The 9 Best Swim Trunks for Men of 2025, Worn and Tested by Style Editors

After trying and testing more than 50 swim shorts, our fashion team landed on Rhone’s R&R Trunk as the best of the bunch, thanks to its timeless style, functional fabric, and flattering fit. We love the no-fuss design, with a tailored cut that’s not too baggy or slim. Coupled with the stretchy waistband, the fit looks great on most body types. It’s available in two inseams–5.5 and 7.5 inches. Our fashion director says to cop the longer length if you’re planning to use this beyond the beach, since it provides enough coverage while still hitting a couple inches above the knee for most men (our universal style recommendation for shorts). But if you want to really show off your summer leg gains, the shorter option’s your guy.

Rhone’s athleisure performs just as well as it looks. We’ve sweat-tested the R&R during beachside runs and found that its odor-fighting fabric did a decent job at fighting sweat. The mesh liner kept our family jewels locked in, without cutting off circulation. In fact, a few editors who have the R&R trunk say that the liner really does have a second-skin like quality. That’s probably because the polyester blend fabric is infused with four-way stretch, which felt more comfortable than Lululemon’s (also great!) Pool Short. These durable features also mean the R&R Trunk doubles as a decent gym short if you’re in a pinch, and saves you one less thing to pack for a tropical vacation. We love that it’s available in 12 patterns, though if you want to go classic, you can’t go wrong with the Navy option.

Read more: Best Running Shorts for Men

Just like most of the New York upstart’s duds, this swim trunk is timelessly stylish, functional, and provides great value. It’s available in a variety of solids and prints, but we’re big fans of the red stripe option, since it has a cool ‘80s vibe that pairs well with laidback T-shirts, tank tops, and more. What we love even more is the BreezeKnit liner—Fair Harbor’s soft, supportive alternative to traditional mesh liner found in swimwear. It provides a snug and comfortable feel, while keeping you cool as a cucumber all day long.

Unlike other picks on this list, The Anchor Trunk is available in three inseams. The 6-inch inseam is great for guys who want to show off their hard-earned leg gains this summer. The 8-inch inseam hits the sweet spot between casual and polished, a safe bet if you’re unsure which to go for. And the 10-inch inseam is the longest option, ideal for those who prefer a bit more coverage. Plus, its relaxed (not baggy) fit keeps this from veering into Reno 911! territory.

Performance-wise, the Anchor Trunk’s synthetic fabric dries quickly, though it doesn’t offer quite as much stretch or odor resistance as Rhone’s swim trunk, so we wouldn’t recommend this as a gym short substitute.

Sometimes, swim trunks with loud designs can be too in-your-face, but Mack Weldon went easy on this pair. It’s decked out with a dotted gradient pattern that adds a visual pop, without looking tacky. Our editors have worn this with a white polo to balance things out, and works as a foolproof fit for beachside lunches. We especially like the fit: it’s relaxed, but slimmer than the Bather swim trunks for a more dressier vibe.

Like most of the swim trunks on this list, this version is made with a polyester-spandex flex that offers a lot of mobility. We could maintain a full range of motion through running, squatting and walking. During our testing, the mesh liner didn’t irritate our family jewels either. In fact, it was one of the more comfortable liners on the list.

For your next vacation, you need a dressy swim trunk that can look great at the beach, bar, or restaurant. Enter this one from Bather, which has a sleek, slim cut. This makes it more polished than your typical swim shorts, so you can easily pair it with a Hawaiian shirt and sandals for a foolproof, lunchtime fit in your arsenal. I’ve worn it to a five-star hotel’s restaurant and then straight to the pool for a mid-day cocktail. And get this: it’s available in 21 colors—ranging from super bright hues to soft muted tones that fits just about any vibe.

The waistband rests gently on the waist, but you can adjust the fit using the drawstrings. Unlike the scratchy net-like liners in cheaper swim trunks, the nylon-spandex blend is silky and irritation-free, making all-day wear way more comfortable. Plus, the 5.5-inch inseam flatters tall and short guys alike. In terms of functionality, the pockets are super deep for your sunglasses or wallet, while one in the back snaps shut for extra security.

Come summer, our editors have worn this 8.5-inch short for just about all their hot weather activities: surfing, volleyball and sunbathing. Beach settings aside—we found this boardshort can hold up at the gym as well. That’s because of its polyester-elastane blend, which is super flexible. I’ve worn this during leg day, and found that it easily moved through deadlifts, lunges, and squats with ease. Plus, the moisture-wicking fabric kept me relatively cool and dry through even the hardest workouts.

The lengthy cut provides plenty of coverage for taller guys, and the longer inseam reduces ride-up and chafing for extra comfort. Also, the relaxed fit gives you more room to move, better airflow, and a laid-back look compared to slim or tailored cuts. These swim trunks earn bonus points for the pockets on the thigh, which securely store keys and other small valuables.

After testing Wellen’s Performance Swim Trunk, we found that it’s easily the most durable short on this list. Our editors appreciate the polyester-spandex blend fabric, which is stretchy, quick drying, and nearly tear proof. We’ve sported this during tropical hikes and extreme water sports, and found that the Performance Trunk held up to just about anything mother nature threw at it. We like the moisture-wicking liner, which is actually more comfortable than Rhone’s R&R short, but we did find it didn’t dry as quickly as Rhone’s short, and is a bit thicker than we’d prefer. Still, those are minor quibbles for a swim trunk as functional as this one.

Looks-wise, the Performance Trunk isn’t the most stylish of the bunch, and it’s not meant to be. It’s available in seven solid colors and two inseam options, all of which have a no-frills design. Though we have to say, because of its barebones aesthetics, the Performance Trunk looks a lot cleaner than your typical bulky hiking short. Wellen markets this as a multipurpose trunk that doubles as a gym short, and after putting it through the paces, we agree with that claim. While it’s not as breathable as Ten Thousand’s award-winning Interval Short, Wellen’s stretchy fabric moves easily through all sorts of workouts.

Yes, this is the most expensive option on our list, but we think Orlebar Brown’s Setter Swim Trunk packs a big style flex that’s worthy of its higher price point. We love the simplicity of the burgundy, which is very sharp and unexpected—most guys wouldn’t dare go near that color, so you’ll probably be the only guy at the pool rocking it. The silver fasteners add extra style points, and just look super plush. Meanwhile the Setter’s 4.5-inch inseam is universally flattering.

This swim trunk is made with 100% Nylon, which feels hefty and expensive, but isn’t as stretchy as other shorts on this list. But you’re not rocking this for comfort; the Setter is all about quiet luxury. It looks amazing with just about any polo or camp