Between Two Underwear Sizes? How to Decide

If your waist measurement falls between two Gigo underwear sizes or directly on a shared boundary, use the larger size as your starting point. Then confirm the decision by checking the waistband, pouch, back coverage and leg openings while you walk, sit and move. If only one area still feels wrong, the issue may be the cut rather than the size.

What Does It Mean to Be Between Underwear Sizes?

You are between sizes when your waist measurement does not fall comfortably inside one range or when it lands on a number shared by two consecutive Gigo sizes.

The current Gigo lower-body size chart uses these waist ranges:

Gigo Size	Waist Inches	Waist Centimeters
S	27–31 in	68–80 cm
M	31–34 in	80–86 cm
L	34–36 in	86–92 cm
XL	36–39 in	92–98 cm
2XL	39–41 in	98–104 cm
3XL	41–43 in	104–110 cm
4XL	43–46 in	110–116 cm
5XL	46–48 in	116–122 cm

Several values appear at the end of one range and the beginning of the next. For example, 31 inches belongs to both S and M. Under the current Gigo Size Guide, the recommended starting point at that shared boundary is M.

These are body measurements, not the dimensions of an unstretched garment. Do not measure underwear lying flat and compare that number directly with your waist circumference.

Measure Your Waist Before Choosing a Size

Before deciding between two sizes, confirm that the measurement itself is accurate.

1. Stand naturally with your abdomen relaxed.
2. Use a soft measuring tape.
3. Wrap it around the point where your underwear waistband normally sits.
4. Keep the tape level around your body.
5. Let it touch your skin without pulling it tight.
6. Breathe normally and record the measurement.

Do not automatically use your pants size. A trouser label may not match your actual waist measurement, and sizing conventions vary between brands.

If you want a more detailed explanation of body measurements, inches, centimeters and size ranges, read our guide to reading a men’s underwear size chart online.

Why Gigo Uses the Larger Size as the Starting Point

When a waist measurement falls between two Gigo sizes or directly on a shared boundary, the current Size Guide recommends starting with the larger size.

The purpose is not to make the underwear loose. The garment should still:

• stay stable around the waist;
• support the front without excessive pressure;
• follow the body without obvious sagging;
• keep the leg openings in position;
• and remain comfortable while sitting and moving.

A smaller size can sometimes look more sculpted while standing still because the fabric is under greater tension. That does not necessarily mean it fits better.

If the waistband digs in, the pouch feels compressed and the leg openings all feel tight at the same time, the entire garment may simply be too small.

Size and Cut Are Not the Same Thing

Changing size changes the overall dimensions of the garment. Changing the cut changes where the fabric sits, how much it covers and how it interacts with different parts of your body.

This distinction matters because one isolated fit problem does not always require another size.

For example:

• If the waistband feels correct but one leg opening digs into your thigh, another cut may work better.
• If the waist fits but the back shifts or rides upward, rear coverage may be the issue.
• If the waistband and rear feel correct but the pouch is restrictive, compare another front construction.
• If pressure appears everywhere, review the overall size first.

Our guides to men’s underwear leg-opening fit, back coverage and pouch fit without compression can help you isolate the problem.

How Being Between Sizes Can Feel Different Across Cuts

Briefs

Briefs do not extend down the thigh, so the main fit points are the waistband, pouch, leg openings and rear panel.

The Audacy Orange Brief is one Gigo brief you can use to compare how a close silhouette behaves around those areas.

After choosing your starting size, check that the waistband remains stable, the pouch has enough room and the leg openings follow the body without creating uncomfortable pressure.

You can compare more silhouettes in the Gigo Men’s Briefs collection.

Trunks

Trunks add fabric around the upper thigh, creating another fit point below the groin.

The Prudence Green Trunk is one example for evaluating the waist, pouch, seat and short leg together.

If the waist feels correct but the legs repeatedly roll or ride upward, do not keep changing size automatically. Another trunk cut or leg shape may suit your body better.

Explore more options in the Gigo Men’s Trunks collection.

Jockstraps

Jockstraps use a waistband, front pouch and rear straps rather than a full rear panel.

With a style such as the Bahia Red Jock, begin with the same waist reference used for other Gigo lower-body underwear, then check how the pouch and straps behave when you move.

The open back is part of the construction. It is not a reason by itself to choose a smaller size.

Browse the Gigo Men’s Jockstraps collection if you want to compare different strap and pouch constructions.

Use a Movement Test, Not Just the Mirror

An underwear size can look correct while you stand still and reveal problems as soon as you move.

After trying on the garment, perform three simple movements:

1. Walk naturally.
2. Sit down and stand up.
3. Lift each leg slightly.

During the test, pay attention to the waistband, pouch, rear panel, straps and leg openings.

A good fit should remain stable without requiring constant adjustment. The garment should maintain contact with the body without creating concentrated or uncomfortable pressure.

Signs the Underwear May Still Be Too Small

• The waistband digs in or creates strong pressure.
• The pouch feels compressed or flattened.
• The fabric appears excessively stretched across several areas.
• Leg openings dig into the thighs.
• The entire garment rides upward repeatedly.
• You feel pressure at the waist, front and legs at the same time.

When several areas feel tight together, the overall size is a stronger suspect than one individual construction detail.

Signs the Underwear May Be Too Large

• The waistband slides or fails to remain in position.
• The pouch contains obvious excess fabric.
• The rear panel sags or shifts excessively.
• Leg openings stand away from the body.
• The garment loses stability while walking.

If the larger starting size feels loose throughout, recheck your waist measurement before assuming the chart is wrong.

Signs the Cut May Be the Real Problem

When only one part of the underwear feels wrong, changing the entire size may create a new problem elsewhere.

The cut may be the better place to look when:

• the waistband fits but the thigh opening feels tight;
• the waist and pouch fit but the rear fabric shifts;
• only one area creates pressure when sitting;
• the front needs more room while the rest of the garment feels correct;
• or a trunk fits at the waist but the leg length does not work with your thighs.

If waistband pressure or rolling is your main concern, see our guide to how a men’s underwear waistband should fit.

Common Mistakes When You Are Between Sizes

Choosing the smaller size only for a tighter look

A more compressed appearance does not automatically mean a better fit. The silhouette should come primarily from the garment’s construction, not from forcing the entire garment smaller.

Assuming tightness equals support

Support and pressure are not the same thing. A garment can feel very tight and still fit poorly.

If the front is where you notice the problem first, review our pouch-fit guide.

Using another brand’s size label

A medium in one company is not guaranteed to match a medium in another. Use your current body measurement and the Gigo chart instead of transferring the letter automatically.

Judging only the waistband

The waistband can fit correctly while the pouch, rear coverage or leg opening does not. Evaluate the entire garment before deciding that the size is right.

Quick Decision Guide

Situation	Best Next Step
Your waist falls between two Gigo ranges	Start with the larger size
Your measurement sits on a shared boundary	Start with the size that begins at that measurement
The whole garment feels tight	Recheck the measurement and compare the larger size
Only the pouch feels restrictive	Compare pouch construction as well as size
Only the leg opening feels uncomfortable	Compare another cut or leg shape
The waistband fits but the back shifts	Review rear coverage and cut
The garment slides or sags throughout	Recheck your measurement and size
You are changing from another brand	Use the Gigo chart rather than your old size label

Frequently Asked Questions

Should men size up or down when between Gigo underwear sizes?

Under the current Gigo Size Guide, use the larger size as the recommended starting point when your measurement falls between two ranges or on a shared boundary.

Should underwear feel tight when first worn?

It should feel secure, not painfully tight. The waistband, pouch and leg openings should remain stable without digging into the body or restricting normal movement.

Does sizing up automatically reduce support?

No. A correctly chosen larger size should still remain in contact with the body and preserve the support intended by the garment. If it becomes loose throughout, recheck your measurements.

Should I use my pants size to buy underwear?

No. Use your current body measurement and compare it with the brand-specific size chart. Pants labels are not a reliable substitute for measuring your waist.

Can I wear the same size in briefs, trunks and jockstraps?

Your waist measurement remains the starting reference, but each silhouette can feel different because the pouch, leg openings, straps and rear coverage are constructed differently.

What if the larger size fits my waist but another area still feels wrong?

Identify where the problem occurs. If the discomfort is isolated to the pouch, leg opening, straps or rear panel, compare another cut before assuming the entire size is wrong.

Choose the Size First, Then Confirm the Cut

Being between two underwear sizes does not need to become a guessing game. Measure where the waistband will sit, compare your number with the Gigo Size Guide and use the larger size as the current recommended starting point when you fall between two ranges.

Then move. Walk, sit and lift your legs slightly. If the garment remains stable and comfortable, the size and cut are working together. If only one area continues to cause problems, compare another construction instead of repeatedly changing sizes.

If you plan to wear the underwear under close-fitting trousers, you can also compare the result with our guide to briefs and trunks under slim-fit pants.