The 12 Best Men's Swim Trunks on Amazon, Tested by Style Experts
For the pool and beyond.
Reviewed by Christian GollayanStyle and Reviews DirectorTested by Ted Stafford
Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?
WARM WEATHER and travel seasons are sartorially synonymous with swimwear, and we’ve got terrific news for you on that front: unsurprisingly, Amazon has an ocean of options when it comes to swim trunks for men that do the job without costing you a whole paycheck. In fact, the best men’s swim trunks on Amazon all come with quick-drying fabrics that won't leave you feeling soggy. The swim trunks on Amazon also offer the perfect fit for every body type, and they come in versatile styles that double as everyday shorts with pockets to stash your essentials.
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From classic board shorts with easy drawstrings to bold-looking swimsuits with built-in mesh briefs, these swim trunks for men are Amazon's best-kept secret, but not for long: we’ve spoken to experts and tested dozens of bathing suits ourselves to pull together the 12 best swim trunks for men on Amazon. Whether you're planning a beach escapade, lounging by the pool, or just a sucker for occasional splashes, these best Amazon swim trunks for men have your swimwear this summer covered.
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These are not some cheap swimwear that will make you feel like a washed-up sailor. Not only do they look cool for the summer in many prints, but they're also crafted in a knit fabric that's soft, dries fast, and comes with UPF 50 protection. The fabric doesn't have any built-in or natural stretch, but because of its roomy fit at the thigh and seat areas you will in fact be able to move with ease in them. They come in either 7 or 9 inches, have an elastic waistband with a drawstring that offers a flexible yet secure fit, and pockets, of course.
A cargo-swim-trunk hybrid that also works great as pair of hiking shorts? Sign me up. And, believe it or not, during our testing, Bullet Train Star Andrew Koji was able to do a perfect high kick in these shorts like a piece of cake. That's how stretchy and unobstructed these shorts are. When selecting and testing for a pair of shorts that can match this level of movement, our Fashion Director Ted Stafford noted this option's lightweight but highly stretchy nylon fabric that moved with the thighs. Moreover, with 3 spacious utilitarian pockets, UPF 50 materials, quick-drying, and a liner-free build, these swim trunks are the ones you'll want to wear out of the water as well—and they certainly look everyday-friendly like chino shorts.
You can't talk about board shorts without talking about Birdwell's 311. These are your classic, old-school surf trunks. We love how commando-friendly they are since they have no liner. They're also made in 100% nylon—which is moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and breathable. While nylon isn't as stretchy as added spandex, in our experience of wearing these, they feel elastic enough to slowly jog on the beach. And the drawstring closure actually stays tight and close to keep the shorts from slipping. The length also looks nice—it varies depending on the size, but never fall below the knees.
Unlike the typical for-model-only triangular Speedos briefs that squeeze really tight, these UPF 50+ comfort stretch swim bottoms are entirely better. Made with durable water-repellent fabric, these swim shorts have earned the co-sign of 2x Olympic gold medalist, 13x World Championship gold medalist, and world record holder Caeleb Dressel as his go-to. "This is a great versatile short that easily goes from beach to bar that stays comfortable all day (and night) long. The stretch on these shorts allows me to paddleboard, play volleyball and run on the beach with ease. And quick dry fabric and a comfort liner, they keep me safe from chaffing," he says.
We also love that the fabric never chafes and neither does the mesh basket liner which is extra breathable. The 3 pockets also come very nifty.
Don't want your shorts to tie up your legs when you need them the most? Then look for mobility. Jessica Kats, a shopping and trend specialist at Soxy, recommends Billabong's boardshorts. "These trunks focus solely on performance and comfort. Its four-way stretch provides excellent mobility for both casual swimming and water sports," says Katz. They're also made with a lightweight cotton-blend fabric that feels extra soft. "It has a quick-drying fabric with Micro Repel that sheds off the water as soon as you get out," adds Katz. All in all, they are comfortable and very flexible to wear and move in, with a regular fit and length that hits just above the knee.
You can't go wrong with Chubbies’ classic swim shorts that really have it all, particularly if you're committed to finding trunks that you'll still love years down the line. The fabric is made to be extra quick-drying and lightweight even when wet, with a four-way stretch to really let you flex and paddle. The lining is our favorite part: it has good stretch on its own and is made to be cool to the touch while being supportive of your crown jewels, and our editors haven’t had any complaints about them.
We also love the fit and length: its 5.5” inseam lets even buff guys show off their thighs, but the fit is athletic and spacious enough to not get in the way or tighten on the skin.
Columbia's swim trunks are easy to throw on, great for both recreational swimming and fishing, packed with outdoor-friendly feats like built-in UPF 50 and quick-drying, and designed with mobility and protection in mind. We are impressed by how versatile these swim shorts are for water as well as on-land activities, beachside, or in the great outdoors. The nylon fabric is naturally stretchy and breathable. With an ideal inseam length and a comfortable mesh liner built in, our tester has even worn them to hike once. Thus, feel free to live your best summer style in and out of the water in these—no changing needed.
Let it be known that the 3-inch inseam length here will indeed look very flattering, as several of our athletic testers have found, and is perfect for guys who want to show off their quads. We also love how great the stretch works on the beach or in the waves, and the mesh liner never chafes but is in fact rather supportive. With a quick-dry fabric that also wicks away sweat and an elastic waist that feels like a second skin, these short shorts are made for all-day water sports and can easily double as workout shorts. The retro summer style just sweetens the deal.
Fans of long board shorts, look no further than Hurley’s signature One & Only shorts. With 22 inches in length, they reach below the knees to give you the coverage you love and need. If you've got thighs like a rugby player's, these shorts also come in extended sizing for big guys who are looking for a reliable swimsuit.
After trying them out in the water, we found that these shorts don't cling at all to the skin—or the "package", which is exactly what we're looking for. And the 1 cargo pocket on the side is very spacious. Although, we must note that these have no stretch since it's 100% polyester—a fact that we also tested to be true. So don't strain yourself too much wearing them.
These swim trunks let you dive into the workout equipment at a nearby gym right after you take a dip in the freshwater. While the compression liner is a turn-off to some folks, for men craving extra support and versatility, Under Armour’s compression-lined swim shorts are the best we’ve ever tested. The lining doesn’t get in the way of your thighs underwater at all and is soft, breathable, quick-drying, sweat-wicking, and stretchy to boot. The outer shell fabric is also performance-minded to repel water and be mobility-friendly. More importantly, the liner doesn’t show since the outer inseam is 7 inches long, so no one will know.
Under-$50, long-lasting, and a workhorse on the waves, these are one of the favorite board shorts we've ever tested. Made completely in polyester, we've found that they could dry in no time; and whether it's on the beach or on the waves, their long, loose fit has provided us with a great range of motion, despite having no added stretch to the fabric.
Our favorite part, however, is the pockets and length which combine to make these swim trunks very land-friendly. During your backyard BBQ or rooftop party, for instance, you will be able to put quite a few gadgets in those pockets while looking appropriate and feeling easy.
These have everything we're looking for in swimwear without breaking the bank. Constructed using a breathable nylon fabric that offers a tad of stretch and dries extra fast without clinging to the skin when wet, they're perfect for the waves and the pools. Made with a tailored fit, an elastic waistband, and several large pockets for secure storage, they're also perfect for on-land excursions. Lastly, not only are Hilfiger's color palettes timeless, but the longer above-the-knee cut at a 7-inch inseam is universally flattering.
What to Look for in Swim Trunks for Men?
Stretch: If you're swimming, surfing, or just moving around a lot in bathing suits, Kathleen McNally, Creative Director at SAXX, advises stretch as a must-have factor. "A 4-way stretch woven shell allows for a great fit and range of motion in and out of the water," she says.
Waistband: Waistbands should fit comfortably on your body, and a drawstring may help you to adjust the waist size if needed. McNally recommends a full-elastic waistband with a drawcord because it "ensures you keep your trunks on, even if you’re diving from the high dive."
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.
Length: Shorts are getting shorter, and so are swim trunks. According to McNally, five inches in inseam length is the trendy fit that hits at the mid-thigh, and seven inches or more for more conservative wearers. 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.
Materials: "Always look for lightweight synthetic fabrics, that are quick-dry and fade-resistant to sun and chlorine," says McNally. These synthetic fabrics are ideal for underwater wear they won't get hefty and pull you down when drenched in water.
How We Selected
To find the best swim trunks for men, our style and gear editors have personally tried on a variety of them and put them to the test, We've also considered swim trunks that were picked by our Fashion Director Ted Stafford for print and tested in our fashion closets, as well as options recommended by experts such as style influencers, stylists, and designers.
Read more: Learn How Men's Health Tests Products
From there, we evaluated these swim trunks based on their style, fit, price point, performance in and out of the water, and versatility to make the final top picks. Specifically, we're looking for styles that are not trendy or trend-chasing; instead, our picks of the best swim trunks all fit great even on buff or athletic guys, provide a ton of value at reasonable price points, and come in styles that will look great years from now.
Why Trust Us
At Men’s Health, our testing editors and writers always make sure to actually test and use the products ourselves before considering whether to include them. Therefore, rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience, and you can read more about our testing process here.
In addition, we have a whole fashion closet in our NYC office dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best and newest menswear products including swim trunks. We put them on stylish, fit guys to hear their opinions and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. And as style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to feel a product’s materials—even put it on ourselves for a spin—to test it.
Lastly, you can trust our opinions on shopping recommendations, whether it’s the products, styling tips, or trends. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollyan, but we also have a panel of style experts—including stylists, fashion influencers, designers, etc.—whom we regularly seek shopping guides from. Therefore, our product recommendations and buying tips are all driven by professional, expert opinions.
Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
Ted Stafford a contributing editor at Men’s Health, where he helps style fashion stories. His active lifestyle informs his passion for translating great designs into real-life style, a favorite part of his job. Prior to joining Men’s Health he worked at GQ magazine and Calvin Klein
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