10 Best Men's Swim Trunks in 2022 (Nike, Speedo, and More)
Planning a trip to the beach requires some supplies, such as sunscreen, water, and towels. If you plan to go to the beach or a swimming pool, you should find a pair of swim trunks that you like. Since there are tons of swim trunks for sale, we decided to put together a list of our 10 favorite men's swim trunks for you!
Out of the options available, we really liked Nike's swim trunks. They include a hidden drawcord and an elastic waistband for added support along with a good variety of sizes. As you check out our top 10 list, you can also look at our buying guide to see what materials, pocket types, and other points you should look for when you go shopping!
Quick List - Top Men's Swim Trunks
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How to Choose Men's Swim Trunks
As you look at men's swim trunks, you will notice some differences in their features and overall designs. Since you may not know about these differences, we decided to create a buying guide to help you find swim trunks you'll like.
Choose Between Drawstrings and Elastic Waistbands
Let's start by considering the differences between swim trunks with drawstrings and ones with elastic bands! They both offer their own benefits, like support and convenience, so let's see how they measure against each other.
Drawstrings for Extra Security
When you look at the swim trunks available, you will notice some of them have drawstrings on the front. You can tighten your swim trunks with the drawstrings if they start to feel loose. If you expect to lose weight, you can use drawstrings to make bigger trunks fit you.
Drawstrings can make it more difficult to change out of your swim trunks if you knot them too tightly, making it hard to pull them apart. However, they might be the best option for you if you tend to fluctuate in weight, or you want to keep your swim trunks extra secure.
Elastic Waistbands for Convenience
Elastic waistbands are easier to put on and take off since you can stretch them without ruining the trunks. The waistband will automatically tighten around your waist, so you won't need to adjust it like you would with drawstrings.
Unfortunately, if you purchase swim trunks that aren't your size, the waistband either won't be tight enough to stay up, or it will be too tight for comfort. They're also not as secure as drawstrings for activities such as diving into the water.
Check the Trunks’ Measurements and Design
You should also check the available sizes for the swim trunks, such as the waist sizes and inseam measurements, to find a pair that fits you.
Measure Your Waist and Check the Sizes
Most swim trunks will use inches to determine the right waist size for you, which you can check with a tape measure. While most swim trunks will use common terms like small, medium, and large for their sizes, they could vary in their meaning.
For example, one brand might put their small size at 30 inches while another might put that same size at 32. Either way, you need to check the measurements available for the swimsuits. Most of them will mention these in the description or provide a size chart for you.
Inseam and Outseam Lengths are Personal Preference
Short inseams, around four to five inches long, are great since they have less drag resistance when you swim with them. On the other hand, they don't provide your legs as much protection from the sun, meaning your lower thighs could get sunburned.
Long inseams from eight to nine inches have the opposite effect. They provide more protection from the sun, but they have more drag. With mid-length inseams, you get a solid in-between option, but they don’t completely protect your legs from the sun, and they have a bit of drag. These are six to seven inches long.
Some products may talk about the outseam, which is the length from the waistband to the end of the leg. Short ones are around 14 to 16 inches, the mid-length ones are 17 to 19 inches, and the long ones are 20 to 22 inches.
Polyester for Quick Drying, Nylon for Durability
Even though polyester and nylon are both common swim trunk fabrics, they have some major differences you need to consider. Polyester dries quickly, making it great for swimming. It also holds color well, so you won't have to worry about fading. On the other hand, polyester can get stained by oils, so be careful with your SPF products.
Nylon is a stretchier material, making it less likely to rip and tear when you put some stress on it. On top of that, it's durable and easy to clean since it doesn't stain easily. However, nylon does fade, so you should be mindful about putting it in a washing machine.
Look Into Other Useful Features
Swim trunks come with other useful features, such as mesh lining, pockets, and more. Let's check out these points, so you can know which ones you should look for!
Mesh Lining Gives Additional Support
Some swim trunks will include mesh lining designed to provide additional support while swimming. They are also great at protecting you since they can prevent chafing when you swim.
However, some people may find them uncomfortable or tight, making the lining annoying when they swim. Still, if you plan to swim in rough waters, especially the ocean, you may want to get swimming trunks with mesh lining.
Open Pockets for Convenience, Velcro or Zippers for Security
Some swim trunks have pockets, either open, Velcro, or zipper pockets. You can easily access your belongings with open pockets, making them convenient. On the other hand, if you go with these, your belongings could fall out without you noticing.
Velcro pockets do a good job of keeping your stuff safe while giving you an easy way to open them. However, they can get worn out with time, so they might start to come apart easily after a while.
Zipper pockets are the most secure option out of the three since the zipper will ensure your pocket doesn’t accidentally open.
Avoid Sunburns With UPF Fabric
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is a fabric’s ability to reflect ultraviolet waves from the sun. If your swim trunks have UPF 50+, which is the highest available, that means the fabric only lets 1/50th of the sun's rays pass through. You can avoid sunburn on the part of your body covered by the trunks.
Generally speaking, you will want some form of UPF with your swim trunks if you tend to sunburn easily. Some swim trunks will let you know the UPF rating on their product pages, so you can check them for more information. A good number to look for is UPF 30 at a minimum.
Check the Fabric's Care Instructions
Some swim trunks will be machine washable while others need to be hand-washed. Machine washable trunks are convenient since you can throw them into your washing machine after you go swimming. You can even wash them with other clothing to avoid wasting a load of laundry.
However, they might shrink on the first wash if you use hot water. Cold water can help you avoid this issue. Putting them in the dryer can also cause shrinking, especially during the first wash. Air drying will be gentlest and cause zero shrinkage.
Hand washing of course takes more time and effort. Even though both nylon and polyester could shrink, hand washing can help avoid fading of your trunks, which matters for nylon since it's prone to fading.
10 Best Men's Swim Trunks Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nike Solid Lap Volley Short Swim Trunk | | A Solid Elastic Waistband With an Internal Drawstring | |
2 | Speedo Short Volley Swim Trunk | | High UPF Protection and Shorter Leg Length | |
3 | Hurley One and Only 22-Inch Boardshort | | Longer Swim Trunks With a Velcro Pocket | |
4 | Columbia PFG Backcast III Water Short | | A Baggier Style in Two Inseam Lengths | |
5 | Tommy Hilfiger 7-Inch Swim Trunks | | A Designer Option With Over 30 Choices | |
6 | Fair Harbor The Bayberry Trunk | | Mixed-Polyester Option With a Unique Cloth Liner | |
7 | Nautica Tri-Block Series Swim Trunk | | Quick-Drying Nylon Without Any Pockets | |
8 | MaaMgic Slim Fit Quick Dry Swim Shorts | | A Stylish Option With Fun Designs to Choose From | |
9 | Silkworld Swim Trunks | | Nylon Trunks With a Lightweight Design | |
10 | Amazon Essentials Quick-Dry 9-Inch Swim Trunk | | Fast Drying Trunks With a Longer Inseam Length |
A Solid Elastic Waistband With an Internal Drawstring
These Nike swimming trunks have an internal drawcord along with an elastic waistband. The trunks are made out of polyester, and they have mesh pockets along the seams just like shorts. The simple style was designed for comfort and efficiency while lap swimming. They have a seven-inch inseam.
A few reviewers felt the swim trunks run small and point out they're not made of stretchy material. On the bright side, lots of reviewers took note of the swim trunk's quality material. They also enjoyed the shorter leg length, saying they caused less drag in the water.
High UPF Protection and Shorter Leg Length
These trunks include are designed to reach the middle of the thigh. They also provide UV protection with a UPF level of 50, so you can avoid sunburn on your legs. They include small vents on each side of the trunk for flexibility, and have four pockets total!
A few reviewers had issues with the swim trunks fading after a couple of months. However, plenty of reviewers liked the short leg length since it didn't restrict their movement. They also liked the pockets and the overall tighter fit of the trunks.
Longer Swim Trunks With a Velcro Pocket
The Hurley swim trunks make themselves stand out by having 22 inch long legs. They include a cargo pocket on the right leg with Velcro and a key loop inside. The fabric is recycled and has a suede feel, and there are over 30 color options you can choose from.
A couple of reviewers noted the swim trunks were too small even though they ordered their corresponding pant size. However, plenty of reviewers liked the longer inseam of these trunks in comparison to others. They also enjoyed the soft and lightweight material.
A Baggier Style in Two Inseam Lengths
These trunks can protect you from UVA and UVB rays with a UPF rating of 50. They include belt loops if you want to have more security for your waistband. They also come in a multitude of sizes and colors and either six- or eight-inch inseam lengths.
A couple of reviewers noted the elastic waistband didn't do a good job of keeping their trunks up. However, plenty of reviewers liked how open and baggy the legs felt since they could comfortably wear the trunks as shorts. They also enjoyed the overall lightweight design.
A Designer Option With Over 30 Choices
These trunks come in over 30 various styles and colors. They have two side pockets along with a back one to store your belongings. There is a mesh liner on the inside of the front pockets for those who want that feature.
Some reviewers mentioned the fabric felt stiff, making it uncomfortable and noisy when they move. But a large majority of reviewers said the trunks fit them properly. They also liked the overall design of the trunks, saying they looked nice and fashionable.
Mixed-Polyester Option With a Unique Cloth Liner
Interestingly, these trunks are made out of recycled water bottles for the polyester, but they also have cotton and Spandex blended in. Instead of a standard mesh liner, they use a cloth one. On top of those points, the trunks also have two side pockets with a back zipper pocket.
A few reviewers found the trunks too tight around their legs, especially when they have bigger legs. Besides that point, plenty of reviewers felt the material was comfortable to wear. They also liked that the trunks had cloth lining instead of mesh.
Quick-Drying Nylon Without Any Pockets
These nylon trunks let you wash them in a washing machine for those who want a convenient option. They have a quick-dry fabric design along with breathability through the fabric to keep you comfortable. The outseam is 19 inches in length.
Some reviewers commented on how the white part of the fabric was too transparent when it got wet. On the bright side, plenty of reviewers enjoyed the feel of the material, noting the overall comfort. They also liked how it dried in a few minutes.
A Stylish Option With Fun Designs to Choose From
These trunks come in a variety of unique colors and designs for people who want trunks that will stand out. This one includes two side pockets along with a back Velcro one for extra security. The pockets have mesh lining and the trunks are UPF 50+ rated.
A couple of reviewers noticed the trunks seemed smaller and tighter than the sizes suggested. On the other hand, many reviewers noticed the trunks would dry quickly, which they liked. They also enjoyed the designs on the trunks, saying they looked good and stylish.
Nylon Trunks With a Lightweight Design
These nylon trunks include mesh lining and have a looser fit for those who don't like tight trunks. They're also designed to dry quickly and be lightweight, making them a great choice for the water. The outseam length is 16 to 17 inches depending on the size you order.
A couple of reviewers had problems finding the right size trunks for their waists and say they run small. On the bright side, quite a few reviewers took note of the overall quality of the fabric and shorts. They also commented on the lightweight design, noting how much they liked it.
Fast Drying Trunks With a Longer Inseam Length
These swim trunks include a drawstring and elastic waistband combo to provide plenty of support. They include two side pockets along with a rear one for extra places to store your belongings. They have a machine-washable design along with an inseam of nine inches.
Some reviewers had problems with the swim trunks feeling tight around the hips and rear. On the other hand, quite a few reviewers liked how quickly the trunks dried off when they got out of the water. They also liked the inseam length, pointing out it's a bit above the knee.
More Products for Sun, Sand, and Surf
Time to hit the beach for some water sports and fun in the sun! These products will help you enjoy your outing, whether you prefer action or relaxing.
Top 5 Men's Swim Trunks
No. 1: Nike｜Solid Lap Volley Short Swim Trunk
No. 2: Speedo｜Short Volley Swim Trunk
No. 3: Hurley｜One and Only 22-Inch Boardshort
No. 4: Columbia｜PFG Backcast III Water Short
No. 5: Tommy Hilfiger｜7-Inch Swim Trunks
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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