Our 10 Favorite Swim Trunks To Wear By The Pool All Summer
Poolside, daiquiri in hand, sun shining overhead—does it get any better than a hot summer’s day with nothing much to do besides rest and relax? We don’t think so.
This collection of our 10 favorite swim trunks has been carefully curated to present a full selection of swim trunk styles, with only the finest brands represented. Take a look through the list, and try to imagine yourself lounging a la tropical before clicking that buy button.
Rhone R&R Swim Trunks
Rest and relaxation—that’s the name of the game with Rhone’s R&R Swim Trunks, designed for long days by the pool or on the beach. They’re made with a comfortable four-way stretch material that’s imbued with a permanent anti-odor technology, keeping them fresh and clean wear after wear.
But best of all is the R&R’s fine mesh brief liner, an underwear-like sleeve that turns these shorts into a one-piece solution to your beachwear. The retro look and standard fit wrap Rhone’s R&R Trunks up nicely, making them a great choice for just about any guy out there.
Price: $88
Fair Harbor Anchor Swim Trunks
Fair Harbor’s Anchor Swim Trunks receive rave reviews year after year, with beachgoing guys swearing by them for all of their summer fun. Why? Well, to start with, the Anchor trunks are available in a huge selection of colors and patterns—14 classics that are always available, and a rotating selection of a dozen limited edition, seasonal prints.
But their quick-drying recycled polyester and spandex material is a big draw here too, as is the light and airy BreezeKnit liner. To cap it all off, an eight inch inseam hits just above the knee, and the fit is more tapered for a definitive retro styling.
Price: $68
Wellen Lined Swim Trunks
Though they’re made with full swim trunk functionality in mind, Wellen’s Lined Swim Trunks can just as easily play the role of outdoor adventuring shorts thanks to a sturdier construction and a three-pocket design. In fact, they’re some of the most comfortable shorts you can wear as a summer staple, with an elastic and drawstring waistband, built-in performance fabric liner, and a casual, true-to-size fit.
And all 11 colors of Wellen’s Lined Trunks are tasteful and refined, offering something that’s closer to dressy casual than all-out surfer bro.
Price: $88
Outerknown Apex Hybrid Trunks By Kelly Slater
Pro surfer Kelly Slater knows a thing or two about swim trunks. But the Apex Hybrid Trunks are way beyond a classic pair of poolside pants. They’re designed as the perfect all-in-one travel shorts for summer, with a super lightweight fabric that—contrary to most trunks on this list—doesn’t stretch, giving the Apex shorts greater durability and a crisper look and feel.
They’re ultra fast-drying too, with mesh-lined front pockets and an Aquaguard zippered back pocket to keep your essentials safe and dry. Taped interior seams complete the package here, offering a smooth and chafe-free ride wherever you go.
Price: $128
Chubbies Everywhere Swim Trunks
For the best value pair of swim trunks with a good selection of classic color options, check out Chubbies’ Everywhere Swim Trunks. They’re made with a less common material blend than most other trunks on the market today, incorporating cotton for softness, polyester for strength and quicker drying, and just enough spandex for stretch and comfort.
That’s all paired with a full-length mesh liner brief, a button fly, and a drawstring waist for comfort and precise fit. And if you’re looking to show off your legs this summer, Chubbies’ Everywhere shorts are the right choice—their six inch inseam is dripping with vintage style, and really lets you flaunt what you’re working with.
Price: $45
Bather Solid Pine Swim Trunks
You want color options, different inseam lengths, lots of bells and whistles? Then look elsewhere, because Bather’s Solid Pine Swim Trunks specialize in one thing: A classic, minimalist look and feel. It helps that they’re also made with a finely tuned selection of fabrics, including a fast-drying recycled nylon shell and a nylon/spandex blend mesh liner that moves smoothly with you.
A 5.5-inch inseam here completes the retro look and feel, while reinforced side pockets and a back pocket with a snap closure make sure you have plenty of room for your phone, wallet, and keys while you’re lounging at the poolside bar.
Price: $90
Free Fly Andros Swim Trunks
So far, each pair of swim trunks featured on this list has come with a built-in liner. But what if you’re not looking for one? In that case, check out Free Fly’s Andros Swim Trunks. Made of an ultralight recycled polyester material, they also have the largest proportion of spandex of any trunk featured here—giving them almost twice the stretch of a standard pair of swim trunks.
They also have a middle-of-the-road 7-inch inseam, and extra room throughout the seat and thigh, making them an excellent choice for guys who are getting in regular leg day workouts.
Price: $78
Lululemon Pool Shorts
When you’re wearing swim trunks, you have to assume that you’re going to get them soaked through at some point. But what about the rest of the time, when you’re outside of the water? Well, you’ll want some amount of water resistance to make sure that you’re dry and comfortable.
That’s just a part of what Lululemon offers with their water-repellent Pool Shorts, which are also abrasion-resistant and come with a chlorine-resistant Lycra liner, to boot. Made with a classic swim trunk fit and a 7-inch inseam, they’re a perfect poolside companion.
Price: $78+
MeUndies Active Swim Trunks
In their appearance and design, MeUndies’s Active Swim Trunks look to be very similar to the other trunks on our list. They have a good range of color selections, a polyester and spandex material blend, a built-in boxer brief liner, and a handful of pockets for good measure.
But beyond these must-haves for a pair of high quality trunks, the MeUndies trunks go one step further: They’re made almost entirely from recycled materials, with a total of eight plastic bottles’ worth of recycling per pair. That makes buying them a choice that’s as good for our oceans as it is for your weekends of summer fun.
Price: $62
Bonobos Riviera Recycled Swim Trunks
Last but not least, Bonobos’s Riviera Recycled Swim Trunks combine best-in-class environmental responsibility with the widest—and most unique—range of colors and patterns around. More than two dozen choices give you room to personalize your summer fit, from craft beer patterns to classic blue, floral, or geometric designs.
You can go as muted or as colorful as you’d like with a pair of Bonobos trunks, allowing you to express your unique sense of style even when they’re the only thing you’re wearing.
Price: $89
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