Not only does it make for a better fit, it means they don’t bunch at all. At the end of the day, they’re very well made, super comfortable, and actually elegant. And while some boxer shorts include a button fly, the majority of our testers preferred Sunspel’s open-fly alternative. They might be multiple factors more expensive than the big-box store fare, but who says you need to replace your underwear drawer in one fell swoop?

Best Budget Boxer Shorts: Uniqlo Woven Trunks

We tested plenty of mid-range skivvies, but generally speaking, expensive underwear is much better than the stuff you buy in bulk. “Generally speaking” being the operative words, of course. And Uniqlo being the exception to the rule. The Japanese juggernaut’s boxer briefs earned top marks in our value category, and its impeccably crisp boxer shorts are poised to do the same.

Like its rainbow of straight-ahead socks, Uniqlo’s range of woven boxer shorts (which they insist on calling “trunks”), is a great value proposition. I swear by them on the days I’m not wearing Sunspel. The cotton fabric is soft, the fit is roomy, and the elastic waistband is noticeably pinch-free. I’ve been wearing them for years, and haven’t noticed any of the telltale sagging that defines cheapo boxers. All that room does have a slight downside, though—when some of our testers wore them with slimmer pants, the extra fabric was prone to laying a little funny.

Best Comfortable Boxer Shorts: Mack Weldon AirKnitx Boxer

If you love the feel of a knitted material but want the freedom to go with it, a pair of knit boxer shorts are the underrepresented undies you need. Our favorite pair comes from the meticulous fabric nerds over at Mack Weldon. GQ commerce director Michael Nolledo alternates between Mack Weldon’s 24/7 Woven Boxer and the AirKnitx Boxer, noting that he likes the latter for its traditional fit and tailored look.

“They’re cut in a way where I have full range of motion throughout the day,” he says, adding that they’re “easily the most comfortable boxers” he’s ever worn, “no contest.” With Mack Weldon’s proprietary AirKnitx material, these boxers have even more breathability than traditional cotton boxers and can wick away more moisture, too.

Also worth it: While Mack Weldon’s AirKnitx fabric underwear is among our favorites, the brand’s jersey fabric is worthy of honorable mention. The cotton-modal blend is breathable, comfortable, and stood up well to our testing. While the boxer was a favorite in our testing, the brand also uses the material for boxer briefs and briefs.

Best Upgrade Boxer Shorts: Derek Rose Classic Fit Boxer Shorts

When we say that expensive underwear tends to be better than its cheaper counterparts, Derek Rose’s ridiculously luxe boxer shorts are exactly what we’re talking about. The version our testers tried was cut from 100% cotton with an eerily silk-like feel—augmented by a downright regal sheen befitting the brand’s generations-long pedigree.