FRIGO by RevolutionWear: Review of the Orange Micro Boxer Brief

Underwear review by Marc Delavigne for Men and Underwear

In our edition of May 13 we have introduced a pioneering upmarket brand of men’s underwear: FRIGO® by RevolutionWear. Today I have the pleasure to report about my experience with a test sample kindly provided by the manufacturer. The item under review is a micro-fiber boxer brief (72% Polyamide, 28% Elastane) whose bright orange colour was immediately appealing to my obsession with flashy sportswear and undergarments. Closer visual inspection revealed an excellent fabrication quality with robust seams. The brand’s logo on the waistband is part of the elastic structure and will not flake off. The ends of the band are neatly joined together. There are no itchy structures, in particular no labels. Size, material and care instructions are printed on the fabric. But let’s proceed to the real test!
In cheerful anticipation of the moment of truth I was about to slip into my first pair of Frigos … but hang on: how do I correctly wear these? I discovered a unique frontal feature inside: an adjustable interior pouch called “Frigo Zone”, developed and patented by the brand. This pouch is made up by a mesh panel that can be shaped by tightening two elastic bands laterally attached to the upper edge of the panel. The bands are routed via rubber feed-throughs to the surface where they are attached with buttons (“soft-lock closure”) after choosing the desired tension. It was clear that my package had to go into the special pouch to be separated from the skin of my legs, but there are two access possibilities: from the bottom or from the top of the mesh panel. Both options are technically and anatomically possible, and neither of the two is uncomfortable. However, the customisable support effect advertised on the box is only achieved when you let your parts fall into the pouch from the top, so I decided that this must be the intended way. (Hey guys, for customers without an engineering degree you might consider including an instruction manual with your high-tech undies, to complement the schematic system drawings already provided on the box!)

Underwear Review - Frigo by Revolutionwear

Finally, having stored everything in its proper place, I appreciated the pleasant feeling of the soft, light fabric and took my pair on a mountain bike ride. Note that, unlike suggested by the photos, I did not ride wearing just the trunks! On bumpy roads or wild trails an additional pair of padded biking pants is a good idea. Visually however, it would be perfectly fine to train in just the Frigos, without appearing indecent. In fact, for running or in the gym they are perfect in stand-alone mode. Their adjustable pouch, the soft seams (none placed in your sensitive areas!), the micro-mesh vent between the legs, and the moisture-wicking knit are all elements contributing to the reduction of rubbing and sweating, thus making them an ideal choice for any physical activity. Thanks to the elastic silicone hem tape the pant legs do not ride up your thighs, very convenient for cycling. While this model is also designed to provide some light muscular compression, I personally find the sizing slightly on the generous side; in case of doubt you should opt for the smaller size to profit from the compression. For reference: I am 1.85 m (6′ 1″) tall and typically wearing M which is also the size of the test sample.

If you now ask how to get your hands on this classy functional undergarment, you’ll have to exercise some patience. The orange model will be available along with other new designs and colours as soon as the brand will have launched their own e-commerce website (expected this summer). Apart from the 6″ inseam model reviewed here, there will also be a 9″ inseam version. In the meantime you can discover the other Frigo products (briefs, boxer-briefs/trunks, T-shirts) by browsing their retailers’ collections linked from the brand’s website. See also the recent post on this blog introducing the FRIGO Performance Mesh Brief. For further questions don’t hesitate to contact the RevolutionWear team. They are very responsive. Many thanks to them for the test sample!