Charles Barkley, the former NBA standout, was quite candid when questioned about his underwear—or rather, his decision to forgo them entirely.
The debate over the health benefits of wearing underwear and the most suitable type has persisted for years. Some research indicates that tight-fitting underwear might adversely impact sperm count. Conversely, wearing briefs or boxers offers protection for sensitive areas, preventing issues like chafing.
However, Charles Barkley chose to live without this protection, having abandoned underwear three decades ago. Not only did he stop wearing them, but he claims to have disposed of them in a rather dramatic fashion—by setting them ablaze in a significant fire.
This topic surfaced during the show ManningCast when Barkley appeared as a guest with Eli and Peyton Manning.
Peyton inquired: “Is it true that you burned all of your underwear almost 20 years ago and haven’t worn any since?”
“Yeah, I realized that underwear wasn’t a necessity,” Barkley responded. “It was a big fire too, Peyton.”
Barkley humorously stated he was perpetually ‘going commanchi’ before Eli corrected him to ‘commando’.
“I burnt all my underwear about 30 years ago,” Barkley commented. “[…] I’m always going commando for the rest of my life.”
In honor of Barkley being their inaugural guest on ManningCast, the Manning brothers presented him with a pair of Y-fronts featuring their likenesses.
Though he won’t be donning them, Barkley vowed to display them prominently at home.
While Barkley’s approach is unconventional, Just Wears reports that only about five to seven percent of men frequently opt to go without underwear.
Though some may find going without underwear beneficial, there are downsides, such as the increased laundry load.
Health experts recommend a daily change of underpants. Even without wearing underwear, the need for frequent washing doesn’t diminish.
It’s suggested to wash trousers daily or every other day if going commando.
M. Jay Singleton, a men’s style advisor and founder of Urban Squire Club, warns against wearing skinny jeans while going commando.
This clothing style can cause discomfort by cutting into the crotch area when sitting, and there’s a risk of denim dye staining the skin. Yikes.