Description

• Item Name: WR1 Enhancing Brief
• Category: Brief.
• Brand: Wear Raphael
• Model: Optional Enhancing Pouch
• Cost: $15.50
• Size: XX-Large
• Color: Burgundy

Out of the Box

The WR1 Enhancing Brief is from the “Get Bigger Series” offered by Wear Raphael.  It is made from one type of fabric that is a blended material of:

• 95% Cotton
• 5% Elastane

This is a solid fabric of medium thickness that is not see-thorough.  The brief is made from multiple pieces of this material:

• 1-piece that provides overall coverage of the buttocks down to the bottom in the crotch where it connects to the bottom of the pouch with an over edge stitched seam.  This piece also provides a 1.5-inch strip of coverage around the top of the hip to connect to a small gusset piece at the pelvis. A flat loop stitch is used to combine these pieces.
• 2- pieces about 2-inches wide that are used as a gusset section between the rear and front pouch pieces at the top of the pelvis.
• 4- pieces are used to make the pouch section.
  • 2-pieces that make the outer layer of the pouch.  The two shaped pieces are stitched together down the center with a over edge stitched seam from the top at the waistband down to the bottom in the crotch.   This center seam has a small strip of elastic material sewn inside to provide additional elasticity.  The pattern cut of the fabric and the addition of the center seam gives this outer layer an outward 3D contoured shape.
  • 2-pieces that make the inside layer of the pouch.  These two pieces are joined together in the same manner as the outside layer except that the 3D contoured shape is inward towards the body. 

Both of these layers are sewn together around the outer bottom and side edges to form the pocket pouch.  The top edge of the outer layer is attached to the waistband, but the inner layer is left unattached and is about 1.5-inches short from the top.  This leaves a horizontal opening at the top to the inside pocket of the pouch.  There is no fly access from the outside. The brief is shipped with a foam pad shaped to fit in the pouch pocket.

The pouch is listed as a 3 way option for wear.

• Wear with bulge enhancing foam pad in the pouch pocket.
• Wear with genitals placed in the pouch pocket (without pad)
• Wear with out anything in the pouch pocket where it would be a double layered for a traditional brief wear .

The leg openings are hemmed with 0.5-inch wide elastic band material that is sewn inside of a color contrasting fold of fabric that is attached with a double line of flat loop stitching.

The seams that join both sides of the gusset pieces at the pelvis are also covered on the outside with this same contrasting band except that it is only about a 0.3-inch wide strip.

The waistband is made from one piece of an elastic band material that is 1.75-inches wide. The band is joined in the rear with an end-to-end stitched seam to complete the loop around the waist. The waistband is attached to the fabric with multiple lines of flat loop stitching. The waistband has a felt like finish on the inside. The “Wear Raphael “ logo is embroidered on the band. The product information tag is also embroidered on the inside of the band in the rear.

Field Test

The WR1 Brief has been out on the range 5 times with about 98 hours of wear. Most of the wear time activity was working at my shop and outdoors around the home property with only 14 hours at work operation heavy equipment. The brief has been through 5 laundry cycles.

Review

The cotton/elastane blended fabric is smooth and soft on the skin. The added elastane does give the fabric a flexible property. The fabric is light and is in the median range for breathability and moisture wicking properties. With that being said, it did feel cool to wear for the most part, the fabric did begin to feel damp at the end of a long days wear or a lot of physical activity. The fabric appears to be durable too, I see no evidence of fabric pilling or color fade. There is no defects or distortions in the fabric or the waistband.

Speaking of the waistband, This one is made from a nice thick and wide elastic banding that has a lot of elasticity that keeps it nice and snug on the waist. The inner side is very soft as it seems to have a a felt like finish. The waistband didn’t have any rollover or twisting problems and the wide profile prevented any cutting in.

The Leg opening are also comfortable on the legs with the fabric covered banding used in the hem’s.

The WR1 brief is listed as a “Slim Fit” and that it is. Very form fitting and a minimal brief coverage. Even though it has the wide waistband, it still has a low-rise fit on the waist. Keeping with the slim fit, the brief’s profile at the bottom rear of the buttocks ride just above the bottoms of the butt cheeks have a high on the hip exposure on the sides. The fit is also snug in the pouch but without any discomfort. I used the pouch as a pocket for the genitals when I wore them. There was plenty of room without feeling squashed. The 3D contoured shape along with the elastic infused stitching provided a nice form fitting support for the genitals. The pouch provided separation for the genitals to keep them from any skin-to-skin contact with the legs. The pouch also lifted the genitals up and outward from the body and kept them somewhat lifted from between the legs while in a seated position, very functional when operating heavy equipment. There is a moderate bulge effect with this pouch. If you elect to not make use of the pouch then, it will wear more as a traditional brief. I also didn’t make use of the provided bulge enhancing pads. Simply no room or need.
Even though this is a slim and snug fitting underwear, I didn’t feel the need to adjust or pull it up during the day. They do fit in accordance with the listed sizing guide as for a XX-Large (36-38 inch waist) on their site. With the sizing guide in mind this is the largest available size they list so if you wear a size larger than a 38-inch waist (US sizing) then you may be out of luck. Also if you normally ware a smaller size than I do and you want a little less snug fit, just order a size up.

With the elasticity properties of the fabric and elastic infused seam work, the underwear moves very well with the body all day. I experienced no chaffing or any uncomfortable rub points. There was no pinching or hair pulling either. I have not found any loose threads or gapping in the seams. The seam work is nice and flat. The WR1 brief has retained its out of the box shape and fit. The design of the optional use of the pouch is an intriguing idea that should appeal to a broader range of customers too.

 

Scores

 

My Thoughts

The WR1 Brief is another brief underwear that has performed very well here at the Underwear Testing Range, even in a working environment. It was very supportive in function and the brief cut has no worries with leg material ride-up or bunching. The pouch functions nicely. So far they seam to be made to last and at around $15.00 a pair, still affordable. If you like a brief style underwear that isn’t saggy and gapping after an hours wear like some of the old styles do or your new to trying a brief, then here is a good one to explore. You can find yours directly from the online store at Wear Raphael. Remember to check their sizing guide as they seem to differ from US sizing norms. (not that US sizes are normal, seams there really isn’t any standard sizing and it just depends on the brand.) I have some more of Wear Raphael products coming up too, so check back for more.

Until then, Always start your day with a fresh clean pair and be safe out there.

PS. Thanks so much to Rafal for your support of this project.