If growing up in southern California taught me one thing, it's this: You always, always need to be ready to swim. No matter the season, no matter the time, no matter the place. It's a value we uphold here at Esquire, too—better to be prepared and have a swimsuit on hand than to not, in case the opportunity to go for a dive arises.
That being said, you absolutely need a pair of swim trunks at the ready. I know, I know, it isn't summer yet, but before you know it, it will be. Those vacations you're thinking about are right around the corner, as are days spent at the beach, pool, or lake. So a trusty pair of swim trunks will take you a long way—and we have 17 of the very best ones right here, all available on Amazon.
best affordable swim trunks
Amazon Essentials 9" Quick-Dry Swim Trunks
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best secure swim trunks
Silkworld Swimming Trunks with Compression Liner
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best comfortable swim trunks
Under Armour Comfort Waistband Trunks
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best performance swim trunks
Nike Split Breaker Volley Swim Trunks
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Now that it's warming up, there is a sense of urgency to buying swim trunks, which is why Amazon is the place to go. The mega retailer has thousands of options, but the best, most functional, most reliable, and most stylish ones are below. From brands including Calvin Klein, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Billabong, shop our favorite styles here.
best affordable swim trunks
Amazon Essentials 9" Quick-Dry Swim Trunks
best affordable swim trunks
Amazon Essentials 9" Quick-Dry Swim Trunks
Pros
Great price
Has mesh liner
Cons
Not the stretchiest option
If any time is the right time for gingham, it's summer. And these swim shorts are less than ten bucks—what's not to love?
Colors | 27 |
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Sizes | XS-2XL |
Material | 100% Polyester |
Inseam | 9" |
best secure swim trunks
Silkworld Swimming Trunks with Compression Liner
best secure swim trunks
Silkworld Swimming Trunks with Compression Liner
Pros
Built-in compression lining
Has four pockets
Cons
Some buyers dislike the zippers
For a durable, protective option to get you through the season, look no further. Feel free to splish-splash as hard as you'd like in these.
Colors | 33 |
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Sizes | XS-3XL |
Materials | Polyester, Spandex |
Inseam | 5.5" |
best long swim trunks
Kanu Surf Barracuda Swim Trunks
best long swim trunks
Kanu Surf Barracuda Swim Trunks
Pros
Protective UPF 50+ microfiber
Stretchy, flexible fabric
Cons
Runs small
With contrast stitching, this longer pair of trunks is classic and reliable. Store whatever you'd like in those big cargo pockets.
Colors | 45 |
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Sizes | S-5X |
Materials | 100% Polyester |
Inseam | 10" |
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best basic swim trunks
Amazon Essentials 7" Quick-Dry Swim Trunks
best basic swim trunks
Amazon Essentials 7" Quick-Dry Swim Trunks
Pros
Quick-drying fabric
Has mesh liner
Cons
Size range isn't as expansive as that of some other options
Amazon Essentials has a solid, minimalist swim trunk that can be at your doorstep in as little as one day. We recommend buying in advance, though.
Colors | 44 |
---|---|
Sizes | XS-2XL |
Materials | 100% Polyester |
Inseam | 7" |
best versatile swim trunks
Hurley One and Only 20" Board Shorts
best versatile swim trunks
Hurley One and Only 20" Board Shorts
Pros
High-quality construction
Comfortable AF
Cons
Buyers report some color options are transparent due to a lack of liner
From your favorite surf brand comes a pair of board shorts that you can rock in or out of the water. Sand and sea have nothing on these.
Colors | 29 |
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Sizes | 28-40 |
Inseam | 20" |
best everyday swim trunks
Quiksilver Everyday 21" Board Shorts
best everyday swim trunks
Quiksilver Everyday 21" Board Shorts
Pros
Spacious cargo pocket
From a trusted brand
Cons
Thick waistband
When you're in and out of the water, you need a pair of trunks that are along for the ride, no matter what. Quiksilver's quick-drying, long-line shorts are up to the task.
Colors | 34 |
---|---|
Sizes | 28-44 |
Materials | 100% Recycled Polyester |
Inseam | 21" |
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best comfortable swim trunks
Under Armour Comfort Waistband Trunks
best comfortable swim trunks
Under Armour Comfort Waistband Trunks
Pros
UPF 50 fabric
Has four-way stretch
Cons
Fewer sizes and colors than other options
With a stretchy, elastic waistband, Under Armour has swim trunks you'll love as much as you love your workout gear from the brand.
Colors | 6 |
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Sizes | S-XL |
Materials | 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex |
best classic swim trunks
Speedo Knee Length Marina Volley Shorts
best classic swim trunks
Speedo Knee Length Marina Volley Shorts
Pros
UPF 50+ fabric
Has mesh liner, key pocket, cargo pocket, and side pockets
Cons
Some buyers report it fits baggier than expected
You might not be a Speedo briefs guy, and that's okay, but there's no good reason not to be a Speedo trunks guy.
Colors | 13 |
---|---|
Sizes | S-2XL |
Materials | 100% Polyester |
Inseam | 14" |
best performance swim trunks
Nike Split Breaker Volley Swim Trunks
best performance swim trunks
Nike Split Breaker Volley Swim Trunks
Pros
From a reliable brand
Has a breathable mesh liner
Cons
Limited color options
From the brand you trust for even the most intense of workouts comes a pair of shorts you can trust too, whether you're diving in headfirst or sticking to beach volleyball.
Colors | 3 |
---|---|
Sizes | S-2XL |
Materials | Polyester, Mesh |
Inseam | 9" |
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best functional swim trunks
Oakley Kana 2.0 Boardshorts
best functional swim trunks
Oakley Kana 2.0 Boardshorts
Pros
Has flapped pocket with drainage hole
Stretchy and lightweight
Cons
Buyers report the material doesn't dry as quickly as expected
Lightweight, breathable, and water-repellent—this is about as close to being an actual merman as you can get.
Colors | 17 |
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Sizes | 28-40 |
Materials | 100% Recycled Polyester |
Inseam | 21" |
best designer swim trunks
Tommy Hilfiger 7" Swim Trunks
best designer swim trunks
Tommy Hilfiger 7" Swim Trunks
Pros
Modern, tailored fit
Has mesh lining
Cons
One of the pricier picks
Tommy Hilfiger somehow manages to make even swim trunks look preppy and chic. With a tailored fit and minimalist look, these are where function meets fashion.
Colors | 17 |
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Sizes | S-2XL |
Materials | 100% Nylon |
Inseam | 7" |
best all-occasion swim trunks
Nautica Solid Quick Dry Swim Trunks
best all-occasion swim trunks
Nautica Solid Quick Dry Swim Trunks
Pros
High-quality construction
Durable fabric
Cons
Buyers report the color fades quickly
Don't overthink it. This is the pair you throw in your bag—just in case.
Colors | 10 |
---|---|
Sizes | XS-2XL |
Materials | 100% Nylon |
Inseam | 9" |
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best quick-dry swim trunks
Columbia Summerdry Shorts
best quick-dry swim trunks
Columbia Summerdry Shorts
Pros
UPF 50 protection
Has interior mesh brief
Cons
On the pricier side
Take a dip, then sit on the shore with ease—these dry so quickly, you'll barely even notice they were ever wet.
Colors | 22 |
---|---|
Sizes | S-6X |
Materials | 100% Polyester |
Inseam | 6"-8" |
best stretchy swim trunks
RVCA Standard 4-Way Stretch Boardshorts
best stretchy swim trunks
RVCA Standard 4-Way Stretch Boardshorts
Pros
Has four-way stretch
Very comfortable
Cons
Runs large
It's all about simplicity and comfort with these long-line swim trunks.
Colors | 24 |
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Sizes | S-XL |
Materials | 51% Organic Cotton, 43% Recycled Polyester, 6% Elastane |
Inseam | 17" |
best easy swim trunks
Billabong Standard Elastic Waist Boardshorts
best easy swim trunks
Billabong Standard Elastic Waist Boardshorts
Pros
From a reliable brand
Has Micro Repel water-repellent coating
Cons
Fewer sizes and colors than other options
Billabong is a staple in the world of swimwear, and with good reason. These are sturdy, chic, and stretchy, too.
Colors | 5 |
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Sizes | 100% Polyester |
Materials | S-XL |
Inseam | 16" |
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best fashionable swim trunks
Calvin Klein Standard UV Protected Swim Trunks
best fashionable swim trunks
Calvin Klein Standard UV Protected Swim Trunks
Pros
Sleek, chic look
Fabric has UV protection
Cons
No solid color option
Leave it to Calvin Klein to put some serious style in swim trunks. If a sleek gradient is your vibe, these will be infallible.
Colors | 13 |
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Sizes | S-2XL |
Materials | 100% Polyester |
best iconic swim trunks
Adidas Standard 3-Stripes Swim Shorts
best iconic swim trunks
Adidas Standard 3-Stripes Swim Shorts
Pros
Lightweight, water-repellent fabric
Has side mesh pockets
Cons
Buyers report drawstring is easily undone
Take that triple-stripe logo you love on your track pants and put it on your swim trunks. The way I see it, there's no reason not to be in Adidas at any point this summer.
Colors | 6 |
---|---|
Sizes | XS-4XL |
Materials | 100% Polyester |