I Backpacked Through Yosemite and Went to 12 Weddings This Year—This Is the One Pair of Underwear I Trust for Both

Something about me: I am Switzerland when it comes to underwear. I love a good pair of granny panties, but I also don’t hate a thong. It really is all about comfort. And in my life, that can mean a lot of different things. The funny thing is, whether I am hiking for days at a time or dressing up for a fancy occasion, a comfortable pair of underwear has to be two things: no-slip and no-sweat. And that isn’t easy to find.

I certainly didn’t expect my infinite pursuit to end at REI, but there I was, standing in the checkout line about to take a chance on an $18 pair of underwear. That was the day my love affair with the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Bikini Briefs ($18) started. These are no longer available at REI, but thankfully you can snag a pair (or a few) on Amazon and have them shipped straight to your door.

ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Bikini Briefs — $13.00

I decided to choose the larger of the two sizes I was in between because I like my undies (and my clothes) on the looser side. Otherwise, these fit true to size.

Sizes available: XS-XL

Colors: 13

Pros:

• Anti-odor
• Sweat-wicking
• Great coverage
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Higher price
• Only sold in singles (doubles available on Amazon)

The ExOfficio brand has spent more than twenty years dedicated to understanding the challenge that people like me face when searching for a pair of undies, and it shows. What initially attracted me to the pair I chose was the cut of this specific style. I love the coverage of a higher waist, but I don’t have any interest in my undies having a higher rise than the shorts or pants I am wearing. This rise feels like it covers me up in all the right places, and I am never pulling or adjusting. It actually stays put.

Another contributing factor to this style staying put is the flatlock seams it boasts. While this seam type is actually designed to reduce chafing, I have found that it also helps retain shape. I’ve now been a proud owner of these briefs for over two years, and though I now own three pairs, my first is just as good as my most recent purchase. The wide and flat seams feel seamless, but you don’t get the stretch or shape-shifting typical of a true seamless style.

Finally, after I brought them home and began to wear them more, I fell in love with the fabric. It is an incredibly lightweight mesh made from nylon and elastane that dries quickly and even receives an anti-odor treatment. Plus, it feels great to the touch. I have worn this pair while hiking through Yosemite, to many weddings (read: sweaty dance floors), and during long work days (both in the office and at home). They’ve passed every test.

While I only have briefs so far, writing this has quickly convinced me I need to test out more styles such as the Full-Cut and the Thong. So, whether you’ve got a calendar packed with holiday parties, outdoor adventures, both, or neither, my recommendation to you as a human with comfort top of mind is to invest in a pair of ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Bikini Briefs as soon as you can.