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Best Swim Trunks for Men 2026
Swim trunk season has commenced, and no matter what’s on your agenda in the upcoming months (be it lounging by the pool, marg in hand; finally putting some mileage on your surfboard; or snorkeling above a remote reef), the best swim trunks for men are guaranteed to help you look fly and stay comfortable, in and out of the water.
This is the kind of universally beloved men’s apparel that’s been spotted on everyone from Jay Z and Daniel Craig to Matthew McConaughey and Leo DiCaprio — gracing yachts, private pool areas, and beach volleyball courts, in conversation with dad bods and shredded physiques alike.
Judging by Cary Grant’s expression on the set of Room for One More, the right pair of swim trunks can make you feel absolutely ecstatic.
Graphic House/Archive Photos/Moviepix/Getty Images
To lock down the swim trunk pair that’s going to make you feel like the king of the sandcastle, there are a few key factors to take into consideration. They include the presence of specialized fabrics that work to reduce chafing (because there’s nothing worse than the sensation of wet clothes rubbing against skin); stylistic versatility that will help the threads adapt just as well to aquatic settings as to more formalized ones; whether or not the shorts have pockets for keeping your valuables safe-slash-dry; and if said pockets are complemented by liners, effectively draining water while letting you go commando.
When it comes to the best swim trunk brands on the market, our favorites run the gamut from the high-end (we see you, Vilebrequin!) to the vibrant and fun-loving (think matching Chubbies with the boys on spring break). Find them all below, and think of them as the essential recipe for having a damn incredible summer.
most luxurious
Vilebrequin x 3.Paradis Eden Swim Trunks
Paying top dollar (read: over $400) for swim trunks is only worth it if you’re getting an ROI in the form of no one else on the beach owning the same pair. This will be the case with Vilebrequin’s Eden style, made in collaboration with luxury Parisian fashion house 3.Paradis.
Sure to be appreciated by every Dalí and Magritte enthusiast, the shorts nod to the spirit of Saint-Tropez and come with practical specs like drainage ports at the back, sparing you from being compared to a balloon; a fully recycled and water-resistant mesh lining; as well as not two but three convenient pockets.
Pair with a structured white tee or go completely sans shirt. We especially endorse the latter.
most high-tech
Vuori Cruise Boardshorts
Activewear darling Vuori has come out with a made-for-action boardshort whose every next feature is better than the last. We’re talking four-way stretch, quick-drain pockets, recycled fabric, scalloped leg openings manufactured with your ease of movement in mind, and seven- or five-inch inseam alternatives.
Aesthetics-wise, this purchase is a looker — allowing you to select from a slew of designs like the pictured, nature-inspired Meadow Juniper, floral and modern Frost Grey Fleur, or a straightforward, solid black. (That price tag encourages snagging the just-released Cruise Boardshort in multiples, mixing and matching colorways based on your summer itinerary.)
most tailored
Orlebar Brown Boxer Seersucker Swim Trunks
Hugh Jackman–approved British resortwear label Orlebar Brown was founded on the premise of creating swim styles that can be taken from the beach to a restaurant: no changing room required. Tailored, elevated, and trend-aware, its swim trunks specifically have exploded in popularity when the James Bond donned them in Skyfall.
But this Boxer Seersucker model is more than just hype — epitomizing the excellence of Portuguese craftsmanship with its shiny nickel touches on the drawcord, eyelet, and back zip pocket; pleasing-on-the-eyes seersucker stripe (that you can also snag in blue, red, or the quiet-luxury Walnut); and relaxed fit, able to accommodate your most vigorous breaststroke.
Orlebar Brown sums it up best by claiming that the Boxer Seersucker boasts “laid-back charm without ever feeling casual.”
most personality
Chubbies The Apex Swimmers Swim Trunks
Chubbies’ highest-rated swim trunk type is the Lined Classic: stretchy, equipped with a built-in boxer brief liner, and not too short (though the brand is known for singlehandedly reviving men’s shorty shorts).
Fueled by a “Friday at 5 p.m.” energy, this Apex Swimmers offering’s print makes shark-infested waters a good thing. Other wins? Its durable polyester-and-spandex blend; anti-chafe, visually contrasting liner; and “impossibly stretchy” status, per Chubbies. Choose between an inseam length of four, 5.5, or seven inches and a size ranging from XS to 3XL.
Your weekend-in-Miami OOTDs? Officially secured, thanks to the above hot (literally) commodity.
most retro
Bonobos Throwback Swim Trunks
“Just like your dad used to wear,” Bonobos says of these retro-coded, thigh-baring beauts. Distinguishing themselves from the crowd with an incognito, internal drawcord, the swim trunks also block UV rays — being part of an increasingly buzzy cohort of sun-protecting, UPF-rated clothing.
A four-inch inseam optimizes breathability, lightness, and lightheartedness. Only three shade choices (black, jade green, and a blue with pink trim), meanwhile, prevent analysis paralysis from standing in the way of you and your summer of style.
most coverage
Lululemon Beach to Trail Lined Shorts
It’s a time-tested truth: If you want attire that supports your most active days, you go to Lululemon. And its Beach to Trail Lined Shorts in particular are a no-brainer buy if you’re seeking versatile swim trunks to take, well, from the beach to the trail and back again in the coming weeks.
Lululemon’s overachieving Glyde fabric here is chlorine- and wind-resistant for good measure. A seven-inch length, with a three-inch liner, ensures everything above your knees stays sheltered from the elements. While this may look like any ol’ swim trunk selection, nothing could be further from the truth considering the bestseller’s quirks — like a hidden phone sleeve (who else will take that photo of your wife leaning on a palm tree?), a key loop, and silicone accents on the drawcord for added grippiness.
most patriotic
Gleeease Men’s Swim Trunks With Compression
Our country ’tis of thee is turning 250 this July, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a cold one on a pool float, wearing these affordable, under-$30 swim trunks from Amazon. Over 300 have been bought in the past month alone, according to the retailer, and this is also Amazon’s “Overall Pick” in the category: no small honor.
The patriotic style will inspire pitch-perfect renditions of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” and make you the talk of the country club. What it’s also good at? Keeping things tucked and tidy, courtesy of that compression lining; stowing your tech or sunnies in a secret pocket; and flattering your physique with a fit that knows a thing or two about men’s bodies.
This Americana arrival isn’t meant for just dipping your toes in the water. It wants to convince you to make a cannonball-level splash.
Most sustainable
Patagonia Wavefarer Boardshorts
A godsend for the watersports-inclined, Patagonia’s Wavefarer Boardshorts — sold at member-paradise REI — are crafted out of, wait for it, recycled fishing nets. Equal parts sustainable and qualified to take on heavier surf, the shorts have a water-repellent coating, double-lace drawstring closure that no ripcurrent can undo, self-draining pockets, and corrosion-averse zippers.
Lacking a liner, they nonetheless keep chafing and discomfort at bay — maximizing your enjoyment of all dawn patrols from hereon out.
most breathable
Nike Swim Breaker Essential Volley Shorts
A cross between swim trunks and casual shorts, volley shorts are traditional to beach volleyball, and Nike’s take is one you’ll have no problem cosigning. Streamlined, brief-lined, and, most importantly, short at just three inches, these bright-red babies are as apt of a fit for a few games on the sand as they are for grabbing frozen cocktails in town afterwards.
Blessed with an instantly recognizable Swoosh symbol, the Swim Breaker Essential Volley Shorts spotlight everything Nike is best at: including dressing you for athletic success and no shortage of compliments along the way.
most classic
Ralph Lauren Traveler Classic Swim Trunks
Everything Ralph Lauren touches turns to timeless, covetable gold, and this swim trunk style is proof of concept. You’ll never go wrong with its white-on-navy stripe, and that quintessential, embroidered pony logo at the hem treats the swimwear to even more classiness.
Fitting easy through the leg, the Traveler is elasticized and lined by a mesh brief. What’s more, it has a buttoned pocket at back and harnesses all the benefits of recycled materials (good for the planet, good on your skin). Every size is accompanied by a 5.75-inch inseam. If you ask us, that’s the sweet spot.
What to Look for When Buying Men’s Swim Trunks Online
So as not to foil your summer adventures, it’s important to put genuine thought and effort into shopping for swim trunks online. Below, we help make the process a (sea) breeze.
Inseam length: In the length department, the modus operandi of men’s swim trunks these days is “whatever floats your boat,” and for that we are grateful. Longer trunks hover somewhere around the seven-inch mark and are better suited for hiking, surfing, or biking around town after completing your morning laps. Swim trunks shorter than five inches read more laidback and retro while still being less showy than a Speedo. If you want nothing more than for your legs to appear proportional, a safe bet is swim trunks with hemlines that hit one or two inches above the knee. We’ve included a good mix of all of these options in our roundup.
Material: The most fool-proof material for swim trunks? Anything that’s blended with spandex, which guarantees multidirectional stretch, superior shape retention, a smooth underhand feel, and durability across many seasons of consistent wear. Fabric that’s fast-drying and not water-retaining is also a must. (That being said, always say “no” to cotton.)
Liner type: Many of the top swim trunks for men come with a liner layer that doles out comfort and kicks thigh friction to the curb. Some liners are mesh-based and thus naturally allow water to seep through — never weighing you down — and others are backed by built-in compression that can boost your performance (whether you’re riding waves or spiking balls). Wish your swim trunks could moonlight as a handy storage solution? It’s possible! Just buy a pair whose liner also features covert slip pockets.
Pockets: Speaking of pockets, zippered ones are best for resting assured that your valuables won’t make a new home on the ocean floor if they happen to slide out, but button-closure pockets are more stylish if you’re prioritizing looks. Drainage holes found in pockets are of special value in the world of swimwear for men, saving wearers from that unpleasant waterlogged feeling.
Aesthetic: Ideally, swim trunks should be masters at balancing wear-everywhere appeal with personality, meaning you can sport them alongside linen button-ups, Hawaiian shirts, flip-flops, sneakers, and all other staples in your summertime wardrobe… while looking anything but predictable. One aesthetic does not fit all, though, and the good news is that, in 2026, you have the freedom to pick from swim trunks swathed in American flags, cabana-evoking stripes, primary colors, sea creatures, designer patterns, and beyond. Dive right in.
