Mack Weldon Stealth Boxer Briefs: Made to be Wet

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Author’s Note: Mack Weldon gave me these two Stealth boxer briefs for review for free. However, I was not compensated in any other way (other than affiliate marketing if you buy), and my opinions are my own.

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Guys, do you love boardshorts but feel like you need support? Do you love swim trunks but hate the cheap mesh liners that are included? Do you wish you could wear underwear in the water without it being all soggy or, worse, see-through?

Finding the perfect underwear for swimming or poolside lounging can be a challenge. Most underwear prioritizes moisture-wicking for dry comfort, which isn’t ideal when you’re actually getting wet. Enter Mack Weldon’s Stealth Boxer Brief, designed specifically for water activities.

“Seawater and chlorine-safe,” according to Mack Weldon, Stealth boxer briefs are regular men’s underwear designed to be worn with unlined boardshorts or swim trunks. You can hang out at the pool or surf in your favorite boardshorts without feeling uncomfortable because you are freeballing.

Mack Weldon was kind enough to send me two pairs of Stealth 6″ boxer briefs to review, so let’s get to the review!

First Glance at Mack Weldon Stealth Boxer Briefs

I got the Asphalt (dark gray) and True Blue (navy blue) boxer briefs (my husband later bought a variety of colors, including green). I am into dark colors – and blue is my favorite color! – so this combination was perfect for me. Mack Weldon’s underwear always has a timeless elegance, and these Stealth boxer briefs feel very sophisticated. No wild and crazy patterns here!

Stealth underwear does have a striped and dotted pattern on each leg. While Mack Weldon doesn’t state this explicitly, the pattern represents the wings of a Stealth aircraft, which was the genesis of the Stealth name. I appreciate the design; it creates a bit of fun without going into wild and crazy patterns. Many other brands offer off-the-wall patterns, such as Shinesty, for guys who want that fun at the beach.

On the first touch, the Stealth fabric felt thicker and less silky than I expected. Stealth underwear only contains 10% Spandex compared to 14%-17% Spandex with Mack Weldon AIRKNITx underwear, my favorite Mack Weldon collection. My rule is that synthetic underwear must have at least 10% Spandex content – Stealth qualifies! – but 15-20% is best.

Trying On Mack Weldon Stealth Underwear

However, the fabric felt great once I put on my Stealth underwear. It isn’t the thinnest or silkiest underwear I own, yet that is not necessarily a fair comparison. I buy many of my underwear for lounging at home or everyday wear. I value high-stretch, soft, and thin fabrics. Yet Mack Weldon makes Stealth underwear for water-based activities, and delicate fabric would not work well. You’ll especially appreciate the thicker material of these Stealth boxer briefs if you are in colder waters, such as California and the Pacific Northwest.

I wore Stealth underwear as everyday underwear to test out these Stealth boxer briefs. My regular day includes working from home, walking around the city during the day for lunch and errands, and lounging at night. Stealth underwear was pleasantly comfortable! I still recommend Mack Weldon’s AIRKNITx underwear for everyday wear or any modal/bamboo underwear I love. But if you don’t want to buy underwear for only a specific situation – being in the water – then yes, you can wear Stealth underwear as everyday underwear.

Update May 2024: When I received my two pairs in 2022, they were both medium-sized and fit me well with a 31-32″ waist. The waistband was slightly too big, but it didn’t affect the underwear performance as the body was snug against my body. However, my husband ordered five new pairs in early 2024. The waistbands on those were very tight and didn’t stretch at all. He exchanged them for large-sized pairs and also had the same problem. I am wearing them to stretch them out so they fit him – he has a 33″ waist.

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Seamless Performance: Comfort and Functionality in the Water

Unlike traditional underwear that can become uncomfortable and bulky when wet, Mack Weldon’s Stealth boxer briefs are designed to excel in water environments. To test this claim, I soaked them thoroughly, simulating a post-swim scenario. Here’s what impressed me:

• Stay-Dry Comfort: The Stealth boxer briefs remained surprisingly comfortable even when saturated. Unlike some cotton or cotton-blend underwear options, the fabric didn’t cling to my skin or cause any chafing.
• Quick Drying: A crucial feature for poolside lounging or beach days, the Stealth material dried faster than cotton underwear. This minimizes the feeling of dampness and prevents irritation.
• Swim Brief/Jammer Alternative: While Mack Weldon doesn’t market them as such, the Stealth boxer briefs could easily function as swim jammers. They offer similar coverage and support to traditional swim jammers but potentially with a more streamlined design (depending on your preference).
  • A small caveat: The branding tag on the back might reveal you’re wearing underwear if someone gets a close look, as it clearly says “Boxer Briefs.”

My Overall Thoughts on Stealth Boxer Briefs

I liked the Stealth boxer briefs, especially the design and look. They are very sophisticated, and I don’t expect anything less from Mack Weldon. If you want to wear underwear under your boardshorts or unlined swim trunks—or even as swim jammers—Mack Weldon Stealth boxer briefs are a wonderful buy.

You can also wear Stealth boxer briefs as everyday underwear. Nothing wrong with them, and I felt comfortable in them. However, if you purchase Stealth primarily as regular underwear – and not for the water – I recommend going with Mack Weldon’s AIRKNITx collection instead. AIRKNITx is cheaper, softer, and thinner than Stealth, and AIRKNITx is the best value buy of Mack Weldon’s entire men’s underwear collection.

As for wearing it in the water, Stealth performs well. They are thick enough that they won’t expose any private parts while wet. The thickness may also help in colder waters, especially on the West Coast. I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable Stealth is when wet and that it dries quite quickly. Quick drying is essential when choosing underwear for the beach or the pool.

Overall, if you are looking for underwear for the beach, the pool, surfing, or other water activities, give Stealth a try! And if you want to wear Stealth outside the water, go for it. But if you want Mack Weldon underwear for daily wear and not for the water, get AIRKNITx boxer briefs instead. (Also, read my Complete Guide to Wearing Underwear under Boardshorts.)

Alternatives to Stealth for Water Activities

Several brands offer men’s underwear for water activities. I wrote a complete Guide to Wearing Underwear Under Boardshorts, which you can read here. My favorite is Saxx’s DropTemp Hydro Boxer Briefs. I have worn them both in the pool and in the Pacific Ocean, and they are very comfortable. I especially like Saxx’s separated BallPark Pouch, which is looser than Mack Weldon’s.

Between the two products, Mack Weldon’s Stealth boxer briefs are better for cold water and if you want excellent support because the pouch is firmer. Saxx’s Hydro boxer briefs are better for warmer water because they are thinner and for guys who prefer a looser pouch. Also note that Saxx includes its Hydro boxer briefs in several of its swim shorts, so you can buy them together!

Product Details and Notes of Mack Weldon Stealth Underwear

Below is my summary and notes of Mack Weldon Stealth boxer briefs:

Length

My review covered Mack Weldon’s 6″ Stealth boxer briefs, but they also make an 8″ version. The 8″ length is better for guys wearing longer swim trunks and boardshorts or if you need to protect more of your leg skin from the sun or a surfboard.

Note: Know the length of your swim trunks to prevent your underwear from sticking out of the bottom of your leg. 6″ boxer briefs should be paired with shorts 7″ or longer, while 8″ boxer briefs are best for 9-10″ long shorts. If you are new to longer boxer briefs, read my guide to long-leg boxer briefs here.

Price

$38 for the 6″ version and $42 for the 8″ version. However, there are two strategies to lower the cost:

• Through Mack Weldon’s Pack Builder, you can save up to 12% by buying three, five, or seven pairs at a time. Buying seven pairs provides the best deal.
• If you are a US military member or a doctor, nurse, First Responder, student, or teacher, you can save 15% on your Mack Weldon order through the Community Heroes program.

Colors and Patterns

Over the past year, Mack Weldon has increased the number of colors available for its Stealth underwear, which is fantastic. You can choose from dark gray (“Asphalt”), navy blue, green (“Commando”), purple (“Ultraviolet”), and red. Note that some colors are only available in the 6″ or 8″ version, not both. All colors feature the same neat geometric pattern, which looks like the wings of a Stealth Fighter Jet, the inspiration for the Stealth name.

“Ultraviolet” Stealth Boxer Briefs

Material and Fabric

The material is a synthetic blend of 37% Q-NOVA® Recycled Nylon, 25% Q-NOVA® Nylon, 28% Polyester, and 10% Spandex. Whew! You need to know that I require a minimum of 10% Spandex/elastane on synthetic underwear, which Stealth has. And having recycled nylon content is a lovely, environmentally-friendly feature.

Most importantly for guys wanting to wear these boxer briefs in the water, Mack Weldon also notes that Stealth boxer briefs are “seawater and chlorine-safe.”

Underwear Fly

Stealth boxer briefs do not contain a fly, nor is there an option for one.

Ball Pouch

Mack Weldon offers no special, separated pouches like Saxx or Separatec. But Mack Weldon includes their own Flyless MotionCTRL Pouch, which is custom designed but does not include any separation. Either way, the pouch was comfortable, although a tad tighter than my other Mack Weldon underwear and tighter than looser brands like Saxx.

Branded Waistbands

Stealth has a logo-less waistband like all Mack Weldon underwear. Yet, unlike other Mack Weldon underwear, the waistband is covered by the same fabric as the rest of the underwear, instead of Mack Weldon’s signature gray waistband with white and blue striping. If you didn’t read my note above about the waistband fit, click here to read my notes.

Multipacks

Yes! You can save by getting three, five, or seven pairs at a time through Mack Weldon’s Pack Builder, as mentioned above. Buying three pairs gets you a 7% discount, while five pairs yield a 10% discount, and seven pairs net you 12% off.

Overall, Mack Weldon’s Stealth Boxer Briefs are a great choice for anyone seeking comfortable and practical underwear for swimming, poolside lounging, or other water adventures. While Stealth can be worn as everyday underwear, Mack Weldon’s AIRKNITx collection might be a better choice for pure comfort due to its softer and thinner fabric.

Share your experience with Stealth boxer briefs or other water-friendly underwear in the comments!

Frequently Asked Questions about Mack Weldon Stealth Boxer Briefs