Icebreaker mens merino 150 Anatomica boxers in black

Most people these days realise that when you’re on the bike, you shouldn’t wear layers of any sort that are made from cotton. Cotton is reasonably breathable when it’s dry, but as you sweat the long-yarn fibres in cotton absorb the moisture. And when this happens, you get wet patches. And when you get wet patches, you lose breathability. You will lose the ability to sweat effectively, and you will not cool down.

And so, in theory, wearing cotton underpants on a motorbike is not the way to go. Especially when you’re somewhere hot, or if you’re working hard, you should wear something more breathable; something like an underpants made with merino wool.

These lightweight, 150 g., underpants are spun with a little Lycra for added comfort. You get what Icebreaker call a  functional, contoured pouch. I think that means you have a fly opening. All the seams are Flatlock stitched to prevent chafing.

In anybody’s world, these underpants are lovely to wear; a touch of affordable luxury. In writing about these pants, the New York Times called them ‘Wool with sex appeal’. Well that we couldn’t say, but they are nicer to wear than your M&S undies. Unlike normal wool, Merino won’t itch, and in an underpant Merino will provide an element of temperature regulation. They are going to be nice to ride in, although nobody is going to suggest that they are an essential accoutrement.