The Hybrid Water Shorts You Need This Summer Whether You’re Swimming, Hiking or Doing Anything In Between
Swimsuits you can wear from morning until night? Sounds convenient yet uncomfortable — no one wants to walk around feeling damp all day long. But, with the best water shorts to wear this summer, walking around wet will forever be a problem of the past.
Water shorts are essentially a hybrid swimsuit/summer short option ready to take on whatever the day may bring. They typically have a sporty yet beachy structure and are reliable for wearing the whole day through. Patterns and colors rarely get too wild the way the best swim trunks for men do, so they can match the majority of outfits you might put together this summer. Additionally, all of the best water shorts for men are quick-drying, which is a game-changer.
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If you’re the type of guy living an active lifestyle near the water, you need a pair of the best water shorts. There really are no ifs, ands or buts. Because they’re perfect for the kind of guy that spends the majority of his summer outdoors, you’ll never want to take them off. From your morning bike ride to breakfast with the fam to a swim in the ocean to a beer with your buddies, water shorts will have your back and look great on you no matter what you get up to.
Some of our favorite brands have gotten in on the water shorts trend just in time for summer such as Western Rise, Patagonia and Lululemon. If this new craze has peaked your fancy, check out some of the best water shorts for men below and get yours in time for summer now.
1. Mack Weldon Stratus Active Short
BEST OVERALL
Mack Weldon has done it again by creating one of our go-to articles of clothing that at this point, we’re almost drooling over. The Stratus Active Shorts are the perfect water shorts for summer. They aren’t technically listed as water shorts, but believe us, these babies are great for your active in-and-out of water lifestyle. Made with 37.5 Technology to keep you cool, dry and fresh, these are ideal for running and staying fit in the summer and great for a quick dip in the pool afterward. You can choose for your pair to be lined or unlined (with the unlined being $10 less) and colors are available in navy, black and grey.
Mack Weldon Stratus Active Short
2. Vuori Kore Short
RUNNER UP
Vuori knocked it out of the park with these bad boys, so let’s just say they almost made it to first place. They’re a true close second, if you will. The Kore Shorts are a comfortable all-day-wear pair made with recycled content and can be worn for playing any sports. Yup, soccer, basketball, running, swimming, the works. They have anti-odor and moisture-wicking material to keep you feeling fresh even after your toughest workouts and dry in a matter of minutes. With colors out the wazoo, we’re sure you’ll find the right pair for you.
Read more: Best Men’s Workout Shorts
Vuori Kore Short
3. Western Rise Boundless Short
BEST SEMI-FORMAL
The Western Rise Boundless Short is made for anything and everything summer-related. Experience all-day comfort from your morning hike to your afternoon swim to a casual outdoor date night with your boo and never change your shorts once. Unlike the majority of water shorts, these bad boys have a chino-like aesthetic that works well in semi-formal circumstances, which we really appreciate. They’ll easily replace your go-to swim trunks and khaki shorts at the exact same time, making them the wear-all this summer and each summer after it.
Western Rise Boundless Short
4. SAXX Kinetic Sport Shorts
Looking for the comfiest all-black shorts you can wear all day without any underwear? Yeah, we said it: it’s time to go commando, boys. The SAXX Kinetic Sport Shorts are built for all-day wear without underwear. How, you ask? Well, they’re included. They include SAXX’s famous underwear attached with their iconic, comfortable BallPark pouch to keep your jimmies snug and secure all day long. The shorts are lightweight to wear and have two hand pockets and a back zip pocket for keeping your stuff safe. Feel free to run, jump, swim or eat brunch in these. Whatever you’re doing, these shorts will do it with you. Our e-commerce editor Tyler Schoeber wore these last year every single time he went for a swim. “They dry super fast,” he says, “at this point, I seriously don’t know what I’d do without them.”
SAXX Kinetic Sport Shorts
5. Patagonia Baggies Short
BEST WATER-REPELLENT
Patagonia is known for its impressive line of good-looking, durable and reliable outerwear, so you should be in no way surprised that their Baggies Shorts are some of the best water shorts for men in 2021. They’re made from quick-drying, recycled nylon coated with a water-repellent finish, making them a sustainable pair of shorts that all dudes can get behind. The pockets, like your favorite swimsuit, are made of mesh so water will simply fall right through the holes. To top it off, there is an elasticized waistband for an easy fit every time.
Patagonia Baggies Short
6. Chubbies The World’s Grayest Shorts
BEST STRETCH
Let’s get stretchy. Never, ever rip your shorts again with Chubbies World’s Grayest Shorts. They’re made with 89% polyester and 11% spandex to give them that extra stretch your big booty has been waiting for so you can sit down and bend over without fear. The fabric is also completely durable and water-resistant, making them just as great for the pool that they are for a bar-hop sesh with the boys. These babies are short because we love short shorts over here, so your thighs are going to be out in these. They’re topped with both a button closure with an elasticized, drawstring waist for the best fit possible.
Chubbies The World’s Grayest Shorts
7. Lululemon Channel Cross Short
BEST FOR YOGA
All you yogis out there, it’s time to listen up: if you don’t yet own Lululemon’s Channel Cross Short, you’re missing out on some excellent beach-yoga-to-beach-swim moments. It’s only your loss, my guy. These shorts are perfect for stretching out in downward dog on the sand. They’re made with a water-repellent fabric designed for swimming and come in three handsome colors. Time to get that yoga mat out!
Read more: Best Board Shorts to Surf in All Summer Long
Lululemon Channel Cross Short
8. J.Crew Dock Short
BEST CHINOS
Chino shorts in 2021 should have a little bit of an elastic waist, right? Like, we have all gained a few over the course of the last year, no one needs to hide their gut with tight buttons right now. Therefore, these chino shorts are perfect for chino short lovers far and wide this summer. These babies make excellent everyday throw-ons no matter what you’re up to and look great paired with button-down shirts for beach walks, date nights and family dinners. They aren’t technically considered water shorts since they aren’t necessarily water-resistant, but they’ll get the job done if you take a dip in the pool.
J.Crew Dock Short
9. Standard Cloth Oliver Nylon Short
BEST COLOR
For those of you looking to add a pop of color to your wardrobe this summer, Standard Cloth from Urban Outfitters has your back. We love these quick-dry nylon shorts for both swimming or pulling a handsome look around town. They come in a variety of good-looking colors like teal, yellow and peach to help you stand out from the crowd, but we’ve been obsessed with these lilac ones forever now.
Standard Cloth Oliver Nylon Short
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