Kirsty Pallas tests the Alpkit Kepler Boxers and gives them her best value accolade, rating the merino comfort.
These merino boxers from Alpkit are instantly soft and comfortable straight from the box. The merino used is ultrafine and sourced from certified non-mulesing farms, to give some peace of mind about the conditions the sheep are kept in.
Kirsty Pallas recommends
As with much of Alpkit’s product, the cost represents very good value for a pair of nicely made and well fitted merino boxers.- warmth
- quick drying
- price
- Inside leg rides up slightly with lots of movement
| Quick specs |
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| Price: $44.99 / £29.99 (available from Alpkit) Weight: 71g for size 10 Materials: Corespun merino, nylon, spandex Features: Wide waistband, flatlock seams Sizes: 6 – 20 Men’s version? Yes alpkit.com |
The fabric has a barely there feel but remains warm in cooler conditions. Another benefit of merino is that it is also cooling in warmer weather. They have been very odour resistant even after a couple of day’s use, and they dry quickly after being washed.
The fit is close to skin without feeling overly tight, and the seams are located away the crotch and on the hips where they might rub. I haven’t experienced any discomfort or chafing while wearing these, even under several layers and doing big days. I’ve generally worn them with a thermal baselayer directly on top which is also skintight and keeps them in place. Worn with a looser trouser over the top, the legs of the boxer do start to ride up slightly on the inside leg. But this is maybe also due to body shape, and wouldn’t be resolved without an elasticated leg seam which would be more uncomfortable! The waistband sits just below my waist and holds them in place without any restriction. It’s low profile so also doesn’t cause any issues with the other layers I’m wearing.
As with much of Alpkit’s product, the cost represents very good value for a pair of nicely made and well fitted merino boxers. They don’t have any special features but do the job as you would expect, and I feel like they will last me a good while too. They also don’t use plastic packaging, so all packaging is fully recyclable.
Testing conditions
Kirsty is a size 10 with muscular legs and glutes. Her underwear was tested throughout winter, often under two or three layers including thermal leggings, softshells, or waterproofs. They were worn hillwalking, teaching winter skills, and on winter climbing routes. This review was first published in the June 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.
