Yes, mesh and ice silk underwear are still worth wearing in winter. Most of a winter day is spent in heated offices, trains, gyms and homes, where a light fabric that moves sweat and dries fast is often more comfortable than a thick layer. The trick is to treat them as your base layer and let your trousers and outerwear handle the cold.
Why "summer fabrics" still make sense when it's cold
Winter rarely means eight hours in the cold. It means a chilly walk, then a warm train, then an office with the heating turned up, then a crowded bar. Each switch can leave you slightly damp, and a fabric that holds on to that moisture is what makes you feel clammy and then cold again once you step outside.
Mesh and ice silk work differently from a heavy cotton pair:
- Mesh lets air through, so warmth and moisture don't build up under jeans or wool trousers when you're indoors.
- Ice silk is smooth and light, wicks moisture and dries quickly, so it doesn't stay wet after a heated commute or a workout.
- Both are thin, which means they sit flat under thermal leggings or slim trousers without adding bulk.
If you want a deeper look at the fabric itself, our guide mesh underwear for men explained covers how the different weaves feel.
Mesh in winter: where it works best
Mesh is at its best when you're moving between temperatures. Under a heavy pair of jeans in a warm office, it stops that trapped, stuffy feeling. At the gym in January, when the room is warm but you arrived in a coat, it keeps airflow going during the session.
Two mesh cuts we'd reach for this season:
- The Mesh Boxer Briefs: all-over mesh, a roomy pouch, an elastic waistband and a low-rise, short-leg cut. They come in 12 colours, sizes S to XXL, so you can keep a darker set for winter outfits.
- The Breathable Mesh Underwear: soft, stretchy mesh with a 3D pouch, flat seams and no tag, in 7 colours. The see-through, low-rise cut makes it more of a date-night pair than a daily one.
Ice silk in winter: the smooth layer under everything
Ice silk has a reputation as a hot-weather fabric, but its smooth surface is exactly what you want under layers. Thermal leggings, wool trousers and lined chinos slide over it instead of catching, and the fabric doesn't bunch when you sit for long stretches.
- The Ice Silk Boxer Briefs combine ice silk with breathable mesh panels, a seamless build, a 3D pouch and a secure waistband. Six colours, including navy and grey, sizes S to XXL.
- The Ice Silk Trunks have a classic low-rise trunk cut with a short 3 in (7.6 cm) inseam, a stay-put waistband and a 3D U-pouch. The shorter leg is useful when you want to wear long johns over the top without two hems fighting each other.
Not sure whether ice silk or modal suits you better? We compared them side by side in ice silk vs modal underwear.
Which pair for which winter day
| Your day | Good pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Heated office, wool trousers | Ice silk boxer briefs | Smooth under fabric, dries fast |
| Indoor gym session | Mesh boxer briefs or mesh jockstrap | Maximum airflow while you train |
| Long walk outdoors | Ice silk trunks under thermals | Short leg layers cleanly |
| Evening out in a warm bar | Mesh trunks | Stays comfortable in a crowded room |
| Lazy Sunday at home | Either | Light, soft, nothing to scratch |
How to layer light underwear when it's properly cold
When the forecast drops below freezing, keep the light pair and add warmth on top rather than swapping to something heavy underneath:
- Base: mesh or ice silk, fitted close to the body so nothing shifts.
- Mid layer: thermal long johns or base-layer leggings for outdoor days. If you prefer a longer leg underneath, our boxer briefs range has cuts that sit lower on the thigh.
- Outer: jeans, wool trousers or insulated outdoor pants.
This setup lets you peel off the mid layer when you arrive somewhere warm, while the base layer stays comfortable all day. We used the same idea for commuters in underwear for winter commutes.
Winter care: drying without a sunny washing line
Light fabrics are easy to look after in winter, which is another reason to keep them in rotation:
- Wash cold and inside out, ideally in a mesh laundry bag so the fabric doesn't snag on zips.
- Skip the radiator. Hang pairs on an indoor rack near, not on, the heat; mesh and ice silk dry overnight anyway.
- Avoid fabric softener, which can coat the fabric and reduce how well it handles moisture.
- Store them flat or loosely rolled so waistbands keep their shape.
Frequently asked questions
Will mesh underwear make me feel cold outside?
Not if you layer. Your trousers and thermals do the insulating; the mesh sits underneath and handles airflow and moisture, so you don't end up damp when you go back out.
Is ice silk too thin for winter?
It is thin, and that's the point. It works as a smooth base layer under warmer clothes instead of replacing them.
Can I wear a mesh jockstrap to the gym in winter?
Yes. The Mesh Gym Jockstrap uses fine, stretchy mesh with a mesh pouch and an elastic logo waistband, in sizes S to L. Indoor gyms are warm all year, so the airflow is just as welcome in January.
Should I size up when layering?
No. Keep your usual size so the base layer stays close to the body; a loose base layer bunches under thermals.
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Keep your light pairs in the winter rotation
You don't need to pack away breathable underwear when the clocks change. Pair it with the right mid layer and it will keep you comfortable from the cold platform to the warm office. Browse the full mesh underwear collection or the ice silk underwear collection to find your winter base layer.
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