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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
If your swim trunks ride up, chafe, or leave you with nowhere safe to put a phone and a room key, the fix is a pair with a compression liner and at least one zippered pocket. Every pick below clears that bar, and the one worth buying first is the Vogyal 9-inch trunk, a 4.5+ star crowd favorite across 800+ ratings that pairs a boxer-brief liner with four utility pockets. The rest of this page sorts the field by inseam length, liner type, and pocket layout, so you can match a pair to your height, your thigh fit, and how you plan to use it.
This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
The seven picks here span 5-inch to 22-inch lengths, mesh-free liners, and pocket setups built for keys and cards — the details that decide whether a trunk works for you. Read on for the full breakdown of the best bathing suits for men.
Top Picks
How To Choose The Best Bathing Suits for Men
The two things that decide whether you love or hate a pair of swim trunks are the liner and the inseam. Color, pattern, and pocket count matter less than those two specs.
Start With The Liner, Not The Print
Older trunks use a mesh net inside, and that net is the main reason men complain about chafing after a long swim. A compression liner works like a boxer brief: it holds everything in place, dries fast, and stops the sand-and-friction problem. The Vogyal, both maamgic pairs, the difficort, and the Viodia all use a compression liner. The MIVEI goes a different direction with no liner at all — a soft inner panel instead — which suits anyone who hates anything snug against the skin. The Columbia sticks with a traditional inner mesh liner, which plenty of anglers and long-time wearers prefer.
Match The Inseam To Your Legs And Your Plans
Inseam is the inside leg measurement, and it decides where the hem lands. A 5-inch inseam sits high on the thigh — sporty, great for swimming laps and hot days, but not for you if you want thigh coverage. A 7-inch hits mid-thigh and is the safe middle. A 9-inch lands just above or near the knee, which reads more like a regular short when you leave the water. A 22-inch outseam is a true board short that reaches the knee, built for surfing and long days in the sun. Shorter trunks swim better; longer trunks cover more of the thigh and double as everyday wear.
Pockets Decide Where Your Phone Actually Goes
A zippered pocket is the difference between a card and key that stay with you and one that ends up in the sand. Look at what each pocket is lined with and how it closes. Zippers keep items secure but can fail over time on cheaper builds. Velcro is fast but can pop open in a strong wave and grab other laundry in the wash. Drainage holes in a back pocket push water out so the suit dries faster.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Model | Best For | Inseam | Liner Type | Pockets | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vogyal Mens Swim Trunks with Compression Liner 9 Inch★ Best Overall | All-day wear and secure storage | 9 Inch | Compression (boxer brief) | 4 utility pockets, zipper cargo | Amazon |
| difficort Mens Swim Trunks 9″ Board ShortsPour-Off Protection | Water activities and beach trips | 9″ | Compression | Zip rear pocket, liner phone sleeve | Amazon |
| maamgic Mens Swim Trunks 5 Inch | Lean waists with big thighs | 5 Inch | Compression (fitted) | Inside pocket | Amazon |
| maamgic Mens Swim Trunks 5″ Vintage | Fun prints and no-chafe swims | 5″ | Compression (spandex) | Back pocket | Amazon |
| MIVEI 22″ Long Board Shorts | Surfing and knee-length coverage | 22″ | No liner (soft inner panel) | Velcro cargo + zipper pocket | Amazon |
| Viodia Men’s Swim Trunks 7 Inch | Phone storage on the water | 7 Inch | Compression (brief) | 2 side zip, back cargo | Amazon |
| Columbia Men’s PFG Backcast IV | Fishing and all-day sun | 6″ or 8″ | Inner mesh | Zip back, deep front, knife pocket | Amazon |
Detailed Reviews
1. Mens Swim Trunks 9 Inch
Our pick — 4.5+★ from 850+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The trunk that behaves like a pair of shorts but swims like a suit.
What sets this Vogyal pair apart is the combination of a 9-inch inseam and a boxer-brief compression liner. That length lands near the knee, so when you walk off the sand into a restaurant the trunk reads as an ordinary short rather than swimwear. The compression liner replaces the mesh net entirely, so there is no net to chafe against wet skin. Case in point, one buyer sums up the fit in the review pages: “XL fits 40 waist perfectly; 6′ length hits just above lower knee.”
What wins people over most is the build. The fabric is described as stretchy, soft, skin-friendly, and breathable — a 4-stretch board short that moves with you instead of grabbing at the leg. Four utility pockets are the real draw for anyone used to swimming with a phone in hand and nowhere to put it. Zippered cargo pockets, in particular, keep a credit card or sunglasses from sliding out at the pool.
The honest catch is the zippers themselves. The pocket zips are the one recurring gripe — a few have broken, so treat them gently rather than yanking. Length splits opinion too: some men find 9 inches spot on, others want it longer. For most builds in the 5’10” to 6’2″ range, though, it lands right. And note the care advice straight from a long-term wearer — hang these to dry, because a dryer cycle can shrink them.
What Earns The Top Spot
- Compression liner replaces mesh, so no net chafe
- 9-inch inseam doubles as a regular short off the water
- Four utility pockets with zippered cargo storage for cards and keys
- 4-stretch breathable fabric that stays comfortable all day
Where It Asks For Care
- Pocket zippers are the weak point — a few have failed, so zip gently
- 9-inch length is a taste call; some want it a touch longer
- Hang dry only, since a dryer cycle can shrink the liner
Reach for this if: you want one pair that swims, walks, and holds a phone and card securely — the strongest all-rounder here.
Treat gently: those zippered cargo pockets, which are the one part worth not overworking.
2. difficort Mens Swim Trunks 9″
Water beads off this 9-inch trunk instead of soaking in.
If you have ever climbed out of the ocean in a cheap suit and felt like you were wearing a wet towel, the difficort is the answer. The fabric is built so water beads off rather than absorbing — buyers describe staying mostly dry through a full beach day, with no saggy, heavy shorts weighing you down afterward. That quick-dry behavior is the whole point of a 9-inch board short with a compression liner underneath.
A zippered pocket on the right rear keeps your phone and keys sealed and dry—one reviewer noted, “Zip-up rear pocket kept phone dry in ocean.” You also get a second secure spot: a phone sleeve built into the inner lining. The fit holds up too, thanks to a compression liner that keeps everything in place and fabric that moves without riding up.
Two things to plan around. The fabric is thicker than some rivals, so while it dries fairly well, the waistband takes a little longer to lose its dampness. Sizing also runs large in this cut — order down if you are between sizes, and expect a slight shrink after the first couple of washes that actually improves the fit. Note there is only one back pocket, which is worth knowing if you habitually carry a wallet in a left rear pocket.
The water-shedding advantage: this 9-inch cut keeps you light and dry after a swim, and the sealed rear zip pocket guards a phone through surf and pool alike.
Size down, then relax: the cut runs large and the thicker fabric dries a touch slower at the waist — both settle after a wash or two.
Best matched to: beach trips, rafting, snorkeling, and anyone who wants a suit that sheds water fast and guards a phone.
Think twice if: you carry a wallet in the left rear pocket — there is only one back pocket, on the right.
3. maamgic Mens Swim Trunks 5 Inch
A 5-inch cut that clears the thigh and skips the saggy liner.
The maamgic 5-inch is the shortest serious trunk on this list, and that is its whole appeal. At 5 inches versus the 9-inch picks here, it sits high on the thigh — sporty, quick to dry, and ideal for swimming laps or a hot beach day without fabric clinging to your legs. The compression liner underneath is fitted rather than baggy, which buyers single out as the reason it stays put.
What this pair does best is hug a lean waist and big thighs. Men who lift or simply carry their weight in the legs often find standard trunks tight across the quad, but this cut is praised for accommodating both without slicing into the leg. The compression liner also shines when you walk out of the water wet — no mesh net to rub, and no need to wear anything underneath. The fabric is described as breathable and fast-drying, with a durable feel that survives river trips and rock scrambles.
Now the real limitation. This cut runs close, and for some builds that is too close. A 5’9″, 178-pound buyer said the medium was too tight through the quads and restricted movement — and that particular brown colorway had no large available. If you have heavy legs, size up. If you prefer a longer, more relaxed short, the Vogyal or difficort 9-inchers are the better match.
Why shorter works here: a 5-inch inseam keeps the leg free, the fitted compression liner stops any sag, and the fabric dries fast enough for back-to-back swims.
The fit-call caveat: it runs close through the thigh, so guys with heavy quads should go up a size — and certain colorways sell out of the larger sizes.
Made for: lean-waisted men with larger thighs who want a short, sporty, fast-drying trunk with a fitted liner.
Size up if: your legs are thick or you land between sizes — this cut leaves little room to spare.
4. maamgic Mens Swim Trunks 5″ Vintage
Same 5-inch fit as its sibling, dressed in loud vintage prints.
This is the maamgic 5-inch again, but with a vintage pattern lineup — and the prints are the reason to choose it over its solid-color sibling. The colors arrive exactly as pictured, which matters when you are buying a loud pattern sight-unseen. The spandex liner replaces the traditional mesh, and buyers who made the switch describe zero chafing after a long walk, which is the whole reason to pay attention to what is inside a trunk.
Fabric here is soft and smooth with a sturdy feel, and it holds its color through multiple washes with no fading or bleeding into the pool. Stretch is generous enough to move freely, and the length keeps you cool. Fit runs true for most — a small sits snug on a 30-to-33-inch Levi’s waist without cutting in, so no drawstring cinching is needed.
Sizing is the catch: many men get a clean true-to-size fit, but others find this cut runs small, so check the chart instead of guessing from your jeans size. The other question is pattern—if you want a quieter look, the solid maamgic or the Vogyal is the calmer pick.
What Buyers Love
- Vintage patterns match the photos, so no surprise on arrival
- Spandex liner means no mesh chafe, even on long walks
- Color holds through repeated washes with no pool bleed
- Stretchy, quick-dry fabric with a true-to-size fit for most
What To Weigh
- Sizing runs small for some builds — check the chart first
- The loud prints are a taste call; not for a subtle look
The pick for: anyone who wants a fun printed trunk with a soft, no-chafe spandex liner and colors that stay put.
Skip if: you want a plain solid and a relaxed, longer cut — go for the 9-inch options instead.
5. MIVEI 22″ Mens Long Board Shorts
A true knee-length board short for surfers who want coverage.
The MIVEI is the only genuine board short here, at a 22-inch outseam that reaches the knee — built for surfing, water parks, and long hours in the sun rather than a quick dip. What makes it different is the no-liner design. Instead of a compression brief or a mesh net, it uses a soft inner panel, which suits anyone who wants nothing snug against the skin. The poly-spandex blend is stretchy, fast-drying, and kept its shape in strong waves.
Pockets are a strong point. There is a velcro cargo pocket with a key loop plus a separate zippered pocket, so you have a decided spot for a key and a card. Comfort holds up for a loose, relaxed fit with room to spare, and the fabric never turns revealing when wet. A 22-inch length also turns this into a travel short dressy enough for the airport.
The honest trade-off is the velcro fly. It can pop open, and one buyer mentioned it does not hold as firmly as a button. The cargo velcro also grabs other laundry in the wash, so wash it alone. Sizing runs large and is inconsistent — size down if you are between sizes, and expect some colors to arrive darker than the photos.
Built for the water’s edge and beyond: 22 inches of knee-length coverage, no liner to chafe, and two separate secure pockets for a key and a card.
The fly is the weak link: velcro closure may pop open on its own, and the same velcro can cling to laundry — so plan to wash it separately.
Made for: surfers and beach-goers who want knee-length coverage and a liner-free, relaxed fit.
Not for: anyone who wants a firm, buttoned waistband — the velcro fly can work loose.
6. Viodia Men’s Swim Trunks 7 Inch
The 7-inch mid-length trunk with a dedicated slot for your phone.
The Viodia splits the difference on length at 7 inches — longer than the 5-inch maamgic, shorter than the 9-inch picks — and packs the most thoughtful storage on this list. The standout is a thigh pocket on the liner built to hold a big phone, sized to fit an iPhone 15 Pro Max even in a case. Two side zipper pockets cover a key or wallet, and a back cargo pocket with drainage speeds drying.
Build quality is the other draw. It uses a soft brief liner instead of a mesh net, which protects the skin from sand and the itching that comes with it. The fabric is chlorine-resistant, water-resistant, and lightweight, keeping you dry and cool through long days. This suit has been through surfing, boogie-boarding, snorkeling, and plain swimming without giving out.
The caveat is durability at the high end. The hardware is decent, but a few owners flag that it wears over time if you push it hard season after season. Also note the fit is on the fuller side — one owner reported it is “not overly fitted,” which is a look some men want and others do not. If you want a snug, athletic cut, the 5-inch maamgic is the better call.
Where the storage shines: a liner thigh pocket sized for a big phone, twin side zips, and a draining back pocket — the best pocket suite here for carrying gear on the water.
Built to breathe, honest on wear: lightweight and chlorine-resistant, though heavy seasonal use can wear the hardware over time.
Go for this if: you want a mid-length trunk with a real spot for your phone and zippered security for keys and cards.
Prefer a snug cut? This one is a roomier fit — the 5-inch maamgic is the closer-fitting alternative.
7. Columbia Men’s PFG Backcast IV Quick Dry Swim Shorts
Fishing-built shorts that shrug off sun, rain, and stains.
The Columbia PFG Backcast IV is the pick for the man who spends more time on a boat or a dock than in a pool. It is sun-blocking, rain-and-stain-resistant, and quick-drying, with a relaxed fit that works for angling and all-day wear in hot, humid weather. It comes in two lengths — a 6-inch and an 8-inch inseam — so you can pick coverage to taste.
This is the one trunk here that keeps a traditional inner mesh liner, and long-time wearers of the brand prefer it that way. What wins people over is the durability. Buyers report wearing pairs for years until they fall apart, then buying the same one again, with colors that stay vivid. Belt loops are a real differentiator if you want to wear a belt, and there is a fishing knife pocket plus deep front pockets. Zip back pockets keep essentials secure.
Two things to know. The pocket design draws mixed feedback — one buyer specifically wanted cargo pockets, which this does not have. And the belt loops are worth confirming on the colorway you order; at least one buyer received a navy pair without the loops shown in the photos. Beyond those two points, it is a durable, versatile short.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
- Sun-blocking, rain-and-stain-resistant fabric for long days outside
- Years-long durability — owners rebuy rather than replace
- Belt loops, a fishing knife pocket, and deep front pockets
- Comes in 6-inch and 8-inch inseams for your preferred coverage
Before You Order
- No cargo pockets — one buyer wanted them and they are not offered
- Some colorways have arrived without the belt loops shown in photos
The fit for: anglers and outdoorsmen who want a durable, sun-and-stain-resistant short with belt loops and a familiar mesh liner.
Double-check first: confirm the belt loops on your chosen color if that feature matters to you.
Know the Specs
Inseam Length (5″, 7″, 9″, 22″)
Inseam is the measurement from the crotch seam to the hem — it decides where the leg ends. A 5-inch sits high on the thigh and suits sporty, swim-first days. A 7-inch hits mid-thigh and is the all-purpose middle. A 9-inch lands near the knee and doubles as everyday wear. A 22-inch outseam is a full board short built for surfing and coverage. Match it to how much leg you want to show and how you plan to wear the suit off the beach.
Liner Type (Compression vs Mesh vs None)
The liner is what sits against your skin inside the trunk. A compression liner works like a boxer brief — it holds you in place, dries fast, and stops the chafing that mesh nets cause. A mesh liner is the older standby; some men prefer its airy feel. No liner at all means nothing snug against the skin, often with a soft inner panel instead. Your choice here is the single biggest comfort decision when buying a swim trunk.
Quick-Dry Fabric
Quick-dry fabric is woven to shed water rather than soak it up, so you are not hauling a heavy, wet short around after a swim. Some suits go further with a water-resistant finish that makes water bead off. Thicker fabrics dry a bit slower at the waistband even when quick-dry overall. Chlorine-resistant fabric holds up better against pool water over a season.
Pocket Layout And Closures
Pockets decide whether a phone, key, or card survives a day near water. Zippered pockets keep items locked in, though cheaper zips can fail over time. Velcro is fast to open but can pop loose in a wave or grab other laundry in the wash. A back pocket with drainage holes pushes water out for faster drying. A dedicated phone sleeve or liner pocket is the safest spot for a device.
Common Questions
Should men’s swim trunks have a compression liner or a mesh liner?
What inseam length is best for men’s swim trunks?
Will a 9-inch swim trunk be too long?
Can you wear men’s swim trunks as regular shorts?
How should you wash and dry compression-liner swim trunks?
Do swim trunks keep a phone dry in the ocean?
Do these swim trunks run true to size?
Is velcro or a zipper better on a swim trunk pocket?
Can you wear men’s swim trunks in a chlorinated pool?
The Bottom Line
The bathing suits for men winner stays the Vogyal 9-inch trunk, because a compression liner, a near-knee length that doubles as a short, and four pockets cover swim, sand, and dinner without changing clothes. If you want a lighter, water-shedding fabric and a sealed rear pocket for a phone, the difficort 9-inch is the one to reach for. And for a short, sporty, fast-drying cut on lean legs with big thighs, the maamgic 5-inch is the pick — just size up if your quads run thick.
How we choose
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of October 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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