I’m starting to make a concerted effort to transition some products away from synthetic to natural materials, socks and underwear to start.
This post is going to help me work out what the best mens merino underwear is…that you can easily buy in NZ. Ideally they’re for hiking, but I don’t distinguish between my active and day to day underwear so they’ll need to be a great all round undies.
And I’m on team boxers, no briefs for me.
So far I’ve only tried out Macpac merino underwear as I used to work there…so I got them cheap. I love them! But I want to try different brands over time. Who knows, maybe my love isn’t as strong as I think it is.
This post will give the basics of each brands most popular pair of mens underwear.
Notes:
- I tried my best to get all the data correct online, but not every website includes the same specs which seems like an oversight.
- Try not to pay full price for the merino underwear in this list…all the brands have sales.
MACPAC MEN’S 180 MERINO BOXERS
Bokers with some elastane for comort and stretch, with flatlocks seams for comfort. Designed for next-to-skin fit.
Price: $59.99 (members deal = $47.99). Often can be cheaper with multibuys.
BUY ONLINE
- Materials: 95% Merino Wool, 5% Elastane
- Product Weight: 70g (medium)
- Medium waist size: 83 to 88cm / 34″
- Product Weight (g/m2): 180
- Micron: 17.5 and 21
My two cents: For my first ever pair of merino boxers, they seem great. I don’t notice them while I’m out and about, on my local Queenstown trails or day to day. I was always skeptical of merino being too warm, but doesn’t seem to be the case. They haven’t lost there shape after plenty of washes (nor do they ride up). I’ve got a few pairs and a couple do have small holes from where I’ve grabbed them a bit wrecklessly to pull them up which isn’t unusual for merino.
KATHMANDU MEN’S K-MERINO 125
Featuring a 4.5 inch inseam, and the flatlock seams for comfort these underwear feature a weave called Nuyarn which incorporates nylon into the merino for extra performance.
Price: $59.98 (often on sale upto 40% off)
BUY ONLINE
- Materials: Merino, Nylon & Elastane (%’s unknown)
- Product Weight: 54.6g (medium)
- Medium waist size: 82 to 88cm
- Product Weight (g/m2): 125
- Micron: 17.5 and 18.9
MONS ROYALE HOLD’EM MERINO BOXER
With a 6.9 inch inseam, these slim fit boxers don’t have any side seams which can help the side sleepers. They also feature a double-layer in-leg gusset.
Price: $59.95 (regular sales)
BUY ONLINE
- Materials: 83% Merino Wool, 13% Nylon, 4% Elastane
- Product Weight: 73g
- Medium waist size: 84 to 90cm / 33 to 35″
- Product weight (g/m2): 140
ICE BREAKER MEN’S MERINO 150 ANATOMICA BOXERS
These 4.4 inch inseam boxers feature flatlock seams and contoured pouch for comfort with a slim fit.
Price: $74.99 (regular sales)
BUY ONLINE
- Materials: 83% Merino Wool/ 12% Nylon/ 5% Elastane, Exclusive of decoration
- Product Weight: 70g (medium)
- Medium waist size: 104cm/41″
- Material weight (g/m2): 150
- Microns: 18.9
ALCHEMY EQUIPMENT SUPERFINE MERINO BOXER
Side seam wraps, as well as flatlocked seams are the main features of these underwear, along with the double layering on the gusset and pouch areas.
Price: $60.00 (often sales)
BUY ONLINE
- Materials: 95% Merino Wool, 5% Elastane
- Product Weight: ~80 grams
- Medium waist size: 74cm (plus stretch)
- Microns: 17.5
CACTUS FLEX MERINO BOXERS MENS
There wasn’t much to learn about these underwear online, but the 4.9 inch inseam boxers feature a heavier micron which is more durable than most in this post…which matches the Cactus Branding.
Price: $65.00 (occasional sales)
BUY ONLINE
- Materials: 81% Merino, 12% Nylon, 7% Elastane
- Product Weight: Unknown
- Medium waist size: 71cm / 27.9″ (with up to 25cm stretch)
- Microns: 21 to 22 (from what I can research)
SMART MERINO BRASS MONKEY MENS BOXERS
Made in New Zealand, these 100% merino underwear have no fly and feature a dual layer crouch gusset.
Price: $75.00 (occasional sales or discounts for multibuys)
BUY ONLINE
- Materials: 100% Merino Wool (not sure about the waistband?)
- Product Weight: Unknown
- Medium waist size: 80 to 85cm / 32 to 34″
- Microns: 18.5-19.5
- Material weight (g/m2): 215
EARTH SEA SKY STRETCH MERINO BOXERS
Made in New Zealand, these are made with superfine Merino with four way stretch, and Lycra and feature low profile flat locks seams.
Price: $89.90 (occasional sales)
BUY ONLINE
- Materials: 95% merino, 5% lycra
- Product Weight:90 grams
- Medium waist size: 85cm / 33 to 34 “
- Microns: 18.5
- Material weight (g/m2): 210
And there we go, that’s seven on the options you have for mens merino underwear that you can easily buy in NZ.
If I’ve missed some, let me know!
I’d love to get some of your opinions, drop a comment below or email jub@churnewzealand.com.
Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.