Men's swim briefs are the cut to choose when you want to actually swim: a low-rise brief with a contoured pouch, an elastic waistband with a drawstring and a quick-dry stretch fabric that moves with you and stays put. The right pair comes down to three things: the cut (classic brief or square leg), the fabric (polyamide-spandex or polyester-spandex, plus a lined pouch) and a snug, drawstring-secured fit in your true waist size. Below you'll find how each choice plays out at the pool, on the beach and at a party.
What are men's swim briefs, and who are they for?
Swim briefs are the swimwear equivalent of a brief: a short, body-hugging cut with a low waist, a shaped front pouch and no loose leg fabric. Because nothing flaps or balloons in the water, they're the natural choice for lap swimming, diving, surfing and beach volleyball. They're also the most flattering cut if you want to show off the legs you've been training.
They suit more body types than people assume. A low-rise brief with a contoured pouch sits on the hips and lengthens the leg, and a square-leg trunk gives a touch more coverage on the thigh if you prefer that.
Swim briefs vs square-leg trunks
Within the Arjen Kroos swimwear collection you'll find two main silhouettes. Both share the same engineering: an elastic waistband with a drawstring, a lined pouch and quick-dry stretch fabric. The difference is the leg.
| Feature | Classic swim brief | Square-leg trunk |
|---|---|---|
| Leg opening | High-cut, no leg length | Short straight leg (a few centimetres) |
| Rise | Low rise, sits on the hips | Low to mid rise |
| Coverage | Minimal, maximum tan | More thigh coverage |
| Best for | Swimming, sunbathing, pool parties | Water sports, resort days, boat trips |
| Look | Classic European beach | Sporty, understated |
Fabric: what quick-dry actually means
Swimwear fabric has one job above all others: get wet, then get dry fast without sagging. That's why swim briefs are never made from cotton. The two blends you'll see across our range are:
- Polyamide and spandex (for example 82% polyamide, 18% spandex). Silky, lightweight and very stretchy with four-way stretch. The square-leg trunks use this blend with a cooling ice-silk feel, and the fabric is chlorine-resistant, which matters if you swim in pools more than in the sea.
- Polyester and spandex (for example 90% polyester, 10% spandex). Slightly more structured, holds colour well and is used on most of our printed swim briefs so the pattern stays vivid wash after wash.
- Fine mesh. Our mesh swim briefs use a soft, smooth mesh that breathes and drains quickly, with a double-layer contoured pouch so the front is fully opaque.
- Metallic fabric. For pool parties and festivals, the metallic rave swim briefs reflect light in the sun and were tested in water so the finish doesn't fade.
Whichever blend you pick, look for a lined pouch. A double-layer front panel keeps you covered when the fabric is wet and gives a cleaner shape than a single layer.
Fit and sizing: the drawstring is not decoration
A swim brief should feel snug on dry land, because wet fabric relaxes slightly. The elastic waistband does most of the work, and the drawstring locks the fit so a dive or a wave doesn't move anything. Tie it after you put them on, not before.
How to size yourself:
- Measure your waist where the brief will sit, which is low on the hips, not at the navel. Compare that number with the chart on the product page. Sizes run from S to XL or XXL depending on the style.
- Between sizes? Go down for a classic brief, up for a square-leg trunk if you have muscular thighs.
- Check the leg elastic: it should hug without digging in. If it leaves deep marks after an hour, size up.
- The pouch should sit forward and feel supportive. A 3D contour pouch with a lining is designed to hold everything in place without squeezing.
For a full walk-through of measuring, see our men's underwear size guide. The same waist measurement applies to swimwear.
Solid, printed or metallic: picking a colour
Swim briefs are small, so colour does a lot of the talking. A few guidelines that work for most men:
- Solids (black, navy, white, grey and bright block colours) are the easiest to wear and photograph well against sand and water. Black and navy are the safe first pair; a bright green or royal blue is the fun second one.
- Prints (tropical, graffiti, leopard, geometric) suit holidays and pool parties and hide water marks better than pale solids. Our printed swimwear and underwear collection has the full range.
- Metallic finishes in rose, gold, silver and royal blue are made for festivals, Pride and themed pool parties. Pair them with the rest of our rave outfits.
- Colour-block square legs with a contrast waistband give a sporty, retro look and are easy to spot in open water.
Practical details worth paying for
- Tagless construction. No label at the back of the waistband means nothing to itch when you're lying on a towel.
- A zippered pocket. Our quick-dry swim briefs have a small zip pocket for a key or a card, so you don't have to leave everything on the sand.
- Full seat coverage. A classic brief back, rather than a thong cut, is what most pools and public beaches expect.
How to care for swim briefs
Chlorine, salt and sunscreen are what wear swimwear out, not swimming itself. Rinse your briefs in cool fresh water as soon as you're out of the pool or sea, then wash them in cold water with a mild detergent, ideally in a mesh bag. Never tumble dry or wring them; squeeze gently and dry flat in the shade, because direct sun fades colour and tires the elastic. Avoid sitting on rough concrete or pool edges in them, which pills the fabric. Rotate two pairs on holiday so each has time to dry completely. Our guide on how to wash men's underwear covers the same principles for your everyday pairs.
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Frequently asked questions
Are swim briefs better than swim shorts for swimming?
Yes, for actual swimming. Briefs create far less drag than loose shorts, don't fill with water and don't ride up. Shorts win only if you want to walk straight from the beach into a café without changing.
Should swim briefs be tight?
Snug, not tight. They should hug the hips and legs without digging in, and the drawstring should be tied so the waistband can't move. If you see deep elastic marks after an hour, go up a size.
Can I wear swim briefs as underwear?
You can, and some men do on hot days because the fabric dries quickly. For everyday wear, though, a dedicated pair of men's briefs or mesh underwear will be softer and more breathable.
Do I need a lined pouch?
We'd always recommend it. A double-layer or 3D contour pouch keeps the front opaque when wet, gives better support and a cleaner line than an unlined brief.
How many pairs do I need for a beach holiday?
Two is the practical minimum so one can dry while you wear the other. Three lets you add a print or a metallic pair for evenings and parties.
Find your swim briefs
Classic solids, bold prints, mesh and metallic finishes, in briefs and square-leg trunks: browse the full men's swimwear collection or check what's new in new arrivals. Every order ships in discreet packaging.
