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The Best Men’s Swimwear for a Day in the Water

a man in swimming trunks stands on the beach looking at the water
Anna Jedynak/Shutterstock

We all love to leap into the pool, lake, or ocean, but it isn’t 1869 anymore, so you better suit up in a trusty pair of trunks for any water adventures. There’s much more to swimwear than we often give it credit for. The right pair can feel incredibly comfortable, allowing for much more use than just security in the water. If you’re in the market for a new pair of swim trunks, then here are a few options we think you should check out.

What to Look for in Your Next Pair of Trunks

Consider these factors when making a selection:

  • Comfort: First and foremost, you’re going to want your swimwear to bring you the utmost comfort while you’re in the water. Think about the most desirable qualities you’d want out of your trunks: lightweight construction, water-repellent properties, mobility. Overall, you want something that doesn’t get in the way while still offering protection.
  • Convenience: On the other end of what’s comfortable, you should also seek out options that know how to convenience you. Think about how what you may be doing on a particular day other than swimming. Will you think about running down the shoreline with little time to change? Then not only will you want a quick-drying pair of trunks, but you’ll want a pair that’s designed to stretch as such and that features pockets to hold the items you can’t leave behind.
  • Style: Lastly, don’t be afraid to seek out an option that’s unabashedly you. There are plenty of single-colored options that serve standard looks, and there’s nothing wrong with blending in. However, you can have even more fun in the water with a pair that’s daring and vibrant.

Fastest-Drying Pair: SILKWORLD Men’s Swim Trunks Quick-Dry Shorts with Pockets

A model wears a navy blue and white striped pair of polyester shorts that is 7 inches in length.

A sizable drawback to some swim trunks is how much water they absorb, leaving most men to deal with those terrible chills while outside of the pool. However, this pair of SILKWORLD Swim Trunks doesn’t have that problem simply because it doesn’t absorb water like ordinary swimwear does. This pair is designed from 100% water-resistant polyester material for a soft and dry fit that prevents chafing inside and outside of the water.

Fastest-Drying Pair

SILKWORLD Men's Swim Trunks Waterproof Bathing Suit Quick Dry Shorts with Pockets,c_Fish,X-Small

A super-soft piece of men's swimwear that avoids excess absorption of water via water-resistant materials.

Most Unique Patterns: Tipsy Elves Men’s Summer Swim Trunks

A vibrant pair of pink trunks that features bright blue cartoon piranhas and a white drawstring.

Looking for something outside of those tired solid-colored shorts? Something with as much personality as yourself? These Tipsy Elves Men’s Swim Trunks are available in nine standout designs that are each as colorful, odd, and funny as the other. Animated piranhas on a pink wash not your type of swimwear? How about neon-lit Tikki cocktails and tropical fruit or prowling tigers against navy blue? There’s a playful design for every kind of guy.

Most Unique Patterns

Tipsy Elves Black Neon Nightcap Classic Fit 7 Inch Inseam Swim Trunks for Men Size Small

These polyester trunks are available in nine exciting prints and feature a drawstring closure for an assured fit.

Best Short Trunks: SILKWORLD Men’s Quick-Dry Swim Trunks

A model wears a baby blue pair of swim trunks with black elastic band and a three-inch inseam.

In addition to being water-resistant, SILKWORLD also knows how to churn out a delightfully retro piece of swimwear. This pair of Quick-Dry Swim Trunks features a 3-inch inseam because you worked too hard on those quads to just tuck them away. It’s a piece of swimwear that harkens back to those bold and mustachioed men who used to strut around the shoreline bearing it all. Despite the shorter length, these shorts still feature dual side pockets and a zip pocket on the rear.

Best Short Trunks

SILKWORLD Men's Quick Dry Swim Trunks Solid Swimsuit Sports Shorts with Back Zipper Pockets, Army Green, X-Small

A 3-inch inseam pair of nylon trunks with two side pockets and a rear zipper.

Best Liner-Free: SHEKINI Men’s Swim Trunks

A model places their hand into the left side pocket of a yellow pair of polyester trunks.

Most swim trunks you’ll come across tend to feature a mesh liner in replacement of underwear. While that’s always well-intentioned, some men can find the webbing to be an uncomfortable safety measure, so these SHEKINI Men’s Swim Trunks let you coast by without the liner and allow for you to wear your own. It’s a no-nonsense pair of trunks, the type that balances lightweight construction with just enough thickness. It’s also available in eight solid color choices and one graphic design.

Best Liner-Free Pair

SHEKINI Men's Swim Trunks Quick Dry Slim fit Lightweight Beach Shorts with Pockets (Small (Waist:28"), Sky Blue - No Mesh Lining)

An easy-going pair of swim trunks that allows you to choose how you want to swim around.

Best Sportswear: Fort Isle Men’s Swim Trunks and Workout Shorts

A 7-inch pair of red fabric trunks with a black drawstring.

Another simple, easy-on-the-eyes piece of swimwear that works well in the water and out in public, too, this pair of Fort Isle Men’s Swim Trunks is designed for the active lifestyle. It features a four-way stretch fabric that allows users to move and flex in any direction with little pushback. Go from the pool to the bike to the gym without ever having to change shorts, especially given the pair’s moisture-wicking performance.

Best Sportswear

Fort Isle Mens Swim Trunks 7 inch Inseam | Mens Swimming Trunks and Beach Shorts | Mens Swim Shorts | Men's Swimwear | Mens Bathing Suits Gray

A stylish and multifaceted pair of trunks that's designed for most types of outdoor activities.

Hollis Mills Hollis Mills
Hollis Mills is a freelance journalist and a content writer for LifeSavvy. He has a bachelor's degree in English literature, and as an undergraduate at Texas A&M University, Hollis wrote and edited for the nationally recognized student newspaper, The Battalion. When he's not writing, you can find him complaining about Boston Celtics basketball or giving plenty of peanut butter biscuits to his always-hungry Catahoula dog, Blue. Read Full Bio »
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