ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh Review

Overview

The Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh is ExOfficio’s updated take on the underwear that basically invented the “one pair, wash it in a sink, wear it again” school of travel packing. It’s built for hikers, travelers, and gym-goers who want something that dries overnight and doesn’t need a laundry day every few days on trail. The 2.0 update targets the biggest complaints about the original Give-N-Go — namely that it ran a little warm and took a while to dry — with a mesh fabric ExOfficio claims is up to 4 times more breathable, 50% more moisture-wicking, and 24% more quick-drying compared to the original Give-N-Go collections.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight (per pair)	36.7 g (~1.3 oz)
Manufacturer listed weight	0lbs 1.41oz (40g) (3” Men’s Boxer Brief)
Main fabric	90% Nylon(66)/10% Elastane
Styles available	Men’s 3”, 6”, 9” Boxer Brief; Women’s Bikini Brief, Hipster, Thong, Bralette
Key upgrades vs. original	4x more breathable, 50% more moisture-wicking, 25% more quick-drying
Care	Wash with low heat on delicate cycle with a detergent that is free and clear of dyes and perfumes
Fit	Snug fit and low rise

Performance

At under 37 grams per pair, this is about as close to “weightless” as underwear gets — you could carry three pairs for a long weekend and barely notice it in your base weight. The diamond-weave mesh is genuinely airy against the skin, and on hot, humid days that airflow is noticeable compared to a cotton or even a tighter-knit synthetic brief. One long-term Give-N-Go 2.0 owner summed up the wicking performance simply: “They’re comfortable, wick and dry fast (even on long hikes), and they don’t stink.” That lines up with ExOfficio’s own drying claims — one retailer review summary even noted the fabric dries in 15 minutes or less after washing, which tracks with my own sink-washing experience on multi-day trips: hang it near a stove or in a tent vestibule overnight and it’s ready to go by morning.

Fit is where things get more nuanced. The 2.0 collection runs with a snug fit and low rise, and several long-time wearers specifically flagged sizing as the thing to get right. One reviewer who’d worn the 6” boxer brief for years wrote that after dropping some weight, he found that trying a Medium was blown away by the increased support, with the overall fit, leg circumference and especially the rise MUCH better than his usual Large. Another buyer of the 9” boxer brief echoed the same advice, recommending sizing down from his usual medium to a small. If you’re between sizes, the consensus from actual owners is clear: size down, especially if you’re low-rise or have dropped weight since your last pair.

Durability is the one area where the reviews get mixed. Retailer-aggregated review summaries for the 9” boxer brief flagged a real complaint: fabric quality deteriorates quickly with friction or wear. That’s consistent with what I’d expect from an ultralight mesh — the tradeoff for that airy, nearly-see-through weave is that it’s not going to survive years of thru-hiking abuse the way a heavier synthetic blend would. On the plus side, multiple long-term owners across different styles reported them holding up fine through repeated washing over “several years” of regular wear, so the failure mode seems to be more about friction points (pack hip belts, repeated hard use) than general fabric breakdown.

Odor control is solid — this isn’t a category where ExOfficio has ever really struggled, and nothing in the reviews I found suggested the antimicrobial treatment underperforms relative to the original Give-N-Go. No fly on the boxer briefs is either a feature or a non-issue depending on who you ask; one reviewer specifically called it out as a plus since he “never used an underwear fly anyway.”

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extremely light (36.7 g) — negligible in a pack or duffel
• Noticeably more breathable than the original Give-N-Go, per both ExOfficio’s own testing and long-term wearers
• Fast drying — some reviewers reported dry times of 15 minutes or less after a sink wash
• Wide style range across men’s and women’s cuts
• Flatlock seams reduce chafing on long days

Cons

• Snug, low-rise fit runs differently than the original — expect to size down, particularly if you’re between sizes or on the leaner end of a size range
• Mesh fabric shows wear faster under repeated friction (hip belts, thighs) than heavier synthetic underwear
• Premium price for underwear ($28–$35 per pair depending on style)
• No fly on the boxer briefs, which some users prefer and others will miss

Who Should Buy This

This is a strong pick for thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers who want to carry one or two pairs and sink-wash on the trail, as well as travelers packing light for hot, humid climates. If you run warm or sweat heavily, the extra breathability over the original Give-N-Go is a real, noticeable upgrade. If you’re rough on gear — heavy pack mileage with a loaded hip belt rubbing constantly — consider that the ultralight mesh may not be the most durable option in ExOfficio’s lineup; the original Give-N-Go or a heavier merino blend might hold up longer under that kind of repeated friction.

Verdict

The Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh delivers on its core promise: it’s lighter, airier, and faster-drying than the original, and at under 37 grams it’s an easy addition to any minimalist packing list. Just size down from your usual, and don’t expect the ultralight mesh to be bombproof under heavy friction. For most backpackers and travelers, it’s a 7.5/10 — a genuine upgrade over the original Give-N-Go, with durability as the main asterisk.