Best Men's Swim Trunks

We tested men's swim trunks across inseam length, fabric quality, quick-dry performance, liner type, waistband comfort, and durability through repeated wash cycles. The length question is the one most buyers skip over and regret: a 5-inch inseam is a lifestyle trunk designed for a retro look at the beach or pool; a 9-inch inseam is a casual everyday trunk that reads more like shorts; a 17-20 inch boardshort is designed for surfing and beach use where protection and coverage matter.

The liner matters more than most buyers expect. A mesh liner is lightweight, dries fast, and is standard on most casual trunks. A compression liner provides support without a separate garment and is the preference of buyers who are active in the water. No liner means full freedom of movement but requires wearing separate compression shorts -- common for surf use.

Quick-dry fabric is effectively standard above the cheapest tier -- the difference is how quickly. Premium fabrics like those used by Chubbies and O'Neill dry noticeably faster than budget polyester blends. For a beach day where you transition between water and activity, that difference matters.