A guide to men’s ethical + organic underwear
Last updated November 2021.
Underwear is something that most of us buy new. It’s something that I buy new. 90% of my wardrobe is second-hand, and I try to make sure that those things I do buy new are as sustainable and ethical as possible.
(Because I buy most things second-hand, I can afford to spend a little more on underwear.)
I try to support independent and sustainability-minded businesses (not only by choosing to buy their products, but also by purchasing from them directly rather than a third-party platform beginning with A), choose well-made, organic and fair trade products, and avoid unnecessary plastic packaging.
It’s not always possible, but with underwear there are some options.
Slowly slowly I’ve been putting together a bit of a guide for ethical, organic and fair trade underwear. I’ve previously written about ethical and organic women’s underwear brands, and ethical bras and bralette options. Today, I’ve put together a list of options for men’s underwear.
This post contains some affiliate links. You can read more at the end of this post.
All of these brands are ones I’d recommend (I wouldn’t list any that I didn’t). Because they all offer something different and it is impossible to have favourites, I’ve listed them below in alphabetical order instead.
Bhumi
Company HQ: Australia / Fairtrade: YES / Organic: YES / Made from: 95% cotton, 5% elastane / Made in: India / Ships: Worldwide
Bhumi is an Australian company selling organic cotton products. Their mens’ range includes briefs, trunks (pictured), mid-length trunks and boxers.
Sizes: S – XL
Website: bhumi.com.au
Etiko underwear
Company HQ: Australia / Fairtrade: YES / Organic: YES / Made from: 95% cotton, 5% elastane / Made in: India / Ships: Worldwide
Etiko is a family-owned and operated clothing company with an emphasis on protecting human rights and transparency. All their products are certified organic, fair trade and vegan. They make mens’ trunks in four colours: heather grey, black, peacock and eclipse stripe (pictured).
Sizes: S – XXL
Website: www.etiko.com.au
John Lewis & Partners
Company HQ: UK / Fairtrade: No / Organic: YES / Made from: cotton / Made in: not declared / Ships: Worldwide
John Lewis & Partners are more corporate than any others on the list, but I included them as the business is actually owned by the people who work there (there are no external shareholders) and they are more committed to sustainability than most. Plus I was struggling to find a UK option, and John Lewis have a surprisingly good mens’ range in organic cotton: briefs, keyhole briefs, button boxers, hipster trunks, trunks (pictured) and button fly trunks.
Sizes: S – XL
Website: johnlewis.com
Laura’s Underthere
Company HQ: Canada / Fairtrade: N/A / Organic: N/A (second-hand and upcycled fabric) / Made from: upcycled jersey / stretch knit / Made in: Canada / Ships: USA and Canada
Laura’s Underthere makes unique limited edition underwear made from upcycled jersey and stretch knit material. All of the designs are gender inclusive (Laura calls it genderful) and for every pair purchased, another pair is donated to someone in need. The pouched boxers are pictured.
Sizes: XXS – XXXXL
Website: laurasunderthere.com
Living Crafts
Company HQ: Germany / Fairtrade: YES / Organic: YES / Made from: 95% cotton, 5% elastane or 100% cotton / Made in: India / Ships: Worldwide
Living Crafts is a German company specializing in organic cotton textiles, with a good range of men’s underwear. They offer boxers (which they call pants – pictured) and longer, looser boxer shorts either with or without elastane. Their factories are 100% wind powered.
Sizes: S – XXL
Website: livingcrafts.de
Nisa Men
Company HQ: New Zealand / Fairtrade: No / Organic: uncertified / Made from: cotton or merino, elastane / Made in: New Zealand / Ships: Worldwide
Nisa have a line of men’s organic cotton boxer briefs in three colours: black (maroon trim), grey (mustard trim – pictured) and navy (grey trim).
Sizes: S – XL
Nisa employ women from refugee backgrounds to sew their underwear in Wellington, New Zealand. They state that they aim to source organic certified cotton ‘wherever they can’.
Website: nisa.co.nz
Organic Basics
Company HQ: Denmark / Fairtrade: No / Organic: YES / Made from: 95% cotton, 5% elastane / Made in: Turkey / Ships: Worldwide
Organic Basics have three styles of boxer: organic cotton boxers, Tencel (an eco-friendly fibre made from wood pulp) boxer shorts (pictured) and Silvertech Active boxers made of 93% recycled nylon and 7% elastane.
There are a few colour options depending on the style (all styles come in black). Bonus: they package and ship their products without plastic.
Sizes: S-XXL
Website: organicbasics.com
Pact
Company HQ: USA / Fairtrade: YES (Factory) / Organic: YES / Made from: 95% Cotton 5% elastane / Made in: India / Ships: USA and Canada (International shipping currently on hold)
A US company with a good range of mens’ underwear styles and colours: briefs, trunks, boxer briefs (pictured), extended boxer briefs and knit boxers
Sizes: S – XXL
Website: wearpact.com
Peau Ethique
Company HQ: France / Fairtrade: YES (SAB000) / Organic: YES / Made from: 95% cotton, 5% elastane / Made in: India? / Ships: Worldwide?
Peau ethique is a French mother-and-daughter company making organic cotton underwear. They have two styles for men: briefs and boxers (pictured).
Sizes: S – XXL
Website: peau-ethique.com
Thunderpants
Company HQ: New Zealand / Fairtrade: YES / Organic: YES / Made from: 90% cotton, 10% spandex / Made in: New Zealand / USA / Ships: Worldwide
Thunderpants have two styles for men: original and fitted boxers. They have a lot of fun, printed designs which change regularly – black is also currently available.
Sizes: S – XL
Website: thunderpants.co.nz
(They also have dedicated site for the USA thunderpantsusa.com, with products made in Oregon, Portland stocking one men’s style: boxer briefs. Their newly launched UK site thunderpants.co.uk will be supplying products made in the north of England but current stock – men’s fitted boxer – is made in Australia)
Wama underwear
Company HQ: USA / Fairtrade: NO / Organic: YES uncertified / Made from: 53% hemp, 44% cotton, 3% spandex / Made in: China / Ships: Worldwide
WAMA have four styles: boxer briefs (pictured), trunks, boxers and briefs. All styles come in black; the boxer briefs come in green and hemp (a sandy colour) also. They are the only brand I’ve found that blend hemp with cotton.
WAMA are a Green America Certified Business and a PETA-Approved Vegan brand.
Sizes: S – 3XL
Website: wamaunderwear.com
Wonderpants
Company HQ: Australia / Fairtrade: YES / Organic: YES / Made from: cotton / merino, elastane / Made in: Australia / Ships: Worldwide
Wonderpants have a single boxer style of mens’ underwear, available in either cotton or merino. Cotton colours are black, charcoal, green, red ochre, grey marle (pictured) and charcoal with black; merino colours are blaze red, charcoal and midnight navy.
Sizes: S – XXL
Website: wonderpants.com.au
As always, I’d love to hear from you! If you have any great brand suggestions that I’ve missed, would like to give an impromptu product review (good or bad) or have any other comments or thoughts at all, please share below!
Disclaimer: this post contains some affiliate links, meaning if you click a link to another website and choose to make a purchase, I may be compensated a small amount at no extra cost to yourself. My recommendations are always made with you, my readers, as my priority. I only align myself with companies whose products and ethos I genuinely love, and I only share companies and products with you that I believe you will be interested in.
Great article, it’s good that someone is talking about men’s undies as they generally take up far more fabric than women’s. My husband has tried loads of ethical brands before and a couple of years ago found a brand that is amazing RAPANUI they are ethical, organic and really affordable. They are a company based in the UK, I presume they post all over but they are really worth checking out. You can even send back worn out items and they will give you a £5 credit towards a new item. the old one gets recycled and made into something else. Brilliant.
Clare is right! RAPANUI in the UK seemed to have the right culture and ideas for a sustainable future, with sensible prices. A A brilliant firm – worth a look!
As a previous customer of theirs I can’t believe I didn’t think to check them, Bob! Will add them in shortly. Thanks for the reminder!
Hi Clare and thanks for your comment. Ah yes I know Rapanui, I used to have a sweater made by them (it was grey with a wolf on the front), was my favourite sweater ever and I literally wore it until it shredded! Great tip, I will add them. I want to have options all over the world as my readers are all over the world, and just sticking to Australian or US brands misses out a huge chunk of the globe…
My husband loves his Merino Country underwear. Super comfortable. Made in Queensland from Australian wool…very soft and machine wash on an ordinary cycle. Have lasted a long time so far.
Oh, expensive but worth it.
( Christmas and birthday)
Hi Ann, ooh great tip! I’ll go have a look! Thank you :)
Have you had a look at UK company Rapanui? They have a circular economy going… :)
Oop. Just read the comments!!
Haha all good, Jen! I really must update this post!
Nice post on mens underwear , all the collection are very nice. I will definitely try underwear from there.
Great Post! It’s your guidance will be helpful to select and buy new men’s underwear. I appreciate your post. Please continue to share this type of more article.
Thank you, I’m so glad you found it useful :)
Nice post. Like all the mens underwear. All are amazing
Wow, I really like the way that you give your opinion about men’s underwear. It is such a great article. I will definitely try some underwear from your list.
Great article, it’s awesome to see so many businesses coming up with a conscience. I just found these guys organicman.com.au – really loving theirs because its a classic design and very comfy and its also nice they are offering a kids version – got some for my nephew too!
Great article, Its really helpful for me.
I just like to use boxer, I was a boxer dude my whole life.
I really love this blog, I really do. But could you please tell a little more about the fair and ethical production. I am very curious if the people who make the products get fair wages, how the working conditions are etc. etc.?
Thanks for your sharing. Whether you want to look cool and keep comfortable, cotton boxer shorts are a great option. These briefs have all the usual elements, including a classic design, cool colors, and fun printed graphics. They’re also great gifts for men. Let’s find out how to choose a pair. Listed below are some of the best brands and styles of men’s underwear. You can also choose a pair based on your personal preferences and style.