Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Underwear, Socks, and Other Men’s Basics That You Should Actually Gift

Let’s face it: When you’re a kid, Christmas is all about the toys, and there are few among us who considered socks a worthy present when we were young tadpoles. As you get older, though, you start to appreciate the little things in life a lot more – your favorite warm sweater, a good cup of coffee in the morning, a clean crisp T-shirt, and yes, even a well-made pair of socks or underwear that look as good as they feel.

Another simple joy that many of us enjoy more as we grow up is the act of giving gifts rather than simply receiving them. Every man is always in need of basics like these (more than a few of us probably have socks and undershirts with holes in them sitting in our closets), and this sort of stuff makes for perfect small presents and stocking stuffers, especially when it’s something more thoughtful than plain old store-bought items.

Related Videos

If you’re shopping for a gift for a guy you know or if you just need to fill up some empty space in your own sock and underwear drawers, read on: These must-have basics are anything but basic, featuring some of our favorite picks from great makers like American Trench, Flint and Tinder, and Mack Weldon.

Underwear

Manual Basics Gift Guide
  • Saxx Vibe Boxer Briefs: The aptly named Vibe underwear from Saxx combines the versatility of the classic boxer brief design with nice modern touches like a no-fly front (who uses the fly anyway?), a slimmer cut for a snug fit, and an anti-roll waistband. The Vibe is also available in a myriad of fun colors and patterns for Christmas and winter.
  • Saxx Ultra Boxer Briefs: The Ultra boxer briefs are similar to the Vibe, except they’re cut a bit fuller for bigger guys or for those who just like a little extra room down there (without giving up the support that briefs offer over traditional boxer shorts). Like the Vibe, the Ultra is also available in a ton of different patterns and colors.
  • Saxx Boxer Brief Multipacks: Buying multiple individual pairs of Saxx boxer briefs can get pricey quick, but these two- and three-pack bundles can save you some cash and are a great way to stock up on a few of your favorites while trying out different colors.

Socks

Manual Basics Gift Guide
  • Nike Everyday Max Cushioned Socks: No list of socks would be complete without Nike, and its Everyday Max cushioned socks feel just as great on the field or court as they do with a pair of jeans or chinos. Grab this multi-colored three-pack for a super-cheap $16 right now.
  • American Trench Holiday Sock Box: American Trench has established itself as one of the best young companies offering classic clothes and accessories built right here in America. This Holiday Sock Box features five pairs of all-cotton U.S.-made socks for a mere $55. That’s a gift no man can say no to.
  • Happy Socks Big Dot Gift Box: Socks are a great way to add some color to an otherwise conservative outfit, and the Big Dot Gift Box from Happy Socks is just the ticket for the guy who likes to have some fun. It features four pairs of bright and merry colored socks in a nice presentation box for just $48.
  • Bombas Merino Wool-Blend Calf Socks: From your head down to your toes, nothing beats wool for keeping warm and dry. It insulates while remaining breathable and wicks moisture rather than soaking it up, and these calf socks from Bombas combine those properties of wool with the luxurious softness of merino. This earth-toned four-pack rings in at $68.

Undershirts and Tees

Manual Basics Gift Guide
  • Uniqlo U Crew Neck T-Shirt: Uniqlo is all but synonymous with “basic essentials,” and it doesn’t get much more basic or essential than a fresh crew neck tee. You can never beat white when it comes to these, but this soft cotton tee is available in a number of versatile everyday colors for a cheap $15.
  • Pair of Thieves Crew Neck Undershirts: Made of a moisture-wicking blend of cotton and modal that handles sweat better than most 100% cotton weaves, these crew neck tees from Pair of Thieves can pull double duty as undershirts or as everyday casual pieces. They start at $20 per, or you can order them by the three-pack and save a few bucks.
  • Flint and Tinder Supima Air Knit Tee: If you’re after an American-made T-shirt to go with those American Trench socks, Flint and Tinder has you covered. It’s made of 100% California-grown Supima cotton in a baby jersey knit that makes them softer and more breathable than your other all-cotton tees. They’re $29 a pop, but our advice is to grab the three-pack for $75.
  • Unbound Merino Wool T-Shirt: Your first reaction to a wool tee might be, “Why?” but it should be, “Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?” This Unbound wool T-shirt is more breathable than cotton, odor- and wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, and wicks away sweat rather than soaking it up – and since it’s merino, it’s every bit as soft as your favorite cotton slub tee. A little expensive, but worth it for guys who rock tees 24/7/365.

Thermal Underwear

Manual Basics Gift Guide
  • Jockey Waffle Pants: Whether you’re indoors or out, sometimes pants just aren’t enough to keep your legs warm in the winter. These toasty waffle-knit pants from Jockey are much like the long Johns your grandpa probably wore but are made with an insulating and moisture-wicking blend of cotton and polyester, and they’ll set you back just $30.
  • Mack Weldon Warmknit Long Underwear: If you’re familiar with underwear (and other men’s basics), Mack Weldon needs no introduction, and its Warmknit long underwear lives up to its name. It features a micro-waffle knit made from a modal/polyester blend with 15% wool added for extra warmth, and rings in at $58 per pair – but you can save 10 to 20% if you buy more.
  • REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Bottoms: Purpose-made for the winter-loving outdoorsman, these bottoms from REI Co-op form the perfect midweight baselayer. They’re smooth to the touch for easy layering and are comfortable on the skin, featuring flat-seam construction that mitigates friction. Better still, they’re on sale right now for just $30 (down from $50).

Editors' Recommendations

Show Your Dad You Care with these Great Gifts for Father’s Day
Father's Day gift guide, 3-Image-Grid-Fathers-Day-Gift-Guide

June is finally here, and that means Father’s Day is right around the corner. Whether you have the dad who says he “doesn’t like gifts,” or is typically easy to please, that doesn’t mean you should settle for the cliched set of socks or drill bits. It takes a lot to truly “wow” dad, but we shouldn’t strive for anything less.

We’ve compiled a diverse list of gadgets and accessories for our Father's Day Gift Guide that are perfect for showing your pops appreciation. Without further adieu, here is our Father’s Day gift guide for 2017.
Knife Roll KR-1D Denim $165

Read more
How to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day — style tips you need to look your best
Your St. Patrick's Day style guide
style tips for holiday party outfits green and tan

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, kidnapped and brought to the island as an enslaved person at 16. He eventually escaped but returned later and is believed to have brought Christianity with him. One thousand years later, he is still celebrated on St. Patrick's Day, the accepted date of his death, March 17. And how do we celebrate it? By wearing the color green on St. Patrick's Day, of course. Wearing the color symbolizes the patriotism of the entire island.

Now, whether you are Irish or not, you can show your support for the island by donning green on St. Patty's Day. However, that doesn't mean you have to go all out and look like you jumped right off the box of Lucky Charms. Here are a few tips to help you celebrate the patron saint of Ireland without sacrificing looking fantastic.

Read more
Freezing jeans shouldn’t really be a thing — here’s why
Why you should stop putting your jeans in the freezer

Recently, I reached into a friend’s freezer for an ice sphere and came across a pair of neatly folded jeans. This sight took me by surprise not because it was unusual, but because the practice felt so dated. For those that might not have heard of the practice, the idea behind freezing your best jeans is that freezing denim kills bacteria from well-worn jeans without actually having to wash them and affect the fade or overall integrity of the denim.

When did freezing jeans become a thing?
Jeans have been around since 1871. These popular pants were invented by Jacob W. Davis and patented by Davis and Levi Strauss. Though people have anecdotally frozen their denim for years, more as an odor-removing process than anything else, Levi Strauss actually pushed this practice into the mainstream in 2011. In 2014, Levi Strauss' CEO Chip Bergh repeated longstanding advice from the jean company; don't wash your jeans, freeze them instead. Bergh's reminder was more of a conservation effort to get people to freeze their jeans to stretch out the time between washes.

Read more