Our 13 favorite thongs that prove lingerie can be comfortable

Evelyn & Bobbie High-Waisted Thong

Several members of our team voted these thongs as the very best that money can buy. "The Evelyn & Bobbie thong is my absolute favorite pair of no-show underwear. If they didn't cost $22 a pair, I would fill my top drawer with these," writes Gabrielle Chase, our senior associate style editor. "I especially love to wear them with high-rise leggings because it feels like wearing not much at all. They have a breathable cotton gusset, and buttery soft material that looks completely invisible. The stretchy waistband has just the slightest bit of compression so it feels supportive, but never constricting," Gabrielle is also a big fan of the high-waisted shape. "I like that these give me more coverage than a G-string, but still have the practicality of a thong. You can get them in one of two versions that stretch to fit sizes 0-14 and 16-24. I also own the Mesh version, which fits the same but has decorative mesh windows around the hips."

And she isn't the only one who's obsessed. Executive editor Sally Kaplan has tested nearly every bra and underwear style from the brand. "My entire underwear drawer is full of Evelyn & Bobbie thongs and high-waisted briefs, and I also replaced nearly every one of my bras with styles from this brand. The thongs are so comfortable I can barely tell I'm wearing them, and I love that they're high-waisted so they still feel secure and seamless. Even with my soft midsection, they never cut into my skin and always lay perfectly smooth." You can read Sally's full review of Evelyn & Bobbie for more.

Spanx Fit-To-You Thong

This mid-rise pair is as stretchy as they come, which allows them to offer the pairs in just two sizes, much like Evelyn & Bobbie. "Though Spanx may be best known for its shapewear, the brand is responsible for some of our favorite comfy lounge clothing — and now our daily underwear, too. I tend to be skeptical of one-size-fits-most underwear, but these actually deliver," says Talia Ergas, a Reviews team contributor. "Crafted from a breathable nylon-elastane material with a 100% cotton gusset, the thong stretches up to 400% to accommodate various body shapes and sizes ('One Size' is designed to fit sizes XS-XL, and 'One Size Plus' covers sizes 1X-3X)."

Talia also appreciates how seamless and smooth this pair is, despite the two-size system. "Still, I found the fit comfortable but not tight. The thong stayed hidden under a pair of leggings and the quick-dry fabric was appreciated during my workout."

ThirdLove Comfort Stretch Thong

Talia is also a huge fan of ThirdLove's thongs, which are similar in design to Spanx. "I own at least 10 pairs of ThirdLove's ComfortStretch Thongs, and they're easily some of my favorite panties for everyday wear," she says. "The material has a ton of stretch, so I've been able to keep wearing the same size even through weight fluctuations. The fabric lays flat against my skin, and it's invisible under a tight pair of leggings or a figure-hugging sundress. I'm hoping the brand soon offers them in more colors (including darker nude shades)."

Harper Wilde Bliss Thong

"Being fat in the summertime usually means sweaty body parts, folds, and chafing — it's the reality of having a big body," writes freelancer Alexis Gaskin in her guide to the best plus-size underwear. "That's why you need undies that can keep up with you and curb moisture without irritating your private areas. This thong is able to stretch to fit around large stomachs and behinds without bunching up, and its cotton-lined gusset offers more moisture-wicking breathability." These also come in a lace version up to sizes 3XL.

Intimissimi Thong with Ultralight Microfiber Straps

"Sometimes, your outfit requires underwear that leaves little to the imagination, akin to wearing dental floss. This G-string provides little coverage, but it doesn't feel like it's cutting you in half," says Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor. "Its super-thin microfiber straps are barely visible even under a sheer, crochet dress. It's my softest, stretchiest thong that I've washed and worn for years, and it's still in excellent condition."

Quince Organic Cotton High-Cut Thong

"I recommend Quince's [organic cotton] underwear to anyone who shares my concern over the overwhelming amount of women's underwear that are treated with pesticides and harsh chemical dyes," says associate style editor Gabrielle Chase in our guide to the best cotton underwear.

"Usually, organic cotton is much more expensive, so the price on this six-pack of thongs makes it more accessible. I found these thongs soft and comfortable, but they're not very stretchy, so it's important to know your true size first. My hips measure 37 inches, so I got a size small. In any case, I suggest rounding up if you're between sizes since cotton shrinks in the dryer." Sally Kaplan seconds this — she is a big fan of Quince's organic cotton thongs, but notes that they're not quite as flat-laying as the nylon and elastane pairs we recommend.

Read more in our full Quince review.

Tommy John Air Thong

After testing Tommy John's women's underwear, we came away impressed with its comfortable cuts that proved worth the splurge. A standout style was this breathable, quick-drying stretch thong.

"The Air Thong was lightweight and felt barely there. Certain outfits dictate wearing a thong, often prompting women to give up on wearing the outfit altogether for fear of how uncomfortable the thong will be. Thanks to great designs like Tommy John's, I've gotten over this fear and have a new appreciation for this low-profile style," says Connie Chen, a former Reviews editor.

She isn't the only fan of this pair. Sally Kaplan, executive editor, says these are the lightest, most breathable thongs she's ever worn. "The material is literally a mesh nylon, so it's extraordinarily lightweight. If you like thongs that feel like you're wearing nothing, vs. ones that offer a bit of support, definitely opt for these."

Negative Underwear Sieve Thong

We're fans of Negative Underwear's minimalist designs, gamine charm, and luxury feel. This is the pair for you if you like a thicker waistband, a floss-like thong, and a low-rise fit. "The Sieve Thong gets points for its thick waistband, sexy look, and comfortable fit. For thongs, I really appreciate a sturdy waistband that doesn't roll down or get easily shifted. This thong is just what I like. Plus, it's mesh front panel makes it breathable and very comfy," says Andrea Bossi, a Reviews team contributor.

Bombas No Show Thong

In our review of Bombas underwear, we found that the popular sock brand is also a major player in the intimates category. This no-show thong, which is perfect for wearing under leggings during a workout, was a standout.It's basically a mid-rise version of the high-waisted nylon and elastane thongs we recommended earlier on this list (like Evelyn & Bobbie). The material sits flush against the skin, but there's one major design element that sets this pair apart.

"They come with a grippy, textured detailing on the inside that's intended to keep the underwear from moving around when wearing under leggings or other activewear," writes Sally Kaplan, executive editor. "But this is only relevant or helpful if you like a lower rise. Softer bellies like mine make these underwear less comfortable and the grippy element less helpful. That said, others on the team who don't have soft bellies tended to find the grippy element super helpful for workouts."

Amazon Essentials Thong Underwear

"As a skeptic of plus-size fashion on Amazon, I was pleasantly surprised by the comfort and coverage of these soft and stretchy no-show thongs from the Amazon Essentials collection," says Alexis Gaskin, a contributor for Reviews who specializes in plus-size fashion. "Its buttery material is cut to rest on the low hip for ample coverage in the gusset area. If you have a wide-set stomach or apron belly, consider sizing up to avoid material rolling down the stomach."

Curvy Couture Allover Lace High Cut Thong

Another budget-friendly, size-inclusive find is this high-cut, lacy thong. "The soft lace on this thong is semi-sheer for modest coverage in the right places, with glimpses of skin throughout. Cotton lines the gusset for the health of your privates and the breathable material offers a seamless look for a smooth base," says Reviews contributor Alexis Gaskin. "I wore this thong under my Gia/IRL Gabrielle Maxi in Black during NYFW for that 'no underwear' look without actually going commando, and they stayed up all day."

SKIMS Fits Everybody High-Waisted Thong

For a size-inclusive, ultra-high-rise option, look no further than SKIMS. This pair is extremely stretchy, and we love that it comes in a lot of neutral and nude colors. Former senior editor Maria Del Russo swears by the SKIMS' Fits Everybody line and has tried multiple styles and colors. "I'm not usually a fan of thongs, but SKIMS' fabric is so comfortable, I actually enjoy wearing this notoriously uncomfortable style," she says. And since the size-inclusive brand also has an inclusive range of nude colors, you'll be able to find a flesh tone that matches you.

Read more in our full SKIMS shapewear review.

Parade Re:Play Thong

Instagram-famous Parade underwear scored high marks in our tests for its inclusive size range, reasonable pricing, recycled materials, and unapologetically bright color palette. The Re:Play Thong (previously known as the Feels Like Nothing Thong) was among our favorite styles we tested.

"The Parade [Re:Play] Thong has become my default favorite for workouts. The primary reason for this is that the silky Spandex-like material is noticeably moisture-wicking and cooling, and the band doesn't roll while you move. In other words, I forget I'm wearing them — even during an exercise where the wrong socks can annoy me for 45 minutes. These characteristics also happen to make it great for everyday wear — as well as in HIIT classes. But, the seams are slightly raised, so you're able to see the thong's sections under tight or thin leggings," writes Mara Leighton, freelance writer at Insider Reviews.

What to look for in the best thongs

The main function of a thong is to be discreet underneath your clothing. Therefore, "seamless," no-show thongs are ideal. However, seamless garments can sometimes be flimsy and may start to unravel after a few washes. Instead, look for underwear with flatlock stitches at their seams. These will lay flush against your skin and still maintain the structural integrity of the thong.

Achieving the most comfortable fit means you must know your measurements. Assume a shoulder-width stance and wrap a tape measure around the widest point of your hips, and again around the smallest part of your waist, in order to compare your measurements with a brand's size chart. Remember to account for fabrics like cotton that shrink in the dryer, in case you need to size up.

Another important factor when shopping for underwear of any kind is its material composition. The wrong fabric can affect your body's natural chemistry. It's not recommended to sleep in thongs or wear them daily, but if you truly prefer them, you should wear one with a gusset made from 100% cotton (though we do have one recommendation on this list that is 95%). Switching to cotton underwear is one of the most common pieces of advice when it comes to vaginal hygiene, as it allows for more airflow and holds less moisture than synthetic fabrics, but most thongs only use a cotton gusset.