These Are the 11 Pairs of Underwear Women Swear By for Travel
Real women who live in brutally hot, humid places shared the underwear they trust for long flights, swampy city walks, and everything in between.
Underwear is usually the last thing you think about when you’re packing for a trip…right up until you’re three hours into walking around a hot, sticky city and suddenly aware of nothing but your underwear.
In a private women’s travel group I’m in, someone asked, “What’s the best underwear for vacationing in hot and humid climates?” The comment section went wild. Women who live in Florida, Texas, Mexico, Australia, and other very sweaty places chimed in with what actually works.
I went through that thread, pulled out the most-recommended brands, and combined them with the underwear I personally reach for when I’m traveling somewhere hot and humid. Here are 11 brands to look at if you’re trying to avoid full swamp-crotch on vacation.
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1. Brawynn Essential Bikini (Merino Wool)
If I could only pack one style for a hot-weather trip, the Brawynn Essential Bikini would be it. These are merino wool, so they breathe, wick moisture, and dry quickly…but still feel soft enough to wear all day on a plane or a trail.
I’ve had mine for years, and they’ve held up incredibly well through constant washing and heavy use. They’re my go-tos for long, gross days when I know I’ll be sweating and moving a lot. The one drawback: panty liners don’t stick well to merino, so I save these for days when I’m not relying on a liner.
2. Hanes Cotton Bikinis (Basic Cotton Workhorses)
Hanes cotton underwear came up again and again from women who live in brutally humid places and just want something that works. These are basic cotton bikinis or briefs, nothing fancy, nothing lacy, just breathable, no-nonsense underwear. They’re super comfy and breathable, but cotton isn’t the fastest-drying fabric on the planet.
I like these for long travel days, city sightseeing, and any time I want maximum comfort (like sitting on a plane for 10+ hours or sitting in front of my computer all day). They’re affordable, easy to wash and dry, and if something happens to a pair in a sketchy laundromat, it’s not a tragedy.
3. Hendon Heritage “The Muse” High Rise Brief
If you live in high-waisted pants and skirts, you need underwear that actually matches that rise. Hendon Heritage’s The Muse High Rise Brief is my answer to that.
These are soft, breathable, and stay put under high-waisted trousers and skirts instead of rolling down or digging in. I like them for travel days when I want to look a bit more polished, nice dinners, city days in tailored shorts or pants, without feeling like my waistband is cutting me in half.
4. Huha Mineral Undies
Huha was one of the runaway favorites in the group. Women raved about how soft and comfortable they are, and how much better they felt in hot, humid weather compared to their usual underwear.
The fabric is smooth and their mineral (zinc) gusset is designed to be antibacterial and help with odor. If you’re prone to irritation or you just feel gross halfway through a sweaty day, Huha is a great brand to test. A lot of people in the thread said they’re slowly replacing their entire underwear drawer with these.
5. Tommy John “Air” Underwear
Tommy John’s “Air” line came up a lot, and I’m firmly in that camp, too. I’ve had mine for at least five years, and they’re still some of the most comfortable, breathable underwear I own.
They’re incredibly light, they dry quickly, and they actually look nice. If you want something that feels a bit more polished than basic cotton but still behaves in hot, humid weather, Tommy John Air is a great middle ground between “technical travel gear” and “pretty everyday underwear.”
6. ExOfficio Give-N-Go
ExOfficio is the classic minimalist-traveler underwear, and for good reason. These are specifically designed for travel: lightweight, moisture-wicking, and fast-drying, so you can wash them in a hotel sink and have them ready again by morning.
They’re especially good if you’re packing light, doing a lot of hiking or active days, or traveling somewhere hot and don’t want to bring 15 pairs of underwear. If you like that “three pairs for a two-week trip” lifestyle, this is where to start.
7. Voenxe Seamless Thongs (No-Show for Active Days)
If you’re worried about panty lines under leggings or fitted pants on a hot day, Voenxe’s seamless thongs are a solid option. I like these when I know I’m going to be really active and don’t want underwear lines showing under my clothes.
They breathe well, dry quickly, and hold up surprisingly well for the price. I wear them at home for exercising under leggings, and they’re great with pants or leggings on especially hot travel days. I personally don’t love this style for long plane rides, but for active, sweaty days when you want a no-show, no-fuss option, they do a great job.
8. Thigh Society Cooling Shorts
If you live in dresses and skirts on vacation, Thigh Society’s cooling shorts are basically a must-pack item. Several women said they wore these in brutal heat, like 30,000-step days in Spain during summer, and they saved their thighs and sanity.
These aren’t traditional underwear, but for many people, they replace underwear under dresses. They’re thin, breathable, help prevent thigh chafing, and add a little extra coverage for windy days or climbing in and out of vehicles on tours.
9. Aerie Underwear (Especially Modal and Cotton Styles)
Aerie came up as a softer, cuter option that still works in hot weather. Several women mentioned liking Aerie’s modal and cotton styles because they feel good on the skin without creating that “sealed plastic wrap” feeling you sometimes get from synthetics.
If you want underwear that’s comfortable, a bit more fun than basic multipacks, and still reasonably breathable, Aerie is a solid middle ground. These are the pairs you’ll probably reach for both on trips and at home.
10. Simply Merino High-Waisted Underwear
Simply Merino is another merino brand that got praise, especially from people who like high-waisted cuts and natural fibers. You get the same breathability, moisture-wicking, and odor resistance that merino fans love, but in a more coverage-heavy silhouette.
These are great if you prefer a higher rise and want something you can wear on long, sweaty days without feeling like you’re sitting in damp fabric. They’re not cheap, but merino tends to last and doesn’t get that permanent “sweat smell” as easily as some synthetics.
11. Decathlon Merino Wool Underwear
Decathlon’s merino underwear was mentioned as a more budget-friendly way to get into the merino world. For travelers who want the benefits of merino (breathable, odor-resistant, fast-drying) without investing in higher-priced boutique brands right away, this is a smart entry point.
If you’re curious about wool underwear for travel but don’t want your first pair to cost as much as a nice dinner, Decathlon is a good place to experiment and see if merino works for your body.
How to Build Your Own Hot-Weather Underwear Kit
Everyone’s body chemistry is different, but this group had a few clear themes: breathable fabrics, fast drying, and comfort matter more than anything.
If I were packing for a hot and humid trip using only this list, I’d bring:
- A couple of merino pairs (Brawynn, Simply Merino, or Decathlon) for the sweatiest days
- A few basic cotton bikinis from Hanes for flights and everyday wear
- Hendon Heritage’s high-rise briefs for outfits with high-waisted pants or skirts
- Thigh Society cooling shorts for dress days
- Huha and Tommy John Air for those extra-long itineraries where you want comfort and something that looks nice
- And Voenxe seamless thongs for active days in leggings or fitted pants when I don’t want a panty line
The goal is simple: once you leave your hotel in the morning, you should completely forget about your underwear. If you’re thinking about it all day, it’s probably time to upgrade.
And if going through your underwear drawer has you rethinking the rest of your suitcase too, you might also want to check out my full guide to travel clothes for women in 2026—from breathable dresses and tops to shoes that won’t destroy your feet on long sightseeing days.
If you’re eyeing more polished pieces for planes and city trips, you can also read my honest review of Anatomie’s pants, shirts, and dresses as a frequent traveler to see how they actually hold up on the road.
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