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You’ve got some sweet board shorts and noticed, “These don’t have any mesh lining!!!” Now you’re thinking: What do you wear under board shorts without mesh lining? What about: what do you wear under swim trunks that don’t have any mesh lining?
Are you supposed to wear underwear with board shorts?!
We answer that age-old question with several different options. Read on to learn what to wear under board shorts and to find out what you’ve been dying to know, but are afraid to ask: what do people really wear under board shorts when they go swimming? Seriously!?
Many popular, modern swim trunks or board shorts (read about them in our Lululemon Swim Trunks Review) don’t have built-in underwear or mesh lining. So what do you do? Watch or read on to find out.
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Our #1 Pick
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An incredible value! 2-pack!
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A good, cheaper option
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Primary Rating:
5.0
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Primary Rating:
4.5
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Primary Rating:
4.0
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$42
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$47.00
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$24.97
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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- The best overall
- Super comfortable
- Fast driving
- Expensive
- A great second option
- Comfortable
- Long-lasting
- Slightly-slower drying than Mack Weldon
- More interesting designs
- Less expensive
- Slightly slower drying
- Obnoxious designs
What to wear under board shorts: Your options
Like anything in life, there’s not just one option of what to wear under board shorts (or swim trunks without a mesh linger) we’ve got a couple for you!
Your First Option: Free as a bird
You may be thinking to yourself, “Can I wear nothing under my board shorts?” The answer is YES, you can wear nothing under your board shorts – you can be as free as a bird.
Just like you can chose not to be wearing underwear all the time – you can not wear anything at all.
The problem with not wearing underwear under board shorts…
The only issue is that this can leave little to the imagination if you know what I mean. 😉 Also, playing with kids, I like to put another layer (mesh liner or otherwise) in between the world and my business. 🍆
Most surfers do go commando (aka don’t wear any underwear) with their board shorts. But, let’s be real. How many people wearing board shorts are really surfing? Most of them are used around community pools and BBQs.
You’re just using it when you might get wet or take a dip – not hitting the waves and surf.
The other problem is that some shorts are not quick dry enough. You don’t want to be outside and soggy wet. You need shorts (and potentially underwear) that will dry quickly.
How to solve the chafing problem
This is an easy one. Get something like Body Glide
This invisible balm made with natural ingredients, protects you from chafing during intense and long-distance workouts, or anytime that you may chafe – especially in the water.
No one wants to chafe on their beach vacation and still look good in your natural bathing suit.
What to wear under your board shorts: the worst (and 2nd option)
Before you go off thinking, “I’ll just wear underwear under my board shorts…”
Cotton + Water = Trouble
The second option isn’t a good one: just wearing regular boxers under your board shorts. People do it – but one thing is true: Cotton and Water Does Not Mix. Don’t wear regular cotton boxers or wear regular underwear with board shorts. I promise that you’ll regret it.
Cotton doesn’t dry very fast. It can leave you wet and – even worse – chaffed from all the wetness. You get the picture. We don’t need to go any further.
It doesn’t matter if you wear old-school tighty-whiteys or more modern boxers under your swimming clothes. Just stay away from anything that is cotton.
Of course, the easiest thing would be to simply buy swimwear with built-in lining, but I know they don’t always have the very best styles. We tried Chubbies (watch our rapid Chubbies Review) and they are just so, so.
There are a lot of other brands out there these days. We hope to be trying more in the very near future!
Just don’t mix cotton with swimwear. Deal?
Should you wear underwear with swim trunks?
With swim trunks: no way. The built-in mesh lining + underwear is a recipe for disaster. However, board shorts are another question. There are more and more swim shorts these days coming out without a mesh lining, too.
If you’re wondering, “do guys wear underwear under swim trunks?” or “do guys wear underwear with swim trunks?” Not usually with swim trunks and sometimes with board shorts.
The best option: What to wear under board shorts
Let me give you a quick buying guide on what to wear under and swim shorts that don’t have a mesh lining.
This may be surprising – but there is actually underwear designed to be worn under boardshorts. And there are swimsuits without mesh, designed that way.
There is also underwear designed to be worn under boardshorts. This underwear is the best option of what to wear under boardshorts or swim trunks without a mesh liner.
The Best Quick dry underwear for swimming
Meet the quick-dry underwear designed for swimming, the best is the Mack Weldon Stealth Boxer Brief.
- The best choice to wear under boardshorts
- Super Comfortable
- Expensive
It was surprising for us, too. It was actually really hard to find (more on than in a moment). But there are specific pairs of undies designed just for this purpose: wearing under boardshorts or swim trunks – either just for looks or while swimming.
The best option, in my humble opinion, is the Mack Weldon Stealth Underwear (you may have noticed we really like Mack Weldon – read our full Mack Weldon Review). This underwear is designed to be worn under your swim shorts and a great option. They retail for $38 and are so comfortable that you won’t even notice them.
Even better, they dry super fast after you take a dip in the pool or the ocean. They are the perfect pair of quick dry underwear for swimming
The Mack Weldon Stealth Boxer Brief also has what is called “Body Mapping Technology” – this supposedly (I have no way to prove this, but have no reason to not believe it) is based on your body’s reaction to physical activity.
The Stealth Underwear is also seam-free to help with comfort.
No branding on waistband
I also like the subtle colors with no branding on the waist band:
I’ve been wearing Mack Weldon’s Amphibious underwear for years now when wearing swim shorts and they are awesome The Mack Weldon Stealth Underwear is brand new and is even better!
If $38 is too much to spend on underwear under your swim shorts, I get it.
Why it’s tough to find cheaper options
A quick warning on searching for “Swim Trunk Underwear” on Amazon. You’ll find a lot of things you probably are not searching for:
I didn’t want to wear underwear to the beach or pool – I wanted something to wear under your board shorts. After many, many uncomfortable minutes on Amazon, I found several different solutions: BN3TH.
What to wear: BN3TH Entourage
BN3TH says, “your favorite boardshort just got better.”
BN3TH was nice enough to send us some BN3TH Entourage Undershorts to review. What are they? They are a great pair of undershorts.
I won’t take it personal, but BN3TH’S “MYPACKAGE” is a super-large – but is still really comfortable.
I’ll post my full review of the BN3TH Boxers shortly and I really liked them! They are available on Amazon for about $35 and are a great value.
My biggest concern with undershorts is making sure they stay on, especially with the little ones climbing all over me at the pool. The BN3TH Entourage Under Shorts stayed on PERFECTLY.
The only thing that I didn’t love was the super bright colors. I typically like dark/neutral colors without a lot of patterns.
Exofficio Give-n-go Boxer Briefs: cheaper underwear to wear under swim trunks and board shorts
Exofficio has been in the business of making adventure-ready underwear for over 20 years, and they’ve really perfected the art.
Their Men’s Give-N-Go 2.0 Boxer Brief is their latest iteration, and it’s up to 4 times more breathable, 50% more moisture-wicking, and 25% more quick-drying than their original collections. It’s also designed to be really durable, with 4-way stretch for total range of motion and chafe-reducing flatlock seams. Perfect to wear under boardshorts, Exofficio’s Give-N-Go 2.0 Boxer Brief is sure to keep you comfortable on even your longest adventures.
Exofficio Boxer Briefs Highlights
- The Give-N-Go 2.0 Boxer Briefs are 89% Nylon / 11% Elastane – and even more flexible than the previous
- They are designed to be worn in all adventures, in fact, I’m usually wearing these or the Mack Weldon Boxers
- You can Machine Wash or Hand Wash. It’s best to air dry or dry on low heat – I personally air dry.
- Enjoy Anti-chafing, Irritation-free comfort during any fitness activity.
- This 4-way stretch short is a perfect baselayer for all outer garments – does not have to be used for only under your boardshorts or swim trunks!
Another great thing: you can buy Exofficio at Costco or Amazon. You can even get a great deal on a 2-pack on Amazon:
We've worn this for YEARS and love them. High quality and great for hot days and traveling.
Compression Shorts: Another alternative to wear under swim shorts
You can also wear compression shorts underneath swim shorts and board shorts. However, your results will vary greatly. Something like these Vuori Compression Shorts could work really well, however, they are still more expensive than the Mack Weldon Stealth Boxer Brief.
A quick disclaimer on what do you wear under board shorts
I’m not a professional athlete or Michael Phelps wanna-be. I’m a dad of two that likes comfort and no looking obnxious. None of the items listed are for someone trying to win a gold medal swimming or high-diving. The option listed here aren’t for the high-performance athlete.
However, they are designed to keep you comfortable and free from any embarrassment!
Other Products to Check Out
Based on what you are looking for, we’ve tested out other products that can be used as hybrid shorts (check out these Hybrid Shorts) or even something like the lululemon swim trunks.
Board Shorts With Liners
I’ve seen a couple of pairs of board shorts recently with liners.
I think this kinda defeats the purpose.
However, they say these board shorts with liner were, “made for 3 x world champion, Mick Fanning.”
I may not be a world-champion surfer, but I know what I like and don’t like.
What to wear under swim shorts without mesh: the final verdict
There are a lot of options, ranging from nothing to underwear designed specifically to be worn under swim trunks and board shorts. The great news is that without a built-in liner, the choice is up to you! And you can go free bird one day and wear Amphibious Underwear or DryDudz the next day.
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to let us know!
|
Our #1 Pick
|
An incredible value! 2-pack!
|
A good, cheaper option
|
|
Primary Rating:
5.0
|
Primary Rating:
4.5
|
Primary Rating:
4.0
|
|
$42
|
$47.00
|
$24.97
|
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
- The best overall
- Super comfortable
- Fast driving
- Expensive
- A great second option
- Comfortable
- Long-lasting
- Slightly-slower drying than Mack Weldon
- More interesting designs
- Less expensive
- Slightly slower drying
- Obnoxious designs
*Reviews edited for clarity and uniqueness.
FAQs
What do you wear under swim trunks?
You have a wide variety of options on what to wear under your swim trunks or board shorts, ranging from nothing to some of the specially designed underwear we’ve reviewed in this article.
board shorts vs swim trunks – what’s the difference?
Board shorts are typically longer, stiffer and sit right above the knee. Swim trunks are typically looser, are shorter and usually have a built-in lining (although not always). Board shorts rarely have any lining and need one of these board short underwear options – unless you want to go “free bird.”
What are the Best Boxer briefs for swimming?
Traditional Boxer Briefs weren’t designed to get super wet and quickly dry. However, several brands like ExOfficio and Mack Weldon make great boxer briefs for swimming. Read more to find the very best boxer briefs for swimming.
Can Compression Shorts Be Used For Swimming?
Compression shorts can be used for swimming – just make sure they are made from a quick-drying material. Most compression shorts are basically like underwear that is covering more than basic boxer briefs. Most compression shorts are made from quick-drying material – which is key.
Do you wear underwear with swimming trunks?
No! The only time to even think about wearing underwear with swimming trunks is when they DO NOT have mesh lining. If it has mesh lining you do not need to wear underwear with swimming trunks. Cool?
Do you wear underwear with a swimsuit?
If your swimsuit has a mesh lining, you don’t need to wear underwear. The lining serves the same purpose. However, if there’s no lining, it’s a good idea to wear quick-dry underwear for added support and comfort.
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