Account
The best men's swim shorts: what should you look for?
The best swim shorts don't exist. The best pair for you does. It depends on how you wear them: swimming lengths, a day on the beach, or straight from the water to the terrace. Here are six things to look for.
01 · THE INSIDE
Mesh liner, underwear or lining
Almost every pair of swim shorts has something on the inside. A mesh liner dries fast, but can chafe when wet. Men who dislike the mesh often wear underwear underneath. That's fine when dry, but once wet it stays wet for a long time, can chafe and holds on to sand. A soft lining sits close without pinching and dries quickly.
For a whole day by the water, a lining is the most comfortable. If you mostly swim lengths, jammers may be the right choice: close-fitting swim shorts that end just above the knee.
The difference
Mesh liner, underwear or lining?
Feature
Traditional mesh liner
Underwear
ZAND&ZOUT lining
Material
Stiff, open mesh
Often cotton or microfibre
Soft polyamide with elastane
Against the skin
Can chafe, especially when wet
Fine when dry, but can chafe or ride up when wet
Soft, even when wet
Support
Varies, often loose
Good, if the size is right
Sits close without constricting
Sand
Gets caught in the mesh
Doesn't seal properly: sand clings to it and stays in
Elastic waistband helps keep sand out
Drying
Fast
Stays wet for a long time
Dries quickly
02 · The fabric
Choose a fabric that dries fast, holds its shape and has a little give. That way it moves with you in the water. Cotton looks good, but it stays wet for a long time and gets heavy once you're in the water.
03 · The waistband
An elastic waistband with a drawcord is the easiest to wear and stays up when you come out of the water. A fixed waistband with a button looks smarter, but has to fit exactly.
04 · The length
The length of swim shorts is measured along the inside leg seam: from the crotch to the hem. A shorter leg gives you more freedom of movement in the water. A longer leg covers more of your thigh. Which you choose is mostly a matter of taste.
Not sure? Lay a pair of swim shorts you like flat and measure the inside leg. The Signature Shorts have a 14 cm inside leg and fall around mid-thigh.
05 · The fit
Close-fitting, without pinching. Too loose and they balloon in the water and shift about. Too tight and they pinch at the seams and the waistband. With an elastic waistband, your waist determines the size.
06 · Pockets and finish
Pockets are handy for a key or a card. Look at the finish too: flat seams and a soft inside chafe less.
Checklist
- Does the inside suit the way you wear them?
- Does the fabric dry fast and have a little give?
- Does the waistband stay in place?
- Does the length suit your legs and your style?
- Do they sit close without pinching?
OUR CHOICE
The Signature Shorts
A soft lining instead of a mesh liner, an elastic waistband with a drawcord, a light-stretch outer fabric in 100% polyester, a 14 cm inside leg and two side pockets. Designed in the Netherlands, made in Porto.
FAQ
Are swim shorts better with or without a mesh liner?
Are swim shorts better with or without a mesh liner?
That depends on how you wear them. For a whole day by the water, a soft lining is the most comfortable. If you mostly swim lengths, jammers may be the right choice.
What length swim shorts should I choose?
What length swim shorts should I choose?
That's mostly a matter of taste. A shorter leg gives more freedom of movement, a longer one covers more of your thigh. Measure the inside leg of a pair of swim shorts you like and compare. The Signature Shorts have a 14 cm inside leg and fall around mid-thigh.
How do I make my swim shorts last?
How do I make my swim shorts last?
Rinse them in clean water after swimming, especially after salt water or chlorine. Wash at a low temperature, don't use fabric softener and let them air-dry.
The Signature Shorts
WHEREVER THE DAY TAKES YOU.
Designed so you don't have to think about it.
