21 Coolest Summer Swim Trunks for Men in 2023

Sep 18, 2023

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There are areas in your menswear rotation where you need to go a bit more buttoned up, and there are areas where a sense of breezy, fun cool is the name of the game. Such is the case with the coolest men's swim trunks. After all, hitting the beach or pool should be laidback and stress-free, and it should certainly be stylish. Go ahead and live a little, we say.

When your swim trunks are the focal point of your outfit – often, the only focal point – expressing your personal style is paramount. If your wardrobe doesn't normally incorporate tons of color or pattern, then a pair of the best swim trunks are your best bet: Have a little fun, mix things up, opt for bright colors or cool patterns. There are even chances to match swimwear with your partner. The even better news is, you'll find a packed market of high-quality swim trunks out there, and these are the 21 best ones to buy now.

Sizes: S-4XL

Colors available: 2 classic colors; 6 adventurous patterns

MeUndies is one of our favorite underwear brands to shop for cool patterns and they've applied the same theme to its collection of swimwear. You can choose classic solid colors, but if you're looking to add a bit of fun to your summer looks, you'll want to go with one of the adventurous patterns. From pink flamingos to seashells, they have many beach-ready styles.

Sizes: 28"-38"

Colors available: Poppy Vine, Seersucker, Green Stripe, Navy, Black, Cyber Print

Say goodbye to the baggy swim trunks of days gone by. Todd Snyder updates your swimwear in a clean, tailored fit with side pull tabs – like you'd find on traditional suit trousers – and a detail-oriented coin pocket. These also boast a slim fit and a 5-inch inseam, and they look quite a lot like shorts you'd wear on dry land.

Sizes: S-XL

Colors available: Green

OAS goes the extra mile with these swim shorts, which feature slash pockets – like your favorite chino shorts – plus a hidden EDC storage zip pocket and quick-drying fabric. The green triangle pattern is bold yet tasteful, and a nice way to switch up your summer weekend beach game.

Sizes: S-XXL

Colors available: Bright Red Colorblock, Regatta Colorblock

When the time comes to ease up from the workweek, UNTUCKit delivers the swimsuit to take you into your weekend beach jaunt. The throwback colorblocking, 4-way stretch fabric and versatile 8-inch inseam ensure a seamless fit for plenty of guys. The fact that these are trunks are up for grabs for under $70 is a nice bonus, too.

Sizes: S-XXL

Colors available: Flame, Spice, Poolside, Greenery, Stone

Recycled nylon is what makes the do-it-all Cotopaxi Brinco Shorts tick – the fabric is eco-conscious, and the material dries quickly and moves with you, from the trail to town and back. These are more like outdoor performance shorts than traditional swim trunks, but they also boast built-in mesh briefs and a snap pocket – with a drainage hole, so water won't weigh you down.

Sizes: XS-XXL

Colors available: 11 colors total

The past is always an excellent source of inspiration for modern styles, like these retro-tinged swim trunks from Huckberry in-house brand Wellen. The quick-drying spandex and poly blend is a suitably modern piece of design innovation, while the 7-inch inseam should fit nicely across a wide range of body types. Take your pick from 11 eye-catching colors and patterns.

Sizes: S-XXL

Colors available: Blue, Green, Black

Ralph Lauren's namesake brand has always had an eye for the classics, including swim trunks that won't break the bank (or detract from the rest of your outfit). Opt for a simple, solid neutral color and a mid-length fit for a classic look – don't forget your Ralph Lauren polo for post-beach drinks.

Sizes: S-3XL

Colors available: 13 colors available

Fair Harbor makes swim trunks you can practically live in, with a comfortable 7-inch inseam and drawcord elastic waistband, plus soft, sun-faded fabric construction. The fabric itself in the best-selling Bayberry Trunk is also made from 11 plastic bottles, while the brand's BreezeKnit liner provides a super-comfortable fit without any chafing (unlike some other mesh liners).

Sizes: S-XXL

Colors available: Teal, Pink, Blue (With matching top available)

Duvin has an almost-obsessive attention to detail when it comes to swimsuit design, using stretchy, quick-dry fabric and liner made to mimic boxer briefs for a snug fit. What we really love about these swim trunks, though, is the poppy, throwback-minded vertical stripe design. If you're feeling very adventurous, you can even pair each set with its matching camp-collar shirt.

Sizes: XS-XXL, 5-inch or 7-inch inseam

Colors available: 12 colors total

Bonobos bills these swim trunks as an homage to the sort of trunks your dad used to wear, and these days, that's not a bad thing at all. The real selling point are the side stripes and the thigh-baring design, plus a range of customizable fit options. As a bonus, the 5-inch inseam option is especially retro, although a 7-inch inseam should work for most guys.

Sizes: XS-XXL

Colors available: Coral, Blue

Remember what we said about not being afraid to dive into color this summer swim season? MR. PORTER delivers that vibrant color handily, using a mid-length, mid-rise fit that's neither too baggy nor too tight. If you're searching for the coolest swim trunks with a "just-right" fit, you've found them.

Sizes: 28"-36"

Colors available: Sea Foam, Green, Pine

Remember old-school Polaroids from family vacations gone by? There's a chance the guys in your family were wearing a sporty style of boardshort not unlike this pair of Rhythm, which comes in cool striped combinations and boasts a quick-drying, durable nylon fabric build. Touches like a chamois-lined waistband deliver extra comfort all day long.

Sizes: S-XXL

Colors available: Ecru/Seaglass, Ecru/Pastel Rose

There's more than meets the eye with the La Paz Morais Swim Shorts. They feature a stylish colorblocked design and a streamlined fit, but the fabric is what really makes them an eco-friendly winner. Each pair is made from fiber developed from recovered ocean plastic, so you can feel great about wearing them to the beach – while looking great at the same time, that is.

Sizes: S-XXL

Colors available: Dark Spruce, Red, Maple Bark Camo/Tan

While you might associate Filson more commonly with frigid weather and flannel shirts, the brand delivers warm-weather gear that works for hitting the lake and trail as the mercury climbs. The Cooper Lake Trunks are designed with a comfortable drawcord waist and versatile 7-inch inseam, but it's the fast-drying nylon fabric that makes them especially fit for days off-grid, in the sun.

Sizes: XS-XXL

Colors available: Citrus, Dark Mint, Cobalt, Neon Pink, Coral

If you like your time in the sun served with a side of active performance, Billabong's trusted All Day Layback Trunks are a pro move. Bright color options offset the subtle design, which features minimal branding and a comfortable elastic waistband. They're especially well-suited for beachsports like volleyball, thanks to the trendy 5-inch inseam.

Sizes: XS-XL

Colors available: 24 colors available

Don't overthink your next purchase of stylish swim trunks. Between the elastic waistband and the athletic compression lining, these retro-style swim trunks are made to move, and they come in a wide array of colors and patterns for personal expression. Two-way stretch fabric aids in ease of movement, while a handy back pocket provides space for small EDC essentials.

Sizes: 28"-38"

Colors available: Black, Dark Penny Linen Texture Block, Wheat Fronds, Sagebrush Wave Stripe, Dusty Pine Color Block, Chestnut Wave Stripe, Light Cloud Kona, Caramel Slub

If you've tried Vuori's workout shorts or ultra-soft tees, you know the brand makes performance gear built to last. It doesn't hurt that they produce multiple styles in breezy colors, and it all comes together in these boardshorts. The 7-½ inch inseam works well for most guys, while the moisture-wicking fabric helps ease your transition from the ocean to the boardwalk.

Sizes: S-XXXL

Colors available: Olive Heather/Green, Divine/Blue

Vilebrequin always seems to be looking to the future with its swimwear designs, best seen in using the durable, moisture-wicking, anti-microbial material commonly found in basics and apparel is transformed into premium swim trunks. They come complete with a water-resistant mesh lining, back drainage eyelets and a colorblocked waistband.

Sizes: S-XXL

Colors available: Green Haze, Lavender, Black

Not every day at the beach revolves around catching some serious waves. Sometimes, things are a bit more easygoing, and that's where these subtle 7-½-inch swim shorts enter your next beach ensemble. The poly-cotton-nylon blend aids in both durability and quick-drying potential, while neutral color options make it easy to team these trunks up with a printed shirt on your top half.

Sizes: S-XXL

Colors available: Navy, Seafoam, Yellow

The Great White North (or at least, Toronto) might seem an unlikely location to craft some of the coolest swim trunks for men, but Bather Trunk Co. does everything from design to cutting, sewing and manufacturing in the Canadian city. The result is a quick-drying pair of 5.5-inch-inseam swim trunks in solid colors, made to mix and match with easygoing beach essentials.

S izes: 28"-40"

Colors available: 11 colors available

There's a reason James Bond trusts Orlebar Brown swim trunks. They're an expert mix of British heritage refinement and modern performance, boasting an ultra-flattering fit, crisp colors and touches like sleek side pull tabs (just like 007's suit trousers of choice). They're an investment, but you very well might feel as cool as Bond – James Bond – when you wear them.

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