I needed some new underwear so I read the reviews on Amazon, like I usually do before I buy almost anything. This Gildan underwear was well-reviewed, and lower priced that many of the other options. Many years ago I had several different sets of underwear of several brands, and they all had problems too quickly, like falling apart (holes & tearing at the waistband), elastic waistband stretching, poor fit, etc. So, I did some research several years ago, and bought several better brands and have had fairly good luck with them for the past several years, but now those are starting to wear out. This time the Gildan seems to have some of the highest customer reviews, and seemed to be the best value, so I bought them. I have had them for about a month now, and have worn them almost exclusively (I still have some other styles and brands) – and have been very pleased overall with these. I’d say as good or better than any underwear I’ve had before.. If I could, I’d give them 4.5 stars, but since I can’t, I think they are closer to 5 stars than 4. A few caveats: 1) They are definitely midrise. I think they are true midrise, they are not full briefs, and not low-cut / “hip huggers”…. If you are looking for full or mini – don’t buy these midrise 2) They have moderately large steps between sizes, so if you are a “tweener” these may not fit as well as if you are in the middle of the size range. As several reviewers commented, we long for the “good old days” when they made underwear not by small/medium/large, but by 2 inch increments between waist sizes (i.e. 30”, 32”, 34”, 36” …) 3) They are very white fabric, except the very black waistband. I don’t love it, but I can easily live with it. If you consider any of these show-stoppers, you might find another brand / style that doesn’t have these characteristics. Here are some things I like about them: • They seem to have very good build quality, and have held up well so far, in about a month of wear and washings. • They fit me well, not perfect, but a good fit – not too baggy anywhere, not too tight. I’m about a 34” waist (maybe 34.5” or so), and I got the large. I believe the medium would have been way to snug for me, IMO. • The fabric is a nice weight (neither too thin or too thick), seems durable, but yet is soft/flexible with a very nice feel – I guess maybe the “ringspun” does make a difference? • Elastic waistband seems to be very good quality, is comfortable, but also holds the briefs in place well. These aren’t “tagless”; however, they did a great job with the tag. The tag tag is smooth and soft, and covers the seam in the elastic waistband, so the tag actually improves comfort. I never notice the tag, or the seam the tag covers. Well done…. Several reviewers complained about the adhesive on the tape in the packaging. When I pulled off the tape that was on the underwear, I noticed a small amount of adhesive that pulled off the tape and was stuck to the underwear. I did an extended wash & rinse cycle on the underwear before I wore them the first time, and have not noticed the adhesive on the underwear at all. So, for me, it was a tiny annoyance when I first unpackaged them, but absolutely no issue after that. They could probably pick some better tape, or other way to hold them together in the package…. Based on my experience so far, I’d highly recommend these
