The 8 Best Swim Trunks & Board Shorts for Men in 2026
April 01, 2026
The best men's swim trunks in 2026 are the Sporti Guard Men's Swim Trunk — the top seller on SwimOutlet. For swimmers who want performance fabric in a casual trunk, the TYR Men's Deck-X brings competition-grade nylon and a spandex liner to an everyday silhouette. SwimOutlet selected 8 covering every use case from lap swimming to surfing.
Key Takeaways
- Best overall: Sporti Guard Swim Trunk — top seller, clean styling, Sporti value pricing.
- Best performance: TYR Deck-X uses competition-grade nylon with a spandex comfort liner. Rapidly growing.
- Best athletic cut: Sporti 5.5 Active Volley — modern 5.5-inch inseam for pool, gym, and casual wear.
- Best board short: Billabong All Day Pro — 4-way Pro Stretch, Micro Repel coating, recycled materials.
- Most popular length: 7-inch inseam balances coverage and comfort for everyday summer wear.
Quick Comparison at a Glance
| Trunk / Short | Best For | Inseam | Liner | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sporti Guard Trunk | Overall / Pool | 5.5" | Yes | $ |
| Sporti Hybrid Cargo | Utility / Storage | 10" | Yes | $ |
| Sporti 5.5 Volley | Athletic | 5.5" | Yes | $ |
| TYR Deck-X | Performance Crossover | 6" | Yes | $$ |
| Sporti Hybrid II Board | Board Short / Casual | 8" | No | $ |
| Billabong All Day Pro | Surf / Beach | 20" outseam | No | $$ |
| O'Neill Hyperfreak | Premium Surf | 20" outseam | No | $$$ |
| Sporti Volley 7" | Casual / Everyday | 7" | No | $ |
1. Sporti Guard Men's Swim Trunk
SwimOutlet's top-selling men's trunk by a wide margin. Clean styling, elastic waistband with drawstring, built-in mesh brief, side pockets, and a rear pocket with velcro closure. Quick-dry polyester with UPF 50+ and chlorine resistance means these hold up to daily pool use.
Available in multiple colorways for team matching. At Sporti pricing, replacing worn trunks every season is painless. The 5.5-inch inseam sits at the modern athletic sweet spot — not too long, not too short.
What we liked
- Top seller — proven by thousands of customers
- Quick-dry, chlorine-resistant polyester
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Built-in mesh brief + multiple pockets
- Sporti value pricing
What to consider
- Guard+ branding may not suit non-lifeguards
- Limited to solid colorways
Great trunk for the price. I use them for lifeguarding and they've held up all summer. Quick dry is legit.
— Marcus T., Verified Buyer on SwimOutlet.comBought these for my son's swim team. They fit great and the price can't be beat.
— Jennifer K., Verified Buyer on SwimOutlet.com2. Sporti Guard Men's Hybrid Cargo Swim Trunk
Same Sporti construction as #1, with added cargo pocket for lifeguards and swimmers who need to carry a radio, sunscreen, or phone. The 10-inch inseam provides more coverage, and contrast white stitching adds a clean look.
Elastic waistband, inner brief, UPF 50+, chlorine-resistant. The cargo pocket sits flat against the thigh — no bulk or snagging.
What we liked
- Cargo pocket for radio/sunscreen/phone
- 10-inch inseam for more coverage
- Same durable Sporti construction as #1
What to consider
- Longer inseam adds drag for lap swimming
- Cargo pocket unnecessary for casual swimmers
Perfect for guarding. The cargo pocket fits my radio and the fabric dries fast between rotations.
— Jake M., Verified Buyer on SwimOutlet.com3. Sporti Men's 5.5 Active Swim Trunk Volley Short
The shorter 5.5-inch inseam delivers a modern athletic silhouette with more leg freedom. Versatile enough for pool laps, gym workouts, and casual wear. Quick-dry polyester, elastic waistband, mesh liner.
Less fabric drag in the water makes this better for casual lap swimming than longer board shorts. Available in 6 colorways including Ocean Blue and Royal Blue.
What we liked
- 5.5-inch athletic inseam — modern fit
- Versatile for pool, gym, and casual wear
- 6 colorways available
- Sporti value pricing
What to consider
- Shorter cut may feel too revealing for some
- No cargo or utility pockets
Love the shorter cut. I wear these to the pool and the gym. They dry fast and look good.
— Chris R., Verified Buyer on SwimOutlet.com4. TYR Men's Deck-X Swim Trunks
TYR brings competition-grade construction to a casual trunk. The nylon shell with spandex comfort liner provides a noticeably better fit and feel than standard polyester trunks. Logo drawcord adds a premium touch.
This is the trunk for swimmers who want performance fabric quality without wearing a competitive suit. Growing rapidly as swimmers discover the comfort difference of TYR's liner construction.
What we liked
- TYR competition-grade nylon construction
- Spandex comfort liner — superior fit
- Premium brand quality at mid-range pricing
- Rapidly growing — strong customer demand
What to consider
- Higher price than Sporti alternatives
- Fewer color options than budget trunks
- Nylon shell is not chlorine-resistant like polyester
These trunks feel premium. The liner is so much more comfortable than mesh briefs in cheaper trunks.
— Ryan D., Verified Buyer on SwimOutlet.com5. Sporti Guard Men's Hybrid II Board Short
The most versatile casual summer short: long enough to feel like real shorts, short enough to swim comfortably. Hybrid construction handles both swimming and everyday wear without needing to change. Quick-dry fabric transitions easily from water to land, making these a practical choice for an active summer.
Elastic back waistband with drawstring, side pockets, back pocket with velcro. UPF 50+ and chlorine-resistant. Available in Black, Royal Blue, and Red.
What we liked
- Hybrid design — swim and street ready
- 8-inch inseam hits the versatile sweet spot
- Quick-dry for easy water-to-land transitions
- UPF 50+ and chlorine-resistant
What to consider
- No built-in mesh brief (hybrid construction)
- Guard+ branding on some colorways
These are my go-to summer shorts. I wear them everywhere — pool, beach, errands. They dry so fast.
— Brian P., Verified Buyer on SwimOutlet.com6. Billabong All Day Pro Board Short
Billabong's flagship performance board short, engineered for surfing. 4-way Pro Stretch fabric made from recycled PET bottles provides maximum flexibility during paddling and pop-ups. Micro Repel coating sheds water to keep the shorts lighter and drier.
Performance fit with engineered paneling minimizes seams and maximizes stretch. Patch pocket with hook-and-loop closure. The 20-inch outseam provides full knee coverage for wax rash protection.
What we liked
- 4-way Pro Stretch — maximum surf flexibility
- Micro Repel water-shedding coating
- Made from recycled PET bottles
- Performance-engineered seam placement
What to consider
- Premium surf pricing
- 20-inch outseam too long for pool use
- Fixed waist (no elastic) — must size accurately
Best board shorts I've owned. The stretch is incredible for surfing and they dry faster than any others I've tried.
— Kyle W., Verified Buyer on SwimOutlet.com8. Sporti Guard Men's Hybrid Volley Short (7")
The 7-inch inseam is the most popular length for casual summer wear — long enough for everyday use, short enough for comfortable swimming. Elastic waistband with drawstring, side pockets, back pocket with velcro.
UPF 50+, chlorine-resistant, quick-dry. This is the trunk for the swimmer whose summer wardrobe revolves around versatile, water-ready shorts.
What we liked
- 7-inch inseam — most popular casual length
- Elastic waist for easy on/off
- UPF 50+ and chlorine-resistant
- Sporti value pricing
What to consider
- Guard+ branding limits non-lifeguard appeal
- Basic polyester — not as premium as TYR or Billabong
Perfect everyday summer shorts. I wear them to the pool, the store, everywhere. They dry fast and look clean.
— Tom H., Verified Buyer on SwimOutlet.comHow We Chose These Trunks
Products were selected based on customer reviews, return rates, and sales performance across SwimOutlet's catalog.
Buyer's Guide: Choosing Men's Swim Trunks
Inseam Length
5–5.5 inch: Modern athletic cut. More leg freedom, leaner look. Popular among younger and athletic swimmers. 7 inch: The most popular casual length. Balances coverage and comfort for everyday summer wear. 9–10 inch: Board short length. Full knee coverage for surfing or modesty. 20 inch outseam: Full surf board short. Maximum protection from wax rash.
Liner vs. No Liner
Trunks with built-in mesh or compression liners eliminate the need for underwear and provide support during swimming. Board shorts and hybrid shorts typically have no liner — wear a compression short underneath for lap swimming.
Fabric
Polyester: Chlorine-resistant, durable, quick-dry. Best for pool use. Nylon: Softer, lighter, better stretch. Not chlorine-resistant — degrades with heavy pool use. Best for beach and casual. Recycled polyester/elastane blends: Premium surf fabrics with 4-way stretch and water-repellent coatings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best swim trunks for men?
The best swim trunks for men in 2026 are the Sporti Guard Men's Swim Trunk for overall value and versatility, the TYR Deck-X for swimmers wanting performance fabric in a casual trunk, and the Sporti 5.5 Active Volley for a shorter athletic cut. For board shorts, the Billabong All Day Pro and O'Neill Hyperfreak are top picks.
What length swim trunks should men wear?
The most popular length in 2026 is the 7-inch inseam for a balanced look at pool, beach, and casual wear. Shorter 5-inch inseams are popular among athletic and younger men. Longer 9 to 10 inch provides knee coverage for surfing or modesty.
What is the difference between swim trunks and board shorts?
Swim trunks have an elastic waistband, built-in mesh liner, and shorter inseam designed primarily for swimming. Board shorts have a flat waistband with tie closure, no liner, and a longer inseam designed for surfing. Hybrid shorts combine features of both.
Can you swim in board shorts?
Yes, board shorts are designed for water use with quick-dry fabrics. They are popular for surfing, bodyboarding, and casual swimming. However, longer fabric creates more drag than fitted swim trunks, making them less ideal for lap swimming.
