The 16 best places to buy men’s swimwear

As the summer months quickly approach, now’s the time to start thinking about your summer wardrobe, and that includes swimwear. And just like with women’s bathing suits, there are plenty of options when it comes to poolside attire for men. Sure, there might be a few rules to follow when picking out new swimwear, but whether you’re looking for a simple, functional option with pockets for your phone or a more fashion-forward suit with an eye-catching print, there are plenty of great retailers where you can find all types of men’s swimwear.

To help you decide where best to shop, we considered factors such as each retailer’s variety, sizing options, pricing, overall reputation, and customer service. Many of these brands offer free returns—essential when you’re shopping online—and looked for options within a wide range of price points. With these factors in mind, the following are the best places to buy men’s swimwear right now.

1. Patagonia

Sizes: 28–44 Prices: $$$ Return/Exchange Policy: No time limit

Our top picks from Patagonia

• Men’s Hydropeak Boardshorts - 21” for $34 (Save $35)
• Men’s Hydropeak Volley Shorts - 16” for $34 (Save $35)
• Men’s Hydropeak Hybrid Walk Shorts - 19” for $85

Patagonia might not be the first place you think to shop for swimwear, but we’re here to tell you why it should be. Not only is this brand known for its high-quality products and top-notch customer service, but it has an unlimited return window as long as the products are in new condition with tags attached. Additionally, if your well-loved Patagonia garments need some love, the brand has an extensive repair program to help keep their clothing out of the landfill.

In terms of bathing suits, Patagonia has a fairly modest selection, but there are still options for everyone. Their sizing goes from 28 to 44, and many of its swimwear options come in multiple inseam lengths, as well as both solids and patterns.

Shop men’s swimwear at Patagonia

2. Vuori

Sizes: 28–38 Prices: $$$ Return/Exchange Policy: 120 days; no exchanges

Our top picks from Vuori

• Cape Short for $40 (Save $28)
• Cruise Boardshort for $74
• Peak Boardshort for $78

Vuori, which specializes in athletic clothing and activewear, is another top choice for men’s swimwear. The site offers a variety of trendy styles, many of which are made partially from recycled materials, and its bathing suits are quick-drying and extremely comfortable. Vuori has a longer-than-average 120 day return period (though you can’t exchange products, which is slightly inconvenient), and returns are always free.

Shop men’s boardshorts from Vuori Clothing

3. Nordstrom

Sizes: Varies by brand Prices: $$–$$$ Return/Exchange Policy: No time limit

Our top picks from Nordstrom

• Harmonqlo Anguilla Stretch Swim Trunks for $64
• Polo Ralph Lauren Traveler Swim Trunks for $85
• Ted Baker London Trehil Plain Swim Shorts for $95

If you want to browse a large collection of swimwear from a variety of top brands, Nordstrom should definitely be your go-to retailer. The department store offers hundreds of options from brands like Fair Harbor, Hurley, Vineyard Vines, and even designers like Burberry, and offers some of the best customer service in the biz. Shipping and returns from Nordstrom are always free, and the department store is known for its generous return policy, which doesn’t have a time limit.

Shop men’s swimwear from Nordstrom

4. Target

Sizes: 28–42 Prices: $$ Return/Exchange Policy: One year for Target brands

Our top picks from Target

• Men’s 7” Swim Trunks for $15
• Men’s 7” Waterloo Flamingo Swim Trunks for $25
• Men’s 9” Coral Board Shorts for $25

For budget-friendly swimwear, we highly recommend checking out Target’s selection of men’s bathing suits. This retailer does a great job of staying on top of the latest trends and offers a wide selection of swimsuits, typically in sizes 28 to 42, with select options in Big and Tall sizes. A lot of the options you’ll find are from Target’s own in-house brands, such as Goodfellow & Co and Original Use, and when you purchase from these lines, Target offers an unbeatable one-year return period—so even if it sits in the bottom of your drawer all summer, you can still bring it back for a refund.

Shop men’s swimwear from Target

5. L.L.Bean

Sizes: S–3XL Prices: $$ Return/Exchange Policy: One year

Our top picks from L.L.Bean

• Men’s All-Adventure Swim Shorts, 7” from $50 (Save up to $20)
• Men’s Classic Supplex Sport Shorts, 6” for $40
• Men’s Classic Supplex Sport Shorts, Belted Print for $55

While the selection isn’t the most fashion-forward, L.L.Bean is a great place to shop if you’re all about practical, high-quality swimwear. The retailer has a modest collection of plain swim shorts, all of which offer UPF 50+ protection from the sun, and many of their bathing suits offer useful features like pockets or built-in belts. Plus, L.L.Bean is another brand that excels in customer service, offering a one-year return period on any item that you’re not 100% satisfied with.

Shop men’s swimwear from L.L.Bean

6. Bonobos

Sizes: S–3XL Prices: $$$ Return/Exchange Policy: 90 days

Our top picks from Bonobos

• The Rec Short for $49 (Save $40)
• Throwback Swim Trunks for $89
• Riviera Recycled Swim Trunks for $89

You’ll be the most stylish guy at the beach when you’re rocking Bonobos swim trunks. This brand offers a wide variety of fashionable swimwear for men, including lots of bright, eye-catching prints in a variety of short lengths. Most of its swimwear comes in sizes S through 3XL, and several of its best-selling styles are made from recycled materials to boot. Bonobos offers free shipping and returns, and gives discounts to teachers and military members.

Shop men’s swim trunks from Bonobos

7. Old Navy

Sizes: XS–4XL; 28–54 Prices: $ Return/Exchange Policy: 45 days

Our top picks from Old Navy

• Printed Swim Trunks for Men — 5-inch inseam in Peaches & Stripes for $30
• Printed Swim Trunks for Men — 5-inch inseam in Rainbow Stripe for $30
• Printed Swim Trunks for Men — 5-inch inseam in Birds in Paradise for $30

If you’re looking for fun swim trunks at a reasonable price, you really can’t go wrong at Old Navy. The brand offers a variety of both plain and patterned men’s swimwear, and has a larger size range than most, allowing you to find that perfect fit. Old Navy’s shipping and return policies are fairly standard, but you can’t beat the low prices for well-made garments.

Shop men’s swimwear at Old Navy

8. REI

Sizes: Varies by brand Prices: $$-$$$ Return/Exchange Policy: 90 days; one year for Co-op Members

Our top picks from REI

• Rip Curl Party Pack Volley 16” Board Shorts for $25
• O’Neill Hyperfreak Heist Board Shorts for $26
• Quiksilver Highlight Arch Board Shorts for $30

If you’re an REI Co-Op Member, you should definitely be shopping there for men’s swimwear. Not only does the co-op have a wide selection including popular brands like Patagonia, Quiksilver, and North Face, but members get an extended return period up to one year and, of course, 10% back on all purchases at the end of the year. Although it has plenty of sporting-focused options, REI has a surprisingly large selection of fashion-forward swimsuits, as well.

Shop men’s swimsuits from REI

9. Chubbies

Sizes: S–2XL Prices: $$$ Return/Exchange Policy: 30 days

Our top picks from Chubbies

• The Hawaii Fives 6” Boardshort for $80
• The Domingos Are For Flamingos 5.5” Lined Classic Swim Trunk for $80
• The Navy Nauticals 5.5” Beach Club Trunk for $90

Looking for preppy, patterned, and/or vibrant swim trunks to rock at the beach or out on the boat? Chubbies has you covered. This brand has no shortage of striking swim trunks in wild patterns, and most of its products are available in several lengths. Chubbies also has a popular collection of swimsuits with a lightweight, anti-chafe liner to keep everything in place as you splash around in the ocean. Plus, the brand has free 3- to 4-day shipping on orders more than $35—generally the cost of a single one of its items.

Shop men’s swim trunks from Chubbies

10. Lands' End

Sizes: S–2XL Prices: $$ Return/Exchange Policy: 90 days

Our top picks from Lands’ End

• Men’s 8” Solid Volley Swim Trunks for $43
• Draper James x Lands’ End Men’s 6” Print Volley Swim Trunks for $53
• Men’s Sport Swim Short with Hydroliner for $58

You won’t find anything too wild or crazy at Lands' End, but it is a great place to shop for classic men’s swimsuits. The shop has lots of longer board shorts, including several lined options, as well as a number of rash guards. Most of Lands' End’s swim trunks are available in both solid colors and fun prints, and you have up to 90 days to return online purchases if you don’t end up liking the clothing.

Shop men’s swimsuits from Lands' End

11. Amazon

Sizes: Varies by brand Prices: $-$$$ Return/Exchange Policy: 30 days

Our top picks from Amazon

• Madhero Men Swim Trunks with Mesh Lining 3” for $17
• Coofandy Men’s Square Leg Swim Briefs for $21
• Under Armour Men’s Standard Comfort Swim Trunks from $56

Most people understand the appeal of shopping on Amazon—the selection is unmatched, and items can be at your doorstep in just a few days. However, the tradeoff is that quality can be hit or miss. That said, Amazon is a great place to shop for swimwear if you’re pressed for time, and if you’re a Prime Member, a lot of swimsuits are eligible for the “Try Before You Buy” program, which gives you a 7-day try-on period before you’re charged for the goods.

Shop for men’s swimwear at Amazon

12. lululemon

Sizes: S–XL Prices: $$$ Return/Exchange Policy: 30 days

Our top picks from lululemon

• Pool Short 7” from $78
• Pool Short 5” for $78
• Active Swim Short 6” for $88

lululemon is known for its high-quality athletic wear, and it does offer bathing suits for both men and women. While the quality is top-tier and the customer service is great, the caveat is that lululemon has a small selection of men’s swimwear and a limited size range. While you don’t have a lot to choose from, we’re willing to bet you’ll be pleased with the quality if you find an option you like.

Shop men’s swimwear from lululemon

13. Macy’s

Sizes: Varies by brand Prices: $$ Return/Exchange Policy: 90 days

Our top picks from Macy’s

• Hugo Boss Men’s Abas Vertical Logo-Print Swim Trunks for $38 (Save $26)
• Nike Men’s Essential Lap Solid 9” Swim Trunks for $48
• Nautica Men’s Quick-Dry Stripe 18” Board Shorts for $70

For those who want a large variety to choose from, Macy’s is another top choice. This department store has hundreds of men’s swimwear options, including brands like Calvin Klein, O’Neill, and Hugo Boss, and most of the prices are extremely reasonable. A lot of items qualify for free shipping through Macy’s, and the retailer also offers free returns within 90 days.

Shop men’s swimwear from Macy’s

14. Dick’s Sporting Goods

Sizes: Varies by brand Prices: $$ Return/Exchange Policy: 90 days

Our top picks from Dick’s Sporting Goods

• Nike Men’s Victory Color Block Jammer for $40 (Save $12)
• O’Neill Men’s Smash Up Volley Swim Trunks for $40
• Chubbies Men’s Stretch 7” Swim Trunks for $80

Dick’s Sporting Goods is a good place to shop if you’re looking for more sporty swimwear—the go-to sports retailer carries brands like Nike, adidas, and Speedo, and a lot of its inventory is performance-driven. Dick's has a wide selection of men’s bathing suits to choose from, and there’s always the added bonus that you can return or exchange items to your local store if you don’t want to ship them back. However, the customer service isn’t always the best, and shipping times can be fairly slow.

Shop men’s swimsuits from Dick’s Sporting Goods

15. T.J.Maxx

Sizes: Varies by brand Prices: $–$$ Return/Exchange Policy: 40 days

Our top picks from T.J.Maxx

• Trunks Surf & Swim for $13
• Billabong Sundays Layback Printed Boardshorts for $20
• Faherty Mountain Sky Scenic Trunks for $30

T.J.Maxx only recently opened online stores—before, you had to do your shopping in-person. However, you can now browse a limited selection of the discount inventory online, and that includes a decent selection of budget-friendly swimwear. The prices are unbeatable thanks to the discount nature of the store, but it’s another option where quality isn’t guaranteed. Additionally, the brand changes a $10.99 shipping and handling fee for mail returns, so you’re better off bringing unwanted merchandise back to your local T.J.Maxx location.

Shop men’s swimwear from T.J.Maxx

16. Walmart

Sizes: S–2XL Prices: $-$$ Return/Exchange Policy: 90 days

Our top picks from Walmart

• George Men’s Novelty Print 6” Swim Trunks with Stretch for $12
• Burnside Men’s 6.5” Swim Trunks for $15
• Surfcuz Men’s Swim Trunks Quick Dry Mesh Lined Swim Shorts for $17

Walmart is known for its budget-friendly prices, and as you might expect, it has a good selection of affordable men’s swimwear. In fact, there are hundreds of products to choose from in the brand’s new online marketplace, with some options as low as $9.99. Of course, the tradeoff here is that the quality is generally just OK—these aren’t trunks you’ll be able to keep for years and years, but they’ll get the job done for this season.

Shop men’s swimwear from Walmart