Review: Tribe is at the Top

What a joy it is to wear great underwear. This is, after all, why I write about it. Tribe Underwear is an example of some truly great underwear. In fact, their trunk brief earns a perfect score from me. Jameswinston Co. is the only other brand to earn a perfect score from my drawers, and since they are no longer in business it's fair to say that Tribe offers some of the best underwear out on the market today. Need I say anymore? Well I guess you would like to know for what reasons I give the Tribe trunk brief such high ratings. (For more information about the brand read my brand profile). For the purpose of review I am wearing Tribe's trunk brief in cobblestone print.

Tribe just knows how to make underwear that works. This is the type of underwear that every man wants to wear. The trunk brief is a cross between a trunk and a brief as the name implies. When you look at it you realize it's not quite a trunk as it doesn't really have any legs, but then again it's not really a brief because the sides don't go up. The sides come down to just above the pouch area, but they go pretty much straight across like a trunk and do not dip up like a brief. The coverage is quite minimal.

Like most underwear of this design there is no fly. Instead, there is a well constructed pouch. It's not too roomy as some are, but it has enough room to allow your junk to stay comfortable. And if the superb shape of the pouch isn't enough to make you comfy, then the super-soft lining inside the pouch will be. Many pouches are lined these days, but none quite like this. Usually they just use the same fabric as the rest of the underwear. But with these undies Tribe uses a different fabric that is ultra soft and they make sure to face the softest part in towards your manhood.

The construction involves minimal seams with one seam up the middle of the back, one on either side of the pouch, and one down the middle of the pouch. There is no visible branded waistband elastic, rather the waist is made by rolling the top fabric over a thin elastic strip. This makes for a very sleek, streamlined appearance that fits nicely under your pants. The waistband is also just as comfy as the rest of the underwear as it is made of the same fabric and there are no issues with cutting as it simply moves with the fabric. On this particular pair, there is no ostentatious branding on the outside (as is a big trend). On some pairs, there is however a small, classy logo centered above the pouch.

While the cut is fairly simple and basic, it is edgy enough to show that you have style. And the fabrics that these come in are just fantastic! I personally really love the cobblestone print that I have, but there are many other great fabrics to suit anyone's personality ranging from more daring, sheer prints to more minimal, opaque ones.

As for the quality of these undies? It is just superb. Really, you already know that I gave them a perfect score, need I say more? These trunk briefs are well crafted with great attention to every detail. I have washed them many times and they are just as good as new. They vary in price based on the fabric (some fabrics are on sale right now) and prices are in AUD which means a good conversion for US buyers. But really, no matter the cost these are a great investment because they are simply superb and will last.

I just want to end this by saying that every time I wash my underwear (when you have as many pairs as I do, it's not that often), these are always one of the first I want to wear again once they're clean. That's saying quite a lot coming from me.

EDIT 3/24/10: As a special to sweeten the deal, Tribe would like to offer all MUB readers 25% off their purchase for the next week using coupon code MUB025 at checkout. Also, if you order 3 or more pairs they'll throw in a special wash bag, which is great for keeping your Tribe underwear (and any underwear for that matter) in top shop.

MY RATING:
Overall, I give the Tribe Trunk Brief a total score of 10 based on the following criteria:
FIT -- 10 (out of 10) - Fits like a glove. Unique and edgy cut.
COMFORT -- 10 (out of 10) - Moves with you, does not ride up. Super soft pouch interior.
STYLE -- 10 (out of 10) - Edgy cut; fantastic fabrics.
QUALITY -- 10 (out of 10) - Like new after many washes.
VALUE -- 10 (out of 10) - Well made, worth the investment

********** 10

Tribe now available at His Trunks

I'm sure you remember the fantastic new(ish) brand from Australia Tribe that I recently informed you about. Well now Tribe is available at His Trunks as well. So that is another buying option for this sexy new brand.

New Brand: Tribe Underwear

Tribe Underwear is an Australian brand that has been on the market for about a year now (they launched in July 2008). It is completely made and manufactured in Australia. It is available in a few stores in Australia but you'll have the best luck getting it online at their site. The line has been in development for three years now and is the brain-child of Bettina Andretic and Tony Hall. They were inspired in a most interesting way: they read an article where fashion icon David Beckham stated that he liked to wear Victoria's underwear around the house because the fabric felt really nice. So this sparked the idea to make men's underwear out of similar fabric.

The first thing I've got to say about this brand is that I think it's super hot! You may think that making men's underwear out of this type of fabric might have a very feminine result. But that is not the case at all. This underwear is very masculine and very unique and everyone who sees it will want to know where you got it and where they can get some. It's just that hot. The underwear comes in six styles: slim side briefs, standard briefs, trunk briefs, boyleg briefs, short boxers, and long boxers. But the mystique lies in the fabric not the cuts. Tribe underwear has some of the most unique fabric I've seen in the men's underwear world. They have everything from sexy, almost sheer fabrics like the black devore to more modest fabrics for the less daring like their palm fabric. My personal favorite is what they call burn out; it is basically orange ,cut velvet with sheer fabric where the velvet has been cut to form a floral pattern. It's super sexy while still keeping you covered.

So if you've been wanting some underwear to bring out that softer, sexier side in you this is the perfect thing. All I can say is I can't wait to try them out. And as always I'll let you know what I think - so be on the lookout for a review.