I always used shorts with a built-in mesh brief, until a year or two ago, when they started chafing me (both of us were getting older, so I don't really know whether the problem was me or the brief.) I tried some boxer-briefs with shorts that didn't have the liner, and found out I really liked the longer leg (and that it was more comfotable to sleep in the boxers without the shorts.) Since then I've used REI's house brand, Ex Officio, UnderArmour, and Smartwool boxer briefs. I found that I liked the Ex Officio best, although there was nothing really wrong with the other three brands.