Fitness enthusiast Tom Capon says: “Sweaty people rejoice: these are the pants for you.”
When it comes to physical activity, the focus is often on finding the best trainers, which supplements to take and for those who like to look good in the gym – which vest best catches the light in the mirror to enhance their gains for the ‘gram. But one thing that can easily get overlooked is finding comfy and practical underwear.
This was something Tom Capon discovered when he put Step One’s boxer briefs to the test during the biggest fitness challenge he had ever undertaken. Crafted from bamboo viscose, the boxer briefs profess to having been designed to be breathable and antibacterial, helping to reduce odour while also helping to prevent chafing.
These claims appealed to Tom for two reasons. Firstly, he describes himself as possibly “the sweatiest man in existence”. Secondly, he was about to take on one of the most demanding fitness challenges he had ever attempted.
The challenge involved four rounds of the following:
- 400m run
- 100m lunges with 5kg overhead
- 400m run
- 20 Spiderman pushups
- 400m run
- 60m burpy broad jumps
- 400m run
- 40 push presses with a 5kg
The Step One boxer briefs are longer than traditional underwear, making them more of a hybrid between an underlayer and a pair of boxers. However, this meant Tom did not need to add another layer underneath his running gear.
The Boxer Brief is available from Step One
Shoppers can save cash with the bundles
Tom said: “Normally I’d use the Under Armour thermal shorts (£20 onAmazon for one pair) to stop chaffing while running, but coupling those with boxers underneath means I’m on a one way ticket to Swampsville. However, Step One use Ultraglyde No-Chafe Panels, giving extra added protection while running.”
Tom continued: “This was my second favourite feature of the pants. I’ve got big legs from swimming and when I’m forced out of the pool and onto the land, chaffing can become an issue. However, despite running 6.4km I did not even think about it once.
“In fact, the pants are so comfortable they are bordering on Ned Flanders’ ski outfit. Not only is the material insanely soft, but they also have a supportive pouch to keep everything in place.”
But Tom’s favourite feature by far was the moisture-wicking ability. He said: “As a man whose loved ones make him wait 10 minutes before giving them a hug when they meet, sweat is a constant issue. The smell that comes with it, too, can be a source of insecurity – but these just do not retain the moisture that an underlayer or pants would. After the whole challenge, they didn’t even smell at all, even though I was so tired I felt my soul smelling.”
The £17 price tag for a single pair may be a little more than some shoppers want to spend, although there are discounts available when buying multiple pairs. For those who exercise regularly, particularly anyone prone to sweating or chafing, Tom found they offered plenty of benefits, from staying comfortable and supported to keeping moisture at bay during workouts.
So, are the Step One boxers worth it?
In conclusion, Tom said; “Sweaty people rejoice: these are the pants for you. Having tested the Step One boxer briefs during a huge fitness challenge, I can confidently say they are in a league of their own for anti-chaffing, comfort and moisture-wicking.
“While the price tag can be steep, they are high enough quality to be considered an investment, so those who are struggling with any of those issues should definitely check Step One out.“
Otherwise, shoppers may want to check out BIOFIT’s Essentials Boxer Briefs. These are made with 97% bamboo and a 5 pack (with five free) are £55. While these boast the moisture-wicking and the comfort, they do not have the specific anti-chaffing technology.