Best sweat-busting underwear for women

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When it comes to hot weather we're often focused on what to wear to stop sweat under our arms or our feet.

But what about our more intimate areas? Women sweat there too. And while most of us have heard of sweat-wicking gym leggings and tops, not as many of us realise that you can get sweat-reducing knickers.

It’s perfectly natural for women to sweat in the groin area. There are loads of Apocrine glands which are located around the outside of the vagina and on the labia majora. And, what many people don’t realise, is that these are the same glands that produce sweat under your arms, too.

That means that sweating in the groin area can happen when you’re just sitting down all day and barely moving – especially in summer. But of course, if you’re really active, it’s likely to be more apparent year-round.

However, as natural as this intimate sweat may be, nobody wants obvious sweat patches on their workout leggings, do they? Not to mention it’s uncomfortable, can cause irritation, and even occasionally lead to bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections.

Sweat-busting pants are more expensive than 'normal' underwear, but investing in these will save you money (not to mention being more eco-friendly) in the long run if you've often resorted to using panty liners to keep yourself feeling comfortable.

Five sweat-wicking underwear styles

Classic Bikini Everyday Bundle Pack Moisture Wicking Absorbency | £56 from Modibodi

“Wow wow wow wow wow WOW! Unbelievable!”, said one of the many rave reviews about these Modi Body bikini pants. Made from bamboo-viscose, the secret is the moisture-wicking Merino Wool gusset. That’s what makes them more pricey, yes, but effective because it is naturally anti-bacterial, so say bye to odour. And the Merino wool also draws the moisture away from the skin. Genius. Want to give them a one-off try before committing? You can get solo pairs of these knickers for £14.50. They’re also available with boy-cut legs and in fuller briefs versions. The pants also have had resounding five-star reviews for comfort and efficacy.

5pk Cotton with Cool Comfort™ Full Briefs | £12 from Marks & Spencer

Any wonder these 95% cotton M&S knickers have almost sold out online - they're made from super-soft Supima™ cotton-rich fabric, and utilise special moisture-wicking Cool Comfort™ tech, as well as the M&S StayNew™ finish to keep them looking new. "As a lady who suffers bottom sweat these have been a lifesaver for me. They kept me cool and I feel more comfortable," commented one happy purchaser. NB: they apparently come up big, so go a size smaller.

Runderwear Women's Running Briefs - Chafe-Free Running Underwear | from £18 from Amazon

With one enthusiastic fan declaring that these are the “holy grail” of knickers because she sweats a lot and these don’t retain moisture, they’re definitely worth a try, especially if you’re a runner. Because not only are they moisture-wicking, but they also help avoid chafe, and are a comfortable cut that doesn’t move. They come in black with blue trim, dark blue with light blue trim, and – our fave - bright pink with bright blue trim.

Anti-Flush Low Rise Brief | £11.16 (was £13.95) from Become

Become is a menopause clothing brand, and these seamless low-rise briefs are designed with Anti-Flush™ Technology – so they’re made with a super-light fabric and have cooling, sweat-wicking and odour reducing properties. Plus they have ‘post-flush-chill’ skin warming effect, so you’ll feel confident and fresh all day. And there’s a 60-day money-back guarantee on UK orders.

Smartwool Women's Merino 150 Bikini Boxed Underwear | from £18 from Amazon

With one reviewer commenting “love them!” and saying she likes to wear them when working out because they dry fast, these are comprised of 87% wool and 13% polyamide - but there’s 100% merino wool close to the skin (which is anti-bacterial so prevents odour and wicks the sweat away). The underwear also has flatlock seams which minimise chafing if you’re running or working out.