Handerpants: Yes, They Are Underpants for Your Hands
Your hands have been going commando this whole time. Nobody said anything. Until now.
Some products are designed by committees and focus groups. Handerpants feel like they were designed by a single sentence that refused to leave someone's brain. They are fingerless gloves made to look exactly like a pair of classic white men's briefs, complete with waistband, and you wear them on your hands.
That is it. That is the product. And somehow it has become a staple of white elephant parties everywhere.
What are Handerpants and how do you wear them?
Handerpants come from Archie McPhee, the Seattle novelty shop known for rubber chickens and wonderfully pointless oddities. You slip your hand in through the waistband and your fingers poke out through the leg holes, leaving you with what looks like a tiny pair of underwear hugging your palm.
The product details we checked describe them as 95 percent cotton and 5 percent spandex, sized to fit most adult hands. The stretch means they hug your hand snugly rather than flapping around. The manufacturer suggests wearing them as a liner under regular gloves for a bit of extra warmth, or simply wearing them on their own as, in their words, a fashion statement of questionable appropriateness.
Practically speaking, they act a lot like thin fingerless gloves. Can you type in them? Sure. Should you wear them to a job interview? We would not advise it.
Handerpants: who they’re for (plus gift ideas)
Handerpants are built for people whose idea of a great gift is watching the recipient's face slowly process what they are holding. They are also genuinely handy for folks who get cold hands at a desk and want something that leaves fingers free.
- White elephant and Secret Santa swaps where confusion equals victory
- A coworker with perpetually cold hands and a good sense of humor
- Scooter riders or cyclists who want a laugh at red lights
- Anyone who already owns a rubber chicken
Pros and cons
What we like
- Instant comedy the second they come out of the box
- Stretchy cotton-spandex blend fits most adult hands
- Can double as a thin glove liner in cold weather
- Fingers stay free for typing or phone use
- Classic Archie McPhee item with a long track record
What gives us pause
- White fabric shows dirt quickly
- Thin, so they are not real winter gloves on their own
- Some people may find the underwear joke a bit much for the office
- One size may be loose on small hands or snug on very large ones
FAQ
What are Handerpants made of?
The listing describes them as 95 percent cotton and 5 percent spandex.
Will Handerpants fit my hands?
They are designed to fit most adult hands thanks to the stretchy fabric, though very small or very large hands may vary.
Are Handerpants actually warm?
They add a thin layer of warmth and can be worn under regular gloves, but they are not a substitute for real winter gloves.
Are they appropriate for kids?
They are a harmless visual joke, but they are sized for adults.
Bottom line
Handerpants are gloriously dumb in the best possible way, and they are one of those gifts people keep for years just to bring out at parties. If you are building a laughably weird gift pile, they pair naturally with BeanBoozled and the two-can drinking helmet for maximum what-is-happening energy.