Best Men’s Swim Trunks Brands of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Swimwear season If you’re thinking of upgrading your swimwear this year (we always love that), you’re in luck: Shopping for men’s swimwear has never been more fun. Why? Because there are so many options to choose from, and more importantly, the best men’s swimwear is now completely usable for both dry and wet activities. Many modern swimsuits can be worn like regular shorts—whether you’re running errands on a hot day or working out.

Overview: Best Men's Swimwear for 2024

While there are some great swim shorts for every activity, there are still plenty of vintage swim shorts, stylish board shorts designed specifically for the resort vibe, and high-performance surf shorts. We've rounded up some of our favorite men's swim shorts to buy now, with picks for every activity and personal style.

Best Swimwear for Men

1. Fory Puerto Short

Vuori nailed this Puerto swim short. The California-based brand uses a polyester/elastane blend (half recycled polyester) that’s stretchy, soft, and lightweight. We’re also fans of the design, which gives a “nod to vintage swimwear” while still looking modern. We’d love a few pockets on the sides (there’s one in the back), but that would make the shorts even better for surfing and other sports.

2. Bather Solid Ocean Swim Trunks

We think the “best-looking” swim trunks are the ones that can be styled with T-shirts and button-down shirts just as well as your birthday suit. In (slightly overused) terms: Diverse abilitiesThese simple, form-fitting shorts from Bather are a masterpiece of versatility. The nylon shorts are easy to wear with almost any summer outfit, and come in a wide range of patterns and colors (we prefer the solid color options).

3. Outernoon Apex Trunks

These Outerknown Apex shorts were developed, tested, and worn by 11-time world surfing champion 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 a host of high-performance features, including ultra-lightweight, four-way stretch fabric, welded seams, a double-bonded butt, and an advanced drainage system. In short, Outerknown and Slater have thought of everything. If you’re planning on surfing in board shorts anytime soon, buy these shorts now.

4. Orlebar Brown Bulldog Swim Shorts

Orlebar Brown may be based in rainy London, but this brand makes some of the best men’s swim trunks in the world. All of their shorts, including these Bulldog shorts, showcase bold, experimental styles at their best. I got a pair of them this summer and I’m always amazed at how great they are. The most beautiful These pants look great with other swim trunks. The colors are rich, the metallic accents add a little sparkle, and the fit is probably the best I've come across: not too skinny and not too loose.

5. Tom Ford Skinny Swim Shorts

If you're headed to a luxury hotel pool or a fancy beach club, grab these Tom Ford swim shorts. Like everything else from the iconic designer, the shorts add a touch of sophistication to a classic piece with details like a slim fit (which most swim shorts can't do) and gold-tone hardware.

6. Marda Mid-Length Swim Shorts

We didn’t expect the Danes to make great swim shorts (see: cold water), but Marda proved us wrong. The young swimwear brand makes some of the best men’s swim shorts using high-quality, sustainable materials and a classic, sleek look. These mid-length swim shorts hit mid-thigh, feature a comfortable drawstring waist, and are perfect for lounging poolside. Plus, Marda offers fast international shipping to the US.

7. Quiksilver Original Scallop 18-Inch Swim Shorts

Another great surf short is the Quiksilver Scallop board shorts. The eponymous shape is a throwback to the scalloped hem seen in the 1970s—a style that Quiksilver pioneered to give surfers more mobility. In the 21st century, the scalloped hem has retained its functionality and earned major style points. I’ve owned these shorts for over a year and have ended up wearing them a lot, whether I’m heading out to surf, lounging on the beach, or heading to a pool party.

8. Patagonia Bags

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

9. Abercrombie & Fitch Easy-On Swim Trunks

Abercrombie & Fitch has quietly made a comeback with some chic, vintage-inspired pieces. These swim shorts are a great example of the brand’s newfound style, featuring bold patterns and a comfortable polyester construction. The inseam measures five inches, and we’re big fans of the fun fruit-covered patterned shorts.

10. Dandy del Mar Mallorca Trunks

Inspired by alcohol and cigarette ads from the 60s and 70s, Dandy Del Mar brings warm weather vibes to the table this year. Among the pieces they offer are these Mallorcan shorts, designed for everything a great day at the beach might entail from hiking to swimming to cocktails and post-beach apps.

11. J. Crew 6-Inch Swim Trunks

One of our editor’s favorite pairs of swim trunks is the J. Crew 6-Inch Swim Trunks. He says the seersucker fabric is super stylish, and despite being mostly cotton, it dries relatively quickly. He also likes the details, like the hidden pocket inside that can hold a key or access card, as well as a locker loop for hanging them.

Swimwear Buying Guide

Finding the perfect pair of swim trunks will take some research. Here are some things to look for as you shop our picks.

LengthMen’s swim trunks are currently experiencing a weird (but good) trend where they can be worn at any leg length. Long trunks, which have an inseam of around seven inches and hit the knee, are great as all-purpose shorts. They’re long enough for hiking, walking around town, or surfing. Mid-length shorts, which typically have a five-inch inseam, are the perfect choice because they’re short enough for serious lounging but still wearable in a variety of situations. Board shorts (shorter than five inches) are a fun option for a bit of a retro vibe.

materialLook for a lightweight, quick-drying, durable fabric when shopping for swim shorts. If you plan to use your swim shorts for surfing or working out, a little stretch is also a must. Typically, you'll see polyester used in comfortable swim shorts, nylon in durable hybrid shorts, and a blend of multiple fabrics for high-performance shorts.

middleDrawstring shorts with snap closures are often the best for achieving the perfect fit. You'll also sometimes see swim shorts with snap closures, which are meant to create a more streamlined, sleek look but aren't very adjustable.

patternThe best swimwear is one that strikes a balance between bold and versatile. Ideally, you’ll be able to wear your new shorts with every sneaker, t-shirt, and Hawaiian shirt in your closet. But we’re also big believers in strong swimwear because it’s simply fun (not to mention stylish).

How to choose the best swimwear

To create this list, we tested dozens of pairs of swim trunks and athletic shorts. We took them with us while lounging at the beach and by the pool, and we also wore some of the more active pairs while surfing and running. We looked for good fit, comfortable, durable, quick-drying materials, and stylish colors/patterns. Once we had a few favorites, we read reviews from other experts and customers to see how our experiences were similar. All of the finished products you see above have received good reviews from nearly everyone who has used them, have an average customer rating of at least 4/5 stars, and are available (as of this writing) from trusted online retailers.