• List price: $50 (US) / £45 (UK) / $50 (EU)
• Style: Men’s boxer
• Materials: 125gsm Nuyarn merino wool (85%) / Nylon (15%)
• Sizes: XS–XXL
• Colors: Black / Dusk Blue & Black / Kalamata & Ash / Super Red & Ash
Arguably, the most important pieces of clothing you’re going to put on before any outdoor adventure are the very first ones: the base layers. Superman aside, most of us start the dressing process with underpants, and if you’re planning on heading out for a training run or a big race, then to stay comfortable and perform at your peak you’re obviously going to need the best running underwear you can find.
You might have invested in the best trail running shorts on the planet, but if you’ve opted for a short with no integrated inner, and you wear cheap undies that are not up to scratch, then you’re going to experience the kind of discomfort that can really ruin a race or a day out on the trails.
The question about whether you should wear underwear beneath shorts or running leggings is a live debate here at Advnture. I’m in the ‘yes’ camp, but only when using single layer shorts, and especially only if the undies in question are good quality and specifically designed for dynamic outdoor pursuits. At first glance, the Artilect M-Boulder 125 Boxer Briefs absolutely ticked that second box, so I was excited to test them out on the trails.
Design and materials
We talk about the benefits of merino wool in technical clothing a lot here, but when it comes to base layers, and especially underwear in the most literal sense, this magical material really does make a transformative difference to your comfort levels. In my opinion, its next-to-skin feel is unsurpassed. It’s also lightweight, highly breathable, moisture-wicking, quick-drying and contains naturally occurring enzymes that combat the build-up of bacteria and bad odors, which is what makes merino particularly brilliant when it’s employed in garments such as running socks and hiking socks and, yes, adventure-ready undies.
The main material used in the M-Boulder 125 Boxer Briefs is 18-micron 125gsm Nuyarn merino wool, constructed a superfine weave for maximum softness. The main weakness of merino is its tendency to develop holes with continued use, but here it is paired with nylon, to add some serious toughness. The construction makes use of no-chafe flatlock seams and the design includes ‘targeted eyelet placements’ to enhance the breathability of the boxers. They are expertly shaped with a gusseted crotch to supply support where it’s required.
There has been some concern around the ethical harvesting of merino recently, but this wool is Bluesign credited and sourced from non-mulesed Australian sheep.
On the trails
Most of my running shorts do have integrated inners, but several don’t, and I have been wearing the Artilect M-Boulder 125 Boxer Briefs for several weeks while running in these, covering various distances, but always in pretty chilly conditions (such is the season). Nevertheless, the extra ventilation in the panels of these boxers where it’s most required (the aforementioned ‘targeted eyelet placements’) makes a tangible difference in reducing sweatiness (and the risk of chafing), and I can well imagine that this design element will really come into its own as outside temperatures rise.
Made mostly with merino, the briefs are luxuriously comfortable. The next-to-skin feel is amazing. In fact, wearing them has actually brought it home to me just how uncomfortable, basic and abrasive the integrated linings in many of my other running shorts are. It might be quite tricky going back to using them…
The shape and all-round decent design, with the gusseted crotch, flat seams, and a broad waist band adds to the comfort levels significantly. There is more than sufficient levels of stretch in these boxer, so my movement doesn’t feel restricted at all, although there doesn’t appear to be much in the way of elastane used. Perhaps because of this they don’t feel at all tight – I have used more supportive running briefs in the past (the Crossfly Ikons are very good in this area), but I don’t think I’ve worn undies that are quite as comfortable as these. Ever.
It’s not all about running, of course. When you’re shopping for adventure-ready undergarments, it’s worth asking yourself questions such as what undies do you wear when hiking? If a pair of boxers is well suited to running, it’s quite likely that they will perform well when you’re doing other activities, ranging from trekking and climbing right through to skiing. In all likelihood, I will end up using these boxers beneath hiking pants more often than I wear them for running, and during the testing process I found them ideal for walking escapades. The bonus for lightweight backpackers is that, with merino-made undergarments, you can wear them for several days (yes really, just don’t tell anyone).
The only problem is if you get caught in a serious downpour and you don’t have decent rain pants to protect you from the deluge. While the Boulder 125s do breathe well, wick moisture away from your body and dry quickly (relative to other materials), if they get really soaked they do absorb much more moisture than synthetics (such as the mesh used in the inner of running shorts), and will take time to truly dry.
