✔️ Absorbency speed: We used cough syrup to mimic the viscosity of menstrual flow just as manufacturers do to test pads and tampons. Then we sent each style home with consumer testers to evaluate comfort and style. With that in mind, check out our top picks for compression shorts/briefs.In the Lab, we evaluated absorbency speed, shrinkage and runoff to ensure that each product we recommend will perform. Just make sure it fits your needs such as if you are wearing them as outerwear or underwear or if they’re too short/too long. You probably already knew that, but I want you to go in your search being assured in your purchases. If you got this far, I just want you to take away that the shorts or underwear debate is all personal preference. You can check out the list here to have peace of mind that all the items compiled will suit and fulfill all your needs. Also, make sure to get them from recognizable and trusted brands. I have more information about the individual differences in the fibers on another blog post. This ensures you’re getting all the properties of the fibers such as sweat-wicking, moisture regulation, odor resistance, etc. Make sure you’re getting well-made polyester/nylon compression apparel. You shouldn’t be wasting money on cheap replacements for cotton underwear and the likes. Something else I’ve found is that some compression briefs and shorts are fairly low quality in what they provide. Quality of the Compression Briefs or Shorts At the end of the day, you can always just put on something on top if you don’t feel too comfortable while still taking advantage of the compression and moisture regulation aspect. It is acceptable to run around in shorts but not as much with briefs (although still possible with the compression variation). But the thing here is that you have to do what you’re cool with. Some people may like running, cycling, hiking with compression briefs as outerwear, but others may not be so keen to be flaunting their stuff and would rather use the briefs as underwear and putting a pair of pants or athletic shorts on top of that, which is perfectly fine. Sometimes it is also a comfortability factor. Other Things to Consider: Outerwear/Underwear A good rule of thumb is that if they’re close to your kneecaps than it is of short length but if it only covers your general thigh area then they’re probably briefs. This is all relative, but this is what I use when assessing a piece of compression apparel. A shorter person like a child may find the 6” to be a good fit for them. This, in turn, would be considered underwear under my “definition” above for this individual. Some people who are relatively taller may find the 9” briefs/shorts shorter than others. We’re all different, and that goes for leg length as well. Once again, it’s a little more complicated than that. Usually, the most common lengths that manufacturers use are 6” and 9”.One might think the 6” are briefs, and the 9” are shorts. There are several variations of compression underwear and shorts, but I’ve found that some are shorter than others and use that in my assessment when buying compression gear. But in this post, I will give you my own consideration.įor me, I use length as the main factor when I’m considering one from the other. So, what is the real answer? There are several ways you can categorize one from another, but at the end of the day, it’s a personal opinion on what you consider to be briefs and shorts. You could look at how the manufacturer details it in the title and description, but I’ve found that it doesn’t really help.

Essentially, compression briefs and compression shorts seem like the same exact thing.I’ve found that others have posted this same question, and are asking if there is any way to differentiate between if one thing is compression shorts or if they are compression briefs. This is a question that has come up in my search for compression apparel.

Compression shorts underwear