REVIEW : K’Mando Strapless Pouch

I love ingenuity in design and I love underwear. When I was doing my normal browse through “What’s New” online, I stumbled across one of the more unique designs I have seen lately—the K’Mando Strapless Pouch which I immediately purchased.

The K’Mando promised to feel like you were wearing nothing at all while worn under jeans or gym clothes. When I received my product in the mail I was severely disappointed. Upon inspection the K’Mando seemed to be a tiny sock like pouch with two metal snap buttons on the side to close. The fabric/material indeed also seemed like sock quality.

One advertised feature of the K’Mando was three separate compartments to “hold all your parts gently in place”. I still can only find one unless they are counting the tiny room in front and the barely noticeable seam on the bottom.

I just had to try this contraption on which was where my struggle began. Now I consider myself fairly average to slightly above in the size department and the K’Mando simply does not fit. It is available in one size and unless I spent an hour in a freezing pool of water, I doubt I would ever be able to get it to fit properly. The material did not stretch enough to accommodate much.

Fit 1
 Materials 1.5
 Construction 2
 Look 2
 Daily Wear 1
OVERALL 1 .5

Normally I can find something I like in a product that isn’t my cup of tea, but I am sorely disappointed in this design. Hopefully a version 2.0 will be made and I can try again.

Review: N2N Black Bikini


What are the words you would use to describe a pair of underwear you find incredibly sexy?  Whatever they may be, you will definitely use them to describe the N2N Black Bikini.  Black is the nickname for this particular line of N2N underwear and brings to mind a sleek, sexy look that is mimicked in the style and fabric.

The N2N Black Bikini is shiny, ultra soft and meant to enhance what you have up front with an ample pouch that stretches and fits like a glove.  The fabric is 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex.  The sides are approximately an inch wide at their smallest and the rear covers well.  There is a rubberized N2N logo on the back center seated directly below the waist.  The back of the bikini covers well and contours a bit as well.  From back to front, the pouch sits low and is meant to cover what you have up front and not much else.  The pouch is roomy and a nice size with the fabric allowing for plenty of stretch.

I wore these while driving two hours to work, working six and a half hours, a break at a local bar and driving home two more hours.  I wore these for a long day to see how they would hold up to everyday wear.  The fit was good, but I did feel a little warm throughout the day while wearing them.  The N2N Black Bikini may be best utilized as a pair of special underwear for dates, clubbing, etc.

The price, as listed on the N2N Bodywear website is $26.  So, the price is fairly reasonable for a specialty pair of underwear.  There are special instructions dealing with the care of the Black style:  *Chlorine, bleach, oil (lube, suntan lotion, baby oil, etc…) may break down the special matte coating of this novelty fabric.  I do not mind special instructions (cold wash and hang dry makes things last longer), but some guys would not want to take the time involved in special care instructions.

Overall, the N2N Black Bikini is sexy, hot, fun, exciting and thought invoking.  I thoroughly enjoyed this pair of N2N underwear and will definitely be saving them for special occasion.

PROS

  • Style
  • Design
  • Fabric

CONS

  • Price
  • Special Washing/Care Instructions
Fit 4
Materials 5
Construction 5
Look 4
Daily Wear 3
OVERALL 4.2
*OUT of 5*  

These were furnished by N2N Bodywear for review!

Review: Jake Joseph Trunk

Jake Joseph trunks are an exciting change from the regular fabric trunks I am used to.  Composed of 95% Bamboo Viscose and 5% Elastic, these trunks are soft and stretchy.  They conformed to my body and felt extremely nice against my skin.  Size Large was a good fit but I think a medium may have been a better fit as this pair seemed to be a bit big.

To be competitive in the trunk market, I get the impression that most companies feel they have to have a pattern or some exotic design printed on the trunk.  With Jake Joseph trunks, the gimmick is the fabric.  The overall design is what one would think of when considering trunks.  The design is basic black but the waistband has the Jake Joseph name in stylized silver lettering.  This made the trunk feel slightly more fashion-forward.

The pouch was the same soft material and extremely comfortable—soft and supportive for everyday wear and all day comfort.  The pouch was interesting with a normal fly look, but a look inside revealed a horizontal bar.  I tried the fly and it seemed rather normal to use.  Even though there was a fly, there was also the pouch aspect.  While the pouch was fairly standard, the elasticity and softness of the fabric would conform to a guy of any size.

I wore these for normal daily wear and found them to be comfortable, stretchy, supportive and soft.  The fabric allowed for my khaki pants to slip on easily and I never felt like the trunk was sticking to the fabric and pulling on my pants.  This is something I cannot tolerate from a pair of underwear.

Overall, the fit was good with a soft and comfortable fabric.  I found the underwear to be a bit big, but washing and drying them fixed that issue and made them true to size.  The style was fairly normal, but I loved the bamboo fabric (I will be buying more bamboo undies).  While I thoroughly enjoyed these trunks, I did find a couple of negatives.  The price, with no discounts and straight from Jake Joseph, is $37.  Quality isn’t cheap.  Also, the pouch/fly combo was rather strange.

PROS

  • Fit
  • Style
  • Fabric

CONS

  • Price
  • Odd Pouch/Fly Combo

 

Fit 4
Materials 5
Construction 5
Look 4
Daily Wear 5
OVERALL 4.6
*OUT of 5*

These were furnished for review by Jake Joseph.

Jake Joseph Classic Brief

Jake Joseph Classic Brief

From the various reviews I’ve conducted in the past several months, I’ve noticed one common denominator that runs true with every brief that I’ve tested—if the design isn’t well constructed, you’ll fail with that particular style.  I don’t know if it’s pure luck or coincidence, but it all comes down to construction.  In my humble opinion, this must be the fundamental focus when designing a brief.  Because they cover the least amount of the body of any other pair of underwear (minus thongs and jocks), it’s critical that the manufacturer hits the mark when it comes to how a pair is technically constructed.

The black pair of Jake Joseph briefs I recently tried simply failed in this area.  Don’t get me wrong, the quality of materials, which include 95% bamboo viscose and 5% spandex, nailed it when it comes to comfort. Likewise, the classic black color along with a perfected waistband that includes the signature Jake Joseph name makes for a pleasurable aesthetic.  Simply stated, I expected a better brief in this price point.

Recently, I wore these for a full day which included my regular work schedule as well as a lot of physical activity.  I was constantly pulling these back around my buttocks.  I don’t think it was a problem with an ill fitted pair for my body size.  These briefs were a size medium and I have a 31 inch waist so I’m convinced this wasn’t the root of the problem.  Perhaps it’s simply a pair that didn’t get caught during quality control inspection.  However, buyer beware if this a common problem with you as well when trying to purchase the perfect pair.   I guess you can’t win them all but I have to stay true to my convictions and assessment.

Personal scoring as follows:

 

Fit: 4.0
Materials: 5.0
Construction: 2.0
Look: 4.5
Daily Wear: 3.0
Overall: 3.7

 

These briefs wereprovided by Jake Joseph and can be purchased at the following website:http://www.jakejosephco.com/

 

Review – Jake Joseph Boxer Brief

Review – New Balance Cotton Crew

People do not often think of t-shirts when they discuss underwear, but today I am reviewing the New Balance Cotton Crew shirt.  The shirt is made of 94% Cotton and 6% Elasthane which gives it a stretchy feeling but also a great wicking ability.  I received two of these shirts for review and they have since become my two workout shirts.  New Balance made a shirt that does exactly what it’s supposed to do.  I think my favorite part about these shirts is they can do double duty. These shirts look good under button ups or sweaters but also can be worn in the gym, take a beating and still keep you dry.

The color, cut and construction are all great; in fact, even after several wears and washes, they are holding their shape well. The color I got was a bright blue which is different than a lot of other shirts I see which helps me stand out when running on the road. These shirts are cut for an athletic body. I am a skinny guy and shirts often fit me like a paper bag but this shirt has a fit perfect for my build. However, if you have a few extra pounds, there is enough stretch to take care of it.

The color, fit and the ability of these shirts to keep you dry, no matter how hard you sweat, was unmatched. Whether I was lifting weights in the gym, going for a 5 mile run or jumping from meeting to meeting, I never got soggy or felt like the shirt was sticking to me.

At the end of the day, I love these New Balance shirts for the versatility and ability to handle what ever I throw at them—weather it is a hard workout, lounging at home or adding some color for a work meeting—this shirt can do the job.

PROS

  • Fit
  • Color
  • Versatility

CONS

  • That I only have two
Fit 5
Materials 5
Construction 5
Look 5
Daily Wear 5
OVERALL 5

 

There were furnished for review by New Balance and can be purchased from their site.

Review – N2N Boot Camp Boxer Brief


I am excited about this new pair of N2N Boot Camp Boxer Briefs!   There is not much room for improvement on any of the N2N styles I’ve worn lately and this holds true for the Boot Camp Boxer Brief.  If you compare the scoring across the N2N styles I’ve reviewed previously, you will discover that this manufacturer is consistent with quality, construction and styling.  Likewise, if you compare the overall scores with those of their counterparts, the N2N brand is quite competitive—in many cases winning out on cost per pair.

What I like most about this design is the selection of complementary color combinations. This style is great for this time of year by offering the traditional summer white color along with a baby rib fabric, consisting of a 90% cotton and 10% spandex mix, completing the overall esthetic of these sporty boxer briefs.  This style is also available in white, black and olive green.  The 1 and 1/5th inch N2N branded waistband gives this pair an additional colorful punch with the black, olive green, and burnt orange striped color combination, all of which provides the appropriate width for a traditional boxer cut.

I wore these recently to the gym and they held up well during my workout, providing the appropriate level of support and ability to keep me dry.  If boxer briefs aren’t your preference, N2N offers these in a brief and jock that you might want to check out. However, if you’re a boxer brief kind of guy who’s looking for adding color and functionality to your undie wardrobe, you might want to seriously consider this style.

Personal scoring as follows:

 

Fit: 4.0
Materials: 4.0
Construction: 4.5
Look: 4.5
Daily Wear: 4.5
Overall: 4.3

 

These briefs were provided N2N Bodywear and can be purchased at the following

Review – N2N Odyssey Pouch Boxer

The Odyssey collection is next on the list for a review.  This is part of the new collections just released this past March and April.  I will admit that N2N Bodywear is one of my favorite underwear companies.  I really have enjoyed most of the underwear I have reviewed from them.  This collection is one that keeps up the tradition I have come to expect.  I was a little worried because the odyssey collection is cut more loosely and that I would not like them as much as the Black collection which is not cut as loose.

The Odyssey collection has a hand dyed pattern in Aluminum (grey) and Cypress (Green).  Being hand dyed makes each individual piece unique.  As a result, N2N states on their website that they cannot guarantee print placement.  This unique feature makes it very cool to me.  However, the pattern may not be for everyone.  I know we have some readers who will take one look and go, “no thanks” but don’t let the patter stop you. Pattern aside, the Odyssey Pouch Boxer is extremely comfortable.

The Pouch boxer is just that, a boxer with a pouch—which is wonderfully supportive.  Again, as I mentioned above, the looser fit brought with it concern that it would not hold up to a full day of wear. However, my concerns were unnecessary—it did hold up to a full day of wear.  The pouch never lost its form nor did the undies in general.   If you are a long time reader, you know I’m not a fan of the boxer brief style.  This dislike stems from their habit of almost always riding up which drives me crazy wearing them. This pair did nothing of the sort even though I though they would. They fit really well. I will say N2N, you pleasantly surprised me.

My biggest gripe is the waistband.  I really love cool waistband designs and this one was a little plain. In the grand scheme of things, a plain waistband is a very minor complaint.  While on the subject of gripes, I would love to see them offered in more colors.  The design is muted and not very colorful.  However, these are minor design complaints.

What I liked:

  • The pouch gave great support
  • The fit didn’t ride up
  • Pattern is a one of a kind

What I didn’t like:

  • Plain waistband
  • Pattern maybe too much for some
  • Lack of colors in the line.
Fit: 5
Materials: 4
Construction: 5
Look: 5
Daily Wear: 4.5
Overall:
Fit

N2N Bodywear furnished these for review. They are available on the N2N Site for $22.00.

Review – N2N Black Sports Brief

N2N Bodywear is one of my favorite underwear companies.  They create underwear with a great pouch that fit a guy. Nothing is worse than a pair of underwear that does not fit right!  The pair I got to try was the Black Sports Briefs. This is part of the Black collection which you should know is part of the eroticwear collection of N2N.

I know you are asking “why is it under the eroticwear?” The pair looks like rubber. Yes, I kid you not; it looks like some of the fetish wear you see out on the net.  But it is not made of rubber; it is constructed from a nylon spandex blend that has a special coating to give it a matte rubber look.  This material also requires special care instructions.  You cannot use chlorine bleach or oil around the pair, which for me isn’t a problem.

I was afraid that it would be too constricting however, the fit of the pair was very good.  In fact, it fit like regular pair of spandex underwear.  It was a little tighter than expected, but I like my underwear a bit tight.  They were very sexy and made me feel so all day.  The Black Sports Brief would be great date night underwear, but make sure the other person is into it before surprising them!

This pair is going to get a lot of wear by me. It is sexy, fun and different.  I love it when an underwear company does something unexpected like this! N2N really steps outside the traditional underwear box!

What I liked;

  • The fabric is innovative and a lot of fun
  • It fit like a glove and gave great support
  • Its very different from what is out there in the underwear world

What I didn’t like

  • Not an every day pair. You couldn’t wear to the gym
  • Special care instructions
Fit: 5
Materials: 4
Construction: 5
Look: 5
Daily Wear: 4.5
Overall:
Fit

 

N2N Bodywear furnished these for review. They are available on the N2N Site for $26.00. They are only available in black!

Review – New Balance Thermal Compression Mock Neck

We are going to continue our series of New Balance Underwear reviews. We also have a few more from some of the other guys that will be out over the coming weeks! The pair I have now is the Thermal Compression Mock Neck, which for me, is a departure; we haven’t done a lot of shirts. While I think shirts are very much in the scope of the site, we have not requested nor have many companies sent shirts for review.

If your town was like Atlanta this spring then it wasn’t the traditional spring you are used to. One day would be hot while the next day would be freezing.  It has been crazy!  Therefore, on one of the cold days, I decided to wear the shirt under a long sleeve shirt just to see how well it worked. I will say that despite my initial doubts, it really did keep me warm. I have worn spandex type shirts before and I felt like it sucked the heat right out of me.

This shirt not only looked good but felt good as well. I was a little worried with me being so tall that the shirt would ride up but it held its place well. Being 6’4”, it can be hard to find shirts to stay in place.  If you like to wear compression shirts for working out, I would definitely check this one out.  You can wear it with an over shirt or just wear it by itself, if you are that bold.

This isn’t something we normally review and we at UNB would love your feed back if you want to see more reviews like these!

What I liked:

  • The shirt kept me very warm!
  • It kept its place and didn’t ride up
  • Form fitting felt great all day

What I didn’t like

  • Have grey and would love to have different colors
  • I wouldn’t recommend wearing it in the summer
Fit: 4
Materials: 5
Construction: 4.5
Look: 4
Daily Wear: 4
Overall: 4.3
FIT True

These were furnished for review by New Balance.