Us women (and men!) have all experienced a sweat stain down there while working out, and we can probs all relate to frantically trying to cover it up, too. Look, nobody wants to sport a crotch stain. But if your compression leggings are usually soaked down there after you work out, that's totally normal and you're absolutely not alone. Thankfully, moisture-wicking underwear works, and it'll do more than just wick away sweat in hot, humid weather.

"This underwear, in theory, could help pull that moisture away and could dry faster than regular underwear," says Kate White, MD, a gynecologist, associate professor of OB/GYN at Boston University, and WH advisory board member.

According to gynecologists and dermatologists we spoke with, moisture-wicking underwear is a must, and some can even boost your vaginal health and protect you from yeast infections, inflammation, and itching, too. But does moisture-wicking underwear actually work? Below, experts weigh in on how they work, and how to find the best moisture-wicking underwear for you, from the best cotton underwear to the best underwear for runners.

One thing to note, though: You should "choose your undies based on what problem you're trying to solve or what symptoms you're trying to address," Dr. White says. For instance, if you struggle with increased discharge and vaginal odor, moisture-wicking underwear might not be the best choice for you, due to the fabric. (More on that below!) If you're just trying to deal with a sweat stain though, go for it.

When shopping for moisture-wicking underwear, look for materials like polyester, nylon, bamboo, and wool. The science is simple—those fabrics pull moisture away from the skin and out to the fabric’s exterior to evaporate. In other words, the fabrics dry faster. They also regulate your body temperature, according to research published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology. (Cool, right?)

But, if you have trouble with increased discharge and vaginal odor, moisture-wicking underwear isn't probably ideal since they can restrict air flow more than cotton underwear, possibly making those symptoms worse, Dr. White explains. If you're in doubt, she recommends chatting with your gynecologist first before pressing adding to-cart.

Finding the right underwear fit will make all the difference in terms of comfort. My personal preference is to always to size up when I'm ordering underwear online, as I despise the feeling of being constricted. Also, on days where I'm extra bloated or it's that time of the month, a looser pair of undies is a welcome plus. But, when you want a little more compression at the gym, it's always good to have a smaller pair in your collection. Having a few size options in your drawer is a solid idea so you can dress for the occasion and based on how you feel.

And, rise is also a factor in the fit category. On this list, there are low, mid, and high-rise options. So, depending on how much coverage you're looking for, there's something for every preference.

For the past year, Women’s Health editors, including our editorial assistant Addison Aloian, associate e-commerce editor Lily Wohlner, and contributer Neha Tandon, researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated moisture-wicking underwear. Our team consulted Kate White, MD, Ann Cabeca, MD, Geeta Yadav, MD, Christine Greves, MD, and Beth Rackow, MD, and then sought our team of anonymous testers to narrow down the best moisture-wicking underwear for a wide range of preferences and sizes.

So, are you ready to finally ditch your crotch stains at the gym? See below for the 17 best pairs of sweat and moisture-wicking underwear in 2024.