When buying underwear for traveling you need to put a little more thought into it than for regular underwear. The material, size, shape, antibacterial and drying properties should all be taken into account.
Cotton does not make the best travel underwear for women as it is a heavy fabric which absorbs moisture and is slow to dry. Lightweight wool and nylon have been the go-to fabrics, but bamboo is the new kid on the block and has several advantages, not least its eco-friendliness.
Contents
The style of underwear is a matter of choice and now there is a huge choice from full-cut, bikini briefs and even thongs and G-strings specifically designed for the rigors of travel. Most of the brands featured here have items with similar properties in several styles so you can choose what works best for you.
Don’t forget to check out our best travel bra and best travel dress articles!
Here’s our five top picks.
Smartwool NTS Micro 150 Pattern Bikini
These are one of the priciest products here but in several rugged tests they have been classed as the best travel underwear for women. They are definitely aimed at the serious active traveler with deep pockets.
Made of lightweight merino wool which is antimicrobial for superb odor resistance and wicks away moisture from the skin to keep you cool and dry. They also dry quickly when washed which is great for those short overnight stops.For comfort they have flatlock seams and are tagless to reduce the risk of chafing.
They come in four colors and five sizes – X Small to XL.
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs
ExOfficio have had a large share of the travel underwear market for a number of years. The Give-n-Go Bikini Brief is made of nylon with 6% Lycra Spandex for elasticity. The fabric is very breathable and has an antimicrobial coating to resist odor-causing bacteria and has great wicking properties to help you stay fresh.
Whether you’re hiking in the wilderness or sightseeing in the city these offer the comfort you need, especially in hot and humid conditions.
You can take fewer pairs of these on your travels as you can wash and dry them overnight.These are also available in six sizes – XS to XXL – and 11 colors.
Boody Ecowear Apparel Classic Bikini
Many people are turning to bamboo clothing. The fibers are much finer than cotton, it has natural antibacterial and wicking properties and is extremely breathable. These properties make it perfect for travel clothing, and underwear in particular. It is also great for those with allergies and sensitive skin.
On top of that it is good for the environment. Bamboo is fast growing, sustainable and 100% biodegradable.In the Boody Bikini Briefs, the bamboo is blended with a small percentage of Spandex and rayon to give it additional elasticity for comfort and no creeping. With the seamless design and soft fabric you will hardly know that you are wearing anything.
Available in black, white or nude shades and four sizes – small to XL.
Ibex Outdoor Clothing Balance Briefs
Like Smartwool, the Ibex Briefs are aimed at the high performance traveler and with a price tag to match. But there are many people out there who, once they’ve worn these, wouldn’t wear anything else.
Made from the lightest weight, soft merino wool with nylon and Spandex to give them stretch for that all important comfort and support. The fine weave prevents itchiness while the breathable, antibacterial wool keeps you fresh. With what they describe as “body mapping construction” and no seams, these will keep you comfortable in any weather conditions.
These come in five flattering shades and four sizes as above.
Jockey Sporties Bikini
Jockey have been making underwear for many years and are still producing high quality items today.
The Sporties Bikini is made of a blend of Nylon, Polyester and Spandex with 1% cotton which provides the necessary breathability and moisture wicking technology which, along with the odor controlling treatment, cools and dries the skin.
The seamless design gives no visible lines, even under tight leggings and the silicone leg openings ensure the briefs stay in place.
Available in four sizes and six colors.
Conclusion
Travel specific underwear is more expensive than the regular kind because of the technology and materials used, but most people who have worn them wouldn’t go back wearing anything else.
These are all excellent products with similar performance when it comes to comfort, support, breathability, moisture absorption and antimicrobial qualities.
So, which is the best travel underwear for women? Synthetic fabrics tend to be harder wearing while merino wool is lighter and softer but can show signs of wear sooner. Bamboo fiber has great natural qualities and is kinder to the environment.
Hopefully these suggestions will help you to make an informed choice.
