Alternatively, try a pair of swimming briefs. Like the jammers, Nike swimming briefs are made from HydraStrong fabric and feature an interior drawstring, flat seams and a front lining to help keep things in place. Board shorts aren't known to be, well, short—7 inches is usually the shortest one goes. But, in the spirit of breaking the rules, J.Crew made these 5-inch board shorts that I just had to try on. The result is rather satisfying: the slim fit makes it look tailored like chino shorts, but the stretch allows me to move easily. Minimalists take note of the logo-free, simplistic design. Believe it or not, our testing editors have worn these shorts to the gym, office, club, bar, or just to run errands, and no one has ever batted an eye on the fact that these are actually board shorts meant for surfing and swimming. Regarding mobility, while I in fact was able to test and verify the four-way stretch, since these board shorts are only made with 4% spandex, I noticed that they’re not as stretchy as those made with 10% spandex. But after sporting them from the beach to the bar to the office a few times, their versatility really wowed me. You can't talk about board shorts without talking about Birdwell's 311—they're as '90s-surfing-culture as board shorts can get. These are in fact one of the first we've tested—after all, we've all seen our dads sport them once.

JustSun Mens Swim Shorts with Zip Pockets Mesh Lining Quick

Length: The main difference here is the length. While swim trunks generally hit at the thigh, men's board shorts tend to be longer, usually ending right at the knee or slightly below it. This helps provide more coverage in general, and it protects you from the sun. Traditional board shorts tend to be baggier in shape and are known for being less restrictive—one of the many reasons they are recommended for highly intense activities, such as surfing, wakeboarding, and beach games.You don't need to break your wallet for some quality board shorts. Take this swimsuit from Old Navy, which comes in four flattering colors and is available in regular and tall sizes. And we vouchsafe their quality after testing them in water and taking a long walk in them too. If you're making summer plans to hit the beach with friends, swim laps at the pool or try out a new water sport, you'll need a great pair of swimming trunks. The Nike swimming collection offers a variety of swimming shorts for all of your summer adventuring, with options in 13, 18 and 23cm (approx.) lengths and a range of colours and patterns.

Men. Nike UK The Best Nike Swimming Trunks for Men. Nike UK

Lining: Swim trunks almost always have mesh linings to provide more support. Boards shorts, on the other hand, do not usually have linings; in fact, surfers and sailors avoid liners because that extra fabric can cause abrasion against the skin. Instead, board shorts offer a free, less restrictive fit that helps air circulate to keep you cool on those hot summer days, and give you more wiggle room and space for movement on the waves. Really, if you're performing heavy activities in water, no lining is the way to go. First thing first: you won't find any cotton-heavy fabric in board shorts since it will get too heavy when soaked with water and thus weigh you down. Available in two lengths (one that hits just above the knee, as well as a shorter, mid-thigh option), Nike jammers are made for enduring a long swimming session in the pool or finishing your next triathlon. Nike jammers are built for speedy swimming, with a sleek, form-fitting design that helps reduce drag in the water. The Nike HydraStrong fabric is durable and long-lasting. You'll find an internal front pouch for support, flat seams to help prevent chafing and drawstrings so you can adjust the fit.From fit, lining, waistband, fabric, and occasion, board shorts actually differ from swim trunks in many ways. With a classic board short waistband and the length of a traditional swim trunk, this option is the best of both bathing suit options. Bonus points for several versatile, cool prints that'll have you standing out in style at the beach, bar, rooftop party, or on the waves. Imagine: board shorts made with cotton—the comfort is guaranteed to be off the chart; and, as I’ve tested and found, an adjustable waistband and breathable fabric allow comfort to reign supreme in these gnarly shorts from the Howler Brothers. While cotton isn’t the most water-friendly, these only get a little bit heavy when drenched in water—the poly/cotton blend in fact dries quite fast. (I was even able to lightly jog in them while wet, thanks to the added stretch.)