Cai Rickards
As someone who works and plays in the outdoors, as well as caring a little too much about the presentation of my clothing, finding the confluence of comfort, function, and fashion in my day to day wardrobe holds a great deal of import to me. I often find I have to sacrifice a degree of function for fashion, or vice versa (and I simply avoid clothes I don’t find comfortable), which I don’t always mind, I don’t expect to summit mountains in a three piece suit, or do I find it appropriate to show up to work in running shorts. With all that in mind, I cannot deny the joy I take in finding pieces that manage to fill into a middle ground, and that is why I have so enjoyed getting to try out some of Saxx’s activewear.
Many of you have likely heard of Saxx’s fantastic underwear, but they have also expanded their line into other activewear. They now have a rather expansive inventory ranging from joggers, to shorts, shirts to hoodies, and even swimwear, all of which stays true to their dedication to comfort and function. I have had the wonderful opportunity to review a handful of these pieces, all of which have quickly become staples of my wardrobe.
First up, lets talk about the Hoodie and Short Sleeve Polo from the Drop Temp All Day Cooling line. As the line name would suggest, both tops are fantastic for warm weather, helping wick sweat and keeping lower body temperatures throughout the day. Like most Saxx products, they are sewn with Flat Out Seams for a comfortable and smooth fabric, and the lightweight material used for both fits in a comfortably airy manner.
The polo comes in at $65, has a chest pocket, and has built in rigidity in the collar to maintain its shape and crispness throughout the day. The hoodie is priced at $65 as well and is a fantastic piece for sunny runs, days paddling down a river, or a skin layer for any outing. The actual hood fits wonderfully (even with my large head and sometimes puffy hair) and is sewn to give plenty of breathing room around the neck, even when the hood is down. Both pieces also boast UPF 50 sun protection in their fabrics, which, while more standard for a sun hoodie, is a nice extra feature for a day to day polo.
Another fantastic hot weather feature that the Drop Temp pieces have is odor resistance. Whilst I could not hope to explain the mechanics of how it functions, I can attest to the fact that it does, and I cannot express just how wonderful it is. Knowing that, even after a long day sweating on the job, a tough run, or just a sunny hiking day, I won’t be aggressively offensive to anyone within smelling range is a great comfort.
Next up is the SAXX Go To Town Casual 2N1 Sport Shorts ($74), which not only pair perfectly with the aforementioned polo, but can be comfortably worn to semi-formal summer gatherings, a long day on the trail, a gym session, and anything in between. The main feature of the 2N1 short is of course the built in liner, which is made to have the same level of comfort and function as Saxx’s actual underwear including the BallPark Pouch, Flat Out Seams, and Three-D Fit. But it isnt just the fantastic liner that makes the Go To Towns stand out; they are genuinely a functional and fashionable piece of apparel. The short has an 8” inseam and sports a zippable back pocket, as well as three others, all of which have adequate space for any size phone and room to spare. Even with a liner there is a fully functional zip and of course fixed belt loops.
Now lets talk about what Saxx is most known for: underwear. Both pairs that I will be discussing today are updated versions of past releases and have been made available as of July 1st. Both are available in a multitude of sizes and a range of both simple and beautifully over-the-top designs.
The first set, the Multi-Sport Mesh are available in both 6” and 8” inseam boxer briefs. When I started working with my father on Engearment reviews, I never imagined I would find myself appreciating a pair of underwear more than most items I have had the privilege to test, yet here I am, raving about an undergarment that has genuinely changed my perspective on what functionally comfortable outdoor clothing can and should be.
The underwear boast a variety of technical features that create a degree of both wearable enjoyability and performance that I was unaware undearwear could possess. Alongside Saxx’s signature BallPark Pouch and Stop Drop Technology, the Multi-Sport packs in a massive amount of technical features. As a cyclist, gym goer, and casual outdoor athlete, having a boxer brief that I know will comfortably keep my bits in place, not ride up my leg, and take care of unnecessary sweat is a luxury I now struggle to live without. Having a three-dimensional, slim, and stretchable fit that still breathes checks every box I have for a well-fitted garment, and the odour-resistant, moisture-wicking, quick-dry fabric is now a must on my comfort catalog.
Like its more sporty counterpart, the Vibe Extra has the Ballpark Pouch, Stop Drop Technology, and many of the other aforementioned features, with a design less focused on performance and more motivated by comfort levels. The ridiculously cozy boxer brief is available with a 6” inseam is made primarily of viscose (essentially an artificial silk) still keeps the odour resistance, moisture wicking, and breathability, while opting for a slightly looser fit. While they don’t hold up to Multi-Sports in active functionality, they are still incredibly robust and have joined me in the gym many times, and more than make up for any functionality shortcomings (by which I mean in comparison to the Multi-Sport Mesh, not your run of the mill skivies) by a factor of sheer comfortability. If you’re looking for a boxer brief to lounge around in after a long adventure, sleep in, or simply to feel your most homey in your nether regions, I cannot recommend the Vibe-Xtra enough.
If I haven’t yet driven home just how fantastic Saxx is, I don’t know what else to say. I’m sure if you’ve read this far you are sick of seeing the words (or some variation) “functional comfort”, but I cannot think of a better descriptor for every bit of Saxx clothing I have worn. Add on the fashionable nature of each piece, whether its the sleek design of the polo, the minimally elegant shorts, or the wonderfully bold shark printed boxer briefs, Saxx has become one of my favourite activewear brands, and if you or an individual you know with dangly nether regions hasn’t yet experienced the joys of well supported nuts, I would encourage you head over to saxxunderwear.com ASAP!
Cai Rickards
Despite his age, Cai Rickards has managed to spend upwards of a decade and a half exploring nature. The first time he slept through the night was in a tent during a thunderstorm. He started his exploits before he could talk. Skiing almost as soon as he could walk, climbing not long after, hiking trips became a weekly occurrence before he was 2, and he began canoeing, climbing, and kayaking before he was 3.
Alongside a heavy presence of outdoor activities in his life, Cai has spent his free time being a nerd. From a very young age, he began learning about different world histories and mythologies, in particular, the legends of Camelot and history surrounding pirates. Later on, those interests shifted to fandoms such as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, with academics and music (particularly violin) becoming central to his life.
Currently, Cai attends an arts school, climbing on a regular basis, playing D&D, and dressing in a manner preppy enough to annoy his father on a regular basis. Despite being a teenager he still does leave his room to see the world, with ski adventures and backpacking trips being the major perpetrators. He lives at 5280 with his dog, Baggins, and his father, Wil, both of which have and continue to support and further his interests in the outdoors.
Cai Rickards and Baggins
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