REVIEW: X-Bionic Combat Energizer (short)

Underwear is a matter of trust. Nothing comes so close to the skin - apart from soap (hopefully), women (possibly), and BB’s (for sure). In comparison, Combat Energizer is a true luxury: after all, functional underwear is supposed to help the wearer get through a strenuous day in the field optimally.

Those who put on this stuff will first notice that their very personal ego is boosted. Not because they could show off with it - underwear is usually worn under clothing and that means that comrades will not see the luxury one has indulged in. But one basic function of X-Bionic's Combat Energizer is that they are very tight. The compression is intentional. It enhances the body's feeling, muscles and blood vessels are stabilized as the effort increases. Besides: in compression clothing, one feels significantly more masculine.

What is striking about this functional underwear is how heavily structured it is: The structures in the fabric - all have very scientific names and a specific function - are supposed to guarantee performance enhancement or maintenance during exertion. Just a few functions: AirDuct Pads ensure that a backpack rests airy and loose. The 3D-BionicSphere System on the chest and back ensures the right cooling when sweating. AirConditioning Spots ensure the right ventilation, especially in the armpits. Thus, Combat Energizer ideally exploits the juice that is the cooling or temperature control system of the human body, sweat.

And this underwear also guarantees that you do not start to stink extremely: a special fiber prevents a man from starting to stink despite sweating. We put this underwear set to the acid test and wore it several times while running (each time for one hour): at first, the tight fit in the shoulder area irritated us a bit, but this subsides after a few minutes, then the wearer enjoys the feeling of the body as in a light corset.

CONCLUSION: It was fascinating how little moisture remains on the body because the shirt and pants are so well ventilated. The residual sweat dried up in no time, the underwear itself remained pleasantly dry. Even after multiple runs, we could not detect any odor on this underwear in the sniff test (but you should still wash it). The shorts cost 29 euros, the T-shirt 85 euros, which is not a modest price, but a worthwhile investment if you have to exert yourself physically regularly.

Combat Energizer from X-Bionic can be ordered via www.comrade.at.

Read the fine print (click to enlarge).