In our interview series, men share when and why they rely on MANDERWEAR. Whether in everyday life or during special challenges – this is about real experiences with our men’s underwear. Kicking things off is our Managing Director, Alexis: an enthusiastic hiker who talks about comfort, functionality, and that good feeling.
Interview with Alexis
1. What kind of tours do you actually go on?
I mostly do day tours, very rarely a multi-day tour. In terms of terrain, I don't do anything extreme; let's say, medium difficulty. I don’t do via ferratas or anything like that. However, it can certainly be rugged, steep, and uneven. I prefer hiking through volcanic landscapes and subtropical or tropical forests.
2. What role does equipment play for you when hiking?
Basically, everything doesn't have to be super high-end for me as long as the function is right. But what is truly extremely important to me is, first, the shoes and second, the underwear. A bad shoe isn't just annoying; it can ruin the best tour by causing blisters on your feet. When it comes to underwear, it's basically the same as with the shoe: If everything sticks, sweat accumulates, and friction is added, it quickly becomes uncomfortable and, just like with the shoe, a torture—keyword: "chafing." No one wants the latter.
3. Why did you choose MANDERWEAR?
As the inventor of this underwear, the choice inevitably had to be MANDERWEAR. There are many different models of performance underwear, but in my opinion, they only differ marginally from one another. That is, the construction principle is generally very similar. In short, the familiar basic shape remains. MANDERWEAR, however, was developed for exactly these kinds of applications and designed differently in terms of geometry: reduce friction to a minimum, wick away sweat. Under continuous strain, it becomes very clear whether a system works or not.
4. Which material did you choose – modal or viscose – and what was the deciding factor?
I chose the viscose version. That’s not necessarily because of the material itself, but because the underwear fits my body shape better. The modal shorts are simply too tight on my thigh; the viscose version is stretchier and covers my thigh circumference well without being too large at the waistband.
5. Tell us: What were your experiences with MANDERWEAR while hiking?
Although I had suspected it, I was actually surprised that underwear could make such a difference. Especially on longer tours, you quickly notice when something doesn't fit or causes friction. With MANDERWEAR, that doesn't happen to me. The material is extremely light, dries quickly, and creates a pleasant climate. I still feel comfortable in the shorts even after hours—I wasn't used to that at all before. I have never experienced chafing with MANDERWEAR; honestly, I also consider it extremely unlikely.
6. So you are convinced. Who would you recommend the shorts to for hiking?
To everyone who hikes regularly—or even just occasionally, but values comfort and performance. Many underestimate how important good basics are. Everyone understands that with shoes. But when it comes to underwear, is friction accepted? No one should put themselves through that. Underwear is part of the basics, and it has to fit! I would say: anyone who likes to be active outdoors should try MANDERWEAR. You notice the difference immediately. By the way, this also applies to runners.
7. Do you have a personal tip for other men who want to try MANDERWEAR?
Yes, definitely: Take a look at our AI-generated size calculator—it’s really well made. You just need to enter your thigh and waist circumference and you get your personal size recommendation in seconds. The highlight: The size calculator links your measurements with the stretching properties of the fabric variants so that you benefit optimally from the MANDERWEAR shorts.
And as for care: I wash my shorts normally at 40 degrees with standard detergent, but I let them air dry—that way they stay like new for a long time.
About Alexis
Alexis is the founder and Managing Director of MANDERWEAR. In his free time, especially on vacation, he enjoys hiking, preferably in warm regions like southern Spain or the Canary Islands. The high temperatures don't bother him—quite the opposite: he feels comfortable in the landscape of Lanzarote, out on volcanic routes.