The Best Men’s Swim Trunks Getting Us Excited for Summer
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Swim trunk season is here. If you’re thinking of refreshing your swimwear this year (we always like to), then you’re in luck: Shopping for men’s swim trunks has never been more fun. Why? Because there are a ton of options to choose from, and, more importantly, the best men’s swim trunks are now totally usable for dry activities as well as wet ones. Many modern pairs of swim trunks can be worn like normal shorts — whether you’re running errands on a hot day or working out.
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While there are some fantastic do-everything swim shorts, there are still plenty of throwback swimsuits, stylish designer trunks (for the luxury resort vibe), and high-performance board shorts for surfing. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite men’s swim trunks to buy right now with picks for every activity and personal style.
In This Article
The Best Men’s Swim Trunks
Swim Trunks Buying Guide
The Best Men’s Swim Trunks
Editor’s Pick: Vuori Banks Short
Best for Surfing: Outerknown Apex Trunks
Minimal Style: Marda Mid-Length Swim Shorts
Best Board Shorts: Quiksilver Scallop Board Shorts
Best Hybrid Shorts: Patagonia Baggies
Most Comfortable: Lululemon Pool Short
Best Pattern Trunks: Abercrombie & Fitch Pull-On Swim Trunk
Vintage Style: Dandy Del Mar Stirata Swim Shorts
Designer Pick: Orlebar Brown Bulldog Swim Shorts
1. Vuori Banks Short
California-based brand Vuori has quickly made a name for itself with do-anything hybrid Banks shorts. These Banks shorts are some of the brand’s best with a stretchy, water-resistant fabric. They’re ready for errand running, relaxing, surfing, and everything in between. Plus, they’re made of recycled material and ethically produced, which is always nice.
Vuori Banks Short
2. Outerknown Apex Trunks
These Apex Trunks from Outerknown were developed, tested, and worn by 11-time world surfing champ Kelly Slater. If they’re good enough for the greatest surfer of all time, they’re more than good enough for us. The shorts boast several high-performance features, including an ultra-lightweight four-way stretch fabric, welded seams, a double-bonded butt, and a sophisticated drainage system. In short, Outerknown and Slater have thought of everything. If you plan on surfing in board shorts any time soon, just buy these right now.
Outerknown Apex Trunks
3. Marda Mid-Length Swim Shorts
We didn’t expect the Danes to make great swim trunks (see: cold water), but Marda proved us wrong. The young swimwear brand is making some of the best men’s swim trunks using premium, sustainable materials and handsome, classic looks. These mid-length swim shorts sit in the middle thigh, feature a comfortable draw-string waist, and work best for pool-side lounging. Plus, Marda offers fast international shipping to the US.
Marda Swim Shorts
4. Quiksilver Original Scallop 18″ Boardshorts
Another excellent pair of shorts for surfing is Quiksilver’s Scallop board shorts. The namesake shape is a throwback to scalloped hems seen in the Seventies — a style invented by Quiksilver to give surfers more mobility. In the 21st century, the scalloped hem has retained its functionality and gained considerable style points. Of course, the new iteration of the board shorts are an evolution of those from the Seventies with extra stretchy, fast-drying fabric.
Quiksilver Scallop Board Shorts
5. Patagonia Baggies
These Patagonia Baggies have been our go-to shorts for over a year — whether we’re getting in the water or not. As the name suggests, they’re loose and comfortable, but thanks to a 100 percent water-resistant nylon construction, they’re tough enough for everything from hiking to surfing. They also come in two lengths (five-inch or seven-inch inseam) and a ton of colors, ranging from subdued to bold. In other words, you’ll probably end up with multiple pairs in your vacation bag.
Patagonia Baggies
6. Lululemon Pool Short
Lululemon might be known for its yoga gear, but the brand makes some fantastic hybrid swim trunks too. Take these Pool Shorts: they’re made of a stretchy, lightweight fabric that repels water and dries quickly. This means you can easily kill it at morning yoga and then go straight to the beach or pool. Plus, they come in a few unique colors, such as this “Sunbeam” or “Dahlia Mauve”.
Lululemon Pool Short
7. Abercrombie & Fitch Pull-On Swim Trunk
Abercrombie & Fitch has made a quiet comeback with some refined, vintage-inspired pieces. These pull-on swim trunks are a great example of the brand’s newfound cool, featuring bold patterns and a comfortable polyester build. The inseam measures five inches, and we’re big fans of the shorts in this blue and white mosaic pattern.
Abercrombie & Fitch Swim Trunk
8. Dandy Del Mar Stirata Trunks
Inspired by alcohol and cigarette ads of the Sixties and Seventies, Dandy Del Mar brings a warm-weather vibe worth aspiring to this year. Among their pieces are these Stirata trunks, seen here in a “Rosado” colorway. The shorts feature a durable, flexible nylon-spandex build, easy side pockets, and back darts for a flattering fit.
Dandy Del Mar Stirata Trunks
9. Orlebar Brown Bulldog Swim Shorts
Orlebar Brown might be based out of rainy London, but the brand makes some of the best men’s swim trunks in the world. All of its shorts, including these Bulldog Shorts, showcase bold, experimental pattern work at its finest. These Bulldog trunks feature a funky multi-color print that’s sure to turn some heads at the pool or beach.
Orlebar Brown Bulldog Shorts
Swim Trunks Buying Guide
Finding that perfect pair of swim trunks will take a bit of searching. Below are a few things to look at while shopping our picks.
Length: Men’s swim trunks are currently in an odd (but good) trend where any leg length goes. Longer trunks, which typically have around a seven-inch inseam and hit the knee, are good as multipurpose shorts. They’re long enough for hiking, wearing around town or surfing. Mid-length shorts, which usually have a five-inch inseam, are the Goldilocks pick because they’re short enough for serious relaxation but still wearable in multiple situations. Short swim trunks (shorter than a five-inch inseam) are a fun pick for some throwback vibes.
Material: Look for fabric that’s lightweight, fast-drying, and durable when shopping for swim trunks. If you plan on using your trunks for surfing or exercising, a bit of stretch is also necessary. Generally, you’ll see polyester used for lounge-y swim trunks, nylon for durable hybrid shorts, and a blend of multiple fabrics for more high-performance shorts
Waist: Drawstring and snap closure trunks are often best for achieving a perfect fit. You’ll sometimes see snap-closure swim trunks as well, which aim for a more chic, streamlined look but can’t be adjusted very much.
Pattern: The best swim trunks do a balancing act between boldness and versatility. Ideally, you’ll be able to wear your new shorts with all kinds of sneakers, tees, and Hawaiian shirts in your wardrobe. But we’re also big believers in the power-statement swim trunks because they’re just plain fun (not to mention stylish).
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