Credit:
Reviewed / Ethika / Anthony Palliparambil, Jr.
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Up until now, there have been boxers guys and there have been briefs guys. More recently, we could include the advent of boxer briefs guys. Truth be told, depending on the year and my age, I’ve been all three of these guys at different times. Now, in my life as Reviewed’s style editor, I find myself being all three concurrently. I loved testing out briefs and trunks from MeUndies, and often reach for my favorite Reviewed-approved Saxx boxer briefs before other pairs in my arsenal.
But I recently came across Ethika, a performance-based apparel brand that specializes in underwear styles for men, women, and children. The brand invited me to try out five pairs of underwear from their current lineup to see how the styles hold up in real life. I’ve been wearing these colorful, fun trunks and boxers for a few weeks, and here’s what I think.
What is Ethika?
Ethika has some of the most colorful and dynamic printed underwear we’ve ever seen.
Although the brand has enjoyed a digital renaissance in the last few years thanks to lucrative partnerships with a cadre of influencers and internet personalities, Ethika first began in 2001 as the brainchild of Malcolm McCassey. After years of testing, the brand launched its signature product, The Staple, a boxer brief that features extra-long legs that reach nearly to the knee. Ethika bears a seal of approval from notable figures like champion skateboarder Ryan Sheckler as well as numerous music stars like Justin Bieber, Meek Mill, and more.
Ethika currently offers a range of wardrobe basics from pants and shirts, to hoodies, socks, and accessories, but the brand is most notable for its performance underwear. The brand sports a wide range of underwear in men’s, women’s, and children’s styles, including boxer briefs, trunks, boxers, sports bras, bikinis, thongs, panties, and more.
Underwear at Ethika is priced at a premium, with most men’s styles starting at $25 and increasing in price to $42, and women’s styles ranging from $10 to $28.
What I tested from Ethika
These boxer briefs are soft, comfortable, and wash well.
This fun and colorful boxer brief features a playful smile print.
These super rad printed trunks were my favorite of the bunch.
Although they do leave you feeling cooler, the SubZero style isn’t one that I’d revisit.
If every pair of boxers I owned were this comfortable, I’d never wear anything else.
What I like about Ethika
These prints aren’t just bold, they’re legitimately comfortable.
They’re incredibly comfortable
A pair of undies is only as successful as it is comfortable. Sure enough, each of the offerings that I tested out from Ethika were supremely soft to the touch and a joy to wear. The fabric moves well with your body, remaims dry and supportive throughout the day, and best of all, it stays put.
I tend to prefer a shorter trunk style over a longer more athletic fit when it comes to boxer briefs. However, the Staple was an absolute highlight of my test. Although they’re longer than I typically gravitate toward, the Staple felt great against my skin and was hidden beneath anything I wore. The Alternate, a boxer-style pair, was my go-to model to wear to sleep, arguably when comfort matters the most.
There’s a print for everyone
The first thing you’ll notice upon scrolling through the Ethika website is just how many prints the brand offers. From trendy styles in Barbie pink to officially licensed prints from sports teams, to artistic renderings—and of course, classic solids, too—there is a print for everyone at Ethika. I relished the seemingly endless scroll when I was selecting which pairs to test out, and ultimately fell in love with the Marble Angelo print. And, wouldn’t you know it, the print looked even better in real life than it does on the website.
The colorful designs hold up well after multiple washes
I almost always choose solid-colored underwear over anything that has a colorful print. I love a fun print in an unexpected place as much as the next guy, but I also hate that feeling when those vibrant colors begin to fade after the first wash. I was nervous the first time I washed my Ethika haul because I assumed that surely all of them would get dingy before I even had the chance to wear them. However, after weeks of repeated wears and repeated washings, these prints are as vibrant and colorful as they were the day I unpacked them.
What I don’t like about Ethika
I wasn’t a big fan of the SubZero Performance Staple.
The “cooling” fabric of the SubZero Performance Staple
I was excited to try on the SubZero Performance Staple that Ethika sent me. The fabric is “Hyper Cooling,” and purports to lower the temperature of your undercarriage. And while the cooling feature was welcome in the midst of a record-breaking summer heatwave, I found the fabric of that particular style to be less than comfortable. They felt tighter and scratchier than the other pairs I tested. Each time I put on the SubZero's, I’d change out of them rather quickly, opting for comfort over coolness.
They’re pretty pricey, per pair
If I have one guilty pleasure, it’s that I’m a huge proponent of multi-pack underwear. My current favorite is this Tommy Hilfiger 7-pair set of briefs that I picked up during Amazon Prime Day. I’ve been spoiled by discounted and well-priced packs of underwear that can restock my entire underwear drawer for just pennies per wear.
So, when it comes time to pay for premium underwear, I often cringe at the thought of paying $30+ for a single boxer brief. The Staple in the Premium Modal was even more egregious at $42. They’re comfortable and well-made but could be inaccessible to some shoppers.
Is Ethika worth it?
I’d absolutely buy these comfortable undies again and again.
Yes
I love Ethika’s stylish and durable underwear. The styles aren’t just comfortable, they’re made beautifully and feel like they’ll last much longer than the discounted pairs in my beloved multipacks. I am seriously impressed by how well the colors hold up after being laundered, and am even looking forward to picking up a few extra pairs of the Alternates to add to my sleepwear arsenal. They can be pricy, but in my opinion, the expense is absolutely worth it.
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