Subset Men's Boxer Brief
Summary
Subset Men's Boxer Brief scores 88/100. The main body is 95% GOTS-certified organic cotton with just 5% elastane for stretch — a breathable, biodegradable natural-fiber base that sheds no microplastics and sits well within the clean organic-cotton underwear tier. The only real drag is a fully synthetic waistband elastic (70% recycled polyester, 30% spandex) in direct skin contact at the waist, plus a small 100% polyester woven label. The recycled (not virgin) polyester is a genuine sustainability plus. It lands just below stricter peers like the NADS Organic Cotton Boxer Brief (97), which adds a 100% organic-cotton liner and OEKO-TEX-certified dyes, but well above conventional stretch boxers. Made by Subset (formerly Organic Basics).
At a glance
Key ingredients 5
GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton (95%)Very Good
The 95% GOTS-certified organic-cotton main body is a natural, breathable, biodegradable fiber grown without synthetic pesticides and certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard. It sheds no microplastics and is soft and hypoallergenic against skin — the bulk of the garment and the reason it scores well.
See more about GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton (95%) →Elastane (5%)Neutral
A synthetic fiber added for stretch and recovery. At just 5% it is the standard, lowest-impact way to give a natural-fiber garment shape retention, so it is treated as neutral rather than penalized.
See more about Elastane (5%) →Recycled Polyester Waistband (70%)Neutral
The waistband elastic is majority recycled polyester. Recycled content is a real environmental plus over virgin polyester, but it is still a synthetic in direct skin contact at the waist that can shed microfibers — so it nets out neutral.
See more about Recycled Polyester Waistband (70%) →Spandex Waistband (30%)Neutral
Spandex gives the waistband its stretch. Confined to the waistband elastic rather than the main fabric, its overall share of the garment is small, so the impact is modest.
See more about Spandex Waistband (30%) →Polyester Satin Jacquard Label (100%)Neutral
A small woven brand label made of 100% polyester. A trivial trim component with negligible skin contact or material impact on the garment overall.
See more about Polyester Satin Jacquard Label (100%) →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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