Fun in the sun always goes hand in hand with a refreshing swim in summer. Comfortable swimsuits are essential for the perfect beach day or poolside fun. While women’s fashion takes center stage, today we’re turning our attention to the best swimwear brands for men.
Men’s swimwear is highly underrated. People usually opt for swim trunks, board shorts, or Speedos. Nevertheless, there are numerous brands on the market that offer some of the essential pieces for the perfect swimsuit for this target group.
As some of the best brands for men’s swim trunks, these companies know what options to offer to make swimming comfortable, easy, and fun.
10 Best Swimwear Brands for Men
Written toward the end of the year, this article will help you find the best end-of-season deals to stock up for the next swim season. We’ve compiled our top 10 list of the best men’s swimwear brands (2021 edition) to help you understand styles, materials, prices, and more.
1. Polo Ralph Lauren
Polo Ralph Lauren boasts one of our most beloved founder quotes: “For me, it’s about living life to the fullest and enjoying the abundance of life around you. From the clothes you wear to the way you live to the way you love.”
Founded by Ralph Lauren, this company focuses on fashion and how it can enrich every life and every experience. It sells high-quality clothing, as well as home decor and gifts for loved ones.
The company has been established in the fashion industry for over 50 years and can easily be included in our list of the best swimwear brands for men.
Although the company’s focus goes beyond swimwear, it still offers a wide selection of swim trunks in different cuts, materials, and lengths to suit your summer style.
Many swim trunks from this brand cost an average of around $80 (retail prices up to $50), but select models are more expensive, costing up to $150.
2. Lacoste
If you’re interested in sports history, Lacoste is the right place for you. Founded by tennis star René Lacoste, the brand is committed to creating innovative new fashion in an environmentally conscious way.
This company places great importance on the longevity of its products, whether swimwear or sweaters. This brand’s swimwear offers a wide selection of clothing for men, women, and children and is designed for a good time.
With over 10 different styles and lengths, Lacoste is considered one of the best swimwear brands for men thanks to its quick-drying designs and recyclable materials. Save the environment and your style for just $50 to $100, depending on the model.
3. Nautica
The bliss of the sea is reflected in every piece of the Nautica collection. Founded in 1983 by David Chu, the brand was inspired by the swift and peaceful nature of the water and aims to bring you the joy of the deep every day.
The collections include clothing for men, women, and children. However, this article focuses on the swim trunks that make the brand one of the best swimwear brands for men. Inseam lengths range from 15 to 20 cm. The swim trunks fit sizes XS to 3XL, offering a perfect fit for men of all sizes.
These sustainably made polyester swim trunks are comfortably stretchy and quick-drying, making every dip in the water comfortable and satisfying. This brand is more affordable; most swim trunks cost $50 to $70.
4. Bonobos
Bonobos is a newer entrant to the market, founded in 2007 to offer men high-quality fashion and materials at an affordable price. This brand is all about the fit, ensuring maximum comfort and style.
The brand designs its clothing from durable materials and is built to last, ensuring your fashion always fits well. For swimwear, the company focuses on consistent materials and prices and offers a variety of styles.
Recycled polyester, over 35 different styles, and sizes from XS to 2XL make this brand one of the best men’s swimwear brands on the market today. Whether plain or patterned, these fun swim trunks are available for an average price of $80.
5. Speedo
Speedo is undoubtedly one of the most popular names on this list of the best swimwear brands for men and has become synonymous with its stylish briefs and jammers, often worn by professional swimmers.
Before becoming an Olympic classic, this brand was founded in 1914 but changed its name to Speedo in 1928. This company has been present at the Olympic Games since 1936 and is one of the best men’s swimwear brands due to its consistency, durability, and pricing.
Speedo swimwear offers more than just your typical briefs. With swim trunks, jammers, swim shorts, and many more styles, this brand is designed for comfort and speed for swimmers from beginners to elite athletes.
Although Speedo swimwear is a larger brand, it is one of the more affordable brands on this list, with most pieces costing between $20 and $50.
6. O’Neill
Surf the waves and enjoy summer styles with O’Neill, a brand founded in 1952 by sailor Jack O’Neill.
This company was initially founded as an independent surf shop and Jack is credited with inventing the modern wetsuit (which isn’t entirely true, but he was one of the first to bring it to market).
O’Neill has always focused on summer and surfing, starting out selling wetsuits and swimwear before launching other clothing collections in recent years.
The brand specializes in swimming and therefore offers an incredible variety of lengths, styles, features and more so that everyone can find the suit that suits their needs.
By sustainably sourcing materials, they use eco-friendly practices in the production of their swimwear so everyone looks good while supporting a cause the company truly cares about.
The prices of all boardshorts vary, with many averaging between $50 and $60, and some more expensive options costing around $100.
7. Volcom
Boardsports form the foundation of this best swimwear brand for men. Volcom founders Richard Wolcott and Tucker Hall were inspired by their shared love of snowboarding, skateboarding, and surfing.
Since 1991, this clothing brand has been working to sustainably source and produce clothing that encourages self-expression and activity.
Designed for both sport and relaxation, these garments embody the fight for respect that all too often accompanies the passion for art, sports, and more.
When it comes to swimwear, this brand is all about options: it sells shorts, swim trunks, wetsuits, rash guards, and more.
Whether you’re looking to swim in one of the more than 40 available shorts and swim trunks or catch the next big wave in a wetsuit, this brand has the right model for everyone, in plain or patterned designs.
Most of their shorts and swim trunks cost between $40 and $60, which is pretty good compared to some others on this list.
8. Lululemon
Although Lululemon isn’t the standard when it comes to swimming, its durable and solid fashion puts it on our list of the best swimwear brands for men.
Originally founded in Vancouver, Canada, this brand began with a solid market for women’s yoga clothing and has expanded its offerings to now include extensive product lines for both men and women.
Since 1998, this company has been working to stylize sweating so you feel cool and comfortable even during the most intense workout routine.
Although there isn’t a wide selection of swimwear, Lululemon swim shorts are lightweight and quick-drying, and are available in inseams ranging from 5 to 10 inches.
Boardshorts, jammers, and swim shorts are part of the range. The color selection suits every summer style. Swimwear from this brand costs an average of between $70 and $100.
9. Chubbies
Chubbies is by far the newest company on this list, launching in 2011 after four men found a common style in the small market of retro shorts.
This brand focused on the short fashion of the 70s and 80s and brought the length back into the market so that men now had an option other than thigh or knee length.
Although the company initially produced only shorts, it has expanded its offerings to include swimwear and shirts, while still maintaining the retro focus at the heart of the brand.
This brand distinguishes between lined and unlined swimwear (if you don’t know the difference, read the section below!) and has designed countless patterns to exude a cheerful summer vibe.
The inseam length ranges from 4 to 7 inches, with swimwear designed to accommodate the classic shorter size of shorts. Most pairs of Chubbies cost $60 to $80.
10. Patagonia
Patagonia was founded by Yvon Chouinard out of a love of sport and activity and originally focused on manufacturing climbing equipment.
In 1972, realizing that durable clothing was essential for successful climbing, the brand entered the apparel sector. From that point on, the business changed direction as the company continued to expand.
This company has overcome losses during economic crises and has always strived to put its employees and families first by placing the community at the center of production and sales.
Despite having the smallest selection of boardshorts on this list, Patagonia’s Wavefarer and HydroSpeak shorts are known for their durable design and simple style.
These shorts come in a range of patterns and plain colors, making them suitable for everyone. They’re made from water-repellent materials, dry quickly, and offer maximum comfort. These sustainably produced shorts cost between $60 and $80 and are definitely worth a look.
What Is The Best Material For Men’s Swimwear?
When it comes to the ideal swimwear, material is an important consideration before purchasing. Different materials change speed and style, and let’s face it: some materials simply aren’t as durable as others.
The best men’s swimwear brands consider all of these aspects and more when designing their top summer suits. However, we’ll break them down by material to give you the tools you need to understand exactly what’s being sold.
1. Polyester – This material is undoubtedly one of the most popular materials for clothing and, due to its durability, the first choice for swimsuits. It feels soft, dries quickly, and makes all colors look elegant and vibrant. This material is ideal for summer swimming.
Often used for swim trunks, this choice is a must-have for any swim at the beach or in the pool due to its comfortable, stretchy fit and resistance to chlorine and chemicals.
2. Nylon – Nylon is often used in athletic wear and is more stretchy than comparable materials. Due to the nature of the material, it takes longer to dry, as nylon absorbs water rather than repels it. So, you’ll have to get used to slightly damp swim trunks when walking on the beach.
While this material is extremely lightweight, it doesn’t last as long as other options and is more susceptible to chemicals in the pool. However, if you’re looking for a refreshing dip, it will still last for several summers.
3. Mixed – Lycra blended suits are widely available on the market, often mixed with polyester or nylon to reinforce the material for longer life.
These blended materials are commonly used for briefs and jammers and are the longest-lasting of any options on the market, making them not only a fashionable choice but also an investment.
These stretch suits are resistant to chemicals, sun, and constant washing and fit slightly closer to your body so as not to affect your swim time.
The choice depends on your requirements for your swimwear. All three options are stylish, weatherproof, and durable. While the lifespan depends on the material, you can’t go wrong with any of these options.
The key differences between these fabrics arise from the different swimwear styles. Stretchy fabrics such as blended fabrics are commonly used in professional swimming, where they are often used for briefs, jammers, and other suits designed to reduce drag during competitive swimming.
These designs are crafted to conform to the swimmer’s body. They are made from a lightweight material that covers key body parts while reducing the weight of loose material.
Recreational swimming is often associated with swim shorts and swim trunks. These styles are often made of polyester and nylon. Although they are naturally looser, they come in a variety of lengths, providing a discreet look while also offering a quick-drying solution for any dip in the pool.
Regardless of the intended use, swimwear materials are lightweight, durable, and dry quickly without causing discomfort. Choosing the right style depends on the material, as some styles are more limited in manufacturing than others.
We recommend avoiding cotton and wool when purchasing swimsuits. Suits made of these materials are highly absorbent and extremely uncomfortable to wear for extended periods when wet.
To avoid chafing and uncomfortable swim times, stick to the three best options.
Lined vs. Unlined: What’s Better?
Every male swimmer knows that when buying swim trunks, an additional lining element is often included. But what’s the point? Why do the best swimwear brands for men include this inner layer?
Swimsuit liners are available in mesh or spandex blends. While there’s some debate about the comfort of each material, rest assured, they do serve a purpose.
While boardshorts do not have a lining, many of the best swimsuit brands for men have this extra layer for a variety of reasons.
There are endless debates among men about how helpful and comfortable a lining in swimwear actually is. A quick online search provides readers with both sides of the argument, with a range of benefits and concerns on the subject.
What can take hours to read through is summarized here in a few short points to help everyone get started on understanding the real difference that food makes.
So what are the advantages and disadvantages of liners?
Pros
- Designed for coverage to protect men from showing off a bit too much. Water clings to clothing, so for maximum coverage and to avoid showing the beach just what you’ve got going for you, sometimes liners are the best bet.
- Drying times are quicker with the additional layer to promote and aerate the material.
- Liner materials are crafted for comfort and support. Polyester suits can be rough on the skin, so the additional layer means additional comfort.
- Mesh lining especially allows for easy airflow to prevent rashes in areas rashes should never be.
Cons
- Sand. With linings, especially spandex-based ones, sand can easily get trapped in uncomfortable places.
- Aerodynamically, any additional material will slow you down in the water. If the goal is surfing or water sports, board shorts and similar styles are designed without the lining to keep the trunks as lightweight as possible.
- Comfort will also make an appearance in the cons as some men state linings are itchy and uncomfortable for long periods of time.
Ultimately, it comes down to your preference. While panty liners offer advantages in terms of intimate protection, comfort, and faster drying time, they aren’t suitable for every skin type, and some men prefer a little more freedom while swimming.
The choice depends on what your body prefers, so try both options to find the right fit.
Things To Consider When Buying Men’s Swimwear
We’ve provided you with a lot of information in a short time. There’s a lot to consider, so we’ll break down the most important points to consider when shopping for new swimwear.
These points may seem a little obvious, but when it comes down to it, it’s easy to forget crucial swimwear considerations that can easily affect how enjoyable a day at the beach will be.
- Use – When making a purchase decision, the primary consideration must be the reason for the purchase.
If you’re planning a simple beach day, you’ll have more options (which can definitely make things more difficult), but if you’re into sports, you’ll want to stick to sleeker designs.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Suits made from spandex or lycra blends are better suited to the speed that all athletes strive for in competitions.
Whether you prefer swim trunks or jammers, any tight-fitting suit made of stretch fabric is more aerodynamic in the water and leads to faster race times.
Reduce the drag of loose suits and ensure a smooth pool surface so you can glide through the pool professionally.
- Material – We’ve already touched on this above, outlining the different standard swimwear materials. However, before purchasing, you should weigh the pros and cons of each option.
For a durable design, consider polyester or a blended material. These designs also dry faster than nylon and are generally the most popular choice for production materials.
They’re not difficult to find, but they’re definitely worth considering when shopping for a new suit. If nylon caught your eye while reading above, try it out for your next beach day.
No matter what you choose, these three materials are commonly used in manufacturing, so swimwear will last for several years after purchase.
- Style – There’s a wide range of styles when it comes to men’s swimwear. It goes beyond briefs and boardshorts, but actually encompasses a variety of lengths, fits, colors, and more.
Make sure the style you choose suits your comfort level, as each option has a different effect on the body.
Slimmer models that fit closer to the skin leave little room for imagination. Shorts and loose swim trunks may be the best choice if modesty is important to you. Colors and patterns vary by brand, so there’s something for every style.
Find the fit that suits your body and your confidence to get the most out of your summer swimming.
- Lining – As mentioned earlier, the lining is an important consideration before purchasing a new suit. We won’t go through all the pros and cons here, but we do want to point out that while lining can be helpful, it’s not comfortable for everyone.
Some people complain about pressure points or sand entrapment or a number of other problems when wearing suits with lining.
Keep in mind that mesh isn’t the only option available. Similar to many workout shorts, there are a variety of swimsuits on the market with spandex lining to help keep the swimsuit in shape.
When modesty is a top priority, these linings are a perfect extra layer with a smoother surface than mesh alternatives.
- Brand – As always, when purchasing a durable product, the brand should be considered. While the brand name isn’t everything, each brand should be researched to verify the company’s legitimacy.
Why waste money on a brand known for its terribly high-quality materials when you could spend a little more on a company known for durable designs that will last for years?
- Prices – Higher prices don’t always mean higher quality. While some well-known brands charge significantly more for their products, there are many trusted names that offer half price to save money without compromising on quality.
Calculate your budget and find some brand names that are within your set financial limits.
We guarantee you’ll find affordable options without compromising on build quality and materials. It’s all about finding the brand that offers the best value.
- Versatility – Often overlooked, but last on our list for a good reason: versatility is key when purchasing a new suit.
Many people forget: Swimsuits and swim trunks are often worn with shirts, button-down shirts, and many other garments that cover the upper body before jumping in. Look for a suit that pairs well with other shirts to stay stylish before and after swimming.
There may be a lot to consider, but we’ve compiled these points to help you find the best of the best. Every purchasing decision is unique and individual. What works for one person may not work for another. So don’t force yourself to listen to the wishes of others when making a purchase.
Find the right length, style, and fit, then research brands and prices. It may seem like a lengthy process, but ultimately, you’ll get a longer-lasting suit at a better price.
Summer may seem a long way off at this time of year, but now it’s time for the sales season. Shop around and find the perfect outfit at half price to get you ready for next year.
How We Chose the Best Swimwear Brands for Men
Before we choose a brand, we scour the internet and major online retailers to ensure we’re familiar with all the available options on the market. We consider customer reviews, star ratings, brand ethos, processes, materials, accessibility, and much more. We weigh the pros and cons so you don’t have to, helping you make informed purchasing decisions.
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