Our pick if your knickers ride up
No ride up.
No digging in.
Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts are the comfortable alternative to knickers: buttery soft, with a 6 inch leg that stays put and a wide, flat waistband. Every size from UK 8 to 30, at one price.
4.7 out of 5 from 336 reviews
Choose my pairFrom £11.50 a pair in a 10 pack. Free UK delivery. 60 Day Wear Test.
The most comfortable knickers are the ones you forget you are wearing: soft against the skin, cool enough that you do not notice them in a warm office, with a waistband that does not dig and a leg that does not creep. To find the most comfortable ladies knickers UK shoppers can buy, we compared eight comfortable knickers for women on the five things that decide it: fabric, waistband, leg edge, size range and price per pair.
We also went through 351 of our own customer reviews to see what women say when underwear gets it right. 77% mentioned comfort and 41% mentioned softness, without being asked. The reviews that explain why kept coming back to the same two things: it does not ride up, and nothing digs in.
At a glance
Best underwear for women: the quick answer
If you only read one section, read this: the best knickers for women, matched to what matters most to you.
- Softest feel: Stripe & Stare The Original Knicker, in TENCEL modal.
- Best everyday cotton full brief: Sloggi BASIC+ Maxi, in UK 10 to 30.
- Best for no knicker lines: Sloggi ZERO FEEL, or Uniqlo AIRism Ultra Seamless on a budget.
- Best high street multipack: M&S Flexifit Modal Rich Full Briefs.
- Best bamboo brief: Boody Midi Briefs, seamfree.
- Best organic cotton: Organic Basics Core Briefs.
- Best if your knickers ride up or your thighs rub: Flissie bamboo boxer shorts (we make them): buttery soft, with a 6 or 9 inch leg that stays put.
Our pick if your thighs rub or your knickers ride up: Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them), the only boxer of the eight, with a 6 inch leg that covers the thighs, in every size from UK 8 to 30 at the same price. They come with a 60 day guarantee, full refund, worn or not.
Updated 10 November 2026. Specifications checked on each brand's own product pages on 25 September 2026.
Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts: rated 4.7 out of 5 from 336 reviews (Judge.me, 10 November 2026)
"Perfect anti-chafe shorts! Really soft, light weight boxer shorts, they come to a good length to prevent chafe and are a lot cooler than my sports shorts"
Verified buyer, United Kingdom, April 2026
"These boxers are brilliant as the leg doesn't ride up and nothing digs in."
Val, United Kingdom, verified review, December 2025
"I have now bought this style pants from 4 suppliers and these are by far the best. Extraordinarily comfortable, they don't ride up and fit so well...love them."
Verified buyer, United Kingdom, April 2026
"They never rolled up under my trousers and the waist band was unnoticeable"
P.O., United Kingdom, review, January 2023
"The material is very lightweight and breathable, and the sizing/fit is perfect. Love the colours!"
Amalie, United Kingdom, verified buyer, August 2026
"Fabulous once I got the right size!"
Marian, United Kingdom, verified buyer, May 2026
Some reviewers earned a reward towards a future purchase.
Try them for 60 days
The 60 Day Wear Test
Wear them for 60 days. Under dresses, on long walks, through the wash. If they ride up, rub or roll, send them back for a full refund, worn or not.
- 10 pairs of Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts in your colours and sizes (£135 at the single price)
- A free 30 day tub of our perimenopause supplement (worth £29)
- Free UK delivery
- Free size swap on your whole first order, as long as you try one pair and send the rest back unopened
- The 60 Day Wear Test: a full refund, worn or not
£11.50 a pair in a 10 pack £13.50
1 pair £13.504 pairs £546 pairs £7510 pairs £115
Start my Wear Test60 day guarantee from purchase: full refund, worn or not (return postage at your cost).
Why you can trust this guide
★★★★★ 4.7 out of 5 from 336 reviews of Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts, and about 2,500 customers since 2021.
- Who wrote it: Phillippa and Matthew, the founders of Flissie. We have designed and sold women's boxer shorts from Derbyshire since 2021.
- Why Flissie is here: we make Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts, the only boxer of the eight, for when knickers ride up or thighs rub.
- No paid placements: no brand paid to be included.
- How we compared: fabric, waistband, leg edge, size range and price per pair, from each brand's own product pages on 25 September 2026. We also went through 351 of our own customer reviews.
"Ridiculously comfortable and easy to wear" Tricia, United Kingdom, verified buyer, April 2026 (reviewer earned a reward for a future purchase)
8 comfortable knickers compared
This is the best women's underwear UK brands make for everyday comfort, side by side. Prices are per pair at full price, with the best multipack price where a brand sells packs. Ratings are shown only where the product page publishes them. Checked 25 September 2026; prices move.
| Knicker | Style and rise | Fabric | Sizes | Price per pair | Rating (reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe & Stare The Original Knicker | Low-rise hip brief, lace trim | 95% TENCEL modal, 5% elastane | XS (UK 6 to 8) to 4X (UK 20 to 22) | £18, from £11.70 in 7 or more | Brand says 65k five-star reviews |
| Sloggi BASIC+ Maxi | High-waist full brief | 95% cotton, 5% elastane | UK 10 to 30 | £12, £9.33 in a 3 pack | Not shown |
| Sloggi ZERO FEEL Hipster | Seamless hipster, bonded edges | 76% recycled polyamide, 24% elastane | XS to XXL | £13 | Not shown |
| M&S Flexifit Modal Rich Full Briefs | High-rise full brief, cotton gusset | 88% modal, 12% elastane | UK 6 to 28 | Sold in 5 packs; price not verified | Not verified |
| Boody Midi Briefs | Mid-rise brief, seamfree | 79% viscose from bamboo, 15% nylon, 6% elastane | XS to 4XL | £13, less in bundles | 4.83 from 5,130 |
| Uniqlo AIRism Ultra Seamless Hiphugger | Low-rise seamless short, cotton gusset | 71% polyamide, 29% elastane | XS to L when checked | £7.90 | Not shown |
| Organic Basics Core Briefs | Mid-rise, full back, free-cut leg | 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane | XXS to XXXXL | £13 in a 3 pack (£39), often on sale | 4.79 from 692 |
| Flissie bamboo boxer shorts (ours) | Mid-rise boxer, 6 or 9 inch leg | 95% Tanboocel bamboo viscose, 5% elastane | UK 8 to 30 | £13.50, or £11.50 in a 10 pack | 4.7 from 336 |
On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
What actually makes knickers comfortable
Comfort sounds subjective, but comfortable underwear for women comes down to five things you can check before you buy.
1. Fabric: how it feels and how it handles heat
Modal and bamboo viscose are cousins: both are regenerated cellulose fibres, made from wood or bamboo pulp. They feel the softest of anything here, they drape rather than cling, and they move moisture away from the skin, which is why they suit anyone who runs warm. The trade is that they dislike hot washes. Cotton breathes well and survives any wash, but it holds moisture, so it can feel damp on a hot day or at the gym. Polyamide, the nylon in most seamless knickers, is what makes bonded edges possible and dries fast, but it is the warmest of the three. If you want the best breathable underwear for women, or simply breathable knickers for a hot day, start with modal, bamboo viscose or cotton.
2. Waistband: width and where it sits
A narrow band of elastic concentrates pressure in one line, which is where digging comes from. A wide, flat waistband spreads it. Rise matters as much as width: a high-rise full brief sits at or above the navel, a mid-rise sits below it, and a low-rise hipster sits on the hips. There is no best rise, only the one that sits where your body does not fold when you sit down.
3. Leg edge: elastic, bonded, or an actual leg
This is the part most comparisons skip. A traditional elastic leg holds the knicker in place but can dig and leave a line. A bonded or free-cut edge, as on Sloggi ZERO FEEL, Uniqlo AIRism and Organic Basics, lies flatter and leaves fewer lines, but with nothing gripping it can creep. A boxer with a leg is the only style that puts fabric between your thighs, which is what stops rubbing and gives the leg band something to hold on to.
4. Gusset
A cotton gusset is a comfort feature, not a detail: it is the one part of the knicker in constant contact with the most sensitive skin. M&S and Uniqlo publish a cotton gusset. Most brands do not say, so check the product page if it matters to you.
5. Size range and grading
Knickers are usually drafted on one sample size and scaled up, which is why a larger size can dig at the waist and gape at the leg at the same time. Look for a brand whose range reaches past your size, and for size charts in UK numbers rather than letters. Of the eight here, Sloggi BASIC+ Maxi (UK 10 to 30), M&S (UK 6 to 28) and Flissie (UK 8 to 30) publish the widest numbered ranges.
The best ladies knickers UK women rate for comfort, reviewed
1. Stripe & Stare The Original Knicker: the softest feel
Best for: the softest feel, in 95% TENCEL modal, in UK 6 to 22
| Price | £18 a pair, or £11.70 a pair when you buy seven or more (25 September 2026). |
|---|---|
| What you get | A low-rise hip brief with ample back coverage and a lace trim, in 95% TENCEL modal and 5% elastane, XS (UK 6 to 8) to 4X (UK 20 to 22). |
| Pros | Modal is as soft as knicker fabric gets. The brand says it has 65,000 five-star reviews across its range. |
| Cons | Sizes stop at 4X, which is a UK 20 to 22. It is a low-rise brief, so if your issue is a waistband rolling or a leg riding up, a softer fabric alone will not fix it. |
95% TENCEL modal with 5% elastane, a low-rise hip cut with ample back coverage and a lace trim. Modal is as soft as knicker fabric gets, and Stripe & Stare have built a brand on it: they describe the feel as cloud-soft and say it feels like a second skin, and their site shows 65,000 five-star reviews across the range. £18 a pair, coming down to £11.70 a pair when you buy seven or more.
2. Sloggi BASIC+ Maxi: the best everyday cotton full brief
Best for: an everyday cotton full brief in UK 10 to 30 that can take a hot wash
| Price | £12 a pair, or £9.33 a pair in a 3 pack (25 September 2026). |
|---|---|
| What you get | A high-waisted full brief with flat leg edges, in 95% cotton and 5% elastane, UK 10 to 30. |
| Pros | Sizes to UK 30. Sloggi says it keeps its colour and shape after washes at 95 degrees. |
| Cons | Cotton holds moisture, so on a hot day it can feel damp in a way modal or bamboo viscose does not. There is no size below a UK 10. |
95% cotton with 5% elastane, a high-waisted full brief with flat leg edges, in UK 10 to 30. If you just want comfy knickers for women that you can buy in a pack and forget about, start here: Sloggi calls it a proven bestseller, and it has been a drawer staple for years. £12 a pair, £9.33 a pair in a 3 pack. Sloggi says it keeps its colour and shape after washes at 95 degrees, which cotton can take and modal cannot.
3. Sloggi ZERO FEEL Hipster: the best for no knicker lines
Best for: fewer lines under thin, fitted fabric
| Price | £13 at full price (25 September 2026). |
|---|---|
| What you get | A seamless, label-free hipster with free-cut edges bonded in dots rather than stitched, in 76% recycled polyamide and 24% elastane, XS to XXL. |
| Pros | Fewer lines under thin, fitted fabric. |
| Cons | Polyamide is warmer than cotton, modal or bamboo viscose, and a free-cut edge has nothing to grip with, so on some bodies it creeps. Sloggi says it is completely invisible under clothing; no knicker is invisible under everything, and our guide to what actually stops VPL explains why. |
76% recycled polyamide and 24% elastane, seamless and label-free, with free-cut edges bonded in dots rather than stitched. It is the pair to reach for under thin, fitted fabric. £13 at full price.
4. M&S Flexifit Modal Rich Full Briefs: the best high street multipack
Best for: modal at a multipack price from a shop you can walk into, in UK 6 to 28
| Price | Sold in packs of five. We could not verify the current UK price on the M&S site. |
|---|---|
| What you get | A high-rise full brief in 88% modal and 12% elastane with a 100% cotton gusset, UK 6 to 28. |
| Pros | Modal at a multipack price, from a shop you can walk into and return to. A cotton gusset. |
| Cons | We could not verify the current UK price or rating on the M&S site, so check both before you buy. A full brief is a full brief: if your thighs rub, it does not reach them. |
88% modal with 12% elastane and a 100% cotton gusset, in a high-rise full brief, sized UK 6 to 28. Modal softness at a multipack price from a shop you can walk into and return to. M&S sells them in packs of five.
5. Boody Midi Briefs: the best bamboo brief
Best for: a seamfree brief in viscose from bamboo, in XS to 4XL
| Price | £13 a pair, less in bundles (25 September 2026). |
|---|---|
| What you get | A seamfree mid-rise brief with a flat ribbed waistband, in 79% viscose from bamboo, 15% nylon and 6% elastane, XS to 4XL. |
| Pros | 4.83 out of 5 from 5,130 reviews on Boody's site, the most reviews on any single product here. |
| Cons | Roughly a fifth of the fabric is nylon, which is what lets a seamfree knit hold its shape, but it is worth knowing if you are choosing bamboo viscose for breathability. |
79% viscose from bamboo, 15% nylon and 6% elastane, knitted seamfree, with a mid rise and a flat ribbed waistband, in XS to 4XL. Rated 4.83 from 5,130 reviews on Boody's site, the most reviews on any single product here. £13 a pair, less in bundles. If you want a bamboo brief rather than a boxer, it is one of the best midi knickers you can buy, and our comparison of seven bamboo underwear brands goes further.
6. Uniqlo AIRism Ultra Seamless Hiphugger: the best seamless pair on a budget
Best for: a seamless pair on a budget, at £7.90
| Price | £7.90 a pair (25 September 2026). |
|---|---|
| What you get | A low-rise seamless short in 71% polyamide and 29% elastane, with a cotton gusset. |
| Pros | The cheapest here by some distance. Quick-drying and smooth under trousers. |
| Cons | Only XS to L were listed when we checked. It is a synthetic, so it runs warmer than cellulose or cotton fabrics. |
71% polyamide and 29% elastane with a cotton gusset, cut as a low-rise seamless short. Quick-drying, smooth under trousers, and £7.90 a pair, the cheapest here by some distance.
7. Organic Basics Core Briefs: the best organic cotton
Best for: GOTS certified organic cotton, in XXS to XXXXL
| Price | £39 for a pack of three, so £13 a pair, and often on sale (25 September 2026). |
|---|---|
| What you get | A mid-rise brief with a full back, flat-lock stitching and a free-cut leg, in 95% GOTS certified organic cotton and 5% elastane, XXS to XXXXL. |
| Pros | GOTS certified organic cotton. 4.79 out of 5 from 692 reviews. |
| Cons | No single pairs, and as with any cotton, it holds moisture on a hot day. |
95% GOTS certified organic cotton with 5% elastane, mid rise with a full back, flat-lock stitching and a free-cut leg, in XXS to XXXXL. Rated 4.79 from 692 reviews. Sold in packs of three at £39, so £13 a pair, and often on sale. If cotton is what your skin prefers, our cotton underwear guide covers what to look for.
8. Flissie bamboo boxer shorts: the best if your knickers ride up or your thighs rub
Best for: thighs that rub or knickers that ride up, in UK 8 to 30
| Price | £13.50 a pair, or £11.50 a pair in a 10 pack. The same price in every size. Free UK delivery. |
|---|---|
| What you get | A mid-rise boxer with a 6 inch leg in all 8 colours, or 9 inch in black and pine green, in 95% Tanboocel bamboo viscose and 5% elastane, dyed to OEKO-TEX Standard 100. UK 8 to 30. |
| Pros | Buttery soft, breathable bamboo viscose. The only one of the eight with a leg, so there is fabric between your thighs and the leg stays put. A wide, soft waistband that does not dig in. The leg opening is graded separately from the waist. |
| Good to know | A boxer short rather than a brief, with a 6 inch leg in all 8 colours. A cool wash and an air dry keep them buttery soft. |
| Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 from 336 reviews (Judge.me, 10 November 2026). |
| Guarantee | 60 days from purchase: full refund, worn or not (return postage is at your cost). Free size swap on your whole first order. |
Shown in Sage green, 6 inch leg
Also in black, pine green, taupe white and chocolate brown. The 9 inch leg comes in black and pine green. Pictured: Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them).
See the 6 inch legWrong size? We swap your whole first order free, as long as you try one pair and send the rest back unopened.
Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them) are 95% Tanboocel bamboo viscose with 5% elastane, buttery soft and breathable, cut as a boxer with a 6 inch or 9 inch leg, in UK 8 to 30 at one price. There are no seams at the back or sides, the front seam is flat, and the waistband is wide, soft and mid-rise. The leg opening is graded separately from the waist, so it fits a 28 as well as it fits an 8. Rated 4.7 from 336 reviews. £13.50 a pair, or £11.50 a pair in a 10 pack.
"The leg doesn't ride up and nothing digs in." Val, verified review
"I have now bought this style pants from 4 suppliers and these are by far the best. Extraordinarily comfortable, they don't ride up and fit so well." Verified buyer, UK (reviewer earned a reward for a future purchase)
Who it is for: anyone whose knickers ride up, dig in or leave their thighs to rub. If comfort for you means no thigh rub and nothing creeping up, see the colours and sizes, and try them for 60 days: if they ride up, rub or roll, you get a full refund, worn or not. If you are here because of chafing, our chub rub shorts page goes into the leg length in detail.
Which knickers for which problem
| If your knickers... | Look for | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Dig in at the waist | A wide, flat waistband at a rise that suits you | Sloggi BASIC+ Maxi, M&S Flexifit, Flissie |
| Ride up or roll at the leg | A leg that reaches past where thighs touch | Flissie bamboo boxer shorts |
| Show a line under clothes | Bonded or free-cut edges | Sloggi ZERO FEEL, Uniqlo AIRism |
| Feel hot or damp | Modal or bamboo viscose rather than polyamide | Stripe & Stare, Boody, Flissie |
| Need to survive a hot wash | Cotton | Sloggi BASIC+ Maxi, Organic Basics |
| Stop before your size | UK numbered sizes beyond yours | Sloggi BASIC+ Maxi (to 30), Flissie plus size (to 30) |
What you can check before you buy
Comfort claims are easy to make and hard to test in a shop. What you can check is fabric, waistband, leg edge, size range and price, which is why this comparison is built on those. And where a brand lets you wear a pair and still send it back, as we do for 60 days, you can test the comfort itself.
Not sure about the size?
S (UK 8 to 10) to 3XL (UK 28 to 30), one price.
Between sizes? Size up. They have a mid-high, wide, flat waistband; if you would rather it sat above a fuller tummy, size up.
If the size is wrong, we swap your whole first order free, as long as you try one pair and send the rest back unopened.
Free UK delivery. 60 day guarantee from purchase: full refund, worn or not (return postage at your cost).
Pictured: Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them), in sage green.
Comfortable knickers: your questions
What are the most comfortable ladies knickers in the UK?
It depends on what makes knickers uncomfortable for you. For the softest feel, Stripe & Stare's TENCEL modal knicker, or Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them). For an everyday cotton full brief in UK 10 to 30, Sloggi BASIC+ Maxi. For no lines, Sloggi ZERO FEEL. If yours ride up or your thighs rub, a boxer with a leg, such as Flissie.
What are the best women's knickers for everyday wear?
The best knickers for everyday wear are the style that sits where your body does not fold: a mid or high rise with a wide waistband for most women, in a breathable fabric like modal, bamboo viscose or cotton. If you walk a lot or your thighs touch, a boxer with a 6 inch leg puts fabric between your thighs, which a brief cannot. That is what Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them) are built for.
What is the most breathable fabric for knickers?
Modal, bamboo viscose and cotton all breathe well. Modal and bamboo viscose also move moisture away from the skin rather than holding it, so they feel cooler on a hot day. Polyamide, used in most seamless knickers, is the warmest.
Are modal knickers better than cotton?
Modal is softer, drapes better and handles sweat better. Cotton is cheaper, tougher and can go in a hot wash. If you run warm, choose modal or bamboo viscose; if you want knickers that last through anything, choose cotton.
Which knickers don't ride up?
Knickers with an elastic or bonded leg edge sit at the top of the thigh, which is exactly where they creep when you walk. A boxer with a leg that reaches past where your thighs touch gives the leg band something to hold on to, so it stays down. Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them) have a 6 inch leg that stays put, and if they ride up or roll within 60 days you get a full refund, worn or not.
Which knickers don't dig in at the waist?
Look for a wide, flat waistband rather than a narrow band of elastic, at a rise that sits away from where your body folds when you sit. High-rise full briefs such as Sloggi BASIC+ Maxi, or the wide mid-rise band on Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them), both avoid a single tight line.
What are good quality knickers?
Good quality knickers publish their fabric composition, keep their shape after washing, have a cotton or soft gusset and come in a size range that reaches your size in UK numbers. Price is a weaker signal than any of those.
Are expensive knickers worth it?
Sometimes. A £13 to £18 pair in modal or bamboo viscose usually feels softer and breathes better than a budget multipack, and lasts if you wash it cool. But a £9 cotton full brief from Sloggi is still one of the most comfortable knickers you can buy. Pay more for fabric and fit, not for a label; comfortable ladies underwear does not have to be expensive.
What are the most comfortable plus size knickers?
Of the eight here, Sloggi BASIC+ Maxi (UK 10 to 30), M&S Flexifit (UK 6 to 28) and Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them), UK 8 to 30 at the same price, publish the widest numbered ranges. Look for UK numbered sizes that go past yours and a wide, flat waistband. Flissie grades the leg opening separately from the waist.
Are boxer shorts more comfortable than knickers?
They can be if your thighs rub or your knickers ride up, because a boxer with a leg puts fabric between your thighs and a brief cannot. Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them) are buttery soft, with a 6 inch leg that stays put and a wide, flat waistband, in UK 8 to 30.
What are the softest knickers in the UK?
Of the eight here, modal and bamboo viscose feel the softest. Stripe & Stare The Original Knicker, in 95% TENCEL modal, is the softest brief, and M&S Flexifit gives you modal at a multipack price. If you want a leg, Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them) are 95% Tanboocel bamboo viscose and soft from the first wear.
The 60 Day Wear Test
Ready for underwear that stays put?
Try Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts for 60 days. If they ride up, rub or roll, you get a full refund, worn or not.
Choose my pair£13.50 a pair, 6 for £75, or 10 for £115. Free UK delivery. Return postage is at your cost.
Written by Phillippa and Matthew, the founders of Flissie. We make the Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts on this page.
Related reading
- What 351 women actually told us about their underwear
- Best women's boxers: 10 brands compared
- Types of underwear for women, and who they suit
- Sweat wicking underwear for women: 6 options compared
