The best swim trunks for men have evolved far beyond the baggy, ballooning shorts that once turned every pool exit into a slapstick routine. In 2024, great men’s swim trunks are quick-drying, comfortable, flattering, and versatile enough to go from ocean dip to taco stand without making you look like you forgot half your outfit.
After reviewing expert-tested roundups, brand specifications, performance details, fabric construction, fit notes, and real-world style value, this guide narrows the field to 19 standout pairs. Some are built for surfing. Some are made for resort lounging. Some are so comfortable you may “accidentally” wear them to run errands, walk the dog, and sit through a suspiciously long airport delay.
The right pair depends on your body type, travel habits, water activity, and personal tolerance for prints involving pineapples. Below, you’ll find the best swim trunks for men in 2024, with clear recommendations for fit, inseam, fabric, liner style, and overall use.
How We Chose the Best Men’s Swim Trunks
To create this list, we looked for swim trunks that consistently appeared in expert reviews or offered standout features in their category. The main criteria included fast-drying fabric, comfortable liners, secure waistbands, useful pockets, chlorine and saltwater resistance, range of motion, style versatility, and durability. We also considered whether a pair could work beyond the pool, because nobody wants trunks that look great in the water but weirdly tragic at the beach bar.
Quick Buying Guide: What Makes Swim Trunks Worth It?
Inseam Length
A 5-inch inseam gives a shorter, athletic look. A 6- to 7-inch inseam is the safest everyday choice for most men. Longer 8- to 9-inch trunks lean toward boardshort territory and are better for surfing, paddleboarding, or guys who prefer more coverage.
Liner Type
Traditional mesh liners are light and simple, but some men find them scratchy. Boxer-brief liners offer more support and reduce chafing, especially for active beach days. Linerless trunks are great if you prefer wearing your own compression shorts underneath.
Fabric and Stretch
Look for recycled nylon, recycled polyester, spandex blends, four-way stretch, or water-repellent finishes. The best swim trunks dry quickly, move naturally, and do not cling like plastic wrap after one cannonball.
19 Best Swim Trunks for Men of 2024
1. Bather Classic Swim Trunk Best Overall
Bather’s Classic Swim Trunk is the rare pair that feels stylish without trying too hard. The 5.5-inch inseam lands in that sweet spot between modern and wearable, while the quick-drying recycled fabric, mesh lining, elastic waistband, and practical pockets make it easy to wear all day. It is polished enough for vacation photos and relaxed enough for actual swimming.
2. Patagonia Baggies 5-Inch Shorts Best All-Purpose Swim Trunks
Patagonia Baggies are technically shorts, spiritually swim trunks, and practically a summer uniform. Made from quick-drying recycled nylon with a mesh liner, they handle swimming, hiking, kayaking, and lazy backyard grilling. The 5-inch version has a sporty vintage look, while the durable construction makes them ideal for men who want one pair for everything.
3. Birdwell 310 Board Shorts Best Heritage Pick
Birdwell 310 Board Shorts are for men who want old-school surf authenticity without cosplay. Made in the USA from tough SurfNyl fabric, they have a classic button fly, adjustable tab closure, and a clean lifeguard-inspired shape. They are not the stretchiest trunks on this list, but they are among the most timeless.
4. Orlebar Brown Bulldog Swim Shorts Best Tailored Swim Trunks
If James Bond packed swimwear for a Mediterranean lunch reservation, it would probably look like the Orlebar Brown Bulldog. These tailored mid-length swim shorts feature side fasteners, a refined cut, and a dressier silhouette than elastic-waist trunks. They are expensive, yes, but they also look like real shorts instead of pool equipment.
5. Bonobos Riviera Recycled Swim Trunks Best Everyday Fit
Bonobos Riviera Recycled Swim Trunks are a reliable crowd-pleaser. The recycled polyester blend includes stretch, the waistband is easy to adjust, and the prints range from classic to playful without entering “uncle at the luau” territory. They are a smart pick for men who want comfort, color options, and a modern but forgiving fit.
6. Vuori Cruise Boardshort Best Performance Boardshort
Vuori’s Cruise Boardshort brings the brand’s activewear DNA to the water. With four-way stretch, quick-drying fabric, mesh drainage pockets, and recycled content, it works well for swimming, beach volleyball, light surfing, and travel. The streamlined shape also makes it more wearable than oversized boardshorts from the early 2000s, which deserve a quiet retirement.
7. Fair Harbor Bayberry Trunk Best Liner Comfort
Fair Harbor made its name by solving one of swimwear’s greatest crimes: uncomfortable mesh liners. The Bayberry Trunk uses a soft built-in BreezeKnit-style liner, stretch fabric, a classic 7-inch inseam, and quick-dry construction. It is ideal for long beach days, especially if chafing has previously tried to ruin your personality.
8. Lululemon Swim Short 5-Inch Lined Best Athletic Swim Trunks
Lululemon’s lined swim shorts are designed for guys who treat vacation like a light triathlon. They dry quickly, move well, and have the clean, minimal look Lululemon does best. The 5-inch inseam feels athletic and modern, making these a strong option for pool laps, resort gyms, and spontaneous dock jumps.
9. Chubbies Classic Swim Trunks Best Fun Swim Trunks
Chubbies swim trunks are built for men who believe summer should not be beige. The brand is known for bright prints, elastic waistbands, drawstrings, stretch fabrics, and liner options ranging from traditional mesh to boxer-brief styles. They are comfortable, playful, and perfect for pool parties where subtlety has not been invited.
10. Ten Thousand Set Short Best Swim-to-Gym Hybrid
The Ten Thousand Set Short is for men who want one short that can survive a swim, workout, hike, and airport sprint. Its hydrophobic quick-dry shell, integrated compression liner, salt and chlorine resistance, and athletic build make it one of the most versatile hybrid shorts available. It looks sporty, not beachy, which is exactly the point.
11. Outerknown Apex Trunks by Kelly Slater Best for Surfing
Designed with serious surf performance in mind, Outerknown Apex Trunks are lightweight, stretchy, and built for movement. They are best for men who actually plan to get in the waves rather than simply hold a coconut drink near them. The sustainable materials and technical construction make them a premium choice for active watermen.
12. Vilebrequin Moorea Swim Trunks Best Luxury Resort Trunks
Vilebrequin’s Moorea trunks are a luxury classic, known for bold prints, resort-ready styling, and a relaxed fit. They are not the cheapest way to enter a pool, but they do make every pool feel slightly more Saint-Tropez. Choose these if you care about vacation style as much as water performance.
13. Rhone Fletcher Swim Trunk Best Polished Performance Trunk
Rhone’s swimwear blends quick-dry performance with a cleaner, more grown-up look. The Fletcher-style trunk is a good match for men who want stretch, mobility, and a sharp fit without loud graphics. It works well for travel because it can pass as casual shortwear when paired with a linen shirt or simple tee.
14. J.Crew 6-Inch Swim Trunk in Recycled Nylon Best Preppy Classic
J.Crew’s 6-inch recycled nylon swim trunk is exactly what many men picture when they think of a classic swimsuit: elastic waist, drawstring, mesh lining, side pockets, and a clean fit. The 6-inch inseam is friendly to most body types, and the styling feels timeless rather than trend-chasing.
15. Speedo Marina or Volley Swim Trunks Best Budget Athletic Option
Speedo remains a trusted swim brand for a reason. Its men’s trunks and volley-style shorts are often lightweight, practical, and water-focused, making them a strong value choice for lap swimmers, vacationers, and anyone who wants function first. The styling is usually simple, which is great if your swimwear philosophy is “please do the job.”
16. Nautica Quick-Dry Swim Trunks Best Affordable Classic
Nautica quick-dry trunks are easy to find, easy to wear, and usually budget-friendly. They often come with familiar features like drawstring waists, mesh liners, side pockets, and classic nautical prints. They are not the most technical trunks here, but for casual pool days and family vacations, they deliver dependable value.
17. Abercrombie Swim Trunks Best Modern Budget Style
Abercrombie’s newer swim trunks offer a cleaner, more elevated look than the brand’s old mall-era reputation might suggest. Expect shorter inseams, simple colors, seasonal prints, and fits that feel modern without being extreme. They are a smart pick for men who want stylish trunks without luxury pricing.
18. Tommy Bahama Naples Swim Trunks Best Vacation Print
Tommy Bahama’s Naples swim trunks are built for the man who hears steel drums when he opens his suitcase. With relaxed fits, island-inspired patterns, quick-dry fabrics, drawstring waists, and practical pockets, they are perfect for cruises, resorts, and beach vacations where the dress code is “comfortable but festive.”
19. Mack Weldon Swim Trunk Best Minimalist Trunk
Mack Weldon’s swim trunks are a strong choice for men who prefer clean lines, solid colors, and understated design. The brand is known for everyday basics with better fabric and fit, and its swimwear follows the same logic. These trunks are not loud, flashy, or complicatedwhich is exactly why many men will like them.
Best Swim Trunks by Category
Best Overall
Bather Classic Swim Trunk wins for its balance of style, comfort, and wearability. It is not too short, not too long, not too loud, and not boring. That is harder to achieve than it sounds.
Best for Active Men
Ten Thousand Set Short, Vuori Cruise Boardshort, Lululemon Swim Short, and Outerknown Apex are the strongest choices for swimming, training, surfing, and movement-heavy travel.
Best for Vacation Style
Orlebar Brown, Vilebrequin, Tommy Bahama, and Bonobos are excellent picks if your trunks need to look good in photos, restaurants, and beach clubsnot just while floating in hotel-pool silence.
Best Value
Nautica, Speedo, Abercrombie, J.Crew, and Patagonia offer some of the best combinations of price, durability, and everyday usefulness. They prove you do not need to spend designer money to avoid tragic swimwear.
How to Choose the Right Swim Trunks for Your Body Type
If you are shorter, try a 5- to 6-inch inseam to make your legs look longer. If you are taller, a 6- to 7-inch inseam usually looks balanced. Athletic builds can handle shorter cuts and stretch fabrics, while bigger guys may prefer structured trunks with a flat front, secure waistband, and darker solid colors. That does not mean prints are off-limitsjust choose prints with intention, not panic.
For slimmer men, avoid trunks that are too wide through the leg, because excess fabric can look like a deflated parachute. For muscular thighs, look for four-way stretch and a slightly wider opening. For travel, choose trunks that dry fast and look enough like shorts to wear with a tee or camp-collar shirt.
Care Tips: Make Your Swim Trunks Last Longer
Rinse your trunks after swimming in chlorine or saltwater. Hang them to dry instead of leaving them balled up in a bag like a swamp souvenir. Avoid harsh detergents and fabric softeners, which can damage water-repellent finishes and stretch fibers. If your trunks have a liner, wash them regularlysummer is fun, but hygiene is still invited.
Real-World Experience: What Wearing Great Swim Trunks Actually Teaches You
The biggest lesson from testing and comparing men’s swim trunks is that the “best” pair is rarely the loudest, most expensive, or most technical. It is the pair you forget you are wearing. Great swim trunks do not pinch at the waist, balloon underwater, sag when wet, or announce themselves with a liner that feels like it was engineered by a sandpaper enthusiast.
On a beach day, small details matter quickly. A secure back pocket becomes useful when you need to carry a hotel key. Mesh drainage pockets prevent your shorts from holding half the ocean. A waistband that stays put saves you from performing an accidental public comedy routine after diving into a wave. Fast-drying fabric is the difference between walking into a restaurant comfortably and sitting on a chair while creating a suspicious damp outline.
For travel, the most useful trunks are the ones that double as shorts. Patagonia Baggies, Bather trunks, Bonobos Riviera, Vuori Cruise, and Ten Thousand Set Shorts all work well because they are not limited to the water. You can wear them to breakfast, the beach, a hike, and a casual dinner if you style them correctly. Add a plain white tee, linen button-down, leather sandals, or clean sneakers, and suddenly you look prepared rather than underdressed.
Liners are another surprisingly personal issue. Some men love the simplicity of classic mesh. Others prefer boxer-brief liners because they reduce chafing and feel more supportive. Fair Harbor and Chubbies have helped popularize softer liner options, while Ten Thousand leans into performance compression. If you have ever walked a mile in wet trunks with a bad liner, you know this is not a minor detail. It is a tiny fabric democracy happening in a very sensitive region.
Prints also behave differently in real life than they do online. A small geometric print can look sophisticated. A giant flamingo print can be fun at a bachelor party and slightly confusing at a quiet resort breakfast. Solids in navy, black, olive, red, and dusty blue are the safest choices. Tropical prints, stripes, and retro patterns work best when the rest of the outfit stays simple.
The final experience-based takeaway is simple: own more than one pair. One classic solid, one active hybrid, and one fun vacation print will cover almost every summer situation. Swim trunks are small, easy to pack, and wildly useful. Bring two on a trip, and you will thank yourself when one pair is still drying from yesterday’s “quick swim” that somehow turned into four hours and a sunburn shaped like regret.
Final Verdict
The best swim trunks for men of 2024 combine comfort, quick-drying performance, useful pockets, and a fit that makes you feel confident without trying too hard. Bather is the best overall choice for most men. Patagonia Baggies are the best all-purpose option. Orlebar Brown wins for tailored sophistication, while Fair Harbor stands out for liner comfort. For active days, Ten Thousand, Vuori, Lululemon, and Outerknown are hard to beat.
Whether you want classic, athletic, luxury, budget-friendly, or wildly printed swim trunks, the perfect pair should make summer easier. And ideally, it should dry before your iced coffee starts sweating harder than you do.
