Best Men's Swim Trunks and Board Shorts for Summer 2026

Peak summer is exactly when swim trunks get marked up hardest at resort shops and beachside boutiques, but the same quality is available for a fraction of the price from mainstream retailers. This guide covers six men’s swim trunk and board short picks from about $18 to $60, spanning quick-dry basics to more durable surf-ready builds.

1. Nike Volley Shorts — best everyday quick-dry pick

Nike’s Volley Shorts have become a go-to for a reason: a stretch-woven fabric that dries fast, a comfortable mesh liner, and a fit that works equally well for pool laps or a beach day. They’re a reliable middle-of-the-road choice that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for price.

• Street price in 2026: $30–$45
• Why it’s a good buy: fast-drying stretch fabric, built-in mesh liner, versatile enough for swimming laps or lounging
• Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart, Target

2. Patagonia Baggies — best for durability

Patagonia’s Baggies are a long-running favorite for a reason: a tough recycled nylon shell, a comfortable elastic waistband, and a fit that holds up to years of regular wear without the fabric breaking down. They cost more upfront than fast-fashion alternatives, but they last long enough to make the per-wear cost lower.

• Street price in 2026: $45–$60
• Why it’s a good buy: durable recycled nylon construction, comfortable stretch waistband, backed by Patagonia’s repair-friendly reputation
• Where to buy: Amazon, Target

3. Old Navy Quick-Dry Swim Trunks — best budget pick

Old Navy’s swim trunk line is a perennial value option, with a lightweight quick-dry shell and a wide range of prints that regularly get marked down further during summer clearance events. For anyone outfitting multiple pairs or buying for kids and adults together, this is the easiest way to keep the total low.

• Street price in 2026: $18–$28
• Why it’s a good buy: lowest price point in this roundup, lightweight quick-dry fabric, frequently discounted further during seasonal sales
• Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart, Target

4. Quiksilver Everyday Solid Volley — best for surf and board use

Quiksilver’s board shorts are built with a slightly stiffer, more abrasion-resistant fabric than casual swim trunks, designed to hold up to paddleboarding, surfing, or repeated time on rough sand and rocks. They’re the right pick for anyone doing more than casual lounging in the water.

• Street price in 2026: $35–$50
• Why it’s a good buy: abrasion-resistant board short construction, secure waistband for active water sports, classic surf-brand styling
• Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart

5. Under Armour Compression Swim Jammer — best for lap swimming

For anyone actually swimming laps rather than lounging poolside, Under Armour’s compression jammer offers a more hydrodynamic fit than baggy trunks, with chlorine-resistant fabric that holds its shape through repeated pool use far better than standard board shorts.

• Street price in 2026: $28–$40
• Why it’s a good buy: chlorine-resistant compression fabric, streamlined fit for actual swimming, holds shape longer than loose-fit trunks in chlorinated water
• Where to buy: Amazon, Target

6. Chubbies Classic Swim Trunks — best for shorter inseam preference

Chubbies built a whole brand around a shorter, retro-inspired inseam, and the swim trunk line carries that same fit along with a lined interior and a lightweight quick-dry shell. For shoppers who find most modern trunks run too long, this is one of the few mainstream options in a shorter cut.

• Street price in 2026: $35–$50
• Why it’s a good buy: distinct shorter inseam not common elsewhere, lined quick-dry interior, playful prints that stand out from standard trunks
• Where to buy: Amazon

How to get the best price

• Shop mid-summer clearance, not pre-season. Swimwear markdowns deepen in July and August as retailers clear inventory ahead of fall resets, often 30-40% below the early-June price.
• Set a price alert on multi-packs. Bundled two- or three-packs from budget retailers frequently drop below the per-unit price of a single premium pair during promotional windows.
• Stack a retailer card or cashback portal. Target Circle, Walmart+ member deals, and cashback browser extensions regularly apply on top of already-discounted swimwear.
• Check end-of-season resort and outlet drops. Late-August clearance at outlet retailers is when higher-end brands like Patagonia and Quiksilver see their deepest discounts of the year.

The honest takeaway: swim trunk pricing has almost nothing to do with quality and everything to do with when and where you buy — the same construction quality shows up at wildly different price points depending on the retailer and the calendar, so timing a purchase around mid-to-late summer clearance is worth more than brand loyalty.