The Best Men’s Swim Trunks Of 2025, Tested In And Out Of The Water

Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: 80% nylon, 20% spandex | Colors: 9 total, including Black and Range Blue | Length: 5 inches, 7 inches

What you’ll love:

• Two zippered side pockets
• Thick elastic waistband
• Option without a compression liner

Keep in mind:

• The style runs small

Ten Thousand makes a variety of shorts for hardcore workouts and rugged outdoor adventure, and its durable Tactical Short is specifically for wet and dry pursuits. Designed with a team of athletes, the styles have a built-in compression liner that our tester found “supportive and soft.” The trunks also feature a water-repellent shell, quick-drying fabric and lightweight construction, which makes them ideal for training in the pool or gym, outdoor workouts and travel. 

“These best-in-class shorts were some of my favorites,” our tester says. “The technical fabric was airy and dried quickly.” However, he also found one limitation, noting, "The front pockets are positioned awkwardly, making them tough to use.”

Sizes: S to 3XL | Materials: 88% recycled polyester, 12% spandex | Colors: 23 total, including Seapine and Light Blue | Length: 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches

What you’ll love:

• Performance fabric with 4-way stretch
• Fabric dries quickly and is odor-resistant
• Knit liner doesn’t cause chafing

Keep in mind:

• Materials may be too lightweight for some

Fair Harbor has some of the most versatile swim trunks on the market, the majority of which have sleek elastic waistbands. The Anchor is one of the brand’s most popular styles, offering various inseam lengths and a drawcord waist. “I liked the comfortable elastic waistband, and the liner didn’t cause any chafing while swimming,” says our tester. “The recycled material dried quickly, and the back pocket had a zipper, which was nice for keeping small belongings safe." This suit also has two side pockets that drain easily and a mesh-free knit liner that’s supportive but breathable. These shorts also earn points for sustainability—they’re made using recycled water bottles. The only downside, according to our tester, was that the material felt a bit too lightweight for him.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: Exterior: 92% recycled polyester, 8% spandex; Liner: 90% polyester, 10% spandex | Colors: 10 total, including Sunset Wave and Charcoal Dot | Length: 5 inches, 7 inches

What you’ll love:

• Boxer brief lining is supportive, soft and stretchy
• Internal phone pocket for when you’re not in the water
• Elastic bungee cord key loop

Keep in mind:

• Style runs small
• Limited colors

It’s hard to find shorts that can transition seamlessly from wearing around town to the gym to the water, but this versatile pair adapts easily and looks good, too. They’re made from a 4-way stretch poly blend that dries quickly and feature well-placed pockets that actually hold things. The lining won’t cause chafing whether you’re exercising outside or relaxing on the beach. You’ll also find a phone pocket to stash your cell while you’re on land. “Overall, this is a really comfortable and durable suit,” says our tester. “The front pockets are deep enough to be functional so that my belongings didn’t fall out easily.” 

This pair also has two welt pockets at the hips, a patch pocket in back and a bungee loop for your keys. Our tester did have one gripe, however: “One sort of ‘meh’ detail was the traditional drawstring elastic waistband—I felt like it could’ve been upgraded,” he says.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: Recycled nylon, recycled polyester tricot mesh | Colors: 16 total, including Tidepool Blue and Pollinator Orange | Length: 5 inches

What you’ll love:

• Fabric is extremely quick to dry
• Internal drawcord and mesh liner
• Three deep pockets hold a phone and other large items

Keep in mind:

• Fit can be too oversized for some

You can find cheaper swim trunks out there, but not ones that are as well made as Patagonia’s bestselling “baggies,” which have a 5-inch inseam and a rugged design. They’re cut from quick-drying 100% post-consumer recycled nylon in a style that can be worn in the water and out, as regular shorts. “The deep pockets were big enough to hold my phone and keys without them falling out,” says our tester. “Like their name says, though, these are a baggy fit, which I don’t love as much as something slightly more streamlined.” They come in a variety of colors and have a drawstring waist plus mesh pockets to drain water and hold small essentials while you’re on the go.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: 85% recycled polyester, 15% spandex | Colors: 30 total, including Deep Blue and Sea Green Happy Hour | Length: 5 inches, 7 inches, 9 inches

What you’ll love:

• Fabric has a UPF 50+ rating
• Three pockets total (two side and one back pocket with a hook-and-loop closure)
• 30 colors and patterns to choose from

Keep in mind:

• Some reviewers say the interior liner is longer than they’d like

Bonobos’s swim trunks are made to fit all body types. They come in three inseam lengths (5, 7 and 9 inches), multiple sizes (up to 2XL) and a variety of prints and solids with a pull-on elastic waistband. The Riviera is a top seller—and for good reason. The trunks feature an exterior drawcord, boxer-brief style jersey mesh liner and flat pockets. “I found it to be pretty comfortable—the biker short style inner mesh liner fit well without causing chafing, and it dried quickly when I finished swimming,” says our tester. If he could change one thing, he’d upgrade it with a more forgiving drawcord at the waist for more comfort.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: 52% recycled polyester, 48% elastomultiester | Colors: 6 total, including Club Blue and Lavender Frost | Length: 5 inches, 7 inches

What you’ll love:

• Stretchy, chlorine-resistant fabric
• Back zippered pocket has a drainage hole and key loop
• Hidden phone sleeve

Keep in mind:

• Style runs small for some
• Unlined design 

Lululemon combines technical, water-resistant fabrics with streamlined fits that suit a range of body types and sit comfortably on the hips. The Swim Shorts, for example, have breathing room for glutes and thighs and pocket perforations to drain water (so you don’t emerge from a swim sporting overly soggy shorts). While our tester tried a slightly different pair, the fabric is similar here, which he describes as “both lightweight and stretchy, so [the trunks] transitioned well from gym to the pool.” 

Sizes: 28 to 38 | Materials: 45% recycled polyester, 45% polyester, 10% elastane | Colors: 9 total, including Deep Sea Colorblock and Black | Length: 7.5 inches

What you’ll love:

• Moisture-wicking fabric has plenty of stretch
• Mesh pockets and adjustable drawcord

Keep in mind:

• Unlined design
• The pockets are visible through the fabric when wet

Activewear brand Vuori makes boardshorts for guys on the go. The Cruise Boardshort is made with water-wicking, partially recycled fabric that moves with you while also repelling sweat and odor. “I like that the fabric is lightweight with stretch, which made them comfortable to move and swim in despite the fact they didn’t have an elastic waistband,” says our tester. A drawstring waist gives you extra mobility, and the muted color options offer a toned-down alternative to bright hues. Our tester didn’t love, however, “that the pockets were visible through the fabric when the suit was wet, and the care label was stiff and scratchy.”

Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: 90% recycled nylon, 10% spandex | Colors: 11 total, including Navy and Black | Length: 5 inches

What you’ll love:

• Soft Portuguese fabric has a slightly crinkled appearance
• Three pockets total and a key loop
• Fine mesh liner

Keep in mind:

• Fit may be too oversized for some

Todd Snyder’s swim shorts can easily double as wear-all-day shorts that take you from surfing at the beach to dinner and drinks. The Montauk has a fine mesh liner and is made from a recycled nylon blend with stretch for comfort and movement. “This style has a traditional-looking mesh liner, but the construction didn’t cause chafing,” says our tester. “It dries quickly and has nice front pockets that aren’t bulky.” It comes in eight classic shades and hits mid-thigh, which is a versatile length for most guys. Our tester’s only concern: "The elastic waistband was too exaggerated for my taste, with a long drawstring tie,” he says.