A cotton multipack costs less than one pair of bamboo boxers. That is the whole objection, and it is a fair one. So here is what the extra money buys, and where it buys nothing.
Yes, if damp, stale or sagging underwear is something you notice. If your cotton pairs have never given you a reason to think about them, keep them.
What you are paying for
- Drier. Bamboo viscose wicks moisture up to four times faster than cotton, which absorbs it and holds it.
- Fresher. It carries up to 70% less of the bacteria that cause odour.
- Longer lasting. It resists thinning and holds its shape and softness wash after wash.
- Soft for longer. It feels the same at 3pm as it did at 8am.
The cost per wear
Price per pair is the wrong sum. The useful one is price per wear.
| Cotton multipack pair | Bamboo pair | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £8 | £13 each in the 7-Pack |
| Lifespan in this example | 8 months | 2 years |
| Wears, at once a week | About 35 | About 104 |
| Cost per wear | About 23p | About 12.5p |
These are example figures. How long any pair lasts depends on how you wash it and how often you wear it. The point is the direction: a pair that lasts longer costs less each time you put it on.
Where bamboo does not win
- Price per pair. Cotton is cheaper on the day.
- Care. Bamboo wants a 30°C wash and air drying. No tumble dryer and no fabric softener.
- Choice. We make black and white, in one cut. If you want prints, we are not the brand.
How to find out for the price of one pair
You do not have to take the numbers on trust. The 30-Day Sweat Test covers your first pair. Train in it, commute in it, wash it weekly. If it isn't the best boxer you own, we refund it and you keep it.
The Boxer Brief
96% bamboo viscose with 4% elastane, cut mid-thigh, with a flat anti-roll waistband and heat-sealed labels instead of tags. Black or white, S to XXL.
Try The Boxer Brief£17 each · £15 each in the 3-Pack · £13 each in the 7-Pack · Free UK delivery
Keep readingBamboo vs cotton underwear · How many pairs of underwear should a man own? · Boxers that don't ride up
