Best Underwear for the Gym: What to Actually Wear Under Leggings

What you wear under your leggings matters more than most people think. The right pair can mean the difference between a comfortable workout and dealing with chafing, irritation, or worse — and gynecologists have specific advice on what to look for. Here are the best options for the gym.

Why Your Underwear Choice Matters at the Gym

Sweat and tight fabric are a bad combination down there. OB/GYN Dr. Heather Irobunda has pointed out that exercising in a thong “could increase your risk for a UTI by spreading bacteria to your urethra as you move,” and that trapped sweat and moisture can also raise your risk for vaginal infections. Her advice: choose breathable, natural material like cotton or a proper sweat-wicking fabric, and lean toward a bikini or hipster cut for better airflow.

Dermatologists add that tight clothing, friction, and poor ventilation are also risk factors for yeast infections during exercise — and the simplest fix is just picking gear designed to breathe and wick moisture away from your skin, then showering (or at least changing) as soon as you’re done. That’s exactly what the picks below are built for.

The Best Gym Underwear and Liners

#1. Reebok Seamless Moisture-Wicking Underwear (5-Pack)

Check price on AmazonA solid everyday pick. The seamless construction means no visible lines under leggings, and the moisture-wicking fabric actually does its job instead of just claiming to. The tagless, relaxed waistband also means no digging in during squats or burpees.

#2. Bamboo Cool Breathable Moisture-Wicking Briefs (5-Pack)

Check price on AmazonBamboo fabric is naturally more breathable than a lot of synthetic blends, which makes this a good option if you run warm or sweat heavily. Mid-waist cut, soft against the skin, and machine washable without losing shape.

#3. Fruit of the Loom Breathable Moisture-Wicking Underwear (4-Pack)

Check price on AmazonThe reliable, budget-friendly option. Nothing fancy, just a classic bikini cut in a cool-wicking blend that holds up to repeated washing — good for stocking up so you always have a clean pair for gym day.

#4. THE GYM PEOPLE High-Waist Shorts with Built-In Liner

Check price on AmazonIf you’d rather skip separate underwear altogether on heavy sweat days, these biker shorts have a built-in liner and real pockets for your phone or keys — a popular pick for a reason.

#5. Thinx Period-Proof Underwear

Check price on AmazonWorth keeping a pair in your gym bag for training on your heavier days — breathable, absorbent, and reusable, so you can skip doubling up on liners and pads underneath your usual underwear.

Conclusion

None of this is complicated: breathable fabric, a cut that lets air through, and a change of clothes as soon as you’re done training. Pair the right underwear with a few other habits and you’ll cut your risk of the problems a lot of people don’t realize they’re causing themselves — we break those down in our gym hygiene guide. And if you want the full, slightly uncomfortable picture of why this all matters, read Is Your Gym Making You Sick?

Editor’s note:

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