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Start shopping now, because warmer weather is here.
Let’s take the opportunity to to think of something idyllic—preferably a scenario that has us in the best swim trunks.
Picture this: We have all waited well beyond the recommended 30 minutes after eating, and are ready for up for a dip. It could be swimming in the ocean, lounging in a pool, or soaking in a hot tub. It's time! The world is opening back up, we've stacked up some vacation time, and a great new pair of swim trunks is an absolute essential. Or maybe you call 'em "swim shorts." Or "swimsuits." Hell, maybe you throw it way back and refer to the thing you wear in the water not just as a "bathing suit" but a straight-up "bathing costume." It doesn't really matter what you call the 30 entries on this list, though. Swim trunks or shorts or whatever, all of them are stylish, comfortable, and ready for some H2o.
But here's the really great thing: You don't actually have to wear any of them in the water. The best swim shorts on the market today double as actual shorts, too. From classic Patagonia Baggies to Orlebar Brown's trim, tailored Setter shorts and everything in between, your go-to swimwear can also be your go-to anywhere wear when summer arrives. It's double the bang for your buck, so go ahead and stock up—or level up to that investment-worthy pick. The world is your oyster. Or...maybe you're the oyster and the world is your ocean? Whatever. First up, the shopping. Next, a little full-body hydration.
Lululemon makes a whole line of beloved apparel and accessories, but the way guys love—love!—their pants and shorts is a testament to just how well done they are. These swim shorts are cut close to the body but not tight, made of a water-repellent blend of recycled polyester and elastane, and feature clever details like a key loop in the back pocket to keep your stuff secure. They also look just like a pair of the brand's non-swim shorts, and can easily pull double duty for the rest of the day after you towel off.
Material: Recycled polyester and elastane Inseam: 7"
Long has the 7" inseam versus 5" inseam debate raged. (Well, it's been a long time in internet years, at least.) If you've found yourself unable to commit to a side, we have good news: J.Crew is right there with you. The brand's clean, classic 6" swim trunk splits the difference, letting you show a little extra thigh without creeping so high that you don't feel comfortable. (Though there's no need to feel uncomfortable. Short shorts are great!) UPF 50 protection will keep what's covered shielded from the sun, and the quick-drying, recycled nylon shell won't bog you down after your time in the water.
A not-too-long pair of elastic-waist swim trunks is about as classic as you can get when it comes to swimwear. This pair has a mesh lining to keep everything, uh, secure, plus a pop of color from the bright orange drawstring. If that combo isn't to your liking, there are just about a billion more color combos in the same cut. Take a look around and find your favorite. (Also, pro tip: Find yourself some swim trunks with pockets. Just be sure to take your phone out before jumping into the water.)
If you spend less time swimming and more time just chilling, Vuori's Banks swim shorts might just be perfect for you. The liner-free design means you can choose your own adventure when it comes to underwear. Boxers? Briefs? Boxer briefs? It's all on the table—just please wear underwear. As for the shorts themselves, they're light as air, super stretchy, and quick-drying. So whether you're sweating or cannonballing, they'll do you right.
Materials: Recycled polyester, polyester, elastane Inseam: 7.5"
Let's start with the obvious: That white piping. Against reliable black, the detail just pops. Then there's the vintage cut that's ever-so slimming. And finally, let's talk about how these trunks are made from 85 percent recycled polyester, with rest being spandex. Stretchy and good for the Earth: A very good combo.
Materials: Recycled polyester and spandex Inseam: 5" or 7"
A lot of swim shorts can double as normal shorts, but perhaps no one takes that vibe to the sleek, stealthy heights that Onia does. Its All Purpose shorts look exactly like your go-to pair for every non-beach day, but they'll perform just as well in the water as they do on dry land. That's thanks to details like the back grommets that drain excess water quickly and the smooth, stretch poly-and-spandex-blend fabric. Think of these as swim trunks in disguise, and wear them for absolutely everything this summer.
Materials: Polyester and spandex Inseam: 6"
Perhaps the best endorsement of these shorts? They usually sell out. Luckily, they are available right now. Once you get them, you can wear them for everything from biking and running to chilling and, yep, swimming. They're made of recycled nylon (with a bit of stretch), lined with recycled polyester mesh, and designed to do everything your little heart desires.
Materials: Recycled nylon and elastane Inseam: 7"
For the Impressionism fan in you: painterly florals in pastel shades. For the environmentalist in you: a recycled technical shell. And for the "I just want to go swimming, man" human in you: the rest of the vitals of Bather's made-in-Canada trunks, which also feature a mesh lining, side seam pockets, and a back pocket with a drainage grommet.
Materials: Recycled polyester, nylon, and spandex Inseam: 5.5"
Frescobol Carioca isn't the oldest swimwear brand out there (it was founded in 2013), but the London-based, Brazil-inspired label is definitely one of the most exciting. The brand's trunks are tailored to perfection, the kind of cut you'd expect on someone who casually jets off to Rio for the weekend. And the prints—the prints!—bring an elevated, almost architectural quality that's a nice counterpoint to all those hibiscus flowers out there.
Materials: Polyester and cotton Inseam: 5"
Over the past couple of years, Baggies have had a pretty remarkable resurgence among not just the gorp set but also a bunch of stylish guys who realized that these might just be the ultimate laid-back summer shorts. Yes, they're actually trunks, complete with a mesh liner and a quick-drying nylon construction that means they'll be very happy in the water. But they also work with pretty much anything you'd want to wear on dry land when the weather is scorching. But multiples. You'll need 'em.
Amazon Essentials has taken great pains, accruing costumer feedback constantly, to make sure its stock is up to snuff. And the results speaks for themselves. These swim trunks, for example, are made of a quick-drying material, have a drawstring band, and feature a welt back pocket. These are pretty standard characteristics, but the quality offered at such a low price is almost—almost—hard to believe.
Materials: Polyamide and elastane Inseam: 7"
Patterns may not be for everyone on the daily, but some men are still afraid of them even when it comes to swim trunks. To those guys: Fear not! If there's any one place where getting a little bold is absolutely the move, it's at the beach. (Also acceptable: the bear bar, the pool, the pool bar, and anywhere else you can see water one could conceivably swim in.)
Washed-down nylon just hits different than the brand-new stuff. It gives these trunks a chilled-out (and, yes, vintage) feel. Basically, think of all those well-worn, much-loved pieces—be they windbreakers or track pants or even swim trunks—and know that these trunks will feel like that from day one.
If you ride waves often, Quiksilver needs no introduction. But for those unfamiliar, the brand was founded in Australia in the late '60s, catering to surfers. Fit and function are its cornerstones, always adapting to new advancements in fabrics and the styles of the season. Just take a gander at these cool swim trunks, which feature a tropical print and side-entry pockets.
Say Speedo and what instantly comes to mind is a banana hammock. Indeed, the brand has become synonymous with really, really short swimwear that come in a range of colors and is made of Olympic-worthy materials. But the brand also has 5", 7", and even 10" inseams, all of which are quick-drying, stretchy, and have built-in UPF protection.
Is it even the least bit surprising that Nike—a brand devoted to any and all things active—makes a damn fine pair of swim trunks? Nah. But that doesn't make this pair, in a chilled-out pink, any less cool. They're made from recycled nylon, so you can feel better about their (and thus your) impact on the planet. And the 7" inseam is great length if you don't want to show too much thigh.
Most lined swim trunks feature a mesh brief on the inside. Not so with Fair Harbor's Anchor trunks, which have a snug interior short made from soft CoolMax fabric. Hey, it's a preference thing. And that's not all these trunks have to offer. The shell is made from 88 percent recycled polyester that comes from reclaimed plastic bottles (the rest of the fabric is spandex for supreme stretchiness). All that, plus an oversized diamond pattern at the side. Nice.
Materials: Recycled polyester and spandex Inseam: 8"
The coolest thing about these trunks is something you can't necessarily see at first. Well, you can see the end result in that effervescent blue fabric, but you can't tell that it's made from recycled ocean debris from the Mediterranean Sea. The result is a material called Seaqual, and it's light and durable—kind of like ripstop nylon version 2.0. Atalaye takes that fabric and transforms it into a slightly shorter, incredibly cool pair of trunks that you'll definitely want to wear beyond the beach.
Simplicity ain't your bag? Avid's got you covered. The brand's bold-as-hell, zebra-striped Zinae Trunx offer UPF 40 protection from the sun, as well as an inner envelope pocket where you can stash your keys. They're also lightweight, quick-drying, mesh-lined—all the stuff you'd expect from a solid pair of trunks. If you want to make a big impression (one might even go so far as to say "make a splash") at the beach, these are the trunks to do it in.
Materials: Polyester and spandex Inseam: 8"
Fun fact: most big cats are great swimmers. And taking this sentiment to heart is Ksubi with a fierce, easy-fitting swim trunk that features a two-tone leopard print.
When it comes to details, Billy Reid never disappoints. The brand's new swim short, for example, features on-seam pockets and antique brass drawcord tips. Take all this, along with the eye-catching cactus print on recycled polyester, and you have have one of the best swim trunks around.
The French know the value of simplicity, how an impact could be made without flash. Visualizing this sentiment is Hartford, a Paris-based label founded in the '70s that consistently offers sleek styles that focus on cut, proportions, and quality materials. And this swim trunk made of nylon in a cool blue color is proof.
Materials: Recycled nylon and recycled polyester Inseam: 5"
From the Florida Keys to Jamaica to Aruba, these swim trunks from Derek Rose are specifically made to keep you stylish on the beach. Not only are they cut to flatter, but they are also lightweight and extremely comfortable. Which should come as so surprise since the brand specializes in sleepwear.
Yes, we just said that bit about the French, but if we were to discuss minimalism at its finest, the Swedes are pretty far up there, too. CDLP is a testament to this credo, offering tees, loungewear, and, of course, swim trunks. This classic black option, for example, is cut with precision, skimming the body in all the right places. The breathable mesh interior also fits nicely. What's more, the fast-drying material is made of plastic waste found in the ocean and in landfills. Which means you feel good from the inside out.
Whether you're in the mood to swim, surf, recline beachside, or walk along a bustling street in summer, Todd Snyder's swim shorts allows you to do it all. Some highlights: a tab button closure, vented hem, zipper pockets, adjustable side tabs, and, most important, a tailored fit.
Materials: Nylon and elastane Inseam: 7"
Vilebrequin is a standard-bearer for top-of-the-line swimwear, and it's easy to see why. The brand, founded in Saint-Tropez in 1971, is absolutely masterful when it comes to combining luxury and whimsy. Case in point: these Moorea swim trunks, a best-selling style from the label for decades. Yeah, it's a turtle print. But it looks improbably refined. Not many brands could do that. Vilebrequin can.
Materials: Econyl, cotton, and polyester Inseam: 4"
Sometimes—not often, but very occasionally—a fashion brand catches lightning in a bottle and creates a bona fide icon. Levi's did it with the 501. Gucci did it with the horsebit loafer. And Orlebar Brown did it with its trim, tailored Setter swim trunks, which were worn by Daniel Craig as none other than 007 himself in Skyfall. Getting the nod of approval from James Bond doesn't come easy, but when you're talking about a pair of trunks that look like your dressiest shorts (check out those side tab adjustors), it just makes sense.
Virgil Abloh's vision extended well beyond the streets, and these printed swim trunks bring it all the way to the shore. They're made of lightweight polyester that'll dry off in no time, and lined with mesh, so they're an easy option in and out of the water. And let's face it: With a look this good, you're definitely going to want to wear them out of the water.
Materials: Polyamide, spandex and elastane Inseam: 7"
When it comes to cold-weather styles, particularly pieces made of cashmere, Agnona is a cut above the rest. But the brand also makes quality stuff for warm climes, including a dreamy selection of swim trunks like this one right here.
If your style leans toward the ornate and fanciful, it doesn't get any better than Versace. The Italian label is for those who go big or go go home, for those who go for Baroque, for those who can't wait to wear these swim trunks with abandon.