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What Is Pouch Underwear?

Kay Paddock
Kay Paddock

Pouch underwear is an undergarment designed specifically for men. The front of the clothing is constructed in a soft cup, allowing more room for a man's genitals. Instead of being held in or squeezed against a man's body, his genitals are supported in the pouch to provide a more comfortable fit. Some people prefer the feeling of this underwear to other styles — many feel that it is not as constricting as briefs, without being quite as loose and unsupportive as boxer shorts.

The purpose of pouch underwear, also often called pouch briefs, is generally to provide more comfort, but the appearance of the clothing is typically important, too. Some people may prefer the way they look wearing underwear with a pouch than with other styles such as briefs, boxer-briefs, or boxer shorts. Buying underwear with a pouch that fits properly may be a challenge for some, however. Most pouch models are still classified only by waist size. Those who want a larger or smaller pouch for comfort may have to try different brands to find the right fit.

Men's underwear featuring a soft cup in front.
Men's underwear featuring a soft cup in front.

There are many different styles of underwear with a pouch, with differences in materials, shape, size, color, and construction. The most notable difference between the styles is probably the way the pouch is built. Some have only a small cup of extra material in the front, while other styles have pouches that start behind the scrotum. Brands that have a pouch that begins that far back often have larger, padded pouches that tend to enhance the groin area.

There are many different styles of pouch underwear.
There are many different styles of pouch underwear.

Some pouch underwear contains features such as mesh nets inside the fabric for further support. These are usually designed to pull the scrotum forward and lift it, bringing all of the genitalia higher in front into the specially made pouch. There are also some brands that focus on the male enhancement feature of the underwear. Those styles tend to place an emphasis more on how the underwear looks than on how comfortable it is to wear.

Pouch underwear can be convenient while one is using a urinal.
Pouch underwear can be convenient while one is using a urinal.

Wearing this style of underwear can be quite different than wearing any other type. Aside from the pouch, an additional main difference is that these briefs do not usually have a fly. The underwear is one piece, which some may find inconvenient when using a urinal. In some cases, it might also be difficult to find the right sized pouch — buying underwear in more elastic and stretchy materials can help prevent problems from pouches being too small or big to be comfortable.

Discussion Comments

strawCake

It's sounds like it would be pretty annoying trying to find your size in male pouch underwear. After all, it's not like you can just try it on at the store! If I was a man, I think I would be put off by the fact that most brands don't list sizing information for the pouch part of the underwear.

I don't know about everyone else, but I'm not willing to buy the same thing over and over again, trying to find the right fit. If I wer a man, I would probably just stick to the underwear that I know my size in instead of wasting my money.

indemnifyme

@sunnySkys - Yep, pouch underwear do sound like clever underwear, in theory. But how many guys really wear pants tight enough for their groin area to show that much? I don't know any, and I really hope this isn't an indication of some future trend in mens fashion.

Either way, it must be nice for men to have a few more choices in the underwear department. Women have a lot of choices: thongs, briefs, bikinis, string bikinis, boyshorts, etc, while men usually only get to choose between boxers or briefs (and I guess boxer briefs too.)

sunnySkys

I have never heard of men's pouch underwear before. My boyfriend now prefers boxers, as have most of the guys I've dated in the past (I'm in my mid-twenties, maybe it's a generational thing?) I must admit that since I've never seen this type of underwear in public, I'm getting some pretty funny mental images right now.

I'm also giggling at the fact that some of these pouch underwear are meant to enhance the way the groin area looks. Women have padded bras, so I suppose the next logical step was for men to have padded underwear.

chivebasil

@nextcorrea - Congratulations! That is an interesting story too. Can you tell me if your doctor said anything about wearing boxer shorts as opposed to pouch underwear? It seems like these would have the same effect as pouch underwear as far as the temperature of the testicles is concerned.

nextcorrea

My wife and I tried to get pregnant for a year without any success. We finally went to a doctor to find out if maybe there was a medical problem with one of us.

According to my doctor I had a low sperm count, but not so low that it would cancel my ability to have children. My doctor told me that I could raise my sperm count and increase my chance for conception if I could lower the temperature of my testicles. If they are too warm it can lower your sperm count.

He recommended that I switch to pouch underwear that does not hold the testicles as close to the body. It took some getting used to but I managed and it was definitely worth it. Two months later my wife got pregnant and she is now 6 months along with a baby girl. I don't want to give pouch men's underwear all the credit but they certainly helped.

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    • Men's underwear featuring a soft cup in front.
      By: ILYA AKINSHIN
      Men's underwear featuring a soft cup in front.
    • There are many different styles of pouch underwear.
      By: Artistic Endeavor
      There are many different styles of pouch underwear.
    • Pouch underwear can be convenient while one is using a urinal.
      By: Gramper
      Pouch underwear can be convenient while one is using a urinal.