"Made in the USA" Gear Review: AYG Men's Performance Sports/Hiking Briefs

I'm pretty sure this review isn't gonna fire up readers' imaginations the way a good bushcraft article or knife review will, but the reality is that a good pair of underwear really makes a difference in whether a long hike or backpacking trip is comfortable or not.

If you wear the wrong briefs, your thighs can become chafed, or even blistered. I'm sorry to say that I've had a few bad experiences in the past that nearly ruined my trips. This led me on a search to find a good pair of briefs that were comfortable, breathable and kept me chafe-free. I got lucky last year when our sponsor LifeView Outdoors suggested that I try a pair of AYG Performance Sports Briefs. I took them up on their offer, and it turned out to be a really smart decision.

The SPECS:

• Quick drying, wicking, breathable
• 4-way stretch for maximum agility
• Anti-microbial
• Athletic fit
• Odor resistant
• Fights bacteria
• Comfortable flat seams
• Weight- 4oz
• Made in North Carolina, USA
• Street Price- $19.95

To me, these briefs resemble those worn by runners and cyclists, and they do in fact share a similar design. They are made of a blend of 92% "Acclimate Dry Polyester" and 8% Spandex, and touted as "anti-microbial" and "odor-resistant." The Acclimate Dry Polyester, originally developed by PolarMax, also makes the claim "Feels like Cotton but wicks like polyester."

AYG's 4-way Stretch Boxer Brief 

After wearing these briefs on numerous hikes, backpacking trips, and field testing excursions, I quickly became a believer, as they turned out to be a major step up from conventional briefs, even those made of cotton. 

These AYG Performance Sports Briefs caused no chafing, are super comfortable, breathable, and have plenty of support for longer trips to my favorite bushcrafting spots. After many washings, they also held up well and seem to be durably constructed. 

Well-made and comfortable, these AYG Performance Briefs would be a great piece of gear to add to your backpacking/hiking arsenal. And they're made right here in the USA!

5 out of 5 Stars (Highly Recommended)

About the author

Jason Schwartz is the founder and senior editor of Rocky Mountain Bushcraft. He is a former Red Cross certified Wilderness & Remote First Aid Instructor, and has taught bushcraft and wilderness survival techniques to the Boy Scouts of America, interned with the US Forest Service, and studied wilderness survival, forestry and wildland firefighting at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, Colorado. Jason has also written for magazines such as The New Pioneer and Backpacker, including writing the "Tinder Finder" portion of Backpacker's "Complete Guide to Fire," which won a 2015 National Magazine Award (NMA). Email him at rockymountainbushcraft @ hotmail.com (without spaces)