As a full framed, portly male, do you have a favorite underwear for travel? Something that wicks moisture away yet doesn’t give wedgies?
I’ll be hiking in the lower Piedmont’s region in mid July if that’s relevant.
My own piece of travel savy, space saving travel tip... we bring bay leafs, which lie flat in a ziplock bag, and place one under each armpit in place of carrying cumbersome deodorant.
Thank you.
Until I saw your posting history, I thought this was a first time poster. Paul, I admire your candidness. I can't help you with the "full framed, portly male" bit, as I have a perfect physique. I can recommend not wearing underwear at all when hiking. However, from personal experience, it can be a little hair-raising when wearing shorts instead of trousers.
My spouse, though not portly, swears by Exofficio or Duluth Trading underwear.
Exofficio and Underarmour makes the type of underwear you want in larger sizes. They last forever.
What kind of underwear do you wear at home? Wear what ever is comfortable for you.
Am I understanding that you walk around all day with a bay leaf under your arm???
Sorry, but that small little deodorant stick just does not take up that much space. I even bring one on my back pack when I am walking the Camino and carrying all my stuff. There is always room for that.
Wait a minute, I use bay leafs when making my special borscht. I certainly hope they've not been used before.
Well, what works at home doesn’t seem to be comfortable while on vacation, as I’m pretty sedintary here at home but walk a lot while away.
No underwear whilst hiking! Think of the chaffing!
I've found Underarmour trunks to be the most comfortable. Very light material that helps wick away sweat and with the tight, clinging style they help to avoid chaffing.
I find the idea of a bay leaf under your arm in place of deoderant bizarre. How does it stay in place? Presumably you're moving your arms whilst walking which must make it particularly uncomfortable? My travel size anti-perspirant takes up hardly any room and will last weeks, far more preferable than bay leaves shoved under your arms.
Huh? Curious HOW do the bay leaves stay in place?
Just guessing on my part, but I would think one would have to keep their arms very close to their body (sort of not moving them) in order to keep a tight squeeze to keep the bay leaves from slipping down toward one's waist (or even ankles).
What am I missing?
Not sure what type of deodorants you have been using that are "cumbersome". I buy a couple of the tiny travel size stick deodorants for a dollar at the local dollar store and use those when traveling. Take up almost no room, and I trash them as they get empty, so not what I would consider cumbersome. Have tried other options over the years using things that are not really considered deodorants suggested by the internet, and unfortunately been told that even though I thought they were working they were not.
Can't help with the underwear question. I wear the same at home and while traveling. I seem to have an aversion to any clothes that calls itself "travel clothing".
The easiest thing to do is to be start now to be more active and not sedentary and try out various kinds of underwear to see what works best for you. Same with socks and shoes. Then you don't end up with blisters after walking 10 miles a day in Europe. Plus you will be fitter and enjoy the activity of hiking all day, instead of being out of breath and miserable.
Thank you for all the replies. I very much appreciate your time.
Dulth Trading Company has many different varieties. You should be able to find one that works for you
ExOfficio. Only thing I wear any more. Lasts forever, doesn't pill like a lot of synthetics, dries in minutes with a hair drier if you need a clean pair ASAP. Wore them for three combat tours and dozens of trips in all kinds of weather, over dozens of countries.
I would like to hear more about the bay leaf !!! It made me chuckle when I read it. Thought he was joking.
Paul: Here's a link to a thread I started a couple of years ago about Duluth Trading underwear. Since then, I've continued to wear it every day, briefs and tank undershirts. I've given up all the other various cotton and blend stuff I'd tried over many years and will never wear anything else. For travel, it's super-lightweight and can be worn for days without needing to be washed. Even in hot, sweaty Italy last year, I took four pairs of briefs and shirts for 12 days and sink-washed them once or twice. Duluth has a number of varieties in different materials. I prefer the original Buck Naked diamond-nylon weave.
Happy trails!
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/men-s-travel-underwear-duluth-trading
I've been really happy with underarmour boxer briefs, mainly because of ease of laundering and how well they've stood up to years of travel (hand laundering) as well as regular wear and laundry at home. I've preferred the longer inseam (9") because they don't ride up at all. The 6" don't ride up either but the shorter ones do.
Costco has three packs of exofficio boxer briefs now for $25 which are supposed to be designed specifically for travel (wicking, anti odor). I bought a box yesterday, washed them last night and have a pair on today (TMI?), they seem to fit well. I'll probably pack some on my next trip.
One feature I demand is a true fly. Some styles of underarmour don't have a fly now and I won't wear those. It might sound silly but I'm not a fan of having to work around no fly in public restrooms.
After mentioning “wedgies” in my initial post, I can’t even believe anyone would care to engage in conversation about underwear for traveling. Bay leaves? I’m dumbfounded. OMG. Ciao.
One feature I demand is a true fly. Some styles of underarmour don't have a fly now and I won't wear those. It might sound silly but I'm not a fan of having to work around no fly in public restrooms.
Hear, hear! Nothing worse than having to go in wrist deep scrambling around for that elusive opening especially when you're desperate to go.
JC, that sounds just so wrong.
But, I do remember at the Running of The Bulls, when I couldn’t wait. Thank goodness for a real flyopening!
I would rather do laundry in prison than try to carry a bay leaf under each armpit.
ExOfficio's underwear was the first to make it's mark as a travel-performance garment. The Give-n-Go is the original, the Sport is the newer softer textile, colors/design it's on the younger side. I prefer the Sport however preference may vary, I use these for every activity: travel, backpacking, long drives/flights, moving furniture...if I'm gonna be sweating and moving, I'm wearing ExO underwear.
Duluth Trading Company recently introduced their synthetic underwear about 5-years ago. After 10+ years of trying, somebody finally found out how to copy ExOfficio's popular underwear. Duluth is using the same textile as ExOffico's Give-n-Go style.
This is a informative and mildly humorous review of several others to consider. Whatever you choose, being able to cut back on clothing helps lessen the weight and clutter. 3-4 are enough for a 2-week trip: wear one, wash one and have a fresh one ready to go.
I like to keep my deodorant herbs seasonally appropriate. Winter savory in the cooler months, and summer savory in the hot ones.
After mentioning “wedgies” in my initial post, I can’t even believe anyone would care to engage in conversation about underwear for traveling. Bay leaves? I’m dumbfounded. OMG. Ciao.
2500 posts is a pretty good set up to not be considered a troll.
Vielen Dank!
2500 posts is a pretty good set up to not be considered a troll.
That was precisely my consideration. Wish I hadn't bothered now.
Just going to note that right now is a good time to buy ExOfficio. It's end of season and you can save 40-60%.
...Bay leaves are a popular ingredient in spaghetti sauces and soups, but they can also be used as a natural way to repel insects. --- https://www.hunker.com/12567572/how-do-bay-leaves-repel-bugs ------
Lots of references to bay leaves as insect repellent so I guess as a deodorant is not too far fetched. Do you use fresh or dried? According to America's Test Kitchen research bay leaves have a shelf life of about three months and should be stored in the refig between usage.
Duluth just came out with new travel underware - boxers with 2 small pockets and shirt with a zipped Napoleon pocket
