Say Goodbye to Microplastics with These Non-Toxic & Organic Men’s Underwear Brands

In 2024, researchers found microplastics in every set of human testicles they studied.

We are only just beginning to understand the potential implications of microplastics on human health, but some research has linked them to serious concerns like heart attack and stroke, as well as damage to human cells in a laboratory.

Plus, sperm counts in men have been falling for decades, and some scientists have been pointing to the constant barrage of hormone-disrupting chemicals as a potential culprit (Count Down by Dr. Shanna Swan is an excellent book about this.)

Microplastics get into our bodies from all kinds of places, of course—air, food, water, drinking and eating out of plastic containers, etc.

But they can also come from our clothing.

Most clothing (including underwear) on the market these days is made out of plastic. Polyester, nylon, spandex—it’s all plastic.

The plastic from our textiles is a significant source of microplastic pollution. Every time we wash our synthetic garments, tiny pieces of plastic break off and get washed down the drain. From there, they end up in our oceans, rivers, and drinking water.

Not only that, but microplastics can also be carriers for other toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through your skin. And once you start sweating, it gets worse. The heat increases chemical leaching, your pores open up, and even more potentially toxic chemicals make their way from your briefs into your body.

So, needless to say, the fabric next to your private parts matters for your (and possibly your children’s) longterm health. Which is why I’ve done the research to find you the best non-toxic and organic boxers and briefs.

This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!

Here Are the Best Brands for Healthy, Organic Men’s Underwear

I know you’re probably here to get right to it, so here are the best organic underwear brands for men that are comfortable, durable, and suitable for sensitive skin. If you want to learn more about what to look for in your non-toxic boxers or briefs, scroll down.

NADS

NADS is quickly becoming one of the go-to brands for non-toxic underwear for men—they’re worn by many athletes and coaches.

They offer boxers, boxer briefs, and commando shorts.

The boxers and shorts are made out of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, so they’re totally plastic-free. The briefs have 5% elastane for stretch. (The “package liner” is 100% organic cotton though.)

Their dyes are OEKO-TEX certified, but you can also go with a completely undyed option (for the boxers) if you want to.

Features: Flat, tagless back; no-roll, flat, smooth waistband; practical vertical fly
Price: $34
Sizes: S-2X
Made In: Turkey

Use code THEFILTERY to get 15% off.

Subset

This is one of my top overall picks.

Subset (formerly called Knickey) has also been one of my favorite organic underwear brands for several years now.

They used to just focus on women’s underwear, but now they offer organic boxers and briefs for men, too, as well as loungewear like robes and socks.

They offer two main styles: boxers and briefs. They come in several different dark solids, like black, blue, and garnet. They’re made using mostly GOTS certified organic cotton and come with OEKO-TEX and Fair Trade certifications as well.

Features: Functional front fly & ergonomic pouch; flatlock seams
Price: $30
Sizes: S-2X
Made In: India

Pact

This is one of the most affordable options for organic men’s underwear.

Pact is one of my favorite brands when it comes to organic cotton underwear for men and women—I’ve repurchased them several times over the years.

They carry solid-colored and patterned GOTS certified organic cotton knit boxers, boxer briefs, and standard briefs. They’re also one of the more affordable organic underwear brands, which I appreciate.

Plus, they’re Fair Trade certified, which indicates an ethical supply chain where workers are paid a living wage and work in safe conditions.

Features: No-roll, smooth flat waistband; tagless back
Price: $12 (on sale) – 55 (4-pack)
Sizes: S-XL
Made In: India

Use code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off full-priced items.

Woolly

I know wool underwear might seem like a weird idea at first, but hear me out! They use Australian Merino wool, which is one of the finest and most *luxurious* types of wool. Personally, I have found Woolly’s underwear to be super comfortable and not itchy at all. (That said, if you have a history of wool sensitivity and/or are just very sensitive in general, you could just try one pair and see how it goes.)

The benefit of using wool for underwear is that it’s naturally more anti-microbial and anti-odor compared to cotton—so it’s great for activewear, travel, and things like that.

Some of their underwear is made with 100% wool, while some of it contains 5% elastane for stretch.

For men, they have boxers, briefs, and boxer briefs that are available in several solid colors.

All of their wool is RWS Certified, which means the sheep are treated fairly.

Features: Naturally anti-odor & moisture wicking, flatlock seams, tagless interior
Price: $32 – $85 (3-pack)
Sizes: S-2X
Made In: China

Organic Basics

This is a good option if you want a mix of organic cotton and skin-friendly TENCEL.

Organic Basics has a variety of ethically made sustainable men’s underwear made from long-staple GOTS organic cotton, as well as TENCEL (which is great for sensitive skin!).

They carry boxers, briefs, and boxer briefs in a variety of solid colors.

Features: Tag-free elastic waistband
Price: $30 (3-pack, on sale) – $75
Sizes: XS-3X
Made In: Europe

WAMA

This brand is for you if you’re a fan of hemp!

WAMA’s underwear is made from a blend of organic cotton, sustainable hemp, and a touch of spandex for a comfortable fit. They offer boxers, briefs, and boxer briefs.

They carry various ethical and eco-friendly certifications such as OEKO-TEX, Green America, Vegan, National Hemp Association, and more. Plus, they have a “first pair guarantee,” so if you don’t like them, you can return them for a full refund—no questions asked.

Features: Natural anti-bacterial properties from the hemp; flexible waistband
Prices: $22 (on sale) – $32
Sizes: S-4X
Made In: Vietnam (in a WRAP certified factory)

My link gets you 15% off.

Cottonique

These may not be the sexiest underwear in the world, but Cottonique is the brand for sensitive skin. It’s literally what they do.

For men, they have loose boxer shorts, as well as boxer briefs and regular briefs.

All of Cottonique’s underwear is made using 100% organic cotton. It’s all free from things like latex, synthetic fabrics, harsh dyes, and chemical treatments. Some of their underwear is completely undyed, while they also have some black, blue, and gray colors that use non-toxic dyes.

Additionally, some of their options have latex-free elastic, while others eliminate elastic completely by using a drawstring instead.

Features: Made specifically for sensitive skin. No latex or spandex. Undyed & elastic-free options.
Prices: $18 – $60 (for a pack)
Sizes: S-3X
Made In: Philippines

Use the code THEFILTERY10% for 10% off.

Jungmaven

If you like hemp (it’s good for the soil!), check out Jungmaven. They only have one option (a boxer brief) available for men’s underwear, but they have a lot of different colors available.

They’re made of a blend of organic cotton, hemp, and a little bit of spandex.

These are “Made with Love in California” too!

Features: Hemp gives it naturally moisture-wicking & antibacterial properties without added chemical treatments
Prices: $48
Sizes: XS-2X
Made In: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Object Apparel

If you want USA-made, check out this brand.

Object Apparel’s men’s underwear is made right here in the USA, in Detroit, Michigan. It’s all handmade out of organic cotton, hemp, and water-based dyes. They carry briefs and boxer briefs in solid colors and fun designs.

They’re definitely on the more expensive side, but this brand is for you if you want to support a (very) small American-made business.

Features: Handmade to order; hand silk screen printed
Prices: $56-60
Sizes: XS-2X
Made In: Michigan, USA

Linoto

If linen boxers appeal to you, check out Linoto.

Flax can be a very eco-friendly plant, which means linen is a great natural, healthy fabric to use for boxer shorts.

These Linoto linen boxer shorts are made in the USA and come in a wide variety of colors. Linoto says these shorts can also double as loungewear, pajamas, or yoga shorts as well.

Features: Cool, dry breathability that comes with natural linen; sport-fly front
Prices: $40-49
Sizes: XS-2X
Made In: USA

Allbirds

You might know them for their wool sneakers, but Allbirds makes apparel and underwear, too. Their men’s boxer briefs are not certified organic, but they are made from responsibly-sourced natural merino wool combined with skin-friendly TENCEL and a little bit of spandex.

They offer boxer briefs and trunks in a few different colors.

Features: Wool naturally minimizes odor
Prices: $22-24
Sizes: S-2X
Made In: Vietnam

KENT

KENT only has one style for men, but it’s 100% natural and made in the USA.

Their “Breather Brief” is the “perfect balance between boxer and brief.” It’s available in black, white, red, or blue.

KENT’s organic underwear is made out of 100% GOTS organic pima cotton for the utmost breathability and comfort. They’re completely synthetic-free, which means no spandex, elastane, or other plastic materials.

They’re all made ethically in California AND they’re completely compostable, too!

Features: No tags, totally plastic-free
Prices: $28
Sizes: XS-3X
Made In: USA

Oddobody

Here’s another brand that is 100% cotton and plastic-free! There are no synthetics at all in Oddobody’s woven boxer, boxer brief, or paneled brief.

They’re also Fair Trade Certified, too.

Plus, they have a “first pair guarantee”, which makes trying these undies basically risk-free.

Features: Totally natural & plastic-free, focus on gender-neutral options
Prices: $34 (on sale) – $45
Sizes: XS-3X
Made In: Peru

TomBoyx

This is one of the most inclusive underwear brands on the market.

Most of Tomboyx’s underwear is not made from organic cotton (although they do have a small organic collection!), but they make my list as an honorable mention for a couple of reasons.

One is that they do use natural (conventional) cotton, which is still a better option than most synthetic fabrics. It’s also OEKO-TEX certified, which means it’s been tested for a long list of toxic chemicals. Additionally, they have a collection of TENCEL underwear, which is a great option for sensitive skin.

But the biggest reason I’m including Tomboyx is because they are extremely inclusive when it comes to its styles and sizing. Everything is gender-neutral, and sizes go up to 6XL. They carry briefs, boxer shorts, trunks, and more, and they come in LOTS of fun colors and designs (in addition to basic black).

Features: Very stretchy for different body types; smooth, durable flatlock seams won’t irritate or chafe
Prices: $14 (on sale) – $34
Sizes: XS-6X
Made In: China

Even More Non-Toxic Brands for Boxers, Briefs, & More

If you didn’t find what you’re looking for from the options above, here are even more brands to choose from:

• Afends: Their collection of men’s underwear isn’t very big, but they have some boxer briefs made out of organic cotton + hemp.

• Brava: Lots of colors & patterns to choose from. Made in Portugal out of 100% organic cotton. Sizes S-2XL.

• Colorful Standard: This brand used to be higher up on my list, but it seems like their transparency has gone down in recent years. They still offer organic cotton boxers, but they no longer come with third-party certifications.

• Industry of all Nations: They offer both undyed and naturally-dyed boxers made of organic cotton.

• Maro: They have some plastic-free boxers that are made out of 100% GOTS organic cotton. (The waistband is made out of 50% natural rubber + 50% organic cotton). Sizes S-2XL.

Here’s What to Look for in Men’s Underwear That Supports Your Whole Health

Here are some good things to look for when shopping for non-toxic men’s underwear:

Natural and Organic Fabrics Are Safer Than Synthetic

As we already discussed, synthetic fabric is not great for longterm human or environmental health. Not only that, but it’s also less breathable and therefore more likely to cultivate bacteria growth and get smelly faster.

Instead, look for these fabrics that are healthier for your skin, hormones, and overall health:

• Organic Cotton. Although conventional cotton is a natural fiber, it’s grown using toxic pesticides. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is grown, harvested, and processed in a much healthier way for everyone.

• Hemp. Hemp is a really incredible fiber—it’s durable, breathable, naturally anti-bacterial/anti-microbial, and moisture-wicking. Plus, it gets softer with time.

• Linen. Linen is not the best for briefs, but it’s a great option for boxers. It’s super lightweight and breathable, and it doesn’t need a bunch of toxic chemicals to grow.

• TENCEL. TENCEL is actually a semi-synthetic fabric. It’s sourced from plants, but then it goes through such heavy processing that it’s no longer considered “natural” by the time it actually becomes a fabric. TENCEL is in the rayon family, but it’s actually one of the least toxic, most environmentally-friendly types of rayon. It’s soft and cooling to the touch, and in my opinion, it’s a great alternative to conventional, petroleum-based synthetics. If you have sensitive skin that gets irritated easily, you may want to try some TENCEL underwear to see if it’s more comfortable for you.

• Conventional Cotton. If you can’t afford underwear made from one of the fabrics above, conventional cotton is still a good option. Although it’s grown using toxic pesticides and is less beneficial to the soil, it’s still plastic-free.

Non-Toxic and Water-Based Dyes Are Better For People & Planet

What good is using a healthy, natural fabric if it’s just going to be finished with toxic chemical dyes? Look for brands that are using non-toxic, water-based, and plant-based dyes to add color to their trunks. (A few of the brands above even offer undyed options as well.)

Third-Party Certifications Help

Third-party certifications have their pros and cons. They’re not perfect, but I believe they can be really helpful in providing a certain level of accountability to companies.

Look for things like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for organic cotton and OEKO-TEX, which indicates a finished product has been tested for a list of toxic chemicals.

Next time you’re in the market for new organic boxers or briefs (and let’s be honest, it’s probably already been too long), look for organic cotton, hemp, and linen underwear for a healthier closet and planet. If you have a favorite non-toxic underwear brand that isn’t listed here, let me know in the comments and I’ll consider adding it!