Is Cotton Underwear Better?

Cotton is widely considered a good everyday underwear fabric because it's breathable and soft. It lets air move and absorbs moisture, which keeps skin drier and more comfortable over a full day — an advantage in a close-contact, warm area. That breathability is the main reason cotton has long been the default recommendation for everyday wear.

The tradeoffs are minor for most people: cotton is less stretchy than synthetics and dries more slowly, which is why many comfortable designs are mostly cotton with a small amount of stretch for fit. For intense workouts, some people prefer moisture-wicking synthetics, but for normal daily wear, breathable cotton-forward fabric is hard to beat. The bigger point is favoring breathable natural fiber for the layer closest to your skin. More in why cotton breathability matters.

Try BHG everyday basics.