The Best Swim Trunks for Men of 2025

SWIM TRUNKS FOR men are the stuff of legend: they can be worn in or out of the water and make the ultimate beachside bottoms or everyday shorts. The best swim trunks for men today have a moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabric, four-way stretch for mobility, a flattering length, and an athletic fit. Finding the right one for you can be a challenge, which is why we’re here to help. Our team of fashion editors spent the past year trying and testing swim trunks to find options that blend comfort and style.

Best Swim Trunks for Men

Best Overall

Rhone R&R Trunk

After trying and testing more than 50 swim shorts, our fashion team landed on Rhone’s R&R Trunk as the best of the bunch, thanks to its timeless style, functional fabric, and flattering fit. We love the no-fuss design, with a tailored cut that’s not too baggy or slim. Coupled with the stretchy waistband, the fit looks great on most body types. It’s available in two inseams–5.5 and 7.5 inches. Our fashion director says to cop the longer length if you’re planning to use this beyond the beach, since it provides enough coverage while still hitting a couple inches above the knee for most men (our universal style recommendation for shorts). But if you want to really show off your summer leg gains, the shorter option’s your guy.

Best with Liner

Fair Harbor The Anchor Short

Just like most of the New York upstart’s duds, this swim trunk is timelessly stylish, functional, and provides great value. It’s available in a variety of solids and prints, but we’re big fans of the red stripe option, since it has a cool ‘80s vibe that pairs well with laidback T-shirts, tank tops, and more. What we love even more is the BreezeKnit liner—Fair Harbor’s soft, supportive alternative to traditional mesh liner found in swimwear. It provides a snug and comfortable feel, while keeping you cool as a cucumber all day long.

Best Pattern

Mack Weldon Swim Trunk

Sometimes, swim trunks with loud designs can be too in-your-face, but Mack Weldon went easy on this pair. It’s decked out with a dotted gradient pattern that adds a visual pop, without looking tacky. Our editors have worn this with a white polo to balance things out and works as a foolproof fit for beachside lunches. We especially like the fit: it’s relaxed, but slimmer than the Bather swim trunks for a more dressier vibe.

Like most of the swim trunks on this list, this version is made with a polyester-spandex flex that offers a lot of mobility. We could maintain a full range of motion through running, squatting and walking. During our testing, the mesh liner didn’t irritate our family jewels either. In fact, it was one of the more comfortable liners on the list.

What to Consider

Liner

If you’re performing heavy activities in swimsuits, consider doing without liners. Board shorts, for instance, aren’t made with liners for more wiggle room and comfort. Otherwise, liners should fit snugly, but should never be too tight or pinch your skin. Built-in mesh liners provide extra support to your down-there and keep everything in place as you move. Since it’s mesh, they’re also breathable and quick-drying.

Inseam

Shorts are getting shorter, and so are swim trunks. But you don’t have to chase trends. Typically, around 7 inches in inseam length is a universally flattering fit that hits a couple inches above the thigh. Though if you want to show off your quads, you can’t go wrong with a 5-inch inseam, either. If you’re looking at outseam lengths, 14-inch is more fashion forward, 17-inch is a casual mid-length, and 20-inch is as full coverage as you can get without wearing pants.

What Is the Best Material for Men’s Swim Trunks?

Obviously, cotton is a no-go—it gets way too heavy when met with water. Our fashion team recommends lightweight synthetic fabrics since they dry quickly and are usually fade-resistant to the sun and chlorine. These synthetic fabrics are ideal for underwater wear they won’t get hefty and pull you down when drenched in water.

Poly with the addition of stretch (Lycra, elastane) material is the most common with good reason—more comfortable, forgiving. Some brands use nylon instead of poly because it absorbs less water and does not get heavy as the waterproofing wears off over time, but nylon does not (take color) dye as deeply and vibrantly as poly.

What Else to Consider

Stretch

If you’re swimming, surfing, or just moving around a lot in bathing suits, Stafford advises stretch as a must-have factor, since it allows a great fit and range of motion in and out of the water.

Waistband

Waistbands should fit comfortably on your body, and a drawstring may help you to adjust the waist size if needed. We recommend a full-elastic waistband with a drawcord because it ensures you keep your trunks on, even if you’re diving from the high dive. If you’re going for a snap closure, just make sure it’s not too tight with the ability to unsnap after one beer.

How to Choose Colors and Prints for Men’s Swim Trunks

Choosing the right color and print for men’s swim trunks boils down to personal style, skin tone, body type, and occasion. If you prefer a more classic and versatile look, solid colors like navy, blue, or olive are excellent choices that can easily transition from the beach to casual outings. If you want something a bit more eye-catching, subtle patterns like stripes or small geometric prints add personality without being too loud. For those who like to stand out, bright colors, tropical florals, or retro-inspired prints make a strong statement, especially on an island.

Your skin tone can also guide your choice—fairer skin tones tend to work best with earth tones and pastels, while medium to tan skin pairs well with rich blues, corals, or reds. Darker tones can pull off almost any color, but bright neons and strong contrasts pop especially well. Body type plays a factor too—shorter guys might benefit from vertical stripes or a shorter inseam to create a lengthening effect, while taller guys can balance their frame with medium-to-long inseams and bold patterns. Athletic builds look great in solid colors and tailored fits that highlight their shape, whereas stockier builds might find that darker shades or micro-prints create a more streamlined look.

Lastly, think about where you’ll be wearing swim trunks. For pool parties and resort vacations, playful prints and vibrant hues add to the fun, while sporty designs with color-blocking work well for active beach days. If you’re looking for swim trunks that can double as everyday shorts, muted tones or subtle patterns offer the most versatility. Ultimately, the best choice is whatever makes you feel confident and comfortable.

Source: menshealth.com©