Beyond Trunks and Board Shorts: Men’s Swimwear Options Most Lists Ignore
I’m a bit tired of the yearly “best men’s swimwear” lists. They tend to focus almost entirely on board shorts and swim trunks while mostly ignoring the other options out there. The articles usually highlight different prints for the year or talk about different inseam lengths.
Since this blog focuses on men’s bikini and thong underwear as well as smaller swimwear styles, it probably won’t surprise you that I think those lists leave out a lot of great options for guys.
The only positive lately is that we’re at least starting to see shorter inseams. Still, those lists continue to be dominated by shorts designed more for lounging than actual swimming. It would be nice if they showed guys that there are more options available.
Men’s swimwear includes far more options than just board shorts and swim trunks. From swim briefs and square cuts to men’s swim bikini briefs and swim thongs, there are swimsuits designed for better movement, reduced drag in the water, improved tanning, and different comfort levels. Exploring different men’s swimwear styles can help guys find options that fit both their body type and personal style.
Swim Briefs (A Classic Alternative)
Swim briefs used to be a common option for men beyond competitive swimming. While they’ve become less common in actual races with the introduction of tech suits, many swimmers still wear briefs for training because they reduce drag in the water.
But swim briefs aren’t just performance swimwear. They’re a great option for the beach, the pool, or just relaxing in the sun. They feel better in the water than loose shorts and allow for much easier movement. If you enjoy swimming or just want something that actually works well in the water, swim briefs are still a great everyday swimsuit option.
Square Cut Swimwear
Maybe you want something with a little more coverage than a swim brief but still want something that performs well in the water. Square cuts can be a great option.
These aren’t the longer jammers you see competitive swimmers wearing. Instead, they’re shorter inseam, form-fitting swim shorts. They sit somewhere between traditional trunks and swim briefs.
Square cuts provide less drag in the water and are better for tanning than longer shorts. They’re also designed for swimming rather than surfing, unlike many board shorts. For guys who want something fitted but aren’t ready to try a brief, square cuts are often a great middle-ground option.
Men’s Swim Bikini Briefs
Most people are familiar with women’s bikinis, but men have similar options as well. Swim bikini briefs are somewhat similar to swim briefs but usually offer a little less coverage. They tend to have narrower sides and sometimes a more contoured pouch and rear.
These are a great option for guys who want something that feels even freer than a traditional brief. The higher leg openings help frame the legs and allow for a greater range of movement. With slightly less coverage, they’re also great for sunning. In my opinion, swim bikinis can sometimes accentuate different body types better than fuller-coverage styles.
Swim Thongs for Men
Now for what many people might consider the boldest swimwear option: the swim thong.
This style can feel intimidating for many men, though cheeky or thong-style swimwear has become more common for women. As with any minimal swimwear, it’s important to make sure it’s allowed wherever you plan to wear it.
One of the biggest advantages of a swim thong is minimal tan lines. Like the other fitted swim styles, they also work very well in the water and allow for maximum freedom of movement. They definitely aren’t for everyone, but they are another option that exists for men who prefer minimal swimwear.
Conclusion
Most “best swimwear” lists assume every guy wants the same thing: trunks or board shorts. The truth is that men have far more choices — and in my opinion, better options.
Whether you prefer square cuts, briefs, bikinis, or even thongs, the best swimwear is simply the one you feel comfortable wearing.
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This was a great twist on the usual list
Thanks
It’s definitely an article one can share with beginners or those guys trying to dip their bodies into something different
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the change up. Hopefully it will inspire someone to consider something different.
Can’t remember when I last spotted an article on men’s swimwear that included anything other than the usual suspects. I’ve also noticed how many of the so called “style gurus” who have blogs that advise men on what clothes to wear tend to omit briefer styles of swimwear and underwear in favour of the same old stuff you see in high street stores. Thankfully, there are still guys on Insta etc who promote swim bikinis and thongs for men and hand out samples for guys to try on in public, often with positive results..
T,
Yes I’ve seen those blogs by “style gurus” what where are they thinking? Time to be a bit different and embrass the thing lifestyle.
Occasionally you may find one that throws in a swim brief, but it’s not common.
I completely agree, I’m completely, I’m completely over being told what’s the best for me, what’s the most appropriate. It’s 2026 and we’re all grown up big boys, we can make our own choices.
Of the four options you’ve listed I personally would only consider the bikini brief and the thong for the beach, my usual beach attire is considerably smaller than those.
Wearing a micro thong or a g-string is exhilarating, but obviously not for everyone, I simply justify it by looking at the girls on the beach wearing thongs and strings, if they can get away with wearing minimal attire, why can’t I?
Nice article Nate! Supposedly the last couple summers were going to hail the “return of the speedo” according to some fashion articles I’ve seen recently. I don’t know if their predictions have come true on ordinary beaches and pools in the US. I did see one other guy in his swim brief relaxing at the outdoor pool at our YMCA this past weekend, so I’m not totally alone. We can’t dictate what men will wear in the water, but if we do our part to introduce them to better options a few brave men might take notice and break the norm. I’m rarely in the water wearing anything more than a swim brief or bikini. One recent exception was when I took a lifeguard training class. The men had to wear standard boardshorts so I had no choice. I was reminded how much I dislike them!
I haven’t really seen a return of the Speedo anywhere I’ve been yet. Not that I’m frequently at beaches or the likes. Normally, I’m the only one. I’ve only been seeing shorter trunks, which I guess is at least an improvement! Of course seeing more Cheeky on the women. Only thing we can do is hope that others will get brave from us wearing ours.
Good intro article – people need to know you don’t have to wear boardies! I would big up briefs – they’re timeless, comfy, non-clingy, great for swimming, great for tanning and honestly pretty conservative. There’s a lot less fabric than boardies but the important bits are covered. I think getting your thong out could be misinterpreted (I don’t have an issue and will wear then in private), but with briefs, there really can’t be any objections. So if you’re thinking about moving away from boardies, pick up some briefs and go for it with confidence!