benconfused
WKR
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2025
- Messages
- 586
I’ll save you time.
If you don’t want to read this whole review: buy them.
Right now, they are the best boxer briefs I’ve worn. Full stop.
These are the new Forged in the Backcountry boxer briefs designed by Jay Nichol. I’m not going to regurgitate product specs. If you want fabric blends and stitch maps, go read the website: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/...iV0t7Q4-J3MYX9WwEEHPH-eJuXtflFvczZ-2dqDljeiqZ
They’re currently available direct from Forged in the Backcountry and should be landing at @Unknown Munitions soon.
In honor of Jay’s personal gear scoring system, I’m using the same framework.
And yes — it’s “just underwear.” But we all care about two things:
Disclaimer
My wife gave me two pairs for my birthday.
We don’t know Jay.
We are not Canadian (Satire).
No cheek pictures for you gents (and ladies), wife’s eyes only.
Size tested: Medium
My build: 5'10, 180lbs. 31-32 waste, 32 length.
The purchase was prompted after listening to Jay on the Shoot2Hunt podcast here with @Ryan Avery and Jake Mushany:
Testing Environment - Middle Tennessee.
If you’re out West thinking you’ve got harsh conditions — that’s cute.
We have humidity. The kind that forces every pore to open up and aggressively export toxins into the atmosphere. If a product survives here, it earns credibility.
Test Protocol
One pair.
Fourteen consecutive days.
Work. Training. Running. Lifting. Hiking. Daily life.
You’re welcome.
Each category scored 1–5.
The Tests
1. The Fitment Test - 4/5 initially → 5/5 after break-in
Out of the package they feel snug (I wear mediums). Not “wrong size” snug — just ready-for-break-in snug. After a few days, they settle in perfectly. The multi-material construction creates that ideal effect: you stop noticing you’re wearing underwear.
That’s the goal.
2. The Flip-It Test - 4/5
Jay specifically mentioned waistband flipping -- I paid attention. After two hard weeks, waistband “flippening” was significantly reduced. Not eliminated — but dramatically reduced compared to most brands.
If you want zero flipping, go back to the gym and get leaner.
Huge win in reducing what I’ll call “Hunter-Gear-Annoyance-Syndrome.”
3. Elasticity Test - 5/5
After 14 straight days, there should have been visible stretch fatigue. There wasn’t. Waist. Legs. Crotch structure. Everything held tension exactly like Day 1.
This is where most underwear fails — especially after multiple days.
These didn’t.
4. The Smell Test - 4/5
Let’s not pretend we’re delicate creatures. We hike toward elk urine and bear scat.
Odor control matters.
After runs, hikes, squats, daily wear — they stayed impressively neutral. Each morning they felt and smelled surprisingly fresh. Did they eliminate odor entirely? No. Did they outperform merino and standard synthetics? Yes.
Clear edge here.
5. The Wife Test - 5/5
Positive feedback. That’s all you need to know. Many tests performed.
6. Retention Test (Structural Integrity) - 5/5 (would give 6 if allowed)
This deserves emphasis. Most boxer briefs lose structural support in the crotch within 1–2 days. Then comes sagging. Then friction. Then regret.
Not here.
Support remained consistent for the full 14 days. No breakdown. No hot spots.
Design execution here is exceptional.
7. The Schweaty Test - 5/5
This is moisture management. These wick better than any pair I’ve worn. But more importantly, they manage moisture during exertion — not just after.
Because they move moisture so efficiently while sweating, the dry-out phase is dramatically faster.
This is the biggest performance separator.
8. The Whip-It Test - 5/5
Horizontal fly.
If you’re used to side-access, this feels different at first. Then you realize it’s better. Faster. Cleaner. More intuitive.
And no, nothing “accidentally deploys” while you’re chasing that 380’ bull.
Well thought out. Well executed.
9. The Wash Test - TBD
First 14-day cycle wash pending. Long-term elasticity and structure will matter more than first impressions. I’ll report back at 6 months.
Alarm is set.
10. The Comparison Test - 5/5
For me, merino has been First Lite.
Merino pros: soft, good next-to-skin feel.
Merino cons: rapid structural breakdown, elasticity loss, odor retention.
Alternatively, standard athletic synthetics (Target-type): cheap, fine for workouts, but one-and-done due to odor and moisture stagnation.
The Forged boxer briefs outperform both in:
Closing Thoughts
You don’t know me from Adam’s house cat. These are my observations, yours will be different. But Jay is clearly designing to solve real field problems, not just repackage existing fabrics with a logo.
Thoughtful material choice. Intelligent structure. Purpose-built for abuse.
I’ll be replacing my current lineup with Forged over time. More colors would be appreciated.
Six-month update coming.
Until then — if you’re tired of saggy, swampy regret — this is your move.
If you don’t want to read this whole review: buy them.
Right now, they are the best boxer briefs I’ve worn. Full stop.
These are the new Forged in the Backcountry boxer briefs designed by Jay Nichol. I’m not going to regurgitate product specs. If you want fabric blends and stitch maps, go read the website: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/...iV0t7Q4-J3MYX9WwEEHPH-eJuXtflFvczZ-2dqDljeiqZ
They’re currently available direct from Forged in the Backcountry and should be landing at @Unknown Munitions soon.
In honor of Jay’s personal gear scoring system, I’m using the same framework.
And yes — it’s “just underwear.” But we all care about two things:
- How sweaty our junk gets when we’re moving.
- How offensive we are to ourselves (and others) after multiple days chasing elk.
Disclaimer
My wife gave me two pairs for my birthday.
We don’t know Jay.
We are not Canadian (Satire).
No cheek pictures for you gents (and ladies), wife’s eyes only.
Size tested: Medium
My build: 5'10, 180lbs. 31-32 waste, 32 length.
The purchase was prompted after listening to Jay on the Shoot2Hunt podcast here with @Ryan Avery and Jake Mushany:
Testing Environment - Middle Tennessee.
If you’re out West thinking you’ve got harsh conditions — that’s cute.
We have humidity. The kind that forces every pore to open up and aggressively export toxins into the atmosphere. If a product survives here, it earns credibility.
Test Protocol
One pair.
Fourteen consecutive days.
Work. Training. Running. Lifting. Hiking. Daily life.
You’re welcome.
Each category scored 1–5.
The Tests
1. The Fitment Test - 4/5 initially → 5/5 after break-in
Out of the package they feel snug (I wear mediums). Not “wrong size” snug — just ready-for-break-in snug. After a few days, they settle in perfectly. The multi-material construction creates that ideal effect: you stop noticing you’re wearing underwear.
That’s the goal.
2. The Flip-It Test - 4/5
Jay specifically mentioned waistband flipping -- I paid attention. After two hard weeks, waistband “flippening” was significantly reduced. Not eliminated — but dramatically reduced compared to most brands.
If you want zero flipping, go back to the gym and get leaner.
Huge win in reducing what I’ll call “Hunter-Gear-Annoyance-Syndrome.”
3. Elasticity Test - 5/5
After 14 straight days, there should have been visible stretch fatigue. There wasn’t. Waist. Legs. Crotch structure. Everything held tension exactly like Day 1.
This is where most underwear fails — especially after multiple days.
These didn’t.
4. The Smell Test - 4/5
Let’s not pretend we’re delicate creatures. We hike toward elk urine and bear scat.
Odor control matters.
After runs, hikes, squats, daily wear — they stayed impressively neutral. Each morning they felt and smelled surprisingly fresh. Did they eliminate odor entirely? No. Did they outperform merino and standard synthetics? Yes.
Clear edge here.
5. The Wife Test - 5/5
Positive feedback. That’s all you need to know. Many tests performed.
6. Retention Test (Structural Integrity) - 5/5 (would give 6 if allowed)
This deserves emphasis. Most boxer briefs lose structural support in the crotch within 1–2 days. Then comes sagging. Then friction. Then regret.
Not here.
Support remained consistent for the full 14 days. No breakdown. No hot spots.
Design execution here is exceptional.
7. The Schweaty Test - 5/5
This is moisture management. These wick better than any pair I’ve worn. But more importantly, they manage moisture during exertion — not just after.
Because they move moisture so efficiently while sweating, the dry-out phase is dramatically faster.
This is the biggest performance separator.
8. The Whip-It Test - 5/5
Horizontal fly.
If you’re used to side-access, this feels different at first. Then you realize it’s better. Faster. Cleaner. More intuitive.
And no, nothing “accidentally deploys” while you’re chasing that 380’ bull.
Well thought out. Well executed.
9. The Wash Test - TBD
First 14-day cycle wash pending. Long-term elasticity and structure will matter more than first impressions. I’ll report back at 6 months.
Alarm is set.
10. The Comparison Test - 5/5
For me, merino has been First Lite.
Merino pros: soft, good next-to-skin feel.
Merino cons: rapid structural breakdown, elasticity loss, odor retention.
Alternatively, standard athletic synthetics (Target-type): cheap, fine for workouts, but one-and-done due to odor and moisture stagnation.
The Forged boxer briefs outperform both in:
- Structure retention
- Moisture management
- Multi-day wearability
- Odor resistance
Closing Thoughts
You don’t know me from Adam’s house cat. These are my observations, yours will be different. But Jay is clearly designing to solve real field problems, not just repackage existing fabrics with a logo.
Thoughtful material choice. Intelligent structure. Purpose-built for abuse.
I’ll be replacing my current lineup with Forged over time. More colors would be appreciated.
Six-month update coming.
Until then — if you’re tired of saggy, swampy regret — this is your move.
).
