Obviously Downtown AnatoMAX Brief

 
Obviously is an Australian clothing company that makes high-quality underwear and undershirts for men. I’ve reviewed them a few times before, and am consistently impressed with their quality. Their AnatoMAX line offers some of the biggest pouches on the market (“Downtown” is just the colored versions), and the AnatoMAX Brief is a higher-quality, bigger-pouched item similar to the first Obviously item I reviewed, the AnatoFREE Brief. The AnatoMAX boxers will be reviewed in future posts. 

Materials and construction: The Obviously Downtown AnatoMAX Brief is made out of a micro modal/lycra fabric blend. The pouch is similar to that of the AnatoFREE Brief, but bigger: Instead of just extending out towards the front, it extends to the front and down (see the photo). As a result, it gives you less support and more flexibility, allowing you to hang comfortably. The fit on the entire garment is more relaxed than most briefs, while still being form fitting. The item holds up well after getting washed numerous times, and the minor deterioration I’ve started to see in the waistband of the AnatoFREE Brief hasn’t shown up. I expect this to last a long time. Overall, if you’re looking for underwear with big pouches, the AnatoMAX line should certainly be on your radar. 9/10

 
Comfort and usability: The comfort of the AnatoMAX pouch in this brief is among the best I’ve encountered: Very comfortable and flexible, and the fabric feels very soft against the skin, especially after a few washings. The main issue I had with the AnatoFREE Brief was that it started to ride up in the back when I was wearing it with a tucked-in shirt and a belt. This is also true for this item. I usually wear suspenders with my suits, and there is no riding up with this arrangement, or if I wear a pear of pants with an untucked shirt. The relative lack of support does not make this a great item for vigorous exercise, and there is more vertical flexibility than the AnatoMAX’s biggest competitor, the Andrew Christian Trophy Boy Brief, which tends to hold your package straight down. Another thing to keep in mind is that this item will not hide your bulge at all. Overall, I think this item is best suited as leisurewear, and it’s very comfortable for that. 8/10  

Aesthetics: Obviously doesn’t do much flamboyant or flashy, instead sticking with a more conservative aesthetic. The Downtown colors are about as flashy as this company gets, and it’s a welcome change. The blue color looks great in person, and the two varieties of blue on the waistband’s logo has a high-quality, textured look to it. 7/10  

Overall rating: 8/10

Big enough? Yes. 

Saxx Ultra Long John Fly Bottom

 
Saxx is a Canadian menswear company that specializes in underwear and stresses innovation and comfort. Like the other varieties of underwear they offer, the Ultra Long John Fly Bottom uses the same internal pouch. This is the first anatomically correct pair of long underwear I’ve tried, and the overall design seems unique on the market. While it won’t replace my warmest thermal layers, the experience I get wearing it is a good one. 

Materials and construction: The Ultra Long John Fly Bottom is made of 95% viscose and 5% spandex. Especially compared to most long underwear, this material is thin and form fitting. It’s a little more forgiving around the hips and tight around the legs, which is a good balance for comfort and warmth, although it can shift a little when sitting down or standing up. The waistband is stable without feeling constricting. The internal pouch, which you could see in the inside-out photograph of the item, makes sure you stay dry even when you’re inside with air conditioning or near the warmth of the fireplace. 7/10 

 

Comfort and usability: The viscose blend is a lot stretchier than the cotton blend I experienced in my first pair of Saxx underwear. It’s less warm than long underwear made from polyester or wool, so I see this item as being more practical for mildly cold weather or days when I’m only planning on being outside only for short periods. Also, since the material is so thin, pants that are more permeable to cold can be felt through the fabric. For instance, I had better experiences with the wool suit pants and worse experiences with jeans. I enjoyed having only a single layer under my pants, and not having the issues with multiple layers bunching up under my pants. Overall, this is the most comfortable pair of long underwear I’ve worn, but not the warmest. 7/10 

 

Aesthetics: It looks like a Christmas sweater, which is appropriate for the season. The pattern looks sharp and detailed. 7/10

Overall rating: 7/10

Big enough? Yes, these are the most comfortable pair of long underwear I’ve tried so far.