Organic cotton has significantly improved things in the world of underwear. But another fibre is gradually emerging as a complementary alternative: Tencel™ (or lyocell).
Behind this name lies a plant-based fibre made from wood pulp, most often sourced from eucalyptus or beech trees. Its production uses much less water than cotton and relies on a near closed-loop process, which significantly limits chemical waste.
In terms of comfort, Tencel also has some strong advantages: exceptional softness, excellent breathability, and a natural ability to regulate temperature and wick away moisture. Qualities that are particularly valuable for garments worn close to the skin.
Long reserved for a few niche brands, Tencel is now starting to gain traction in men’s underwear. Some brands have even made it their main material.
Here is a selection of men’s underwear brands using Tencel, chosen for the quality of their fabrics, the consistency of their offering, and their approach to sustainable clothing.
Quick glossary:
- Lyocell: a fibre made from wood pulp, considered more technical and environmentally friendly (less polluting, closed-loop process) than modal.
- TENCEL™: a trademark owned by the Austrian company Lenzing, referring to high-quality lyocell fibres. We’ve already covered this in detail here: What is Tencel?
- Modal: a fibre derived from viscose, cheaper and more widespread than lyocell, but often produced using more chemicals and with higher environmental impact.
Our selection of the best men’s underwear brands in Tencel
TALC
Product range: boxers, briefs, loose boxers
Price: Tencel boxer €29
Composition: 95% TENCEL™ Lyocell / 5% elastane
Country: France (design) / Portugal (production)
Website: https://talc-paris.fr/
TALC offers a fairly consistent approach to Tencel underwear. The brand uses a deliberately limited colour palette (khaki, navy, white and black), giving the range a cohesive identity, although it may not suit everyone’s taste. One detail worth noting: the waistband is synthetic.
The available cuts cover the main forms of men’s underwear: boxers, briefs and loose boxers. The fabric is mainly composed of TENCEL™ Lyocell and production takes place in Portugal, in the Porto region.
Beyond underwear, TALC also develops a broader universe focused on home comfort: pyjamas, homewear, bed linen and even a few lifestyle items. The overall approach remains consistent, with a calm and minimalist aesthetic.
Dominic Albano
Product range: boxers, briefs, thongs
Price: Tencel boxer €49
Composition: 100% Tencel
Country: USA (design, production and logistics)
Website: https://www.dominicalbano.com/
Dominic Albano is a recent brand, founded in 2023 as a men’s underwear label before expanding into a broader menswear brand.
The aesthetic is very distinctive: refined visuals, retro inspiration and an almost intimate atmosphere. The positioning is clearly fashion-driven and quite premium.
The underwear range remains very limited. There is only one Tencel boxer model, along with a few briefs and thongs. The brand highlights a fully US-based production and logistics chain.
BLUEBUCK
Product range: briefs, boxers, t-shirts
Price: Tencel boxer €32
Composition: Tencel and recycled polyamide blend
Country: Portugal (production)
Website: https://bluebuck.net/
BLUEBUCK offers a complete yet controlled approach to men’s underwear, with a full range of cuts: briefs, boxers, long boxers, loose boxers and jockstraps.
The Tencel range typically combines 56% Tencel (lyocell), 40% Econyl (recycled polyamide), and 4% elastane, resulting in a fabric that is lightweight, breathable and durable. The combination enhances durability while maintaining softness and breathability.
The result stands out with an extremely soft feel and an immediate sensation of freshness on the skin, clearly different from cotton. The design is also well thought out: mid-rise fit, waistband covered in Tencel for added comfort, and non-irritating inner label. Fabric and production are made in Portugal using renewable electricity.
The collections remain intentionally limited, timeless and built to last. The brand focuses on solid essentials rather than fast product turnover.
Armedangels
Product range: boxers, trunks
Price: boxer €18
Composition: 95% modal TENCEL™ / 5% elastane
Country: Germany (design) / Turkey (production)
Website: https://www.armedangels.com/
Armedangels is one of the historic players in sustainable fashion in Europe. The German brand offers a relatively accessible underwear range, with several types of products: boxers, trunks and briefs.
The prices are particularly competitive for this type of fabric, making it an interesting option for those who want to discover Tencel without entering higher price ranges. This is likely the trade-off for production based in Turkey.
Pétrone
Product range: boxers, briefs, loose boxers, t-shirts
Price: Tencel boxer €25
Composition: 46% organic cotton / 46% Tencel™ / 8% elastane
Country: France (design) / Portugal (production)
Website: https://petroneparis.fr/
Pétrone offers a balanced approach combining organic cotton and Tencel™. The blend results in a breathable and flexible fabric while keeping the familiar feel of cotton.
The French brand stays true to its positioning: well-designed essentials, built to last and easy to integrate into a daily wardrobe.
The products are made in Portugal and certified OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100… However, the organic cotton is not GOTS certified, so it is difficult to guarantee that it is not conventional cotton.
The overall approach remains deliberately simple, with proven cuts and understated colours.
Sunspel
Product range: boxers, briefs, t-shirts
Price: Tencel boxer €50
Composition: 100% Tencel™
Country: United Kingdom (design) / Portugal (production)
Website: https://www.sunspel.fr/
Sunspel is a historic British brand known for its premium basics. The brand takes a very minimalist approach to its Tencel™ underwear.
Only two shapes are available: boxers and briefs, each offered in four classic colours (white, black, grey and navy).
The fabric is made entirely from Tencel™, resulting in a particularly soft and fluid feel. The overall approach reflects the Sunspel philosophy: few references, but strong attention to materials.
HOM
Product range: boxers, briefs, t-shirt
Price: Tencel boxer €45
Composition: 97% Tencel™ / 3% elastane
Country: France (design) / Europe (production)
Website: https://www.hom.com/
HOM is one of the historic brands in men’s underwear. The brand offers several models using Tencel™.
Production is European and the products are OEKO-TEX® certified. However, the structure of the range can sometimes feel a bit complex, with many references coexisting and not always clearly differentiated.
It remains a reliable option for those looking for comfortable and well-designed underwear.
CDLP
Product range: boxer briefs, trunks, Y-briefs, jockstraps, t-shirts, longjohns
Price: lyocell boxer €35
Composition: Tencel™
Country: Sweden (design) / Portugal and Italy (production)
Website: https://cdlp.com/
CDLP is now one of the most recognised brands in the lyocell underwear space. The Swedish label is known for its highly controlled minimalist aesthetic.
The models are simple, with a consistent colour palette (around seven shades) and a clean design. The brand highlights European production (mainly Portugal and Italy) along with high standards in working conditions and safety.
The result is a premium yet relatively accessible offer, which has helped popularise lyocell in men’s underwear.
Mack Weldon
Product range: boxers, trunks, long boxers, t-shirts
Price: boxer €31
Composition: 47.5% cotton / 47.5% modal / 5% spandex
Country: USA (design) / imported production
Website: https://mackweldon.com/
Mack Weldon takes a slightly different approach compared to most brands in this selection. Here, the focus is less on the environmental aspect of the fibres and more on product performance.
The American brand emphasizes textile innovation and functionality: technical fabrics, breathability, and ergonomic cuts.
The materials used combine cotton and modal (not Tencel), with a clear objective of comfort and durability in everyday use.
Derek Rose
Product range: trunks, boxer briefs, briefs, t-shirts
Price: modal boxer €80 (single)
Composition: 94% modal / 6% elastane
Country: United Kingdom (design) / Portugal (production)
Website: https://www.derek-rose.com
Derek Rose clearly positions itself in the premium underwear segment. The British brand is historically known for its luxury sleepwear and high-end underwear.
In its modal range (a viscose fibre, different from lyocell/Tencel), the offering remains intentionally simple: one trunk model and one boxer brief model, each available in three understated colours. The focus is on material quality and finishing rather than multiplying references.
The price positioning is high (around €80 per boxer), but consistent with the brand’s luxury image and European production.
How to choose your Tencel™ underwear brand?
Tencel remains a relatively recent material in men’s underwear, and brands use it in different ways.
Some offer pure Tencel, while others prefer blending it with organic cotton, recycled materials, or a small percentage of elastane to improve fit and durability. These blends are very common and often provide a better balance between comfort, elasticity and longevity.
Price can also vary significantly. You can find boxers around €18 from more accessible brands, while premium models can exceed €70. This difference usually comes down to fabric quality, production origin, and the overall positioning of the brand.
Production origin is another key factor. Brands that manufacture in Europe (especially in Portugal) often benefit from strong textile expertise and stricter quality control.
Finally, as always with underwear, fit remains essential. Between briefs, boxers, long boxers or loose boxers, each body type and preference will find a better match depending on the brand.
~~~
Tencel is gradually establishing itself as one of the most interesting materials for men’s underwear. Soft, breathable and made from renewable resources, it ticks many boxes for those looking for the perfect balance between comfort and environmental impact.
The offer is still more limited than organic cotton, but it is expanding quickly. Today, it is already possible to find Tencel underwear brands for almost every style and budget.
And there is little doubt that this fibre will continue to grow in the coming years.