20 Best Breathable Underwear For Your Health
Whether you're reading this in summer, and you’re trying to live your life despite the heat, or in winter, and you’re working up a sweat to stay warm... either way, when it’s time for a little visit to the WC, you have to face up to the dreaded swamp ass. We’ve all been there—which means you have to literally peel your underwear away from your body, and then when you’re finished, put the damp pair back on. GROSS.
But what if you didn’t have to do that? And, maybe more importantly, what if you learned that you really should avoid this damp sitch as much as possible? If you’re not already, it’s time to invest in some breathable underwear. Underwear that lets you breathe is the way to go, so you can avoid chub rub, keep those infections at bay, and even live according to your values via sustainable fabrics!
Of course, as you know, the options for underwear are endless, and not all women’s underwear styles will go the distance when it comes to breathability. Below, you’ll find a list of the 20 best breathable underwear for your health, organized by material and type! Don’t worry, I got ya, and I promise we’ll find breathable underwear that fits you and your lifestyle.
WHY DOES BREATHABLE UNDERWEAR MATTER?
When it comes to breathable underwear for women, it matters especially because your vagina and the surrounding area are bacteria’s dream home. This increases when you have a sweaty vagina, are wearing synthetic material that traps heat and sweat further, or don’t change your underwear enough (pro tip: CHANGE YOUR UNDERWEAR EVERY DAY!). To maximize your breathability down there, make sure to wear underwear that isn’t too tight and made of breathable materials—natural is always best!
BEST MATERIALS FOR BREATHABLE UNDERWEAR
Natural materials are the very best to have in your delicate crotch area (and really, to put anywhere on your body, but, I digress). They’re not always the best at moisture-wicking, though—but if you know what to look for, you can have your cake (natural materials) and eat it too (avoid swamp ass).
HEMP
If you’re curious about hemp vs marijuana, it’s not the same thing! Industrial hemp has been grown for years (and not smoked), and makes a terrific, eco-friendly fabric. You’ll reap the benefits when wearing hemp underwear, whether it’s a hemp bra or hipster panties. Here’s why you’ll love hemp underwear:
- Breathable nature wicks moisture away
- Antibacterial properties keep your privates healthy
- Super durable and won’t wear out
LINEN
Linen underwear can be difficult to find, but it’s often praised as some of the best breathable underwear for women thanks to its antibacterial properties (just like hemp fabric!). And just what else makes linen so great? Check it:
- Super lightweight, so you’ll feel nice and airy all day
- Softer than many other breathable fabrics
- A sustainable fabric, completely biodegradable and recyclable
ORGANIC COTTON
When it comes to organic cotton vs cotton, organic is much better for the planet—and for you booty! Here’s a few more reasons to love that cotton:
- Many gynecologists recommend this fabric for breathability
- Available at all price points, so can be budget-friendly
- Still kind to the earth, especially more so than regular cotton
MERINO WOOL
I admit the thought of wool underwear makes me, well, itch. But never fear—merino wool bears little resemblance to that wooly long underwear of yore, and makes some of the best underwear. It’s definitely not itchy but super soft, as well as sustainable—just make sure whatever brand you choose to buy is nice to the sheep! Here are some more reasons to love merino wool:
- One of the softest natural fibers available
- Unique temperature-regulating abilities
- Completely natural and friendly to the earth
TENCEL
When comparing hemp and Tencel, hemp comes out on top when it comes to sustainability, but Tencel is still a great choice for women’s underwear. It has better absorption than cotton, and is super comfy to boot. A few other reasons:
- The perfect mixture of comfort and durability
- Wicks moisture expertly for breathability
- Made using a revolutionary closed-loop process that produces almost zero waste
MODAL
Modal, made from beechwood, is a fantastic material for women’s underwear, although, like Tencel, it is not always environmentally friendly. There have been recent technological developments that are helping modal be kinder to the planet, which is great because it’s a lightweight yet super-absorbent fabric. Some other reasons? Read on:
- Long-lasting fabric that stands the test of time
- Great for all activities, form lounging on the couch to climbing a mountain
- Some modal is made using sustainable processes (just do your homework first!)
BAMBOO VISCOSE
Bamboo is a terrific natural fiber, although the process for making bamboo viscose can be harmful to the environment. For more, see hemp vs bamboo, but make sure to pay attention. Ideally, you’ll only wear bamboo from brands that are fully transparent, so you know you’re not aiding and abetting more eco-harm. If you can find these brands, here are some more reasons to love bamboo viscose underwear:
- Super popular breathable underwear material, so you’re sure to find a pattern and cut you like
- Makes for very soft underwear fabric to keep you comfortable
- It’s made using natural bamboo fibers, which is a step above most synthetic materials—though remember the viscose process negates the benefits of the bamboo fibers.
Now that you know what to look out for in order to find the best breathable underwear for your health, let’s jump into the 20 best pairs you can find today! Happy shopping, pals.
20 BEST BREATHABLE UNDERWEAR FOR YOUR HEALTH
1. WAMA HEMP HIGH WAISTED UNDERWEAR
Material | Hemp & organic cotton blend
Occasion | Every day comfort, from lounging to WFH to working out
Sizes | XS-3XL
Price | $24
The high waisted underwear from WAMA are made from superstar hemp and organic cotton. The hemp especially keeps things clean—thanks to the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It also keeps ya dry—thanks to the moisture-wicking nature of hemp. Exactly what you need in your undies. Swamp ass be gone!
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2. THINX COTTON BIKINI
Material | Supima cotton, Tencel Modal, elastane
Occasion | That time of the month, but comfy enough for any time!
Sizes | XS-4XL
Price | $32
Thinx makes period underwear, which are actually underwear that absorb your period so you don’t need to use pads, tampons, etc! It must be some kind of magic, but since they’re designed to absorb liquid, their Cotton Bikini makes for some seriously moisture-wicking underwear to keep things from, well, getting damp. Gross.
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3. EX OFFICIO GIVE-N-GO SPORT MESH HIPSTER
Material | Nylon & elastane
Occasion | Travel and outdoor adventure time
Sizes | XS-XL
Price | $24
Ex Officio specializes in clothing for travel and other adventures, which means it’s designed to wash easily and dry quickly. As you can imagine, this makes for some uber breathable underwear in their Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Hipster. And I can attest that their underwear does, in fact, dry uber fast. Yay for hand washing!
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4. PATAGONIA ACTIVE BRIEFS
Material | Recycled nylon & spandex jersey
Occasion | Hiking up a mountain or hiking through the grocery store
Sizes | XS-XL
Price | $24
Patagucci! Making affordable, partly-recycled underwear and I am totally here for it. Patagonia’s Active Briefs for women use their innovative technology to moisture-wick with the best of them, while also staying put for action.
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5. WAMA THONG UNDERWEAR
Material | Hemp & organic cotton blend
Occasion | An exercise class in tight yoga pants, or clubbing in that skintight dress
Sizes | XS-3XL
Price | $24
It may seem like thong underwear is a “duh” when it comes to breathability, but despite their lack of fabric, thongs aren’t always as breathable as one might hope. Luckily, WAMA Underwear makes a hemp thong that gives you the low coverage you want and the breathability you need.
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6. FELINA ORGANIC COTTON STRETCH HI CUT PANTY
Material | Organic cotton & spandex
Occasion | Day to day, night to night, or day to night and night to day
Sizes | XS-2XL
Price | $16
For all you cotton purists out there—which I totally get, when it comes to underwear!—the Organic Cotton Stretch Hi Cut Panty from Felina gives you that comfy cotton feel—sustainably, no less! Felina also uses greener dyes which means you can be extra sure there are no nasties near your crotch.
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7. KNIX LACE LEAKPROOF BIKINI
Material | Nylon, spandex, cotton
Occasion | You deserve to feel sexy even on your worst (or most hormonal & bloated) days
Sizes | XS-4XL
Price | $23
The Knixy Lace Leakproof Bikini from Knix is designed to absorb, well, leaks. Not just from your period, but also from sweat or from the occasional laugh-so-hard-you-pee moment (or from an especially aggressive sneeze). Thanks to this black magic, you can be sure there’s plenty of that fine moisture-wicking activity in these babies—and then when you add the lace, you’ve got some sexy moisture-wicking. Ooh la la.
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8. ICEBREAKER MERINO SPRITE HOT PANTS
Material | Merino wool, nylon, elastane
Occasion | A cold winter’s day or a hot summer’s night—merino will regulate your temp no matter the weather
Sizes | XS-XL
Price | $24-$40
Icebreaker’s Merino Sprite Hot Pants are designed to be worn all day, in any weather, and are so lightweight you might even forget you’re wearing ‘em. They’re also very durable, so you can put them to the test however you choose, like hiking in the desert or some aggressive lounging after a long day.
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9. LG LINEN FRENCH KNICKERS
Material | Organic linen
Occasion | Whenever you want to feel like a fancy (yet sustainable!) Victorian lady
Sizes | XS-3X
Price | $35
The ultra-soft and ultra lightweight French Knickers from LG Linen are especially great for ladies who may be prone to vaginal infections (UGH), as these panties are cut in a vintage style that takes breathability to a whole new level. Oh la la, yes please!
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10. WAMA BOY SHORTS UNDERWEAR
Material | Hemp & organic cotton blend
Occasion | When you want maximum breathability and zero chub rub
Sizes | XS-3XL
Price | $24
WAMA’s boy shorts underwear are not only super breathable underwear for women, like all of their hemp underwear, but their longer length means they’re also the best anti-chafing underwear. A little extra coverage without sacrificing one bit of breathability, movement or comfort? Me likey!
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11. PROCLAIM TENCEL MID-RISE BRIEF
Material | Tencel Lyocell and spandex
Occasion | Maxing out that relaxing
Sizes | S-3XL
Price | $29
If you’re looking for some breathable underwear made in the good ole USA, check out the Tencel Mid-Rise Brief from Proclaim, based in California. Using Tencel Lyocell made from responsibly sourced trees, you can feel good when you wear these—both about the planet, and about the state of your vag!
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12. TOMBOY X THONG TENCEL MODAL
Material | Tencel Modal
Occasion | When you need to add a boost of fun to your wardrobe while keeping it minimalist
Sizes | XS-4XL
Price | $22
Tomboy X’s Thong, made from Tencel Modal, is comfortable, breathable, low coverage, and comes in ten seriously fun colors. I mean, butterflies, bandana print or rainbow ombre? Yes please! Who knew breathability could be so fun (and sustainable).
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13. AIMEE-CHERIE INTIMATES BOWIE BOTTOMS
Material | Bamboo & elastane
Occasion | Whenever you miss the 90s, bust out this 90s cut g-string
Sizes | XS-XL
Price | $49
While bamboo itself is sustainable, underwear is never made from the bamboo fibers because it just can’t get soft enough. The viscose process is used to make bamboo rayon, which unfortunately uses so many chemicals, the green-factor and the natural benefits are nil. However, the Bowie Bottoms from Aimee-Cherie Intimates are made from bamboo—and made by hand, no less. The g-string cut can be worn lower or higher on the hips, depending on what you’re wearing, and the smooth, lightweight material makes some good breathable underwear.
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14. MEUNDIES FEELFREE HIGH-WAISTED CHEEKY
Material | MicroModal and elastane
Occasion | Depending on the print you choose, wear these when you’re feeling classic, bold, or adventurous
Sizes | XS-4XL
Price | $18
I’ve gone on about MeUndies and their ridiculous amount of fun prints and colors, but I just can’t help it—they’re really that good! They’ve got your basics, your bold colors, and tons of prints, from dinosaurs to plaid to tiny skiers on tiny ski hills. And, of course, these FeelFree High-Waisted Cheeky underwear are sustainable, ethically sourced and comfy.
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15. GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE SPORT BRIEF
Material | Recycled plastic bottles & spandex
Occasion | Walking or jogging, yoga or pilates–whatever exercise you choose
Sizes | XXS-6XL
Price | $18
Girlfriend Collective makes all of their workout and loungewear from recycled plastic bottles—cool. And although this may not sound that comfortable (or breathable), their Sport Brief most definitely is. With their eco-friendly practices, inclusive sizing, and underwear that stays put, it’s a brand worthy of your support.
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16. TENTREE THE EVERYDAY BIKINI BRIEF
Material | Tencel Lyocell, organic cotton, elastane
Occasion | Everyday! Wear these from yoga to work and back home without a worry
Sizes | XS-XL
Price | $20
Tentree is the best because not only do they use natural materials for their products, they plant ten trees with every order. So not only can you be sweat-free in their Everyday Bikini Brief, you can also be guilt-free.
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17. BROOK THERE ORGANIC COTTON BIKINI
Material | Organic cotton & spandex
Occasion | For those simple days where you just want full coverage comfort
Sizes | XXS-3XL
Price | $28
Every girl (and person) needs those go-to, basic underwear you can throw on without thinking about it. You know the ones I mean—the ones you don’t have to worry about, your ride-and-die pair. These go-tos could be these cozy Organic Cotton Bikinis from Brook There, which are basic in the very best way.
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18. HUHA LOW PROFILE THONG
Material | Tencel Modal Micro & spandex, infused with zinc
Occasion | When minimalism calls
Sizes | XS-3XL
Price | $23
Huha makes underwear that is infused with zinc for extra protection against bacteria, and their sustainable materials help with this, too. Their Low Profile Thong benefits from all of these details, making a minimalist pair of breathable underwear that everyone will want to borrow. But don’t let them, because, gross.
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19. ALLBIRDS TRINO SHORTIE
Material | Tencel Lyocell & merino wool
Occasion | When you need to move, these will move with you
Sizes | XS-3XL
Price | $20
Allbirds don't just make shoes from merino wool anymore—they also make underwear! These Trino Shortie underwear are made from sustainable materials like merino wool, are super soft and silky, and will moisture-wick with the best of ‘em while keeping smells at bay. Quite the little multitaskers, these ones are!
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20. THE NUDE LABEL TRIANGLE BRIEF
Material | Organic cotton & elastane
Occasion | When you want a little coverage and a lot of appeal
Sizes | XS-XL
Price | $30
The Nude Label makes a Triangle Brief from GOTS certified organic cotton (yay!) that ranks high on the breathability meter. The wide band provides comfort, while the triangle back and front design gives you just enough coverage without adding any unnecessary bulk.
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IN CONCLUSION
So there we have it—a comprehensive list of the 20 best breathable underwear for your health! Who knew how important underwear was to your vaginal health, huh? Turns out it matters what materials you wear down there… and, well, everywhere.
Which pairs of breathable underwear are you most excited to try? Or do you already have a favorite pair? Keep the convo going below!