The 5 Best Women’s Hiking Underwear

When it comes to hiking, most of the subjects I love talking about are the trails, hiking boots, tents, sleeping bags, or sleeping pads. Rarely do I talk about what I wear as underwear while hiking. But alas, it is a subject we need to talk about more because if you wear the wrong underwear, it can be pretty uncomfortable. Some underwear are not breathable, which can cause rashes down there! It is a pretty irritating feeling, so I decided to list the 5 best women’s hiking underwear in the market. This list includes fabrics with merino wool as well as synthetics. I hope you find the perfect pair that keeps you as dry and as comfy as possible!

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Best Women’s Hiking Underwear

Patagonia Barely Hipster Underwear – Women’s

The Patagonia underwear is a synthetic quick-drying, comfortable underwear with full coverage. It is known to be breathable and lightweight and can dry pretty quickly! The material is soft and thin, and so this is great to carry for backpacking trips, especially if you want to take multiple pairs. There aren’t many negatives to this underwear, only that the seams do still show up if you wear leggings which bugs me but, it might not bug you!

ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 – Women’s

The Exofficio Give and Go has two different versions of underwear. The regular and the sports mesh bikini. Both are odor-resistant, quick-drying, and comfortable. It is a great pair of underwear that I have had for years, but my only gripe is that the seams around the legs can be tight. I have read reviews, and it seems like most people do not have that problem but for some reason, I do so, proceed with caution. There have also been concerns about it stretching over time, but I haven’t had this problem. Even with these negatives, this underwear has been a huge hiking and backpacking favorite for years.

REI Co-op Active Hipster Underwear – Women’s

One of the least expensive underwears in this list is the REI Active Hipster, and I have great news… It is the best performing underwear on this list! This is rare! Usually, the more expensive the product, the better. This is why you need to get your hands on this underwear! It is lightweight, so comfy, antimicrobial, and quick drying. The Active Hipster is made from polyester and is stretchy, and doesn’t give you wedgies! And with no negatives, this is a great travel and hiking/backpacking underwear.

Icebreaker Siren Bikini Underwear – Women’s

Icebreaker is a well-known merino wool brand in the hiking/backpacking market. Their base layers are top-notch, and so are their wool underwears. If you are looking for wool underwear that is quick-drying and lightweight, this is a great option. Just note that not everyone likes the fit of this underwear, and it is a bit expensive. But wool is a great natural fabric that can help prevent odors, especially if you are backpacking for days on end.

Smartwool Merino 150 Bikini Underwear – Women’s

Smartwool is my go-to brand when it comes to socks and base layers. They do such a good job with their products by helping people stay dry while hiking difficult, long trails. Their underwear is no exception which helps women hike comfortably, naturally be odor-free, and quickly wick moisture! It is a great choice of underwear for anyone backpacking for a couple of days. It is on the more expensive side since it is merino wool, but if you are looking for a more natural option, then this is definitely the way to go!

More Information On Best Panties For Hiking

What not to wear

Try not to wear cotton underwear when hiking or backpacking. It isn’t quick-drying and can cause thigh chafing because you rub your legs and thighs while walking. Trust me, both me and my husband experienced this when we first started hiking, and we quickly changed over to quick-drying underwear afterward.

Fabric

Merino Wool Underwear

Merino wool is a great hiking underwear to prevent chafing. It is quick-drying, naturally odor-resistant, and durable. They are made from Merino Sheep, and it is a high-quality fabric. The only downside is that it is on the more expensive side. However, you can probably wear the fabric for longer when compared to synthetic fabric.

Synthetic

If you are on a budget, then synthetic is the way to go! The options are usually nylon or polyester. But please note that some of these underwears are treated with antimicrobial technology to help eliminate odors, which means that chemicals are embedded in the product.

Final Thoughts On Best Women’s Underwear For Backpacking

Thanks for reading all about the best underwear for women. Make sure to check out some of my other blog posts:

• The 16 Best Backpacking and Camping Hygiene Tips For Outdoorsy Women
• 16 Best Hiking Apps You Need To Download
• The 12 Mind-Blowing Health Benefits Of Hiking
• Best Backpacking Gear For Women

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