The best men's swimwear for water sports is a snug, stretchy cut with an adjustable drawstring: swim briefs or square-leg trunks stay put when you paddle, kick or fall off a board, while loose board shorts tend to drag and ride up. Pick quick-drying polyamide or polyester with spandex, and size for a close fit rather than a relaxed one.
Why loose shorts struggle on the water
A pair of baggy shorts is fine for a beach walk. Once you are paddling, surfing or getting pulled up on a wakeboard, the extra fabric fills with water, flaps against your legs and slowly works its way down. Every reset of your waistband is a moment you are not watching the next wave.
Close-fitting swimwear solves three problems at once:
- Less drag: fabric that sits on the skin does not balloon when you dive under or climb back onto a board.
- Nothing to snag: no long hems catching on a paddle, a kayak seat or a board leash.
- Faster drying: a thin layer of stretch fabric dries in the sun between sessions, so you are not sitting in a wet, heavy pair all afternoon.
If you still prefer some leg coverage, a square-leg trunk is the middle ground. For a deeper look at cuts, see our comparison of swim trunks, swim briefs and board shorts.
Which cut suits which water sport?
| Activity | Best cut | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Stand-up paddleboarding | Square-leg trunks | Covers the upper thigh when you kneel or sit on the board, with free movement for wide stances. |
| Surfing and bodyboarding | Square-leg trunks or swim briefs | A drawstring waist keeps them secure through wipeouts and duck dives. |
| Kayaking and canoeing | Swim briefs, or trunks with a layer on top | Minimal fabric under you on a seat for hours; easy to wear under a spray skirt or shorts. |
| Snorkelling and diving | Swim briefs | Streamlined in the water and quick to dry on the boat between dives. |
| Wakeboarding and sailing | Swim briefs or square-leg trunks | Snug enough for falls and climbing back aboard without readjusting. |
Square-leg trunks: coverage that still moves
Square-leg trunks are cut straight across the thigh, a little longer than a brief and far shorter than board shorts. That extra panel is handy on a paddleboard, where you spend time kneeling, sitting and climbing back on after a fall.
Our Square Leg Quick-Dry Swim Trunks are made from 82% polyamide and 18% spandex with 4-way stretch, and the drawstring sits on the outside of the elastic waistband, so you can tighten it quickly between waves. The colour-block panels make them easy to spot on open water, and they come in eight colours in sizes S to XXL. The Slim Fit Square Leg Swim Trunks use the same 82/18 fabric with a 3D contour pouch and breathable inner lining, in Deep Blue, Black, Green and Sky Blue.
Swim briefs: the minimal option for active days
Swim briefs carry the least fabric, which is exactly why snorkellers, sailors and kayakers like them. There is nothing to bunch up under a life vest or a kayak seat, and they dry fast once you are out of the water.
- The Sport Swim Briefs are 80% polyamide and 20% elastane, with an elastic drawstring waistband and seven bright colours in S to XL. They are designed for active days such as wakeboarding, sailing, kayaking and windsurfing.
- The Quick Dry Swim Briefs add a zippered pocket for a key or a folded note, plus an adjustable drawstring, in five colours from S to XXL.
- The Mesh Swim Briefs use fine, breathable mesh with a double-layer contoured pouch and no tag, in eight colours from S to XL.
Layering for longer sessions
Some people like a second layer: a pair of board shorts over briefs for the walk to the beach bar, or a snug long-leg layer under looser shorts on a long kayak day. If you layer, keep the bottom layer tight and quick-drying so it does not hold water.
The Compression Shorts in our sportswear range are 90% polyester and 10% spandex with a 9-inch leg, flatlock seams and a 3D pouch, and swimming is one of the listed uses. They work as a close-fitting base under wider shorts, in sizes S to 2XL.
How to get the fit right
- Go snug, not tight: water sports swimwear should feel secure when dry. Fabric relaxes slightly once wet.
- Check the waist range: our square-leg trunks list waist ranges from S (26.0 to 29.1 inch) to XXL (33.9 to 37.8 inch), so measure where the waistband will sit.
- Muscular thighs? If you have strong legs and prefer a looser feel, the product notes suggest trying one size up.
- Test the drawstring: tie it before the first session, then jump in and check nothing shifts when you kick.
After the session: rinse and dry
Salt, sand and chlorine wear stretch fabrics down faster than the sport itself. Rinse your swimwear in fresh water after every session, squeeze it gently instead of wringing, and dry it flat in the shade. Our swimwear care guide covers the details.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I surf in swim briefs?
Yes. A drawstring swim brief stays secure through wipeouts. Many surfers prefer square-leg trunks for a little more thigh coverage when sitting on the board.
Are board shorts bad for paddleboarding?
Not bad, but long, loose shorts get heavy when wet and can catch when you climb back on. Square-leg trunks give similar coverage with less fabric.
What should I wear under a wetsuit?
A thin, snug layer such as swim briefs works well, because it adds no bulk and dries quickly once you peel the wetsuit off.
Should water sports swimwear be tight?
It should be snug and secure without pinching. Tie the drawstring and do a few squats and kicks before you head out.
Find your pair for the water
Whether you paddle, surf or spend the day on a boat, a close-fitting cut with a drawstring keeps you focused on the water, not on your waistband. Browse the full men's swimwear collection, or add a base layer from our compression wear and sportswear ranges. Every order ships in discreet packaging.
