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Our editors recommend shorts from Rhone and Wellen. Animal Print Fabric
SWIM TRUNKS FOR men are the stuff of legend: they can be worn in or out of the water and make the ultimate beachside bottoms or everyday shorts. The best swim trunks for men today have a moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabric, four-way stretch for mobility, a flattering length, and an athletic fit. Finding the right one for you can be a challenge, which is why we're here to help. Our team of fashion editors spent the past year trying and testing swim trunks to find options that blend comfort and style.
If you're performing heavy activities in swimsuits, consider doing without liners. Board shorts, for instance, aren't made with liners for more wiggle room and comfort. Otherwise, liners should fit snugly, but should never be too tight or pinch your skin. Built-in mesh liners provide extra support to your down-there and keep everything in place as you move. Since it's mesh, they're also breathable and quick-drying.
Shorts are getting shorter, and so are swim trunks. But you don't have to chase trends. According to Stafford, around 7 inches in inseam length is a universally flattering fit that hits a couple inches above the thigh. Though if you want to show off your quads, you can't go wrong with a 5-inch inseam, either. If you're looking at outseam lengths, 14-inch is more fashion forward, 17-inch is a casual mid-length, and 20-inch is as full coverage as you can get without wearing pants.
To find the best swim trunks for men, our style and gear editors, led by Fashion Director Ted Stafford, spent the past year testing more than 100 swim trunks in a variety of settings. For instance, we went whitewater rafting in Wellen's performance shorts, swam laps in Rhone's R&R short, and sported Bonobos' swim trunks at the beach. From there, we evaluated these swim trunks based on their style, fit, price point, performance in and out of the water, and versatility to make the final top picks. Bonus points if they doubled as athletic shorts or hiking shorts. Specifically, we're looking for styles that are not trendy or trend-chasing; instead, our picks of the best swim trunks have a flattering fit, provide a ton of value at reasonable price points, and come in styles that will look great years from now.
The eight best swim trunks for men tested by our experts below are all quick-drying, comfortable, and look great. Whether you're planning to wear these to the beach, poolside, or to your weekend lunch, the best swim trunks for men have you covered.
After trying and testing more than 50 swim shorts, our fashion team landed on Rhone’s R&R Trunk as the best of the bunch, thanks to its timeless style, functional fabric, and flattering fit. We love the no-fuss design, with a tailored cut that’s not too baggy or slim. Coupled with the stretchy waistband, the fit looks great on most body types. It’s available in two inseams–5.5 and 7.5 inches. Our fashion director says to cop the longer length if you’re planning to use this beyond the beach, since it provides enough coverage while still hitting a couple inches above the knee for most men (our universal style recommendation for shorts). But if you want to really show off your summer leg gains, the shorter option’s your guy.
Rhone’s athleisure performs just as well as it looks. We’ve sweat-tested the R&R during beachside runs and found that its odor-fighting fabric did a decent job at fighting sweat. The mesh liner kept our family jewels locked in, without cutting off circulation. In fact, a few editors who have the R&R trunk say that the liner really does have a second-skin like quality. That’s probably because the polyester blend fabric is infused with four-way stretch, which felt more comfortable than Lululemon’s (also great!) Pool Short. These durable features also mean the R&R Trunk doubles as a decent gym short if you’re in a pinch, and saves you one less thing to pack for a tropical vacation. We love that it’s available in 12 patterns, though if you want to go classic, you can’t go wrong with the Navy option.
Read more: Best Running Shorts for Men
Amazon is stacked with decent swim shorts, but our fashion team says Fair Harbor’s Bungalow Short is the best option you can find at the everything retailer. Just like most of the New York upstart’s duds, this one is timelessly stylish, functional, and provides great value. It’s available in a variety of foolproof styles, but we prefer the Pink Colorblock option, since it has a cool ‘80s vibe that pairs well with laidback T-shirts, tank tops, and more. Unlike other picks on this list, The Bungalow Trunk is only available in one inseam–5 inches–which is on the skimpy side, but its relaxed (but not baggy!) fit keeps this from veering into Reno 911! territory. We think this cut is great for guys who want to show off their hard-earned leg gains this summer.
Performance-wise, the Bungalow Trunk’s synthetic fabric dries quickly, though it’s not as stretchy nor as odor resistant as Rhone’s swim trunk, so we wouldn’t recommend this as a gym short substitute. That being said, we liked the breathable knit liner, which is as comfortable as it is breathable. In short, the Bungalow Trunk is a great pick in a sea of Amazon products, and is one of our go-to shorts for poolside lounging.
Read more: Best Swim Trunks on Amazon
The Resort Swim Short is our pick for a trunk that stands out, but still looks classy. That’s because the Swedish brand infuses its vacation fits with a minimalist Nordic vibe. The result: a clean cut short with groovy patterns that pair well with just everything in your suitcase. Of the five colorways available, we found that the Triangle Green was the most versatile. We’ve sported it with basic T-shirts, Hawaiian button-downs, and tank tops and found that every style combo was equally flattering.
Beyond its looks, our team was impressed with The Resort Swim Short’s functionality. The elastic waistband was very forgiving on guys with spare tires, and its sides are stacked with well-placed pockets that can easily store your phone and wallet without adding too much bulk. The polyester fabric dries relatively quickly, especially if you’re just lounging poolside. Yeah, the OAS trunk is more expensive than Rhone’s R&R Short, and doesn’t have as many performance features, but you’re paying a slightly higher premium for its stylish design.
After testing Wellen’s Performance Swim Trunk, we found that it’s easily the most durable short on this list. Our editors appreciate the polyester-spandex blend fabric, which is stretchy, quick drying, and nearly tear proof. We’ve sported this during tropical hikes and extreme water sports, and found that the Performance Trunk held up to just about anything mother nature threw at it. We like the moisture-wicking liner, which is actually more comfortable than Rhone’s R&R short, but we did find it didn’t dry as quickly as Rhone’s short, and is a bit thicker than we’d prefer. Still, those are minor quibbles for a swim trunk as functional as this one.
Looks-wise, the Performance Trunk isn’t the most stylish of the bunch, and it’s not meant to be. It’s available in seven solid colors and two inseam options, all of which have a no-frills design. Though we have to say, because of its barebones aesthetics, the Performance Trunk looks a lot cleaner than your typical bulky hiking short. Wellen markets this as a multipurpose trunk that doubles as a gym short, and after putting it through the paces, we agree with that claim. While it’s not as breathable as Ten Thousand’s award-winning Interval Short, Wellen’s stretchy fabric moves easily through all sorts of workouts.
If you’re looking for a stylish, short swim trunk that won’t get you arrested for indecent exposure, Dany Del Mar’s The Stirata is your guy. Looks-wise, we love the ivory shade and multicolor stripes, which is striking and elongating. You don’t need a Baywatch body (though it does help!) to rock this, since it has a four-way stretch fabric that comfortably hugs your shape. Though editors who have worn this say to go a size up if you have a bit of a spare tire, since the waistband is a bit tighter than other trunks on this list.
Our editors found that its synthetic fabric is lightweight-yet-sturdy, and dries quickly. For a small short, we were impressed by its side pockets, which are discreet but have enough space to store your phone and hotel keys. In other words, the Stirata’s short inseam and striking design are meant to turn heads in the best way possible.
You don’t have to spend a lot for a great swim short. Take this trunk from the GAP, which has a relaxed fit and six-inch inseam that flatters most guys. We love the nautical-striped style, which makes your legs look longer, and dresses up a basic T-shirt or camp shirt. You probably won’t actually use the snap button flap pocket, but it adds a cool retro vibe. We’ve worn this at bungalows, rooftops, and boats, and found that it works in just about any casual setting.
The Gap’s Swim Short has about as much stretch as pricier options on this list, and we found that its drawcord waist is pretty comfortable. Its breezy cut doubles down on the coziness factor, which makes it a great all-day fit. Yeah the GAP Swim Short is not the most stylish or durable pick on this list, but at this price point, you get a great cost-per-wear value.
Bonobos’ swim trunk is available in 15 (!!!) colorways and three inseam lengths, which means you’re bound to find a style that suits you. Our editors concluded that this yellow shade was the best of the bunch, since it’s a fun color that’s on-trend yet eternally stylish, and the blue liner adds a cool contrast. Naturally, we gravitated towards the seven-inch inseam since it’s a Goldilocks length, but we found that the 5-inch cut was also pretty flattering. We especially like the fit: it’s relaxed, but a bit more tailored than the GAP Swim short for a polished vibe.
Like most of the swim trunks on this list, the Riviera Swim Trunk is made with a polyester-spandex flex that offers a lot of mobility. Unlike other shorts, this one also has a UPF 50+ shell, which means another layer of protection from gnarly sun burns.
Read more: Best UPF Clothing
Yes, this is the most expensive option on our list, but we think Orlebar Brown's Bulldog Swim Trunk packs a big style flex that’s worthy of its higher price point. We love the curly jacquard pattern, which is very sharp and unexpected, and we guarantee you’ll be the only guy at the pool rocking this. Its gold fasteners add extra style points, and just looks super luxe. Meanwhile the Bulldog's six-inch inseam is universally flattering.
This swim trunk is made with 100% Nylon, which feels hefty and expensive, but doesn’t have the same four-way stretch fabric as other shorts on this list. But you’re not rocking this for comfort; the Bulldog is all about style. It looks amazing with just about any polo or camp shirt, but we recommend pairing this with the brand’s Jacquard tops for a five-star resort fit.
If you're swimming, surfing, or just moving around a lot in bathing suits, Stafford advises stretch as a must-have factor, since it allows a great fit and range of motion in and out of the water.
Waistbands should fit comfortably on your body, and a drawstring may help you to adjust the waist size if needed. Stafford recommends a full-elastic waistband with a drawcord because it ensures you keep your trunks on, even if you’re diving from the high dive. If you’re going for a snap closure, just make sure it’s not too tight with the ability to unsnap after one beer.
Obviously, cotton is a no-go—it gets way too heavy when met with water. Our fashion team recommends lightweight synthetic fabrics since they dry quickly and are usually fade-resistant to the sun and chlorine. These synthetic fabrics are ideal for underwater wear they won't get hefty and pull you down when drenched in water.
Lee Johnson, founder of West Coast clothing brand Old Bull Lee also doubles down on synthetic materials as the go-to. "Poly with the addition of stretch (Lycra, elastane) material is the most common with good reason—more comfortable, forgiving," he says. "Some brands use nylon instead of poly because it absorbs less water and does not get heavy as the waterproofing wears off over time, but nylon does not (take color) dye as deeply and vibrantly as poly."
Justin Berkowitz, men’s fashion director at Bloomingdale’s, recommends a back-to-basics style for men's swimwear. "I love a great print when it comes to swim trunks, but the key for me personally is choosing ones that tie back to the colors I traditionally wear regularly, so they fit more seamlessly into what I am packing for a vacation.
"Therefore, whether it's solid colors or patterns, it's best to go for those that stay true to your year-round style. For instance, if you don't traditionally wear bright colors, Berkowitz then wouldn't suggest starting with your swim trunks. "Rather, look for options that mirror the ones you have in your t-shirts, polos, and linen shirts."
At Men’s Health, our testing editors and writers always make sure to actually test and use the products ourselves before considering whether to include them. Therefore, rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience, and you can read more about our testing process here.
In addition, we have a whole fashion closet in our NYC office dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best and newest menswear products including swim trunks. We put them on stylish, fit guys to hear their opinions and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. And as style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to feel a product’s materials—even put it on ourselves for a spin—to test it.
Lastly, you can trust our opinions on shopping recommendations, whether it’s the products, styling tips, or trends. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollyan, but we also have a panel of style experts—including stylists, fashion influencers, designers, etc.—whom we regularly seek shopping guides from. Therefore, our product recommendations and buying tips are all driven by professional, expert opinions.
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