The Patagonia Active Brief are a good choice for underwear for hiking. These are moisture wicking, quick dry, and modest enough to wear as swimwear if you find yourself without a swimsuit on a backpacking trip! I’ve had friends wear them as swimwear at mountain lakes…
Pros:
- Comfortable. These are soft, and generally stay in place. The waistband lays flat, so the hip belt of my backpack doesn’t rub at all.
- Dry quickly. They definitely wick moisture well, and are quick dry. They do not dry as fast as the ExOfficio Give N Go briefs, but they dry out completely overnight, which is satisfactory.
Cons:
- Price! Yes I spent the $20 (less 20% using an REI coupon) for the Patagonia Active Briefs, but that means I only bought one pair and hesitate to recommend it to others! $20 is sure a lot to drop on one pair of panties.
- Cut a little low. They definitely look good, but ones that were a slight bit higher would be more comfortable on the trail.
Overall I like the Patagonia Active Hipster Briefs because they are extremely soft, and the waistband is flat so my backpack doesn’t rub at all. I’d recommend them if you are able to afford the $20, and they occasionally on sale at Patagonia.
For a slightly cheaper option, check out my review of the ExOfficio Give N Go panties.
Want to know more about women’s hiking underwear? Check out Hiking 101: Hiking Underwear.
Thanks for the feedback Donna! Happy trails!
I’m blown away by all the information you shared from your trip to the Outdoor Retailer’s show in SLC. Thank you for the review of the various types of underwear too. I’m looking forward to trying some of these out myself.