Do you buy anything marketed to men that is just as good, or better than the "womens" version?

[somethingnewandexciting]

We all know women pay more for everything, clothes, beauty, toiletries etc, the pink tax or whatever they call it (cba to look up references and stats, it's a thing).

On that, and because I am a bit more broke than usual this month, what do you feel you save on by buying that isn't the mainstream? I saved £20 on a pair of walking boots last week because I bought the men's ones - am a size 8 which can hard to get in women's shops anyway. I also get men's razors, shaving foam, jumpers and boxer shorts - so much more comfy!

What am I missing? Interested in multivits (currently get one that is designed for women but am wondering if its just the same stuff as men get, maybe with folate added?) and other clothes or better quality things that are made to last.

As for the AIBU - AIBU that in 2025 we should not have to double check prices of the same things against men's products because they know we will pay more even though we earn less?

Underwear 😳 It made me realise how uncomfortable woman’s underwear was. I know you can get women’s boxers and theyre not bad but I still prefer DH’s!

Love men’s socks - wider calf.

Obvious stuff like razors, face wash, shaving foam, face wash even.

This kind of thing in case you're interested.
https://amzn.eu/d/85pHUXe

Costs about £10-£20 and a box of 100 blades about £5.

Dressing gowns! Don’t know why but men’s are always better - I always steal my husbands then just bought the same one as him

Men's razors and shaving foam. Men's socks for winter! DH laughs when I wear his socks but they're much thicker than any woman's socks and they keep my feet warm!

This thread is great, I do all these things too. I love the men’s jumpers and t shirts in primary

Gildan hoodies come in loads of colours if you're happy with plain. Fairly cheap too.

https://www.buytshirtsonline.co.uk/hoodies-c1/pull-over-hooded-tops-c76/gildan-softstyle-midweight-fleece-adult-hoodie-p12688

Razors.

Jumpers. I wanted a plain navy wool jumper. Struggled to find a woman's jumper in natural fibres, and those I did find were mixed with polyester or acrylic.

I am currently wearing a man's 100% lambswool jumper from M&S. (TK Maxx also had jumpers in wool and cashmere, to be fair.)

Same as a previous poster, but Men's running tops. Karrimore in particular- cover your bum, moisture wicking, last ages.

Men's cashmere sweaters from M&S, much better quality than the ladies. Longer body, keep their shape better. The arms are a bit longer, but I just pull them up.

Work bags/laptop bag's marketed for men. Much better made and constructed.

Razors, shaving foam etc I get whatever is cheapest. Men's or women's.

Trainers and walking boots as I am size 8.
I've tried joggers and jeans but they're not the right shape, I'm very pear shaped and the hip to waist ratio is wrong on mens.
I've had some success with shorts though. The long walking shorts with zipped pockets. Men's are cheaper and longer, though can be snug on the hips.
Edited to add trainer socks. Mens socks are bigger in the same size and slightly higher on the ankle.

Razors - Gillette the best anyone can get at a fraction of the pink price! Closer shave, as they advertise for men’s chins, but great for my ankles….do we not deserve a closer shave?! 🪒

Socks.
Shower gel.

Honestly this is the bit that always baffled me. do we run cold? Or are our clothes just unfit for purpose? Based on the fact that my son's t-shirts, joggers and jumpers are usually way thicker than my daughter's I'd say so. I almost never shop in the girls section as who wants threadbare garments?!

I was reading The island of sea women about sea divers, where the women make better divers as they have better fat reserves and can stay in cold water longer without getting hypothermia...at which point I felt a little flag go up. I'm always cold, but apparently I have a body better suited to living in cold temperatures? Hmm. Calling shenanigans on you fashion industry!

I don't know how old you are but for me there was a massive change at menopause. Long after hot flushes have gone I run warmer in general.

Razors are same price when I check. I have bought Just for Men beard dye for my eyebrows. Lasts ages.

I tend to buy children’s T shirts from Next - age 15-16 is about a 10-12.

Hoodies

Nothing - I'm too small. But in reverse, my DS has a size 14 ladies long puffa jacket that he wears to keep warm at his sports matches. It was in the sale and so cost a fraction of the men's XS ones which looked identical and weren't reduced.

Same as many others, men’s razors and shaving foam, I find them better than women’s, and also men’s deodorant, same reason, my husband and I actually share a roll on, which I’m sure is disgusting or something, I buy a six pack of fhe L’Oréal men expert 48 hour sports and shirt protection one from Amazon, it’s quite a nice smell, and just have one out at any given time which we both use, and then when all six done I just reorder another pack of 6 and go through one by one.

i used to wear my husbands thick socks round the house in winter, but bought some Icelandic saga socks which are for women and are way better, so wear them now when it’s cold. But I don’t buy men’s clothes to be fair, as wouldn’t look right on me and don’t by shoes as I have very narrow feet.

Fabulous, thank you - I hadn’t thought to look there

Mens L'Oréal shower gel, gorg!
Mens Nivea shower gel
Mens deodorant
Socks
Hoodies
Boxers.
Dressing gowns

Men's deodorant. Been using it for years. Have not used women's deodorant in years as it doesn't work.

am not there yet, but hey there's a silver lining to it I'd not previously considered!

Reading someone elses comments I see now about the divers that it was that women have more subcutaneous body fat than men, so maybe that helps when diving in cold water but not just for existing in a poorly insulated house!

I get men’s disposable razors from Aldi

Deodorant and socks. Sometimes hoodies and jumpers.

I have size 11-12 feet despite being only 5 foot 7 so I've been stuck buying men's shoes and socks already.

I also tend to buy men's hoodies, mens razors, and I'll get wipes and cotton pads/buds from the baby section rather than the make up isle as they tend to be better quality and cost far less. My glasses were also in the teen boy section of my opticians and suited my face far better than the other options.

I got my backpack for going on the back of my wheelchair from the men's section too as it it was better quality with lots of pockets and plain enough that it blends in with the chair more to be less attractive to thieves. All the ones in the women's section were much smaller and flimsy and too brightly decorated.