REASONS TO BUY
Excellent natural anti-odor properties
Focus on quality stitching and materials
Comfy and cozy
REASONS TO AVOID
Not awesome for hot and humid climates
More expensive compared to cotton choices
Not as breathable as other options
Smartwool Active Merino Review
A wool/polyester blend boxer brief delivers durability, comfort, and freshness that's hard for cotton to match
I am not trying to seduce you. Would you like me to seduce you?
Credit: Justin Simoni
By Justin Simoni ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ March 13, 2026
Our Verdict
The Smartwool Active Merino blends soft, natural merino wool with fit and form-preserving synthetic fibers to deliver you a pair of boxer briefs that excel in ways that not many other boxer briefs can touch. The quality of materials and stitching is both top-notch for this premium pair of boxer briefs. Wool resists holding a stink, even after a long day wearing them both inside and out. Wool also helps draw perspiration away from your skin. And unlike some wool products, the inclusion of synthetic fibers helps with their longevity, which really helps justify their higher price. The Active Merino will also dry out faster than most any cotton pair, making these a good pick for when you're traveling the world over or just for a long weekend backcountry backpack. These may run just a touch warmer than the lightest performance synthetics, a point you may want to consider if you live in hotter climates.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The wool/synthetic blend of the Smartwool Active Merino is an absolute winner, giving you the strengths of both materials in one. Credit: Justin Simoni
Likes
If you love the feeling of super soft, finely spun wool nestled right next to some of your most sensitive skin, the Smartwool Active Merino deliver. The simpler design lacks many of the seams found on other pairs, and the seams they do have are flatlock and low-profile.
This is one pair of wool boxer briefs we can suggest for daily wear. The durability is strengthened by the inclusion of some synthetic fibers. Credit: Justin Simoni
The Smartwool Active Merino's quality is apparent right away, from the materials used throughout to the alignment and precision of the stitchwork. Our tester has now been wearing this pair regularly for over a year and has noticed almost no wear, tear, or pilling that you'd notice from cheaper pairs of boxer briefs.
Excellent quality is found throughout the Smartwool Active Merino, especially on the waistband, which dutifully did its job while still looking attractive. Credit: Justin Simoni
And unlike many other pairs of boxer briefs, the Smartwool Active Merino's wool blend fabric seems to resist odors longer than other fabric types, meaning we feel just a little fresher at the end of a long day, either working or working out. The Active Merino are a great choice for travel when you can only fit so many clothes in your carry-on, and washing happens within the confines of your hotel room. They'll likely be dry by morning.
A simpler design means fewer seams to annoy you after a long day. This is especially important in the most sensitive areas, where sewn seams are kept to a minimum. Credit: Justin Simoni
Dislikes
Although the Smartwool Active Merino are made with a very, very lightweight wool blend fabric, they will run a little warmer than some lighter weight nylon or polyester boxer briefs, so if the best breathability is absolutely required, these aren't the pair we'd instinctively grab from our collection for the day. The breathability results in our lab tests weren't terrible; just average.
Should you Buy the Smartwool Active Merino?
Those unfamiliar with just how soft and finely spun merino wool is produced these days may be surprised we'd even suggest a wool pair of underwear, but the Smartwool Active Merino's hyper-soft merino wool is truly next level. Because of the high percentage of synthetic fibers included in this pair, durability is enhanced, making these a great introduction to wool products. The price tag is much higher than other everyday boxer briefs, which we feel is justified for those seeking out alternatives to cotton or polyester.
Smartwool's quality is hard to argue with. Credit: Justin Simoni
What Other Boxer Briefs Should You Consider?
There's nothing that can compare to the feeling of wool, but the Columbia Tri Blend is a pair that for us comes the closest. Its blend of natural cotton and synthetic materials feels good to wear, and performs well – especially for the price. If you're looking for a good traveling companion, the ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 are some of the best. The sheer fabric feels good next to skin and unlike wool is absolutely perfect for the hottest of days. Dry time is excellent as well. The Saxx Non-Stop Stretch are another winner that also delivers all-day comfort.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Smartwool Active Merino versus top competing products:
| Awards |  Best Overall Men's Boxer Briefs |
|---|---|
| Price | $40 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | A wool/polyester blend boxer brief delivers durability, comfort, and freshness that's hard for cotton to match |
| Pros | Excellent natural anti-odor properties, focus on quality stitching and materials, comfy and cozy |
| Cons | Not awesome for hot and humid climates, more expensive compared to cotton choices, not as breathable as other options |
| Rating Categories | Smartwool Active Merino |
| Comfort (40%) | |
| Breathability (25%) | |
| Construction Quality (20%) | |
| Odor Control (15%) | |
| Specifications | Smartwool Active Merino |
| Material | 56% Merino wool, 44% polyester |
| Fly | No |
| Measured Inseam | 3.5 in |
| Flatlock Seams | Yes |
| Price per Pair, if Multipack (Based on MSRP) | $35 |
| Dryer Safe | Tumble dry low |
| Alternate Fit Options | N/A |
—Justin Simoni
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