Imagine yourself kicking back with a margarita as you chill out by the pool, blue sky up above, Ray Ban's perched on your nose and the best men's swim trunks money can buy sitting on your hips; literal paradise. Of course, the winter months can take a toll on us all, so you'll need to find a pair that fits your current physique, and if you like water sports or swimming, you'll want some swim shorts that dry quickly. Well, we're bringing you the best of the best to help you make one of the most crucial decisions of the season: Which men's swim trunks should you purchase?
From the beach to the dive bar up the road, these shorts have design, function, fit, price point, and style in mind. Quality shorts come in all shapes and sizes, but they share a few core characteristics: maximum life span, moisture-wicking tech, and performance functionality for water sports — because getting active in the water is one of life's greatest enjoyments. Get ready for the hottest season of the year with these best men's swim trunks to wear on your next trip to the beach or as you lounge around poolside.
Orlebar Brown Setter Swim Trunks
The quintessential epitome of swim trunks when it comes to the most stylish pair you can own — they also have performance that can match. When all others kept making styles with drawstring and elastic bands, Orlebar Brown decided to bring the tailoring world to swim suits, revolutionizing swimwear as we know it. James Bond worthy that any Bond girl will be sure to love.
Saturdays NYC Leonard Boardshort
Don't be fooled by the functionality of this Leonard Boardshort. Saturdays NYC has upped the ante on the construction so they can handle all surfing and outdoor activities. Laser-cut and bonded side seams, 3M reflective details, an inner waistband sporting soft microfiber — the Leonard Boardshorts have everything you need to track down that wave — or the ice cream truck that just rolled by.
Polo Ralph Lauren Traveler Swim Short
A simple Ralph Lauren swim trunk that taps a worn vintage look, these Traveler shorts are made with 100% nylon and come with a polyester mesh brief. But, to be honest, our favorite detail is the subtle pink logo.
Quicksilver Beach Please 17" Volleys
Quiksilver has built a legacy in West Coast culture for a reason. These Volley shorts take it all the way back to the brand's roots in surf and skate culture. If we were to recommend the best swim trunks to kickflip in, these would be the ones.
CDLP Swim Shorts
CDLP makes our favorite 3-inch inseam short. These twill weave shorts almost glisten when out in the sun thanks to them being made with Econyl — a regenerated nylon fiber made from salvaged plastic waste found in oceans and landfills. Couple them with a comfortable mesh liner, and you'll hardly notice you've been wearing these trunks for 12-plus hours.
David Gandy Wellwear Short Length Swim Shorts
One of our favorite brands that incorporate fabrics to improve the well-being of its customers with each product it makes, David Gandy Wellwear makes a classically styled, performance driven pair of trunks designed by the worlds foremost male supermodel, David Gandy. Need we say more?
Outerknown 19" Apex Trunks
Kelly Slater, the surf master, owns the awesome apparel company Outerknown. These Apex boardshorts are quite literally the best for surfing. They're made with recycled polyester and feature moisture-blocking seam tape, four-way stretch, and a double-bonded butt seam for added strength.
Hurley Phantom Boardshorts
Hurley has been around for a while, to say the least, and its boardshorts are one of the main reasons why. Made almost entirely out of polyester — with a little bit of spandex — the Phantom boardshorts will give and stretch like no other before coming back to shape. It's all in a day's work when surfing barrels.
Ten Thousand Set Shorts
If you're a bit of a hybrid man and like to take your workouts from the water to the land, you'll love these Ten Thousand Set Shorts. They feature an ultra water-repellent shell with a quick-drying liner so you can even take on the Ironman Triathalon if you're up for it, and you won't lose your phone along the way as they have a secure pocket system.
Gusari Deia Swim Trunks
Another pair of tailored-like swim trunks reminiscent of Elvis Presley circa Blue Hawaii, these shorts give off those classic 50s beach vibes, with some modern day engineering designs that have incorporated a partially elasticated waistband to enhance durability. This ensures the proper level of support for ideal comfort.
Vilebrequin Solid Swim Trunks
Functional yet elegantly Italian styled, Vilebrequin is the product of a couple who fell in love in the 70s en route to St. Tropez — the result is a designer swimwear brand. This pair is the brand's bestselling model that uses 100% ECONYL regenerated polyamide for an extremely speedy, fast-drying pair of trunks. With numerous colorways to consider, we love the daring "divine," powder blue ones.
Howler Bros Buchannon Boardshorts
Howler Bros is another great surf apparel brand. These Buchannon Boardshorts feature unique destinations in the Gulf, which means they can even double as a travel planner. They're made with quick-drying polyester and cut in an 8-inch inseam.
Patagonia Baggies Shorts
Another hybrid to add to our list of best swim trunks for men are the Patagonia Baggies Shorts, which can also take you from a dive in the ocean to running on the beach with their quick-drying SUPPLEX nylon and water-repellent finish, ensuring you get an exceptional summer workout in.
Other features include an elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring and mesh-lined pockets for good drainage. If aesthetics are your thing, they come in five different colors, meaning you can buy several and change them out according to your mood.
Bather Solid Ocean Swim Trunks
These may look like just another pair of men's swim trunks, but the Bather Solid Ocean Swim Trunks are made to be functional. They have an elastic waistband with a drawstring, a quick-dry shell, and an ultra-fine four-way stretch mesh lining, making it super easy to move around.
So, whether you're playing volleyball on the beach or reaching for your next cocktail, these swim shorts won't hold you back at all. The basic style means you can throw on a T-shirt and wear them to dinner if you're in Aruba or the Bahamas and the stifling heat makes jeans impossible.
True Tribe Men's Active Swim Shorts
While men's swim trunks tend to veer more on the casual side, some like shorts that are a little more luxurious yet still designed for an active man. The Tribe Men's Active Swim
Todd Snyder 5" Montauk Swim Shorts
If you're tired of all the basic shorts with solid colors and no room to show off your personality, then you'll love the 5" Montauk Swim
Frequently Asked Questions
Check the length
The first thing people notice about a swimsuit is the length, which is indeed the most important factor — and not just for your tan lines. The golden rule is to find a swimsuit that hits two inches above the knee so it's long enough to cover the goods but short enough to elongate the legs, no matter how tall you are. Feel free to go even shorter if you dare to show off extra skin.
Wear prints with caution
Swim trunks are a place to have a little more fun with your wardrobe in terms of bright colors and fun prints. We’re all for sartorial expression here, but it’s easy to go overboard with prints that could look childish or fratty. When seeking the right print, opt for more artsy patterns and colors and stay away from anything with the emoji appeal. Vintage-inspired patterns work really well here. It’s also important to think about your closet. This can be a statement piece, but it should be versatile and work with what you consistently wear.
