REASONS TO BUY
Delivers value
Quality seamwork and fabric
Supportive waistband
REASONS TO AVOID
Polyester holds odor
Color options are a little limited
Smaller fly opening
Columbia Tri Blend Review
These more affordable boxer briefs don't skimp out on quality and give more expensive boxer briefs a run for their money
Seams on the bottomside are non-existent, making these boxer briefs comfy for sitting around.
Credit: Justin Simoni
By Justin Simoni ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ March 13, 2026
Our Verdict
The Columbia Tri Blend are an unquestionably great buy if you're searching for an excellent quality everyday boxer brief at a fair price. The main fabric is composed of a mix of cotton, polyester, and just a little bit of spandex to deliver comfort, durability, and recovery after getting stretched. The design is simple yet comfortable with a great fit and seams that stay out of the way of your most sensitive areas. Only those who prefer a specific fabric like 100% cotton should probably steer clear of these boxer briefs, but for everyone else looking for a near-perfect pair of understated underwear, the Tri Blends are for you.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The tall, stretchy waistband on the Columbia Tri Blend resists folding, while keeping the boxer briefs in place. Credit: Justin Simoni
Likes
Cotton or synthetic: which one to choose for your next boxer briefs? The Columbia Tri Blend answers with “both!” delivering a 57% cotton, 38% polyester mix, plus 5% added spandex to give the fabric a little stretch. The result is a soft cotton-y feel, with the durability of a synthetic, while also resisting stretching out.
Quality is found throughout the Columbia Tri Blend construction, including the use of the excellent 57% cotton/38% polyester/5% spandex fabric. Credit: Justin Simoni
We absolutely love the results and were surprised that comfort this good comes at such a great price point.
Our breathability lab tests have the Tri Blend well out in front, beating out all the 100% cotton fabric pairs and many of the synthetics, even when wet. We'd almost categorize these as travel underwear. We were surprised at how well these feel next to skin, even on humid days.
The Columbia's line dry times were some of the quickest, especially for a cotton blend. Credit: Justin Simoni
Dry times on the line were also at the head of their class, bettering some of our travel-specific pairs. If cotton is too clammy for you, the Tri Blends may be a good compromise.
The simple, no-nonsense design is also crafted well. Most every seam is a flatlock design, which sits flush against the fabric, negating any annoying trouble spots. The Tri Blend is an absolute sleeper hit in our wardrobe for everyday wear.
We love that there are no seams in the perineal area.
Dislikes
Maybe the Columbia Tri Blend's only pain point is the possibility of building odor, due to the synthetics used in the blend.
But compared to all other pairs we've tested, they still swing slightly above average, only bettered by boxer briefs using all natural fibers or pairs with added odor control. For day-to-day use, they're entirely adequate.
Should You Buy the Columbia Tri Blend?
The Columbia Tri Blend are an excellent buy for everyday wear, seemingly made with better construction quality and durability than other pricier pairs. For a no-nonsense pair of boxer briefs, these are an easy pair to recommend.
The ~5 inch inseam worked well for us and did not ride up, preventing chafing. Credit: Justin Simoni
What Other Boxer Briefs Should You Consider?
Try out the synthetic ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 for travel performance that's good enough to long distance backpack in. The Under Armour UA Performance Cotton 6" Boxerjock are another compelling cotton/synthetic blend. If you're looking for a mostly cotton pair, look into the Champion Every Day Comfort Stretch 3-Pack.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Columbia Tri Blend versus top competing products:
| Awards |  Best Bang for Your Buck |
|---|---|
| Price | $36 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | These more affordable boxer briefs don't skimp out on quality and give more expensive boxer briefs a run for their money |
| Pros | Delivers value, quality seamwork and fabric, supportive waistband |
| Cons | Polyester holds odor, color options are a little limited, smaller fly opening |
| Rating Categories | Columbia Tri Blend |
| Comfort (40%) | |
| Breathability (25%) | |
| Construction Quality (20%) | |
| Odor Control (15%) | |
| Specifications | Columbia Tri Blend |
| Material | 57% cotton, 38% polyester, 5% spandex |
| Fly | Yes |
| Measured Inseam | 5 in |
| Flatlock Seams | Yes |
| Price per Pair, if Multipack (Based on MSRP) | $12 |
| Dryer Safe | Yes |
| Alternate Fit Options | N/A |
—Justin Simoni
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