Teenager underwear is one of those purchases that gets treated as disposable even when it doesn't have to be. Buy the cheapest multipack, replace in 3 months, repeat. I understand the logic. Teenagers grow quickly, gear gets wrecked, and the budget only stretches so far. But the maths doesn't always work out the way it seems. Cheap teenager underwear bought 4 times a year often costs more than quality gear bought twice.

The issue with most budget teenager underwear isn't just the price. It's the construction. Thin fabric that goes see-through after 10 washes. Elastic that softens and stops holding. Sizing that runs small so it fits for 2 months before becoming uncomfortable as the kid grows. A bloke I know switched his teenage son to properly made Australian cotton teenager underwear and said the packs lasted a full year without a single complaint. That's the difference quality construction makes.

What I look for in teenager underwear is much the same as what I'd look for in adult underwear. Decent cotton weight so the fabric doesn't fail quickly. A waistband that holds its shape through repeated washing. A cut that suits an active lifestyle, because teenagers move around a lot and gear that bunches during sport creates exactly the kind of situation nobody wants in a school change room. Barramundies makes teenager underwear that ticks all of those without an inflated price tag.

Spending a bit more on teenager underwear upfront is worth doing once to see how long it lasts. Most parents who try quality gear find they're replacing it far less often, which means the cost per month works out lower anyway. Good teenager underwear isn't a luxury. It's a practical decision that saves money over the course of a school year.