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Author’s Note: I purchased these Hanes Total Support Pouch trunks using my own money. Hanes is not sponsoring nor affiliated with this post.
- The Quest for Budget-Friendly Support
- Product Overview: Hanes Total Support Pouch X-Temp Trunks
- First Impressions: Not Your Grandpa’s Hanes
- Hanes Total Support Pouch: A Game-Changer at This Price
- Alternatives and Comparisons to Hanes Total Support Pouch Underwear
- Conclusion: A Solid Choice for Budget-Conscious Comfort
The Quest for Budget-Friendly Support
Let’s face it: men’s underwear prices have skyrocketed lately. Finding a comfortable and supportive pair for under $10 can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But what if I told you that Hanes, a brand known for affordable underwear, might have a solution?
Hanes has recently been upping its underwear game to compete with higher-end brands. One big change they made was introducing their Total Support Pouch, a separated pouch similar to higher-end men’s underwear brands but unlike other Hanes underwear. I bought these Hanes on a whim, and as an underwear snob, I didn’t have high expectations. But these Hanes pleasantly surprised me!
I’ll be reviewing Hanes Total Support Pouch trunks today, although Hanes also sells boxer briefs and long-leg boxer briefs. I’ll describe what it was like wearing them around town, at the gym, and at home. Can these Total Support Pouch trunks be comfortable men’s underwear for under $10 per pair?
Product Overview: Hanes Total Support Pouch X-Temp Trunks
For this review, I purchased a three-pack of Hanes Total Support Pouch X-Temp trunks in size medium (I have a 31-32″ waist). The pack included solid blue and black trunks, along with a blue tie-dye pair. These trunks have a 2.5″ inseam, making them shorter than traditional boxer briefs, hitting mid-thigh. Hanes also offers this style in regular boxer briefs and long-leg versions, all featuring the same Total Support Pouch and fabric blend. Sadly, Hanes has not made a brief version of the Total Support Pouch.
Who Are Hanes Total Support Pouch Underwear For?
Hanes Total Support Pouch underwear is designed to be everyday underwear. However, the polyester-Spandex fabric blend and the pouch design are more conducive to high-sweat activities, such as working outside, performing outdoor activities in warm or hot weather, or working out at the gym. If you want underwear that is ideal for lounging around, I recommend getting a modal or bamboo pair of underwear instead.
The trunks are ideal for guys who don’t suffer chafing (skin irritation) on their legs and don’t have problems with boxer briefs riding up. Trunks work well for guys who love shorter, sexier styles. On the other hand, if you have thicker thighs or suffer from skin irritation on your legs, you’ll want to go with the long-leg boxer briefs instead. (Read my Guide to Long-leg Boxer Briefs here.) Otherwise, if you just want regular ol’ boxer briefs, go with the Total Support Pouch boxer briefs.
Price and Value
A three-pack typically costs around $19-20 on Amazon, making them less than $7 per pair. You might even find them on sale for as low as $5 per pair at retailers like Walmart or Target or when Amazon has it on sale. At that price, it’s hard to find comparable quality and comfort. Keep an eye out for deeper discounts at stores like Ross, Marshalls, or TJ Maxx for even better deals.
Last update on 2024-09-05 at 08:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
First Impressions: Not Your Grandpa’s Hanes
These aren’t the 100% cotton Hanes that you may expect. Out of the package, the fabric felt similar to other athletic underwear I’ve tried, like my Puma Performance Boxer Briefs (read my Puma review here). The 8% spandex content isn’t the highest (I usually prefer at least 10%), so they weren’t as silky as some premium brands, but that’s to be expected at this price point.
The Total Support Pouch X-Temp line includes mesh inserts in the pouch and on the inner legs. Several men’s underwear brands include these mesh inserts to help promote airflow and temperature control. The gray mesh felt soft and was noticeably more airy than the rest of the underwear. On the other hand, Hanes did not include a mesh insert at the top of the butt, unlike Mack Weldon.
Design and Style: Simple but Functional
You don’t have much color selection with these Hanes. Generally, you are limited to a three-pack of all-black underwear or a three-pack consisting of one black pair and two gray or blue pairs. The three-pack I purchased has one black pair, one solid teal blue pair, and one blue and white tie dye pair.
At first glance, I wasn’t too thrilled about the colors. I think black trunks are some of the sexiest men’s underwear, and these Hanes black trunks are nice. But the big, bold Hanes waistband takes away any sex appeal, unlike wearing Calvin Klein black trunks, which exude sex appeal. I don’t like tie-dye, so the tie-dye trunks weren’t exciting to me. The solid teal pair looked nice and probably is my favorite color of the three, followed by the black pair.
Fit and Comfort: Surprisingly Good
First, correct sizing is very important. I have a 31-32” waist, so I almost always get medium underwear. Hanes says medium underwear is for 32-34” waists, but these Total Support Pouch trunks fit just fine. You should get the small size if you have a 30” waist. But if you are in between sizes according to Hanes’ size chart, you should probably round up to be safe.
One of my major tests for men’s underwear is whether I notice that I am wearing underwear during the day. If I am conscious of my underwear, that is generally not a good sign. That means something is bothering me and is diverting my attention.
The good news is that I did not notice wearing these Hanes trunks throughout the day. The leg bands didn’t bother me, nor did they ride up. The waistband was comfortable, and the size was correct for me. Finally, the Total Support Pouch was great and didn’t present any problems (keep reading for a more thorough review of the pouch).
Breathability and Moisture-Wicking: Yes, but could be better
The fabric handles sweat well, like other synthetic underwear fabrics (those made from polyester, polyamide, or nylon). Synthetic fabrics repel water, so they wick away sweat and moisture. Contrast this to cotton, which absorbs moisture – like your cotton bath towel.
However, note that synthetic underwear also does not breathe as much as fabrics like cotton, modal, or bamboo. These Hanes trunks are no different, so ironically, you may feel more sweaty because there is generally less airflow. I like that Hanes includes the mesh zones on the legs, around the groin, and on the pouch to increase airflow. I don’t sweat heavily, so the mesh zones are nice, but not make it or break it for me.
Yet, if you sweat heavily, you’ll want to invest in newer men’s underwear that includes these zones. It also matters how transparent the mesh zones are—the bigger the mesh holes, the more airflow and a more comfortable experience when sweating heavily. It also makes a difference where they are. As mentioned earlier, most companies that use mesh zones include them on the interior of the legs, around the groin, and on the pouch, as Hanes did. But other companies include extra zones, such as Mack Weldon, on the top of the butt.
Last update on 2024-09-05 at 08:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hanes Total Support Pouch: A Game-Changer at This Price
Hanes made a big marketing push with its new Total Support Pouch. Separated pouches—pouches with mesh fabric inserts that cradle your balls—have been around for 10+ years in men’s underwear (read my full Guide to Pouch Underwear here). These pouches make two improvements over non-pouch men’s underwear:
- One is that there is more room in the pouch for your balls and penis. I don’t understand why men’s underwear used to be flat in this area since our bodies are not flat. But we need room, regardless of whether you are a shower or a grower.
- The second improvement is to provide additional separation between your balls and your inner thighs. When you are hot and sweaty, it is annoying to have your skin stick together; separated pouches can help reduce this likelihood. The pouches also provide additional airflow and temperature control, especially when combined with mesh fabric in the groin area, as Hanes did with their Total Support Pouch underwear.
V-Shaped Pouch Design
Several specialty brands, such as Saxx and Shinesty, have been including them. Hanes’s Total Support Pouch is their first separated pouch design, although the design itself isn’t unique or proprietary to Hanes. It is also one of the first separated pouches I have seen on lower-end underwear, which means a new set of men can experience the benefits and comfort of separated pouches.
Hanes Total Support Pouch is a V-shaped pouch akin to Pair of Thieves’ Cool Breeze Pouch. A V-shaped pouch has side guardrails that separated your balls from your inner legs. However, unlike Saxx’s I-shaped pouch – which is most similar to a V-shaped pouch – the guardrails come together at the bottom of the groin. The I-shaped pouch guardrails never come together.
Note that most of these brands that feature separated pouches are specialty brands that charge $25+ per pair. Can Hanes bring specialty men’s pouches down to the sub-$10 level?
My Assessment of the Pouch
I found Hanes Total Support Pouch to be a great V-shaped pouch. It was quite comfortable during daily wear and never irritated or bothered me. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised that a pouch on a $7 pair of underwear could be the same as pairs costing $15-25. I still prefer Saxx’s I-shaped pouch overall, but the difference is marginal. And considering that Saxx charges $30-40 per pair of its underwear, I don’t find the difference between the pouches to be worth the huge jump in price (although you are also paying for higher quality with Saxx underwear compared to Hanes).
On the other hand, if you are choosing between underwear without a separated pouch – like most Hanes underwear – and one with a V-shaped or I-shaped pouch, I strongly recommend getting the underwear with a separated pouch. For example, Hanes Total Support Pouch X-Temp underwear is marginally more expensive than Hanes regular underwear, around $2-4 more per pair. Unless you are absolutely on a tight budget, spending $2-4 more per pair to get a higher-quality, more comfortable pair of underwear is absolutely worth it. You can always get one three-pack to try it out and then buy more if you love the pouch to stock up your underwear drawer.
Last update on 2024-09-05 at 08:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Note that the Total Support Pouch is not extremely supportive. I don’t mean that negatively; if it were too supportive, it would not be very comfortable. So, if you need a lot of support—such as due to extreme sports or older age—then you may want to look into underwear with an adjustable pouch, such as UFM’s Briefs and Boxer Briefs (read my UFM review here).
Alternatives and Comparisons to Hanes Total Support Pouch Underwear
While the Hanes Total Support Pouch boxer briefs offer great value, here’s how they compare to other options:
- Puma Performance Boxer Briefs: These have silkier fabric and better color selection, but they are only available in a shorter length and without a separated pouch. Unlike Hanes, Puma doesn’t include a fly on its boxer briefs.
Last update on 2024-09-05 at 08:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- New Balance Boxer Briefs: They are similar in price and fabric but without the separated pouch. However, New Balance features a wider range of colors and patterns.
Last update on 2024-09-05 at 08:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Jockey Microfiber Boxer Briefs: These have a higher-quality feel but are much more expensive and have a different “chafe-proof” pouch design (read my review of Jockey’s Microfiber Boxer Briefs here). I also like Jockey’s colors more than Hanes.
Last update on 2024-09-05 at 08:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion: A Solid Choice for Budget-Conscious Comfort
Overall, I’d rate the Hanes Total Support Pouch Boxer Briefs 4.5 out of 5 stars. They offer surprising comfort and support for the price, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious shoppers or those new to pouch underwear. While they may not be the most luxurious or breathable option, they deliver on their promise of total support without breaking the bank.
Who Should Buy These?
- Guys looking for affordable, comfortable underwear with a supportive pouch.
- Those new to pouch underwear who want to try it out without a big investment.
- Anyone seeking a versatile pair for everyday wear and light activity.
Who Should Skip These?
- Those who prioritize premium fabrics and luxurious feel.
- Heavy sweaters who need maximum breathability.
- People seeking high-performance athletic underwear with more compression.
Have you tried the Hanes Total Support Pouch Boxer Briefs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Last update on 2024-09-05 at 06:54 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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