…Underwear? Am I really going there? Yes, I’m going there.
Underwear is literally the foundation of your workout outfits. Even if you’ve got the fanciest leggings ever, wearing an ill-fitting, sweat-soaked pair of underwear is going to make your workout miserable. Selecting an appropriate pair of underwear can also save yourself from a lot of potential embarrassment. Sure, going commando is an option, but for those of us who prefer the protection and clean feeling of an extra layer, selecting an ideal pair can be a challenge.
Thongs for workouts: do or don’t?
First, let’s talk about coverage. What’s the “right” amount of coverage for workout underthings? Whenever you search for “sport underwear”, almost every result is some sort of bikini, hipster, boyshort. A lot of people seem to balk at the idea of wearing anything other than full-coverages undies for working out. There are a few thongs out there, but not many. On top of that, a lot of the thongs cut in such a way that the seams are visible when worn, which kinda defeats the purpose.
What I’m getting at here is that just because something is labeled “sport” underwear doesn’t mean it’s actually ideal for fitness, and just because you’re working out doesn’t mean you should be wearing special “sport” pairs. Now don’t get me wrong, not just any underwear will do, but there’s plenty of “normal” underwear out there that can work just as good or even better than sport underwear. Plus, I’m all about versatility anyway.
With that in mind, there are two main considerations when I’m evaluating underwear for fitness purposes: comfort and visibility.
For the first one, ideally I shouldn’t even be aware of my undergarments when I’m working out. If I am, it’s usually a bad sign. I want underwear that fits well and stays in place. I want a lightweight, breathable fabric. I buy nice activewear with high-performance fabrics, and covering all that up with a heavy, vaguely damp layer of cotton is just a bad idea. In most cases, I don’t really recommend cotton when it comes to workout underthings, since it’s not usually that good at managing moisture.
For the visibility side of the story, it’s really important to me that my underwear isn’t visible to my fellow gym-goers in any way, shape, or form. Even if your pants are totally opaque, some underwear have ways of showing lumps, bumps, and lines that make it totally obvious what you’re wearing, especially on more clingy or lighter colored bottoms. No thank you. That’s why I end up being pretty biased toward thong styles. A lot of full coverage styles create an obvious seam across my bum, or worse yet, actually cut into my bum and create a lovely “quad-butt” effect. Ugh. Not to mention, the more coverage your underwear offers, the more you have to worry about fabric choice. I generally prefer to bypass both of those issues and go straight for minimal coverage.
If you think thongs are uncomfortable, here’s my secret: size up!! It really reduces the, er, “flossing sensation”. I normally wear a size XS or XXS in normal clothes, but I am almost always most comfortable in size S thongs.
On the sizing note, one more general tip before we dive in: as a general rule, I steer clear of “one size fits all” underwear. Every single pair I’ve gotten that’s sold as one size has fit like absolute crap. All pelvic regions are certainly not created equal, and it takes more than just stretchy fabric to accommodate that variety.
With that out of the way, let’s get to the reviews. In order to keep this G-rated, I’ve linked each item’s header text in lieu of posting photos. ;) Also, keep in mind that preferences and fit vary considerably in the intimates department, probably even moreso than they do for activewear. So, take my opinions and experiences with a grain of salt.
VSX no-show sport thong
The sport thong is seamless at the edges, with invisibility being the goal. On that note, these do “hide” pretty well under my bottoms, but the sides sometimes do roll, which I have to fix to get the benefits of their seamlessness. They fit well in a size XS, though after a few wears, they started to tend to shift a bit, which made them not as comfortable. The fabric is nicely lightweight. They’re similar to lulu’s light as air thong (which seems to be discontinued), but half the price. I actually hated everything about lulu’s light as air, but I think these are much better. Overall, a decent economical option. If they didn’t shift, I would be more inclined to buy more.
H.Dew “Cameron” g-string
As I mentioned above, I’m usually not fond of hipsters or bikinis because they’re rarely invisible. And I rarely love seamless styles because the material tends to roll or shift. So, what’s a girl gonna do?
Enter the string thong. Although they’re certainly not a universally loved style of underwear, string thongs are consistently one of my preferred options when it comes to what I wear under my activewear. The right string thong 100% disappears under my activewear, totally eliminating the VPL issue, but still provides the protection and general cleanliness I’m looking for.
This one from H.Dew pretty much checks all my boxes. It’s comfortable and fits me well in size S. Despite my trash-tacking cotton for underwear in general, for string thongs I don’t have a problem with it, since the area that’s covered by cotton is really small and therefore doesn’t create much of a sweat issue.
Tip: look for string thongs with a perfectly flat elastic side. Many strings have seaming on the sides, which can create some pretty apparent VPL, which of course is totally the opposite of what we’re going for by wearing them. Here’s a little visual aid showing the difference. Notice how the styles on the right are just plain elastic. They’re perfectly flat. The ones on the left also feel much thicker. The style of elastic on the right behaves a lot better: no rolling, no bunching, and no visibility.
Zobha yoga boyshort
I’ve heard Zobha’s boyshorts recommended numerous times and finally decided to try them out, despite my misgivings about full coverage styles. Although they’re not particularly pretty or sassy, they are functional to the max.
One common issue with boyshorts is that they tend to roll up when you pull tight pants on over top of them, making a gnarly little lump that you have to reach in and smooth out. Zobha’s boyshorts occasionally roll slightly at the sides when I’m putting on my pants, but aren’t nearly as bad as other pairs I’ve had and are easy to smooth out. They cover almost my entire bum, and don’t leave a seam. I bought these in a size S and XS. I prefer the S because it offers a bit more bum coverage and doesn’t roll as easily. The microfiber fabric is incredibly soft, lightweight, and comfortable. The rise also isn’t too low or too high; I haven’t had any issues with these peeking out the top of any waistbands.
The best thing about these undies? If you have a pair of leggings that might be a tiny bit see-through, but you convinced yourself to keep them anyway, the nude color of these boyshorts are perfect for adding another layer of coverage. Wear these, and you pretty much never have to worry about sheerness at all!
Overall, I would definitely recommend these for anyone who wants more coverage. I will buy them again. They’re an excellent companion to your workout bottoms. I’d also like to try Zobha’s thong version.
Victoria’s Secret cotton v-string
This style is nearly identical to H.Dew’s above. I like it for the same reasons. I bought an XS in this, but next time, I’ll order an S, since I think it will be more comfortable. The XS is a bit tighter than I like, so I’m kinda hoping it stretches out a bit!
Victoria’s Secret lace v-string
At first blush, you might think that lace undies and activewear would be a pretty silly combination. Here’s the thing though: lace is breathable! It won’t hold sweat like other fabrics will, and instead passes off the sweat-wicking duties to your fancy spandex. Mesh has the same advantage. That said, it’s best to limit the lace just to the front panel like this pair, since lace in other places tends to show through. If you don’t want to go commando but don’t want to feel stifled by your activewear, lace or mesh are great options.
Another thing I like about this style is that it’s a T-back. Instead of the extra “V” of fabric in the back, the two pieces of fabric are sewn directly together. This reduces the number of seams as well as the amount of fabric, creating a completely VPL-free rear view. Again, I purchased this in XS but would like to try a size S instead.
Lululemon mula bandhawear thong
The mula bandhawear are currently lulu’s flagship underthing option. I love the microfiber fabric–it’s very soft, breathable, and comfortable. They fit me well in size S. The big downside of this style is the seams. They can be a bit lumpy under some of my bottoms. I’ve had my pairs for a couple years now, and while they don’t fit quite as well as they used to, they’re still one of my preferred pairs. That said, these are one of the pricier options on the list and don’t offer total seamlessness, so I’m not sure I’ll buy more, or just stick to strings and Zobha.
Hanky Panky signature low rise thong
Hanky Panky’s signature thong style has been a staple in my underwear wardrobe for ages. I have several pairs of these in my drawer that have been going strong for 5+ years. They’re very comfortable and quite pretty to boot. But how do they hold up for workouts?
As I mentioned above, lace is usually a nice option for its breathability, but the real downside of an all-over lace number like this is the show-through. Even if the pants I’m wearing are opaque, the texture of the lace is often visible. I definitely don’t want to be showing off my lacy undergarments when I’m at the gym, so this is unfortunately a big downside. I can only wear these under thicker pairs of tights that hide the lace. While a great pair of underwear that I would recommend for general life use, these have limited usefulness at the gym.
By the way, if you’re normally a size XS or smaller, I highly recommend Hanky Panky’s petite version here. The regular one size did not work for me, but the petite sizing is perfect!
To wrap up
I hope this gives you some ideas if you’ve been struggling to find a suitable option. If you already have a favorite pair, let us know about it in the comments! There’s still plenty of room in my drawer to try out some more!
oh my gosh THANK YOU so much!!!! Most valuable info ever!! I need new workout underwear but I hesitate to buy any because I’ve had issues with what I’ve bought so far and needed some direction! It’s hard to ask my fellow-gym goers because its kind of embarrassing and you still don’t have a clear picture of what you are looking for even if you get the brand! thank you thank you!
I’m so glad it was helpful!! Good luck in your hunt, Jennifer. :)
This is so timely! Thank you!!! I was wondering though if you are thinking your leggings are sheer you recommend nude undies and not black?
I do recommend nude because if you wear black under a lighter color/print, the black will be potentially very obvious. Both can work, though, depending on the pair. Also, I’m saying this as a very pale person. If your skin tone is considerably darker than the color of the underwear, that might look funny–not sure.
Thank you so much for posting this!
I’m certainly curious what works for other women. I currently use Victoria’s Secret No Show Sexy as my go to. I have the hip-hugger, bikini and thong. The material is seamless and no show but it can roll a bit, but rarely happens. I believe these have a more finished edge (but still super flat) than the VA sport no show, which helps to keep them in place. There is nothing worse than getting up off a bench and leaving “angel wings” behind.
There is a similar version that Pink sells which may work for the smaller ladies out there.
I have started going commando for running, but for other activities I LOVE the Victoria’s Secret No-Show Sexy Thong Panty. It’s got a thicker fabric than their Sport Thong, and no liner (so no seams to chafe your panty line). Highly recommend!
That’s 2 votes for VS’s no-show… Sounds like I’ll have to give that one a try. :)
Thank you so much for posting this!
I’m certainly curious what
works for other women. I currently use Victoria’s Secret No Show Sexy
as my go to. I have the hip-hugger, bikini and thong. The material is
seamless and no show but it can roll a bit, but rarely happens. I
believe these have a more finished edge (but still super flat) than the
VA sport no show, which helps to keep them in place. There is nothing
worse than getting up off a bench and leaving “angel wings” behind.
There is a similar version that Pink sells which may work for the smaller ladies out there.
You’re welcome! Thanks for the recommendation–someone else mentioned that VS pair too, so I should definitely give a pair a try. :)
this is great! I’ve been looking for something like those zobha boyshorts forever (problem solved!) my go-to (for every day & working out) is the hanky panky low rise thong, but they do show through sometimes because of the lace and also because they are low cut. thank you!
You’re welcome! :) I hope the Zobhas work if you do get a pair!
Good to know! I go commando for the most part, because any pair of underwear I’ve tried while working out has driven me crazy. Those Zobha boy shorts may be worth a shot!
Indeed! I hope they work for you if you do give them a try. I know I’m not the only one who likes them, so there may be hope. :)
oh for F***s sake… 40% off outerwear on c38!!!
i guess i will now be trying the lucas hugh kimono jacket that i have been eyeing.
(and anyone thinking about the alala blanket jacket, bomber jacket, sherpa vest, etc. should jump on it!)
Hahaha… Fortunately I think I have enough willpower to sustain this one. I suspect a lot of FW collections will be going on sale soon, so I’m trying to hold firm. Although, I go on spending ban on Monday! Eep.
I swear by the athletic underwear from Knixwear! http://www.knixwear.com/collections/womens-athletic-underwear — with a strong preference for their boy shorts, which are more full coverage than the briefs and not-at-all like what you think of for boy shorts.
I saw that they started stocking those on Carbon38–I had never heard of them before that. I was curious to hear what people thought about them, so I’m glad you chimed in! Maybe I will give them a try. :)
I agree. I love fitknix especially. They have a moisture wicking version that is just stiff enough to prevent creeping up in front. Great for yoga. I size up in their lacy thongs because they have less give but remain true to size in their other thongs.
I ordered some Knixwear after reading your comment from BareNessities. Use code take25 for 25% off knixwear athletic.
Great suggestions! I got a pair of Hanky Panky from a Popsugar box years ago and they’re still my favorite. I also LOVE the underwear from Fabletics!
Ohhh I didn’t know Fabletics had some! Thanks for the tip. :)
Which version do you use? I wish they had a low rise bikini style vs brief. I don’t want granny panties but I don’t feel comfortable in other styles.
I wear these everyday for everything. Simple. Perfect.
http://www.wearcommando.com/collections/bottoms/products/thong
Thank you! I love that there is a “dark nude” option in these and may try them. I haven’t found a thong comfortable for workouts, but maybe these will work. I definitely prefer regular cotton for non active use though and wish I found that level of comfort from the other stuff. Maybe the boy short above will also be good. I asked this question on a previous post, and someone mentioned she swears by under armor undies.
You know, I actually ordered those to try out for this post, but the pair I received had a hole in them! I was afraid it would get larger, and I was afraid ordering again would be more of the same. : Have you had any issues with yours falling apart? I’d still like to try them again.
That really surprises me! I own 20 or 30 pairs and I’ve never had a problem with holes or anything falling apart. I’ve had my oldest pairs for maybe three years and I can tell they still have years of wear left. I really can’t say enough good things! The only complaint I have is the rise is a little high and peeks out the top of a few of my lower rise leggings, so I recently purchased a few pairs of these:
http://www.wearcommando.com/collections/bottoms/products/tiny-thong
They seem just as durable, but I don’t wear them often or wear them with abrasive materials like denim, so I don’t really know.
I also swear by their legwear.
Hmm thanks for the note! It looked like the hole was formed because of the way they were tagged (they didn’t tag on the seam). I’ll definitely give them another shot. Thanks for the info. :)
Tag? When I’ve bought them from the Commando website, they’ve come folded up in a little box. No tag. Weird.
Yeah, they were from Nordstrom so they had an extra tag attached. Sounds like it would be safest just to order from Commando directly!
Hi! I’m always looking I good workout panties, and these commando ones look and sound comfy. I’m worried about the sizing though? I wear a 6 or 8 in pants, but I’m worried about the S/M being a size 0-8. But the Large up to size 14 might be too big?? What size would you suggest?
I have these and have no issues with quality or durability. For me, they are a bit thin for working out and if the band rolls on you, well – those unwanted lines come right back. Anyway to answer the question about sizing, you’d probably want to go with the small. When I was an 8 I tried both sizes (thinking a bit of room would prevent dig in lines that some brands have that show through tights) and they were too big. The thong part gets longer and then it is either droopy or you have to pull them up too far and you lose the benefit of the low rise. I don’t know my measurements back then but I was about 137 and I’m 5’6″.
The Commando panties have a good amount of stretch, so I would guess you would be fine with S/M. But I also think it’s better to wear thongs slightly over-sized, to prevent digging and rolling. Mine have stretched slightly over time, so that’s also worth consideration.
If it helps: I wear size S/M Commando panties and tights, size 26 jeans, size 2 or 4 trousers, size 4 Lululemon run shorts, size 6 Lululemon leggings, and size small for all other run shorts and leggings.
Thanks for this! I was literally just thinking yesterday that I needed new workout underwear but was wondering if anyone had done a comparison. Unfortunately I can’t stand thong underwear so it’s been hard to find no-show pairs for athletic endeavors.
Still searching though. Maybe I’m looking for something that doesn’t exist. I want a no show athletic sweat wicking low rise hiphugger or bikini style that covers my entire butt cheeks. Seems they all still get “cheeky” and I have some hanging out even though they are called full coverage. For me that’s a definite no. At least not with my athletic undies! Why is it so hard to find a no show, low rise that keeps my entire butt covered? Gah! Until then I still end up wearing my cotton VS underwear even though I don’t like that. It’s good I don’t sweat hardly I guess.
Kudo’s for this. Hopefully there will be a part 2 with other brands that are out there – Moving Comfort, UA, Fabletics…..
I like Uniqlo’s WOMEN ULTRA SEAMLESS SHORTS (HIPHUGGER).
http://www.uniqlo.com/us/product/women-ultra-seamless-shorts-hiphugger-164081.html#50~/women/intimates-and-loungewear/underwear/hiphuggers/~
You may have some luck with the Victoria’s Secret No Show sexy hip hugger. The edge has a bit of a grip so it doesn’t slide and the coverage is good too. The material is kinda silky seems odd to wear for working out but they work for me!
My most worn workout underwear are from Victoria’s Secret Pink, and I’ve never had a problem with them (except my washer used to eat the previous versions). I get the no-show (not the seamless – the seamless actually have seams and they suck!) thongs and occasionally the no-show bikini/cheekini. I wait until they’re 7 for $27 then use a $10 angel card reward, so 7 pairs of workout undies for $17. I roll my eyes at VS Pink in general, but it’s where I get ALL of my cheap workout thongs. Here are the links to both that I purchase:
https://www.victoriassecret.com/pink/panties/no-show-thong-panty-pink?cm_sp=&ProductID=225006&CatalogueType=OLS
https://www.victoriassecret.com/pink/panties/no-show-cheekster-panty-pink?cm_sp=&ProductID=265577&CatalogueType=OLS
And if anyone is looking for new general underwear (for jeans, dresses, or thicker leggings), I whole-heartedly recommend these amazingly comfortable and flattering underwear: https://www.victoriassecret.com/panties/no-show-and-seamless/seamless-little-high-leg-brief-panty-body-by-victoria?cm_sp=&ProductID=255133&CatalogueType=OLS
They may look like granny panties when you hold them up, but they’re perfection once you put them on!
Thanks for addressing this! I know there’s a whole movement to go commando. I tried that, and it did not work for me! I have some of the VSX no-show hip huggers, but they ride up and essentially become uncomfortable thongs. My solution is a total old-lady one that I’m only going to admit because we’re all friends here: Soma’s Vanishing Edge hip huggers and bikinis. They have grippy liners on the bum that you can’t feel at all but that keep the panties in place so that they don’t move around at all while working out, so I never feel like I have them on. The microfiber fabric is very lightweight and does well with sweat even though it’s not a technical fabric. Not the sexiest, but they do the trick!
Haha sometimes compromises must be made. ;)
Can you please tell me what the second pair of pants from the left are in your first photo? I’ve been trying to find them on your blog but haven’t been successful in my search yet! I cannot stop thinking about them!
They are Athleta Sonar Capri in Floral Fade. Came out 1 1/2 years ago-ish. GREAT crops! Love mine. Can probably find on ebay. AA did a whole review and it will come up under the name search I gave above :)
Thank you! :)
Yup, what she said. :) Ebay is the only place to get them these days!
Thanks for this post! I currently am obsessed with under armours pour stretch sheer panties. https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/1247893/pid1247893-001
Both the long and cheeky are wonderful. I’ve been wearing them everyday for a few months now both for working out and everyday use. They are a one size fits all, and I think if you are very petite or very curvy they might not work, but i am a size 6/8 and they are a great fit.
I have these, but they didn’t work for me (#smallbuttproblems). I found them to roll a lot, and they stretched out after several washes. But I loved the colors they came in!
If anyone wants to just try them I found them at TJMaxx for $5.99 – both thong and hipster versions.
Wow that’s a great deal!! Might need to check out my local TJs. They’re usually 3/$30 online or at dicks.
Yeah I’ve heard UA’s are great, but the sizing just wouldn’t work for me, sadly. :(
Thanks so much for doing this post- it’s exactly what I needed! I’m definitely going to try out some of the brands listed here. I think my problem is I’m petite with not enough butt to fill out my underwear, so the fit is never great. Maybe the answer lies not in the underwear, but in squats! :)
Makes sense! I think I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum–for my size, I have a fuller bum/hips, so bikinis and such end up being a good fit everywhere except the cheeks. D:
I don’t have full hips and can only wear bikini style panties. I have tried many brands including VS, Zobha, Uniqlo. They did not work for me. My current favorite is Lululemon’s Mula bikini. They are comfortable and wicking during workout. The PL is not that bad but not completely invisible. My solution is to only buy leggings that I don’t see obvious PL.
How about Hanky Panky’s bikini? The Brazilian bikini has good reviews. Has anyone tried it?
I haven’t tried their bikinis, no! Good luck finding some better options! :
Been using the Lululemon Mula Bandhawear Thong and ❤️ It. Bought all on sale for $9 each:)
Nice! Sale prices are so much more bearable for lulu’s undies. :)
I think everyone should go commando at least once or twice to try it out. that’s the only way I roll now. in workout clothes, that is! fully-thonged at all other times. but seriously I was afraid to try it and then I loved it.
just leaving this here in case anyone needs encouragement to try commando. :)
(and unless you’re bleeding, nothing else aside from sweat will, uh, leak through. that was my fear).
thanks for the post Suzanne! gonna add these to my list for everyday wear, as I’m due for new ones.
Hehe thanks for the note. I still feel like I’m a bit too squeamish for commando, but maybe some day I’ll get over it! :P
My favorite workout underwear is the Felina Delectable thong. It’s lace (I know not your typical workout material – but I promise it’s a super soft material), lower rise, and very comfortable for workouts – no thong lines, doesn’t dig into your hips, is as comfortable as thongs can be- if you know what I mean. Give them a chance. I discovered them at Nordstrom Rack but they seem to be fazing them out. Not sure why. Nonetheless- I’m gonna stock up.
http://m.herroom.com/felina-530033-delectables-stretch-lace-thong.shtml?utm_source=adv&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=pla&utm_content=Fel001-530033&gclid=CKrO3M-t1coCFQGTaQod54ADog&kwid=productads-plaid%5E94012302557-sku%5E1798526-adType%5EPLA-device%5Em-adid%5E84885194349
Nice! Those look similar to the Hanky Pankys I have and love, but those Nords Rack prices are pretty nice. :) Maybe I’ll have to snag a couple.
Try Hanky Panky’s bare collection. The material is super soft and it never shows… Best thing since sliced bread.
Will do! :) Thanks for the suggestion.
Although this post is from over two years ago, I thought I’d mention it–ever try Smartwool PhD thong or shortie? I have found the thong to be the absolute best for all super sweaty activities from hot yoga to running, the shorty is great to wear on cold days, but I don’t work out in them. Just though I’d put that out there–they are pricey yet wash and dry perfectly and hold up to constant use.
Thanks for the suggestion! I haven’t tried Smartwool out yet, I might have to put them on the list for next time, especially for colder outdoor days! I just posted a follow-up to this last month with some other styles (here: http://www.agentathletica.com/best-workout-underwear/) so perhaps Smartwool will make it into part 3… :)
I’d def suggest the PhD line over their other underwear. The 150s were itchy but the phds not at all. The boy short is pretty high rise but great for extra coverage on cold days.
Good to know! I’ll definitely avoid the 150s to avoid the itch. :)
Hands down: VS Pink Cool and Comfy Seamless Thong.
https://www.victoriassecret.com/pink/thongs/cool-comfy-seamless-thong-pink?ProductID=300460&CatalogueType=OLS
Light, stretchy, breathable doesn’t move around, seamless = no show, thick enough to feel like you are wearing underwear, and no “riding up the crack.”
I also wear these every time I travel.
Thanks for the recommendation! That wasn’t out when I wrote this post, so perhaps I’ll have to give it a try. :)