Why Our Gear Columnist Only Wears Swim Shorts Now

I only wear swim shorts now. Like all the time. I wear them around my office, to run errands, and while walking the dog. I wear them to the gym and when I’m going out to dinner or meeting friends for happy hour. I wear them on casual bike rides and short runs. I’m wearing a pair of Chubbies Lined Classic swim trunks ($80) as I’m currently typing, and I’ll stay in these shorts for the rest of the day until it’s time for bed.

I don’t wear swim trunks all the time because I’m a lifeguard or even an avid swimmer (I can’t remember the last time I went to the pool). I wear them because they’re the most comfortable shorts I own. Period. It’s the summer equivalent of wearing joggers every day during the winter.

Does this mean I’ve given up on life and I’m sacrificing style for comfort? My wife and kids certainly think so. But I’d argue that all men should consider making the same sacrifice; Life is better once you realize a good pair of trunks is the only couture you need for summer.

First of all, these aren’t the swimsuits of my youth, which were uncomfortable things made from a semi-rigid poly that bordered on plastic, with no pockets and a weird mesh liner that felt like my junk was trapped in a fishing net. The swim trunks I’m wearing now are high-performance layers with four-way stretch outer shorts and a silky, smooth boxer brief liner that’s as comfortable as the finest skivvies in my underwear drawer. That boxer brief liner is stretchy and doesn’t bind whether I’m sitting at my desk or knocking out a 15-minute yoga sesh.

All of the swim shorts in my quiver are comfortable enough to nap in but built for performance, so they can handle a workout. And they all have hand pockets, as well as a rear pocket, so I can carry my essentials as I run errands. Put all those attributes together and you have the perfect layer for summer (especially considering the unbearable heat waves we’re all living through). Moisture management is more important than ever. Can you think of any layer that can handle moisture better than a pair of swimmies? No, you can’t, because these shorts are literally designed to get soaked and dry fast.

The swim-suit-all-day-life isn’t all roses, though. My wife complains that I’ve adopted the mindset of a grade-school-aged kid who wears his soccer uniform everyday. But that’s not true. I have different suits for different occasions. A flower print suit  is great for when I think I might actually go swimming, or at least get into the hot tub or sauna. My camouflage suit is for when I’m feeling rugged, and a retro striped suit for evenings out. Plus, I’d argue that these shorts are stylish because they make a bold statement to the world. They say I’m a guy that’s up for whatever. Maybe I’ll take a nap or knock out some lunges or I could jump on a paddle board and head down the river. Who knows where the day will take me, but I’m wearing the shorts to handle whatever situation arises.

Carpe Diem; that’s what wearing swim shorts every day says. Carpe Diem.

Here are three of my favorite pairs of swim trunks that I wear all day, every day, no matter what my wife and kids say.

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Saxx Go Coastal 2N1 shorts

$60 at Saxx $60 at Zappos

I have a lot of pairs of Saxx underwear because they fit so well that I forget I’m wearing them. The Go Coastal takes that same sense of comfort to swim shorts with a soft boxer-brief liner that comes complete with Saxx’s signature Ballpark Pouch. It’s the softest liner I’ve tested. The only downside to these shorts is the back pocket doesn’t have a zipper, but the liner comes with a sleeve perfectly sized for your phone, so there’s a storage solution for whatever you need to carry. The floral print on these shorts is fun, but my wife says they’re not “dinner appropriate.”

Bn3th Agua Volley 2N1 Swim Shorts 

$75 at Bn3th $75 at Scheels

Speaking of heat waves (and global warming), everything in the Agua Volley is made from recycled materials, all the way down to the elastic waistband. The liner is thin and breathable and includes Bn3th’s 3D Pouch, which offers the most structural support for the family jewels of any liner I’ve tried. I have the longer, 7-inch inseam shorts because I have chicken legs, but you can go with the 5-inch if you like the short-shorts look. The outer shell doesn’t have as much stretch as the other options in this article, but the longer cut makes them more appropriate in situations where swim trunks might look out of place, like on a date.

Chubbies Lined Classics Shorts

$80 at Chubbies $70 at Dick’s Sporting Goods

The Chubbies Lined Classics are my favorite swimmers in my quiver. The outer short has a brushed, next-to-skin softness that you don’t often find in the category. Also, the pair I own has a retro-striped aesthetic that gives the shorts a stylish edge over the competition. Pair the Lined Classics with a boat shoe and a well-fitting polo shirt and you could convince people that you just stepped off your schooner.