11 Swim Trunks You Won’t Want to Take Off After the Beach

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Swim trunk season is here. If you’re thinking of refreshing your swimwear this year (we always like to), then you’re in luck: Shopping for men’s swim trunks has never been more fun. Why? Because there are a ton of options to choose from, and, more importantly, the best men’s swim trunks are now totally usable for dry activities as well as wet ones. Many modern pairs of swim trunks can be worn like normal shorts — whether you’re running errands on a hot day or working out.

At a Glance: The Best Men’s Swim Trunks of 2024

While there are some fantastic do-everything swim shorts, there are still plenty of throwback swimsuits, stylish designer trunks (for the luxury resort vibe), and high-performance board shorts for surfing. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite men’s swim trunks to buy right now with picks for every activity and personal style.

The Best Men’s Swim Trunks

1. Vuori Puerto Short

Vuori nailed it with these Puerto swim trunks. The California-based brand uses a polyester-elastane blend (half of the polyester is recycled) that feels stretchy, soft, and lightweight. We’re big fans of the design too, which gives a “nod to retro swimwear” while still looking modern. We might like some pockets on the sides (there’s one in the back), but this does make the shorts better for surfing and other sports.

2. Bather Solid Ocean Swim Trunks

We think the “best looking” swim trunks are ones that will pair just as well with T-shirts and button-ups as they will with your birthday suit. In a (slightly overused) word: versatile. These minimal, well-fitting trunks from Bather are a masterclass in versatility. The nylon shorts are easy to wear with just about any summer pieces, and come in a huge range of patterns and colors (we like the solid color options best).

3. Tom Ford Slim-Fit Swim Shorts

If you’re heading to a fancy hotel pool or posh beach club, grab these Tom Ford swim shorts. Like everything else from the famous designer, the shorts subtlely but noticeably inject some sophistication into the classic piece with details like a slim fit (which most swim shorts can’t pull off) and gold-tone hardware.

4. Outerknown Apex Trunks

These Apex Trunks from Outerknown were developed, tested, and worn by 11-time world surfing champ Kelly Slater. If they’re good enough for the greatest surfer of all time, they’re more than good enough for us. The shorts boast several high-performance features, including an ultra-lightweight four-way stretch fabric, welded seams, a double-bonded butt, and a sophisticated drainage system. In short, Outerknown and Slater have thought of everything. If you plan on surfing in board shorts any time soon, just buy these right now.

5. Orlebar Brown Bulldog Swim Shorts

Orlebar Brown might be based out of rainy London, but the brand makes some of the best men’s swim trunks in the world. All of its shorts, including these Bulldog Shorts, showcase bold, experimental pattern work at its finest. I got my hands on a pair this summer and I’m always surprised how much nicer they look side-by-side with other swim trunks. The colors are rich, the hardware lends a little glint, and the fit is maybe the best I’ve come across: Neither too slim nor too baggy.

6. Marda Mid-Length Swim Shorts

We didn’t expect the Danes to make great swim trunks (see: cold water), but Marda proved us wrong. The young swimwear brand is making some of the best men’s swim trunks using premium, sustainable materials, and handsome, classic looks. These mid-length swim shorts sit in the middle thigh, feature a comfortable draw-string waist, and work best for pool-side lounging. Plus, Marda offers fast international shipping to the US.

7. Quiksilver Original Scallop 18″ Board Shorts

Another excellent pair of shorts for surfing is Quiksilver’s Scallop board shorts. The namesake shape is a throwback to scalloped hems seen in the Seventies — a style invented by Quiksilver to give surfers more mobility. In the 21st century, the scalloped hem has retained its functionality and gained considerable style points. I’ve had these for over a year and end up grabbing them often, whether I’m headed to surf, lounge at the beach, or head to a pool party

8. Patagonia Baggies

These Patagonia Baggies have been our go-to shorts for over a year — whether we’re getting in the water or not. As the name suggests, they’re loose and comfortable, but thanks to a 100 percent water-resistant nylon construction, they’re tough enough for everything from hiking to surfing. They also come in two lengths (five-inch or seven-inch inseam) and a ton of colors, ranging from subdued to bold. In other words, you’ll probably end up with multiple pairs in your vacation bag.

9. Abercrombie & Fitch Pull-On Swim Trunk

Abercrombie & Fitch has made a quiet comeback with some refined, vintage-inspired pieces. These pull-on swim trunks are a great example of the brand’s newfound cool, featuring bold patterns and a comfortable polyester build. The inseam measures five inches, and we’re big fans of the shorts in this fun fruit-covered pattern.

10. Dandy Del Mar Mallorca Trunks

Inspired by alcohol and cigarette ads of the Sixties and Seventies, Dandy Del Mar brings a warm-weather vibe worth aspiring to this year. Among their pieces are these Mallorca shorts, designed for everything a great beach day might entail from long walks to swimming to post-beach cocktails and apps.

11. J. Crew 6″ Swim Trunk

One of our editor’s go-to pairs of swim trunks is these six-inch trunks from J. Crew. He says the seersucker fabric is subtly preppy, and despite being mostly cotton they dry relatively quickly. He also likes the details, like a hidden flap pocket on the inside that’s big enough for a key or keycard, as well as a locker loop for hanging them up.

Swim Trunks Buying Guide

Finding that perfect pair of swim trunks will take a bit of searching. Below are a few things to look at while shopping our picks.

Length: Men’s swim trunks are currently in an odd (but good) trend where any leg length goes. Longer trunks, which typically have around a seven-inch inseam and hit the knee, are good as multipurpose shorts. They’re long enough for hiking, walking around town, or surfing. Mid-length shorts, which usually have a five-inch inseam, are the Goldilocks pick because they’re short enough for serious relaxation but still wearable in multiple situations. Short swim trunks (shorter than a five-inch inseam) are a fun pick for some throwback vibes.

Material: Look for fabric that’s lightweight, fast-drying, and durable when shopping for swim trunks. If you plan on using your trunks for surfing or exercising, a bit of stretch is also necessary. Generally, you’ll see polyester used for lounge-y swim trunks, nylon for durable hybrid shorts, and a blend of multiple fabrics for more high-performance shorts

Waist: Drawstring and snap closure trunks are often best for achieving a perfect fit. You’ll sometimes see snap-closure swim trunks as well, which aim for a more chic, streamlined look but can’t be adjusted very much.

Pattern: The best swim trunks do a balancing act between boldness and versatility. Ideally, you’ll be able to wear your new shorts with all kinds of sneakers, tees, and Hawaiian shirts in your wardrobe. But we’re also big believers in the power-statement swim trunks because they’re just plain fun (not to mention stylish).

How We Chose the Best Swim Trunks

To make this list, we tested dozens of pairs of swim trunks and board shorts. We took them lounging on the beach and by the pool, and we wore a few of the more active pairs while surfing and running. We looked for good fits, comfortable, durable, quick-drying materials, and stylish colors/patterns. Once we had some favorites, we read reviews from other experts and customers to see how our experiences compared. The finalists you see above are all well-reviewed by almost everyone who’s used them, feature an average customer rating of at least 4/5 stars, and are in stock (as of writing) from trusted online retailers.