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Panty lines? Consider ’em gone. The best thongs for women stay invisible under tights, leggings, and fitted dresses—without being a total pain in the butt. While thongs can be a controversial underwear choice, there are plenty of options that are comfy enough to wear all day thanks to their smart construction, silky soft materials, and wide range of cuts and coverage.
Hate the friction of fabric on fabric? Want undies that are slender and smoothing under clingy wedding-guest dresses? Or what about seamless underwear that won’t show under your workout leggings? To help you find the most comfortable thong for your needs, we turned to Glamour editors and contributors. Below, find their favorites, including breathable cotton pairs, high-rise ones that are inclusive in sizing, and G-strings that are barely there at all.
The best thongs, at a glance
- Best Overall: Skims Fits Everybody High-Waist Thong, $18
- Most Invisible: Commando Classic Thong (3-Pack), $78
- Best for Tummy Control: SPANXshape Invisible Supima Cotton Thong, $52
- Most Comfortable: Bombas No-Show Thong, $18
- Best for Working Out: Lululemon UnderEase Mid-Rise Thongs (3-Pack), $48
- Best Under Leggings: Alo Yoga Airbrush Invisible Thong, $28
- Best Lace: Hanky Panky Print Original Rise Thong, $24
- Best Value: Anzermix Breathable Cotton Thong Panties (6-pack), $11
- Best G-String: Cuup The String Thong, $20
Best Overall: Skim Fits Everybody High-Waist Thong
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- What we love: Super soft and stretchy; light tummy control; inclusive sizing and skin tones; no visible panty lines; under $20
- Worth noting: Material is quite thin
When we polled our editors and readers, Skims’s thongs cropped up again and again. The shapewear brand’s Fits Everybody collection is known for its stretchy, ultrasoft fabric, and this thong is no different. The barely-there seams don’t pinch, poke, or dig into your skin. You can wear this one all day without thinking about it. Its material stretches to twice its size, which is great for comfort and your changing body (bloating, hello). Its high cut provides full coverage, light tummy control, and keeps it from rolling down the way most low-rise thongs do. Not a high-waisted girlie? Skims makes plenty of other cuts, including its standard thong, a dipped front thong with Baywatch vibes, and even a micro thong. This is also one of the best plus-size thongs, with sizing up to 4X.
“This ultra high-waisted thong is a lot more comfortable than it looks, and I love that it provides a touch of shaping without committing to a full on shapewear piece,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “It’s soft to the touch, stretchy and flexible, making it perfect for wearing for all activities, especially those that require a lot of movement (i.e., working out, walking, etc.).”
Sizes: XXS—4X | Materials: 76% polyamide, 24% elastane; 100% cotton gusset
Best Seamless: Commando Classic Thong
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- What we love: High-quality; completely seamless; stretchy; dig-free
- Worth noting: Pricey
You know a thong’s good when it’s been your go-to for over a decade. Glamour contributor Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar swears by this classic low-rise thong for special occasions or anytime she wants to avoid the dreaded VPL. “Some thongs give me that constant-wedgie feeling, but that’s not an issue with Commando,” she says. “It feels like a second skin and actually stays in place. The fabric is buttery-soft and stretchy, so it’s fit perfectly, even when my weight fluctuated. I love the barely-there, no-show design, which disappears under anything fitted, while staying comfortable.” Kilkeary agrees that Commando’s thong is one of the best seamless she’s tried: “It’s silky smooth, hugs the body, and doesn’t show panty lines, no matter how skin-tight of a layer I wear on top.”
Sizes: XS/S–L/XL | Materials: 78% nylon, 22% elastane; 100% cotton gusset
Best for Tummy Control: SpanxShape Invisible Supima Thong
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- What we love: Comfortable; strong tummy control; breathable; inclusive sizing
- Worth noting: Pricey; not suitable for wearing under low-rise clothing
“As a comfort-first gal, I’ve never been a big fan of compression undergarments or thongs—I just assumed they were all uncomfortable,” says Kadar. “This Spanx shapewear thong proved me completely wrong. It’s surprisingly lightweight and breathable, offering good tummy control without the dreaded digging or suffocating squeeze. It’s my go-to beneath high-waisted jeans, cinching my waist in slightly to create more definition and smoothing my mom pooch.”
Spanx’s panties completely disappear beneath fitted dresses, and the smoothing paneling is practical but sexy. Better yet, it feels as good as it looks. Made of cotton, the shapewear thong is soft, breathable, and comfortable enough to wear all day without getting hot or bothered. It’s available in sizes up to 3X and comes in several chic neutrals.
Sizes: XS—3X | Materials: 59% Supima cotton, 41% Lycra elastane; 100% cotton gusset
Most Comfortable: Bombas No-Show Thong
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- What we love: Very comfortable; sweat-wicking; grips keep from rolling down
- Worth noting: Run small
Bombas’ no-show design is as thoughtfully designed as its socks, with thin grips along the lining of the underwear that locks it into place. Its fabric is soft and stretchy enough for comfort, while a cotton gusset wicks sweat and acts as odor control. “I find most thongs notoriously uncomfortable, but this one proved that doesn’t have to be the case,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. “It was so easy to wear that I forgot it was there, and it didn’t budge throughout the day. It’s a totally seamless thong, even through leggings, and I wore it all day without a second thought.”
Sizes: XS–2X | Material: 76% polyamide, 24% elastane, 66% nylon, 34% elastane; 95% cotton, 5% elastane gusset
Best for Working Out: Lululemon UnderEase Mid-Rise Thong
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- What we love: Moisture-wicking; stretchy, substantial material; seams stay put
- Worth noting: Limited sizing
Need underwear for working out that doesn’t show through leggings? (Provided you wear undies when you exercise, that is.) Activewear brand Lululemon has you covered. This mid-rise thong is made for training purposes with special fabric that stretches without stretching out, wicks sweat, and dries quickly. Each pair is sewn with seams that lay flat under leggings and never twist the way many thongs do.
“I don’t always wear underwear to the gym, but when I do, it’s this Lululemon thong,” says Glamour reviewer Rosi Norton. “It’s so comfortable and keeps me cool despite the type of workout I’m doing. I also love that they come in a pack of three.”
Sizes: XS—XXL | Materials: 88% modal, 12% Lycra elastane
Best Under Leggings: Alo Yoga Airbrush Invisible Thong
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- What we love: Has odor control; lightly compressive; seamless
- Worth noting: Limited plus sizing
If you’re one of those people who hates the sight of a visible panty line through leggings, this Alo thong underwear is for you. Made from some of the thinnest material we tested, it’s practically non-existent, while still creating a barrier that keeps clothing from chafing. Its fabric is lightly compressive, which keeps the thong from moving. UESCA-certified running coach and ISSA-certified personal trainer Liz Schmoll calls it a “good seamless option for everyday wear with odor control.”
“The seamless design sat flat, the sides didn’t twist under my clothing, and it felt cool and comfortable,” says Condé Nast vice president and health content lead Dana Leigh Smith, who wears the thong to work and exercise. “There was no bunching, even under tight leggings. Plus, they were very sweat-wicking which kept me feeling comfy during my weight training session.”
Sizes: XXS–XL | Material: Blend of nylon and elastane
Best Lace: Hanky Panky Original Rise Thong
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- What we love: Soft and stretchy; invisible beneath clothes; fun colors; pretty design
- Worth noting: One size only
If you’re on the prowl for a lace thong that doesn’t compromise comfort, Hanky Panky is the GOAT. The bestselling brand is known for its styles’ extreme stretch, comfort, and lacy design. And no need to worry about the lace being scratchy or itchy; you’ll barely feel it at all, say our testers. “This thong is so soft and gorgeous,” says Kadar. “It molds perfectly to my body and never rides up or feels like butt floss.” It comes in a variety of fun, bold colors and patterns if you like a little flair down there or just want to spice up your underwear drawer.
Sizes: One size fits women’s sizes 4–14 | Material: 100% nylon
Best Value: Anzermix Cotton Thong
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- What we love: Soft, breathable cotton material; no-show under leggings; great value
- Worth noting: No plus sizing above XL; not the most durable material
If you’re looking for a multipack of basic thongs that doesn’t bust your budget, our commerce writer likes this cotton underwear set from Amazon. They’re made of moisture-wicking cotton with a touch of spandex for stretch and comfort. Their low cut and seamless design lies flat and invisible beneath even tight leggings. Though they’re not as durable as some other choices on this list, for such a low price, you don’t have to be precious with them.
“I find cotton to be the most comfortable when wearing a thong because it’s soft to the touch and quite breathable, and offers just the right amount of pliability,” says Kilkeary. “These thongs live up to all of those standards at a great value. These are my daily drivers, and I’d highly recommend them to whoever feels like thongs are never comfortable for them; these will change your mind, I promise.”
Sizes: S—XL | Materials: 95% cotton, 5% spandex
Best G-String: Cuup The Tring Thong
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- What we love: Very minimal coverage; comfortable and stretchy
- Worth noting: Pricey
A G-string thong is the cheekiest of them all—it’s basically a couple strings and a little fabric. It’s the panty for the person who doesn’t really want to wear any at all (but still wants a tiny bit of coverage). Glamour editors and testers are fans of lingerie brand Cuup’s supportive bras for big boobs, its swimsuits, and of course, its women’s underwear. It’s made of extremely soft, stretchy modal, with a bamboo lining that wicks moisture and a versatile mid-rise cut.
Sizes: XS—2X | Materials: 88% modal, 12% elastane
Frequently asked questions
How the best thongs compare
| Product | Material | Sizing | Style | Pros | Cons | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skims Fits Everybody High-Waist Thong | 76% polyamide, 24% elastane; 100% cotton gusset | XXS—4X | High-rise | Stretch and comfy; light tummy control; inclusive sizing and skin tones; under $20 | Material is quite thin | $18 |
| Commando Classic Thong | 78% nylon, 22% elastane; 100% cotton gusset | XS/S–L/XL | Low-rise | High-quality; completely seamless; dig-free | Pricey; limited plus sizing | $78 (3-pack) |
| SPANXshape Invisible Supima Cotton Thong | 59% Supima cotton, 41% Lycra elastane; 100% cotton gusset | XS—3X | High-rise | Comfortable; strong tummy control; breathable; inclusive sizing | Pricey; not suitable for wearing under low-rise clothing | $52 |
| Bombas No-Show Thong | 76% polyamide, 24% elastane, 66% nylon, 34% elastane; 95% cotton, 5% elastane gusset | XS–2X | Mid-rise | Very comfortable; sweat-wicking; grips keep from rolling down | Run small | $18 |
| Lululemon UnderEase Mid-Rise Thong | 88% modal, 12% Lycra elastane | XS—XXL | Mid-rise | Moisture-wicking modal; stretchy, substantial material; seams stay put | Limited sizing | $48 (3-pack) |
| Alo Yoga Airbrush Invisible Thong | Blend of nylon and elastane | XXS–XL | Low-rise | Has odor control; lightly compressive; seamless | Limited plus sizing | $28 |
| Hanky Panky Print Original Rise Thong | 100% nylon | One size fits women’s sizes 4–14 | Mid-rise | Comfortable; invisible beneath clothes; fun colors; pretty design | One size only | $24 |
| Anzermix Breathable Cotton Thong Panties | 95% cotton, 5% spandex | S—XL | Mid-rise | Soft, breathable cotton material; no-show under leggings; great value | No plus sizing above XL; not the most durable material | $11 (6-pack) |
| Cuup The String Thong | 88% modal, 12% elastane | XS—2X | Low-rise G-string | Very minimal coverage; comfortable and stretchy | Pricey | $20 |
How we chose thongs
To find the best thongs, we researched best-selling styles and tapped Glamour editors and contributors for recommendations. Seven testers collectively tried 18 thongs, each worn at least two times (and often more for pairs testers already owned). Each style was evaluated for material quality—how it held up through multiple washes, whether it stretched out, and how breathable it felt—along with overall comfort and visibility under form-fitting clothes like leggings and dresses.
Testers wore the thongs during everyday activities, including walking, sitting, and exercise. We included a range of cuts, from fuller-coverage options to barely-there styles, prioritized brands with extended sizing and multiple colorways, and considered value based on longevity and intended use, whether for daily wear, workouts, special occasions, or sleep.
Are thongs comfortable?
Thongs have a reputation for being uncomfortable for some—they are, after all, thin strips of fabric that sit in more sensitive areas. But modern design updates have made them far more wearable, with softer, stretchier, sweat-wicking materials and details like bonded seams, wider waistbands, and subtle grips that help prevent shifting or digging in. For what it's worth, comfort was our top priority in testing.
Can you sleep in a thong?
You can do anything you want! But thongs might not be the comfiest or most breathable choice for overnight wear. Many experts recommend looser underwear—or going without—at night to reduce friction and allow for better airflow, especially if you’re prone to irritation. If you do choose to sleep in a thong, opt for styles made of soft, moisture-wicking fabrics like bamboo, cotton, and modal, and that have minimal seams and a relaxed fit.
Are thongs bad for vaginal health?
“Wearing thongs is not detrimental to vaginal health as the vagina is smart and self-cleansing,” says Jessica Shepherd, MD, MBA, FACOG, a board-certified ob-gyn who is part of O Positiv’s medical advisory board. “However, with more covering of the areas and possible irritation with thongs, some women may have abnormal discharge, irritation and odor. If this occurs, they need to talk to their gynecologist about possible irritation, a change in vaginal pH, recent sexual practices or changes in their diet.” Choose moisture-wicking fabrics, avoid overly tight fits, and swap out sweaty underwear promptly to help minimize potential issues, especially if you’re prone to irritation or infections.
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