Summary
ASKETPrice: €25 (or €55 for three)
The blue color of the Asket boxer shorts, front and back.
We start with Asket, a young Swedish brand to follow closely. It is part of this current brand movement based on sales models without intermediaries, rather focused on quality basics at a reasonable price, than on design and trends ( THEFRENCH KISS "TFK"
Price: 34€
TheFrenchKiss red boxer shorts, seen from the front and back.
A small brand specializing in men's underwear, which is still in its infancy, but which has decided to manufacture in France. His particuliarity ? Materials composed mainly of... bamboo! A material that is gradually gaining public interest, for its breathable properties, its softness and strength, as well as its lower ecological impact.
TheFrenchKiss black boxers, front and back.
TOUCH AND HAND OF THE MATERIAL
Red model 7.5/10 (Bamboo 95% elastane 5%)
This boxer is "softer" than the previous one. However, I would say that the touch is a little less good despite everything.
Does this seem counterintuitive to you? Well, that's why when it comes to fabric, we more often talk about "hand", which is the general term which brings together all the tactile sensations that we can experience when in contact with it, rather than just of gentleness.
Concerning this model, the larger proportion of bamboo as well as the slightly finer material give a “smoother” feeling of touch, and therefore softer at first glance.
But when we linger a little more on it, we notice that the touch is less pleasant and less fluffy than that of the first. Like Uniqlo Airism tested in the previous episode, here we have an extremely soft material, but whose sensation is not the most natural (even if it is still a notch above here).
Another fault of this variation: the material seems a little less consistent and "nervous" than the previous one. It appears a little softer and regains its shape less well when subjected to tension.
And like the bamboo-cotton version, it also shows traces of polishing.
Zoom on the material of the TheFrenchKiss red boxers, as well as the black braid that characterizes its lower leg.
Black model 8.5/10 (Bamboo 68% cotton 28% elastane 4%)
The mix of bamboo and cotton really convinced me! We obtain a beautiful balance between the silky softness of bamboo and the more consistent fluffiness of cotton. The material is very pleasant and the touch is not too artificial as it can be with many “innovative” fibers.
However, I notice a small flaw: it seems a little delicate and sensitive to polishing, since at the back of the boxers, we notice slightly discolored traces, following the shape of the seams of the "central pocket". They probably appeared as a relief effect during industrial ironing in the workshop.
Zoom on The French Kiss black boxer shorts. The material is not the same as that of red.
OVERALL APPEARANCE AND FINISHES
The finishes of the red model, turned on itself. The sewing work is really messy...
2/10 for both models
This is the main weakness of the brand: its quality of finishes.
Yes, it's made in France... But I've been saying it and I've been saying it for years: that doesn't necessarily mean it's better than elsewhere!
As it happens, the seams really lack cleanliness and neatness, and we regularly have little threads sticking out everywhere or missing stitches.
The logo printed by flocking inside the boxers is visible in transparency, while also leaving its traces of polishing... the fault of a material that is too thin for the use of this method.
We will still salute the elastic, well chosen, rather pleasant to the touch, and which seems resistant.
The finishes of the black model from TheFrenchKiss.
DESIGN (OK)
Nothing very special to report, everything is rather classic. The red model, however, has a contrasting braid at the thigh opening, reminiscent of elastic. If I find that this little detail is rather nice, I would have liked to see the brand offer a choice of color a little more interesting than a really very "strong" red and a black (which some will see as "sober", but that I find it a little austere for my part). The brand also offers white on its site, but I find that the contrast of the "black on white" elastic is not the best chosen.
WEARABLE TEST (GOOD)
Comfort is present for both models. For the red, it restricts my movement little and the black straps hold the thigh well. The black model is also comfortable because it is very stretchy despite the cotton base. No braid though, so it fits a little less well on the leg.
In terms of sizing, it's quite small: I'm a firmly maintained M in both models.
TEST AFTER THREE WASHES (GOOD)
No or no change in softness for these two materials!
PLACE OF PRODUCTION AND PRICE (GOOD)
It must be admitted that the brand offers a very honest price for French tailoring, which is, according to it, Parisian. Add to that the use of a somewhat innovative material, probably more expensive than the basic cottons that most brands would use, and the price seems very good despite the flaws mentioned above.
The boxer label, seen on the red model.
We can salute the approach of French manufacturing, but as you can see from the very messy seams, this is not necessarily a guarantee of superior quality.
VERDICT
The brand still has progress to make, particularly in manufacturing, but we welcome the use of these innovative and comfortable materials, as well as the French production ethics, all with a reasonable price considering the product.
VERDICT 2020
There are certain details, which, in the long term, are unforgiving, and prevent us from appreciating everything else.
The material may have been very pleasant to wear, but its polish, already present at the time of purchase, discouraged me from wearing them even more than once after the comparison. Because in practice, a trace of polishing can be confused with a stain or anything else that is unflattering. And who wants to be stuck with that when circumstances demand that you take off your clothes in front of someone else?
I no longer own these boxers today.
3. SEAGALE
Price: 35€
Seagale's "action merino" boxer shorts, in their blue color, front and back.
We continue with the famous Seagale “Action Mérinos” boxers, well known to the BonneGueule community since it is a brand that we have been talking about for a long time. The brand touts its exceptional comfort and softness, as well as its breathable and odor-fighting properties. So I put them to the test on the blue and burgundy colors.
The Seagale boxer in its burgundy color, from the front and back.
TOUCH AND HAND OF THE MATERIAL
Zoom on the material and embroidery in the burgundy color. A very beautiful material, and well-done embroidery, even if I personally would have preferred it not to be present.
9/10 for both colors (Tencel 55%, merino 37%, elastane 8%)
This is a great strong point of the brand: the feel of this mixture is truly sensational. Tencel (derived from eucalyptus) is already very soft, breathable and "smooth" in itself, and merino provides additional down which gives a natural and airy feel to the material. Really a pleasure in contact with the skin.
And the zoom on the blue color of Seagale!
OVERALL APPEARANCE AND FINISHES
9/10 When we look at the inside of the boxers, we find particularly clean, fine and discreet seams, which are also folded down. This is what gives them such a fine appearance from the outside. Nothing sticking out anywhere. If we wanted to quibble, the small logo, embroidered on a piece of semi-rigid fabric, is the only element that breaks this harmony, because it will necessarily be unattractive on the reverse side.
The finishes of the Seagale boxer once turned inside out, seen on the blue color.
DESIGN
First of all, the depth of these mottled colors is very pleasant to see. It really is what you could call a beautiful material.
To talk about the shape itself, it is quite unusual, I didn't immediately know what to think of it. It has something a little “futuristic” in its lines, a sporty side, even techwear. We could imagine Batman or Ironman wearing this under their armor. When I showed it to the girls at the office (not worn eh!), some found it a little crazy at the time.
But after a bit of hesitation, I can say that I ended up really liking this design. It's true that flat, it doesn't necessarily look very good because it has a very "unstructured" effect due to the refined construction, but once worn, it's rather flattering for the curve of your buttocks, and there is something "clean" and pleasing to the eye in the lines of these boxers: no label, very discreet seams. And the black edging of the elastic adds a nice touch of contrast.
I would also add that this shade of burgundy seems very well chosen to me: I appreciate that it is not too bright and flashy, which too often gives a slightly "offbeat" side to red underwear.
My only regret: the small Seagale logo, embroidered on the side. Even if it is tone-on-tone and cleanly made, it does not necessarily do justice to the work of purifying the design that has been done on these boxers.
WEARABLE TEST
The mid-length cut will be better suited visually to those who have rather long or thin legs. Note that the model is wearing it quite high on the waist.
One of the most pleasant materials I have ever tried. Whether for the softness described above or its ability to follow the body without any feeling of tension. Moreover, thanks to this very pronounced stretch, I have rarely felt so little discomfort in my movements, which is particularly pleasant for me who have rather muscular thighs.
However, I find that it is still a little too hot for summer, and that lighter cottons or other very fine materials will be more suitable.
And for the big question you were all asking... Can you really wear it for a whole week without it smelling anything?
Let's say that the anti-odor properties of merino play their part (Yes, I wore it for three days for an entire weekend. That's what we call being dedicated to the task, right?), but that's not also not as effective as on 100% merino t-shirts, for example: as the boxers only contain 37%, I would not advise you to wear them for a whole week either, especially for a garment that covers the crotch... At the end of the three days, the smell was comparable to that of underwear worn for a day. So there is definitely an effect, but it's not magic either.
See it more as a "bonus" that helps out than as the frequent use for which these boxers are intended... At least, you will feel less dirty if you ever find yourself without a change of underwear two days in a row!
On the other hand, big downside for me: it fits a little strangely.
Not only are the boxers a little small (I had to take an M), but above all the waistline is really very tight and the elastic is very thick. However, I'm more of the type to have a thin waist compared to my hips, and at the end of the day I sometimes have the impression of having a vice around my lower abdomen because the elastic is so thick and tight... Too bad
TEST AFTER THREE WASHES (GOOD)
Both colors performed identically.
On the manufacturing side, nothing to report.
I was worried that the material would deteriorate a little too much, given that in the past, I have read several testimonials about the fragility of Seagale boxers. But their new composition (less merino, more tencel) seems to hold up better.
In terms of softness, there is a very slight loss compared to its feel when the boxers are new, and a sort of almost imperceptible "linting". I'm not too worried though, because it seems to me to be the normal behavior of a material containing a significant portion of wool.
However, I think that these are not the boxers that will last you the longest of all because wool will necessarily wear out faster than cotton if it is subjected to a lot of friction. My advice: if you are a cyclist, or have very strong thighs that constantly touch each other and create friction in the crotch, perhaps opt for another model.
PLACE OF PRODUCTION AND PRICE (OK)
The label of the Seagale boxer shorts, seen on the red color. But... Where is it done, anyway?
I was surprised, and a little disappointed, to see that the place of manufacture was not indicated, neither on the label, nor on the product's online sales page. Is this an oversight on the part of the brand?
Was the country of production not very “salesy” on paper, and was therefore deliberately overshadowed?
I will update this part if I get more info at some point, but for the moment, this should be considered a bad point for these boxers.
EDIT: After seeing your feedback as well as those of the brand, I am told that the boxers are made in Lithuania, and that this is clearly indicated on the sales page, on the site. Considering the material used and the price, the place of manufacture seems coherent to me, I was not expecting something made in Portugal (it would have been more expensive than that). However, I maintain that the brand should make it visible on its boxers.
VERDICT
If there was a shorter version to highlight less slender body types, if the elastic was less tight and unpleasant at the waist, if the place of manufacture was clearly announced, and if the small logo of the brand disappeared.. . these might be my ideal boxers.
In the meantime, these Seagale boxers remain an excellent choice which nevertheless really appealed to me.
VERDICT 2020
I spoke, above, of the “details” which prevent us from appreciating everything else.
Well, these Seagale boxers unfortunately have it: this damn waistband, so tight that EVEN at my most athletic weight, devoid of the slightest gram of fat on my stomach, I can't help but find it unpleasant.
It's always the same experience: I see the boxers in the drawer, I touch the material, which promises me, with its softness, a day of comfort, I put it on, and I curse the belt, which instantly breaks this promise .
It's all the more a shame that this blend, containing a significant portion of merino, is intended more for winter. And what do most of us have in winter? A little more belly, in fact. The last thing we want is to have a sheath that puts pressure on us all day , and it doesn't matter, in the end, that the feel of the material is exceptional.
I had also been contacted by the founder of the brand, who told me that the following productions had remedied this problem , so perhaps all is not lost.
Because of this discomfort, however, I was able to wear the boxers very little, and was unable to experience their long-term hold. Reader feedback, however, indicates a relative fragility , which would not be surprising given the choice of material, because merino does not tolerate repeated friction.
4. RON DORFF
Ron Dorff gray boxers, front and back views.
Price: 36€
A brand that I didn't know before starting this comparison. Ron Dorff is a label that claims to be Franco-Swedish. Its concept: clothing with a sportswear look, but high-end, quality and with a neat look. And obviously, a brand that focuses on sports clothing has every interest in having a well-developed underwear line. Their reputation had been praised to me by Paul, who worked in our Parisian boutique on rue Comines. Trusted his judgment, so I included the brand in the test, choosing their boxers in heather gray and light khaki.
TOUCH AND HAND OF THE MATERIAL
The material of the gray Ron Dorff boxer briefs, seen up close. For once, the heather color and its khaki green version seem to correspond to the same cotton and knit reference, their feel being virtually identical.
7.5/10 for both models (95% cotton, 5% elastane)
The cotton is good, better than what you have at the entry level, but without being superlative. In my opinion, we are within the "norm" of what we have the right to expect in this price range. In terms of thickness, it is the typical medium weight of cotton boxers, suitable for most seasons except the hottest days.
OVERALL APPEARANCE AND FINISHES
Gray Ron Dorff boxer shorts, seen inside out. The belt is particularly clean in its construction, and the interior seams as well.
8.5/10 Particularly well finished, and practically nothing sticking out! The finishes are more than clean. I also appreciate the discreetly mounted label, because it is a point that is often missing on most boxers, and in all price ranges.
DESIGN (GOOD)
I have a real weakness for this type of model with a more compact waistband, made from the same material as the rest of the boxers, because I like the refined appearance that results. As you have understood, I also like the little braids at the bottom of the leg, which are both an aesthetic and practical asset.
And a little final touch: the brand signs most of its clothes with two round eyelets, which are sewn here with tone-on-tone thread. A discreet but effective way to stand out without overdoing it. As much as I'm not a fan of the Seagale logo, these two little circles are well brought here.
The other good surprise is also the presence of this khaki color, which is a bit different from the eternal blue, gray, black, white, red combo, without falling into colors that are too complicated to wear.
Here, Ron Dorff's famous signature eyelets (the photo was taken on the reverse side, which explains the little threads sticking out. This is actually the only place where this is the case on the entire boxer shorts) Strangely , the gray model was a little better finished on this point, because nothing was sticking out. The vagaries of production...
In short, if we consider that it is possible to speak of a successful "minimalist" design on a boxer short, these are the terms that I would describe this one.
WEARABLE TEST
The boxers worn by the brand's model (damn strong, by the way). The mid-height cut should suit most body types. Note that the lower leg straps hold the boxers well on the model's voluminous thighs.
It's really very, very small! Following the brand's good advice, I chose a size L, although I usually wear between an S and an M depending on the model. It is not so much the waistline which is very narrow, but the lower thigh which is particularly tightened by its braid.
However, the result is surprising comfort: the buttocks are hugged without putting any tension on them, the waist is left free from any excessive pressure from the elastic, but the boxers do not ride up thanks to these thighs being tighter than usual. And visually it looks good too.
The stretch cotton blend is of normal flexibility for this type of boxer, if not slightly superior. We therefore hardly feel the boxers once worn.
The cut is an intermediate length, which should suit most body shapes.
TEST AFTER THREE WASHES (GOOD)
Little or no loss of softness, on both models! This cotton copes without problem.
PLACE OF PRODUCTION AND PRICE (OK)
Made in Portugal, for €36 each. As we said for Sunspel, it's fair because Portuguese manufacturing is expensive, but it's not particularly competitive either.
The label of the gray Ron Dorff boxer shorts, Made in Portugal. And yes, it's an L, it's really small...
VERDICT
Boxers that I really like. We cannot say that this is the most competitive offer on the market, but the particularity of its cut combined with its design choices make it one of the boxers that I have enjoyed wearing the most in this price range. .
VERDICT 2020
These two boxers were my real favorites in the comparison. Between their elegant design, the pretty colors, and the assured comfort , I spontaneously found myself wanting to wear them as a priority after each washing machine.
The only downside, but not the least: the fabric that covers the elastic belt ended up wearing away over time , due to friction, until it had holes in different places.
However, I'm willing to forgive them because they were my favorite over everything else, and wearing them more frequently probably accelerated the result.
7. HANRO
Price: 36€
Hanro boxers, front and back views. I don't really like the design of the belt.
Connoisseurs probably expected this brand to be present, because Hanro is a historic house: created in Switzerland, we trace the origins of the brand back to the end of the 19th century, as a specialist in women's lingerie! To add to the legend, the brand prides itself on having been the preferred choice of big names, particularly in the world of show business and cinema, for decades: singers such as Gainsbourg to Dakota Johnson In
Well, that's all well and good, but you know that if we are sensitive to history at BonneGueule, it is never to the detriment of quality. It was therefore necessary to check if it lived up to the myth!
TOUCH AND HAND OF THE MATERIAL
Zoom on the material of Hanro boxers
9/10 (Cotton 93% elastane 7%) This reference from Hanro is called "Coton Superior" , and it has not usurped its name! Of all the cotton-based blends in this price range, it has the most softness and suppleness, and the most pleasant hand feeling.
However, note that it is also a lighter material weight. It is possible that (very) long-term sustainability may be affected. But the advantage is that these boxers will be completely wearable in warmer weather.
OVERALL APPEARANCE AND FINISHES
7/10 The brand shines a little less with its finishes than with its material. Nothing shocking, but these are not the most beautiful seams in the comparison, and one or two threads stick out in places. However, we note particularly fine and discreet front seams, as well as a very cleanly mounted label, which temper this assessment a little.
The finishing touches of the Hanro boxer briefs, turned over.
DESIGN (OK)
The design has a bit of a "underpants" feel that I don't really like, because the belt has a multitude of small folds due to excess material deliberately left by the brand. I prefer smoother or even almost invisible belts like what has been done by other brands in this comparison.
That said, the brand label is very beautiful, and the logo has been cleverly placed on the inside of the belt, in a dark green which stands out slightly, highlighted by a border going around the elastic. A good point for this historic brand, which could have decided to be more ostentatious. I salute this choice of sobriety in highlighting his name.
WEARABLE TEST
Rather medium-small size. I'm an M in which I'm not excessively held down. Cotton-elastane, particularly soft and supple, gives greater freedom of movement than ordinary cotton-stretch boxers.
The cut is short, which makes it more suitable for medium to small body shapes, and less suitable for tall people or very thin legs.
Hanro boxers, worn by a model. Note that the little creases I mentioned earlier are a little less visible once the boxers are worn, depending on whether you fill them well or not.
In terms of cut, this short model would have been better suited to a less slender body shape than that of the model.
TEST AFTER THREE WASHES (GOOD)
Virtually no loss of softness compared to new condition, if at all. All of this seems destined to age well.
PLACE OF PRODUCTION AND PRICE (BAD)
On paper, same story as for the two previous brands: made in Portugal, sold for €36. It's honest without being the deal of the century.
So why do I say "bad"? Because I believe that a brand called "Hanro of Switzerland" should either remove this suffix from its name, or not have relocated its production outside of Switzerland. Portugal is a very good clothing country, but I find that the name can mislead the customer.
The Hanro boxer label, "Made in Portugal".
VERDICT
Apart from the small disappointment caused by the difference between the place of production and the roots of the brand, this historic label still manages to offer very good, simple and effective boxers, at a fairly honest price for its market segment. . The quality of their cotton is their greatest strength.
VERDICT 2020
Really, some styles couldn't be judged properly until they had been worn many times.
Because you see, if these boxers make an excellent first impression, they turn out to have a nasty flaw: the fabric keeps riding up throughout the day , and ends up getting into your part, which is very unpleasant .
The concern comes from this material, particularly supple and light, combined with a certain generosity in the thighs, and the short cut.
Since the cut is short, the vertical tension is more pronounced when you bend over. And as the opening on the thigh does not have an elastic system to prevent it from riding up, and it is not particularly tight either, the very flexible material quickly bunches up. upper.
Really a shame, because for the rest, these boxers have everything you need to be a safe everyday value, particularly a very pleasant material.
I have worn it a number of times though, particularly in summer, since looser pants tend to alleviate the problem.
CONCLUSION
And that's it for the second part! No less than 13 boxers tested before your amazed eyes. It wasn't easy, believe me!
I would like to take this opportunity to answer the question that is probably on all your lips: is it normal that there is such a price gap between entry-level boxers and high-end boxers, while the differences concrete facts are rather tenuous?
Well yes. Because as with many clothes, there is a level at which you have to pay "significantly more" to have "a little better".
This slightly softer cotton? It is much more expensive. This slightly more careful tailoring, and made in a more economically developed country? Much more expensive too. These few little extra details? Same, it's more time spent in production.
And you will see in episode 3, dedicated to “very high-end”, that the higher we go upmarket, the more this phenomenon becomes more pronounced.
Finally, to end on a completely personal note , if I had to choose two brands that most won my affection in this episode, I would say Ron Dorff, for its surprising but very comfortable fit and its little "signature" eyelets, and Seagale for its design and material that stand out from the crowd. These two brands have an "X-factor" as Benoît would say, a little something extra, not necessarily rational, but which makes you like it and which you will probably buy.
From a more "down-to-earth" point of view, if we had to choose the best quality/price ratio, it would obviously be Asket, which manages to offer the only boxer shorts at the "mid-range" price in this comparison, with a quality that has no reason to be ashamed of the high-end competition.
We'll meet again very quickly for episode 3, dedicated to the very high end , the crème de la crème in terms of quality... but also price.
