Chubbies Men's 5.5" Apex Swimmers Swim Trunk
5.5-inch inseam, premium 4-way stretch, and the brand that put short swim trunks back in style.
- 5.5-inch inseam delivers the retro short-trunk look that Chubbies pioneered
- 4-way stretch fabric and UPF 50+ protection are the premium tier specs
- ~4.8-star rating from 6,000+ reviews across the Chubbies lineup
Best For / Not For
Best for
- Buyers who want the short-trunk aesthetic and are willing to pay for premium fabric quality
Not for
- Buyers who prefer longer coverage -- the Quiksilver 20-inch or O'Neill 17-inch serve that preference
Key Details
Why Short Trunks
The short inseam swim trunk -- 5 to 6 inches -- was the standard from the 1960s through the 1980s before surf culture shifted the default to longer boardshorts in the 1990s and 2000s. Chubbies' success is built on the revival of this silhouette for a generation of buyers who grew up with the longer look and are deliberately choosing something different.
The short trunk is not a compromise -- at the beach and pool, it reads as confident and deliberate. The Chubbies 5.5-inch inseam is long enough to avoid any exposure issues while short enough to make the aesthetic statement clear.
Premium Fabric Reality
Chubbies usually costs several times more than the Amazon Essentials option. The premium buys 4-way stretch that moves freely in and out of the water, a faster-drying fabric that does not feel heavy after a dip, and UPF 50+ protection. For buyers who spend significant time at the beach or pool, these differences are tangible over the course of a day.
For buyers who swim occasionally or mostly use trunks for resort hotel pools, the fabric premium is harder to justify. The Amazon Essentials or Quiksilver cover the functional need at a fraction of the cost.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best fabric quality in this guide -- 4-way stretch dries noticeably faster and feels better than budget polyester
- UPF 50+ sun protection built into the fabric
- Chubbies brand is recognized and respected in the premium casual swim category
Cons
- Highest price in this guide by a significant margin
- 5.5-inch inseam is a specific aesthetic choice -- not everyone wants short trunks
Bottom Line
Chubbies Apex Swimmers is the right choice for buyers who want premium short-trunk quality. The best fabric in this guide, UPF 50+ protection, and the brand that brought the short-trunk aesthetic back justify the premium for buyers who will use them regularly. For longer coverage or budget pricing, other options in this guide serve those needs better.
Check current price on Amazon
