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Travel underwear?
ExOfficio produces some very sturdy and specialized travel clothing, one such popular item being the travel underwear.
Yes, you read that right. There is, in fact, a market for travel underwear, especially for people who want to travel light and have the best quality underwear in their backpacks.
However, it seems that many travelers are turned off by these items because of the price. The female versions of ExOfficio underwear can run anywhere from $18 to $26 each, and that’s not cheap. The real issue at hand is deciding whether or not this price is worth it. Let’s discuss!
- Check out our full travel underwear guide.
What Makes ExOfficio Underwear So Special
In other words… Why the price?
Now $26 may seem steep for a single pair of underwear but these aren’t just any normal panties, ExOfficio claims to have spent over 20 years perfecting the perfect pair of travel underwear.
Their original designs were made to be more durable, quicker drying, moisture-wicking, and also less smelly in general over your everyday underwear – so that you could travel longer and more comfortably with fewer pairs.
While the price tag may seem steep, when you factor in the number of wears along with the additional benefits to your trip, they’re definitely a wise investment.
But they didn’t stop there…
That’s where their new and improved Give-N-Go® 2.0 Collection comes in.
Their new 2.0 collection is up to 4 times more breathable, 50% more moisture wicking, and 25% more quick drying compared to their original Give-N-Go® collections. The durable fabric is perfect for long-lasting use and the 4-way stretch gives you total range of motion.
The breathable mesh fabric supplies airflow to keep you cool and the improved anti-odor treatment ensures you stay fresher (and unsmelly) for longer (perfect for a day spent exploring a tropical climate). The flatlock seams reduce chafing and the wide, comfortable waistband retains its shape.
Their sport mesh versions have a snug active fit and lower rise that are ideal for high-energy activities
How Many Pairs of ExOfficio Underwear Do You Need
All these new and improved features mean that you should be able to travel with less underwear!
If you’ve been around the site, you know we love to minimize our packing lists here at HPL. And, if you’re also one of those people who is looking to make your backpack lighter by any means possible (like cutting the end off your toothbrush) or you’re someone who just wants to keep things simple with less baggage, then these might be great for you.
How light and simple you can travel with these underwear is another question, though.
The original tagline for these underwear (I believe) said something like:
“17 countries. 6 weeks. One pair of underwear.”
I never really understood this tagline since I couldn’t get my head around what you are supposed to do when you’re actually washing them.
No, one pair just didn’t seem like enough, no matter how quick-drying they are, which is why I was happy to see the addition of this line to the website:
“Okay, maybe two.”
Well, that’s better… but is that really all you need? This all depends on your travel style and personal preference.
If you don’t feel comfortable traveling with only two pairs of underwear, pack more. It’s good to have one pair on, one pair drying from a wash and one pair (at least) in case of emergency.
Brooke’s Original ExOfficio Underwear Review
Note: This is an older review of the original Give-N-Go® collection. I do not have the 2.0 collection… yet. New review coming soon!
When I was a newbie backpacker, I couldn’t let myself wonder any longer about ExOfficio travel underwear. I was curious, so when I found some online at sale prices, I bought four (two really didn’t sound like enough). Two and a half years later, at the time of this review, they were still kickin’.
In short: Yes, they’re worth it.
In depth: They have some faults, but not enough to concern the traveler that is after function over style.
Pros:
- Durability. After 2.5 years, of casual use (both travel and daily life), they were still in great condition.
- Texture. The meshy texture helps you build up a lather when hand-washing clothes in hostel sinks.
- Comfort. The bikini briefs give full coverage and are great for exercise, walking, hiking, and other activities where wedgies are a problem.
Cons:
- Style. They lack style, and may even resemble granny panties.
- Thickness. The string bikini versions have a very thick trim. You can often see the lines under your clothes, which is annoying.
They have updated the look to be a little bit cuter these days but they’re still primarily functional-looking underwear. The trim has also been altered.
The Maybes:
- Drying. Sometimes, they dried quickly while other times they seemed to take a bit longer. This obviously depends on the climate and the airflow where they are hung. Would I say that you could definitely wash them in the evening and 100% expect them to be dry by morning? No, don’t expect it.
- Liners. The material isn’t the best for sticking panty liners and pads to. Sometimes they stay put, and others they get a little off-guard. Anyone else have experience?
Don’t Believe Me? Here’s Another Review
Taking Care of Your ExOfficio Underwear
The ExOfficio underwear range has been designed especially with travelers in mind. This means that they’ve taken into account that you’re going to be washing and re-wearing them on the road.
On their website, they break the washing process down into 4 easy steps – wash, wring, roll, and hang.
Wash
Wash your underwear with soap (they claim this is optional) and rinse.
Wring
Wring out as much of the excess water as possible.
Roll
Lay them on a dry towel, roll them up, and squeeze to get them as dry as possible.
Hang
And finally, hang them up in a well-ventilated area to dry completely.
Following this method, your underwear should be dry overnight.
The ExOfficio Range
ExOfficio’s main aim is to make the best travel underwear possible.
ExOfficio Underwear
They have 4 different types of underwear available – bikinis, briefs, hipkinis, and thongs. They are available in a range of solid colors like black, buff, jadeite, papyrus, and retro red to name a few.
There are also a few patterns. Some pairs are available in a sports mesh type fabric.
You can shop the whole range on Amazon or the ExOfficio website.
ExOfficio Bralettes
Exofficio has two bralettes available – the Women’s Everyday Bralette (retailing at $40) and the Women’s Give-N-Go® 2.0 Bralette (retailing at $26).
The Women’s Everyday Bralette is made from a viscose blend lightweight knit jersey fabric for breathable comfort and it’s bio-based anti-odor treatment keeps you fresher for longer. It features adjustable straps for maximum comfort and a custom fit. The flatlock seams reduce chafing.
This bra will probably remind you of your normal bras just with a few added extras. Making it great for everyday use. The versatile low cut means you can wear it with lots of different styles of neckline.
The Women’s Give-N-Go® 2.0 Bralette is made from a breathable and durable mesh fabric that allows for airflow to keep you cool. The improved anti-odor treatment ensures it stays fresher for longer. The flatlock seams reduce chafing and it provides low support for A-C cups. Just like the Everyday Bralette, the low cut of the Give-N-Go® 2.0 Bralette means it can be worn with a variety of different necklines.
This is a great option for backpacking and hiking.
ExOfficio Underwear FAQs
All of your ExOfficio underwear questions answered in one place.
How do you wash ExOfficio underwear?
Use the 4 easy steps method that ExOfficio recommends – wash, wring, roll, and hang. Wash and rinse, wring out as much water as possible, lay them on a dry towel, roll up, and squeeze, and finally, hang up in a well-ventilated area to dry.
How long does it take for ExOfficio underwear to dry?
If you follow the ExOfficio washing method, your underwear should be dry overnight.
Why is ExOfficio underwear so expensive?
ExOfficio underwear is so expensive because their pieces are designed to last much longer and be worn a lot more than ordinary underwear. Think of it as an investment. Sure they may be more money up front, but you will have to replace them less.
What is ExOfficio underwear made of?
ExOfficio underwear is made out of a combination of nylon and elastane. This durable fabric is breathable, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying. They go through an anti-odor treatment to ensure they stay fresher for longer.
How many pairs of ExOfficio underwear should I pack for a trip?
While ExOfficio claims you only need two pairs no matter how long your trip is, this all depends on your travel style and personal preference. If you don’t feel comfortable traveling with only two pairs of underwear, pack more. It’s good to have one pair on, one pair drying from a wash and one pair (at least) in case of emergency.
What are some good ExOfficio underwear alternatives?
While ExOfficio no doubt makes an amazing pair of underwear perfect for travel, there are other options on the market (some at a cheaper price point). When shopping for travel underwear, look out for pairs that have similar features as ExOfficio – breathable, moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, quick-drying, and durable.
ExOfficio underwear is made mostly from nylon so keep an eye out for this material when shopping for travel underwear.
Most of your favorite travel or sports brands, like Patagonia, Under Armour, and Ridge Merino, will make underwear very similar and perfect for traveling.
- Check out this post on fast-drying travel underwear for options.
Now What?
Well, if you’ve made it this far, you’re probably thinking about making a purchase. You can always try out a pair and then buy more if you think they will work with your travel style.
Optimally, I would shoot for a minimum of 3 pairs, but 4 is better as it gives you more time to wash in between wears.
Be sure to read our Ultimate Travel Underwear Guide to get more info on ExOfficio and other travel underwear brands.
If you own a pair of ExOfficio underwear, let us know what you think of them in the comments below.
Great post! I am in the process of purchasing clothes/gear for a 2 year backpacking trip to start in the fall and had read about this underwear but wasn’t sure if it was worth getting. Pretty sure you’ve convinced me!
Hey Brooke! I’ve been back and forth on getting these and your review def helps (i heard they were really uncomfy and i worry about “woman issues” happening from not using cotton)… I really don’t think i’d mind bringing a cpl more pairs of cotton underwear, to save money and not worry about buying the right size/returning online, etc.. but my main question/concern was what about sweating and humidity?? I’ll be in SE Asia for 3 months in jan and i heard it’s going to be SO hot. Obv the travel panties will help with that BUT if i choose cotton instead, will i be dying of sweat and way uncomfy during the hot days?
This is also my first backpacking trip- my first trip abroad anywhere. What do you recommend?
Thanks!
Hi Gina! What about getting a trial pair and see how you like them. Take them to work out and see how they fare in hotter conditions? They are wicking and quick drying so they should help keep you drier in humid conditions. The X-O are super durable and will last you through washing, hand washing, etc. repeatedly. If you’re nervous, why not do a couple X-O and the rest cotton. Every body is different, but I’ve gotten rave reviews from the women who won the free pair in my giveaway a while back. The give-n-go lacy are definitely more comfortable than the original. I definitely recommend getting 1 pair and trying it out for a couple wears, and working out, and then ordering really quick more if you love them. But, brining 2 pairs of cotton will never hurt — you can ditch them if you decide on the road 🙂
So I’ve been backpacking around South America with 2 pairs of exofficio undies for the last 8 months and I could not recommend them enough. I got the black “boy shorts” style. (I think that’s what they’re called). They actually look cute ish and are very comfortable, especially doing anything active where sweaty underwear can be really uncomfortabel.
I found the trick to making sure they dry quickly is after washing them in the sink or shower I make sure I rub them in my towel to begin the drying process and I have never woken up to find them still wet. In the sun you might wait 30 mins max.
They really are my favourite thing I packed. Some friends have travelled a bit in between the last 8 months and they always ask me what I’m glad I packed and what I wish I had left behind etc. I always tell them to get a couple pairs of exofficios. Although I feel completely confident I could continue to travel with just the two pairs, I do travel with a couple extra cotton undies just to change things up a bit. It’s nice to wear something different sometimes, but really and truly I know I could go with just the two pairs. They are that good. So if you’re still ummming and ahhing about whether to spend the money on them, just do it! You will not be disappointed if you’re backpacking etc and need to pack light.
Ps. Meant to also mention I have had the same trouble with panty liners not sticking to the fabric well. They don’t stick as well as I would like but that’s honestly the only minor complaint I have. And it’s so minor, it doesn’t bother me and I use panty liners daily.
I have two pair of the briefs and two of the newer, lacy, sexier ones, and I LOVE them! I use them for travel, but also working out at home and hiking. They are the best backpacking underwears ever.
If you are looking for something even cuter, Patagonia’s Active Hipster briefs come in colors, including super cute stripes. I don’t love them functionally as much as Ex Officio, but they are super cute. So, you could take one pair of Ex Officio briefs for comfort/hiking, one pair of the lacy ones for looking cuter, and one pair of the Patagonias to change it up 🙂
Another thing I like about the Ex Officio full briefs is that they double as a full coverage bikini bottom. I take a bathing suit when traveling, but when wilderness backpacking (trekking, for the Europeans) I don’t like to carry extra clothes – just one pair of undies to wear on the trail, another for in camp while the other pair is drying.
Just wanted to add my 2 cents. I bought 3 pairs in 2012, travelled Europe for 9 months and they were great. Finally threw them out in mid 2018, as they were a bit shapeless and I noticed they weren’t as good with the odour control anymore. So expensive to purchase at the outset, but I have never had the length of service that I have had out of these 3 pairs of underwear. Am about to buy some more.
I have 4-5 pairs of Ex Officio. I used to buy whenever they went on sale. But more recently I tried Fruit of the Loom Breathable Panties and honestly they are nearly as good and the price is $17 for a six-pack. I like being able to have so many for such a low price. I can pack enough I don’t need to wash very often since they pack down so small.
You are the 2nd person in the past month who have told me about these underwear! I must try.
Totally agree. I have purchased Ex Officio undies for years, but tried the Fruit of the Loom Breathable panties at Target on a whim. While I love Ex Officio,, I like the fit of the FOTL ones better. So far, they have held up well. I took 4 pair on a 3-month trip and no issues at all. The only issue I’ve found with FOTL is that they come in a package of 6 and the colors are not always what I would have chosen.