Underwear for a 4 week trek

[heracles26]

I will be heading to Nepal in October to undertake the 3 high passes trek through the Everest region. The trek is going to take about 4 weeks and will reach about 5500m in altitude. From what I've read the days will be warm but the nights and early mornings will get quite cold.

I'm looking for some high quality underwear that I can purchase for the trip. I've had no experience with an extended hike like this so I don't really know what I'm looking for! I just don't want to be chafing

Any recommendations are appreciated

[RonK]

My preference is for Icebreaker merino boxers.

[whitefang]

I use the exofficio give-n-go boxers and find them excellent.

[heracles26]

I use the exofficio give-n-go boxers and find them excellent.

Got a link to specific online store?

Thanks!

[whitefang]

They're not cheap that's for sure. I bought them from Paddy Pallin when they were on special: http://www.paddypallin.com.au/exofficio-sport-6-boxer-brief-mens-22027.html

[heracles26]

They're not cheap that's for sure. I bought them from Paddy Pallin when they were on special: http://www.paddypallin.com.au/exofficio-sport-6-boxer-brief-mens-22027.html

Thanks!

Is there any benefit getting the sports version over the non-sports version? I'm having a quick Google now for reviews

[whitefang]

I'm not sure of the difference between the two. I just opted for the sports version because they were cheaper at the time.

[weeds]

Commando??

[horsecat]

I just use my normal everyday ones over there and never had any issues. It's extremely dry air with very low humidity (the lowlands of Nepal below 1,000m can be different though). Four pairs last me six weeks in the hills with no problem. And besides you will probably get a bowl of washy water in the morning, plus take baby wet wipes

[Travis22]

I just bought 1x the Give-N-Go's yesterday to see what they are like. I bought the 9" version and after trying them on at home unlike the photo they dont go down near my knees, they go more like 2/5th to 1/2 way to my knees which should be perfect. The main motivating point was the 9" ones were on sale so i bought them to try out these 'technical' jox as up until now ive only ever worn 'normal' jox lol.

Travis.

[Picaro]

Is there any benefit getting the sports version over the non-sports version? I'm having a quick Google now for reviews

I have both types.
The sport version is a lighter mesh, with slightly bigger holes.

[heracles26]

Is there any benefit getting the sports version over the non-sports version? I'm having a quick Google now for reviews

I have both types.
The sport version is a lighter mesh, with slightly bigger holes.

Do you prefer one over the other for hiking?

[GPSGuided]

I use the exofficio give-n-go boxers and find them excellent.

I have a number of them that I use for my travels. Ex-Officio advertise them to be only 1 needed. As I have found out, they may dry faster than regular cotton undies, they still may not dry out completely overnight in an A/C hotel room. But they are comfortable and dries faster than cotton, so I have continued to use them for the purpose, obviously also for outdoor camps. Neither here or there for day walks when compared with cotton ones.

[Picaro]

Well, the sport are cooler for hot weather.

But if I am going to be on track for a length of time, I prefer the sturdier material, as is my practice for most kit.

Their is a bit of difference in the 'accommodation' as well. The standard ones hold a little more snugly, but both are comfortable.

Sorry that this sounds like an each way bet, but I do like both.

Just had an afterthought. If I'm going to be using a harness, it will definitely be the snug fit. I've paid the price a couple of times, won't make that mistake again,

[keithy]

I generally have boxer briefs, and have tried various brands and fabrics. I have a few pairs of Merino from Icebreaker, SmartWool and exOfficio. I like the Icebreaker one (a relay boxer brief with fly) but I am not sure its worth the price. The Smartwool one I have is over 12" long, and I find it a bit too long. Too long boxer briefs for me means the legs ride up especially when going uphill and has more chance of chafing or you have to keep reaching in and pulling the legs down. I'm not sold on Merino jocks for value for money, but the merino leggings are awesome. I have an Icebreaker lightweight 150g one, and a mid weight 260g one and took those with me.

The other jocks I took for my month in Nepal were cotton or poly-cotton boxer briefs like the Bonds guy front trunks. I didn't have chafing issues with them.

I have just recently discovered these Uniqlo Airism boxer briefs. http://www.uniqlo.com/us/product/men-ai ... r-briefs/~ I can't find them on the Australian Uniqlo site, and bought them last month in Singapore. But I tested them out on some humid walks in Asia, and have used them under merino thermals here, and they are so nice and comfy. I don't know what the Airism material is but it's silky feeling, and drys quickly - and they say it has odor control. They were about $15/pair. I'll have to ask Uniqlo aus if they will bring them out after the winter range.

You can see more of the Airism range on the Uniqlo's US site: http://www.uniqlo.com/us/men/innerwear- ... rwear.html

I walked the EBC trek in October 2013, and it was freakishly cold. There was a typhoon in the bay of Bengal that dumped the cold weather and snow when we were there so I was glad to have my merino undies and leggings. On the way from Phakding to Namche it rained for half the day, and I hadn't bothered with rain pants, so walked with a wet bottom half. That's when I found out the longer boxers weren't so nice as they tended to bunch up with the inclines. The other boxers that were around 6-8" or so were better. But having the Merino thermals was great, as they still kept my legs warm even though they were damp.

I walked the Annapurna side in November, and found that it was significantly warmer and more humid than walking in Sagarmatha National Park (around between 25-30 degrees), even for the areas between 1500-3000m like the walk between tikhedhunga and Ghorepani. Those 3500 stone steps really pushed the undies up, so I wore a mid thigh compression undies over my jocks.

[heracles26]

Thanks to everyone for their info! It's been very helpful

[Chezza]

My preference is for Icebreaker merino boxers.

Another vote for these. If you can air them out occasionally they never seem to get terribly smelly!