For other uses of Brief(s), see Brief Briefs are a type of short, tight Y-shaped underwear and swimwear, as opposed to styles where the material extends down the legs. In the case of men's underwear, briefs, unlike boxer shorts, hold the wearer's genitals in a relatively fixed position, which makes briefs a popular underwear choice for men who are participating in athletic activities or who feel they need more support than loose-fitting underwear can provide. In addition, boxers often ride up the body when the wearer is running. Tight briefs have been blamed for negatively affecting the sperm count, as they may interfere with the cooling of the testes.[LINK: http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/features/boxers-vs-briefs-increasing-sperm-count] WebMD, Boxers vs Briefs However, research doesn't always come to the same conclusion. A study i