Swim Briefs vs Board Shorts for Vacation: An Honest Comparison
The short version
Briefs win for packing light, poolside lounging, resort and beach-club days, and an even tan.
Board shorts win for beach sports, family days and anywhere you'll walk around a lot without a cover-up.
Packing for a week? Two briefs plus one pair of shorts covers almost every situation.
Swim briefs vs board shorts for vacation: it's the question every man faces over an open suitcase. Most comparisons of swim briefs vs swim trunks are written for lap swimmers, where briefs win on drag and that's the end of it. This one is for holidays: resort pools, beach clubs, boat days, long lunches. We make swim briefs, so yes, we're biased. That's exactly why we'll tell you when trunks are the better call.
Round 1: Packing space
Winner: briefs, by a mile.
A swim brief rolls up smaller than a pair of socks. Board shorts, with their length, waistband, pockets and sometimes a mesh lining, eat a surprising amount of a carry-on. If you're travelling with hand luggage only, or doing a multi-stop trip, two or three briefs take up less room than one pair of shorts.
That's the thinking behind our bundles. The Swim Brief Duo (2 for $69.98) and Swim Brief Trio (3 for $99.97) give you a rotation for a long weekend or a full week, and they still fit in a jacket pocket.
Round 2: Drying time
Winner: briefs, usually.
This is mostly maths. Less fabric means less water to hold, so a brief generally dries faster than a pair of long, heavy shorts. On holiday that matters: you can go from the pool to the bar without sitting in a wet, heavy pair of shorts, and you're not packing a soggy swimsuit for the next stop. Having two briefs in rotation means one is always dry.
Round 3: Tan lines
Winner: briefs.
Board shorts leave a tan line halfway down your thigh that'll follow you into every pair of shorts you wear for the rest of the summer. A low-rise brief gives you a higher, cleaner line, so your legs tan evenly. Wear sunscreen everywhere, especially hips and lower back.
Round 4: Style and dress codes
Winner: depends where you're going.
At resort pools, beach clubs, boat days and many European and Mediterranean beaches, a well-fitted brief is the stylish choice. It looks deliberate and pairs perfectly with an open linen shirt.
At family resorts, water parks and some US hotel pools, board shorts are the default and you may feel more relaxed in them. Neither is right or wrong; it's about reading the room. A quick look at the venue's photos on Instagram before you go tells you everything.
Round 5: Comfort in the water
Winner: briefs.
Long shorts balloon, drag and cling once they're wet. A brief moves with you, so you can swim properly, dive and climb out without the "wet shorts slap". If you actually want to swim on holiday rather than just stand in the shallow end, a brief is simply more comfortable.
Round 6: Walking around
Winner: board shorts.
Trunks double as walking-around shorts. Briefs don't, and they shouldn't. If your day involves strolling along a promenade or popping into a café straight from the beach, you'll want a cover-up with a brief: an open shirt plus a pair of light shorts you can pull over. Board shorts skip that step.
Round 7: Beach sports
Winner: board shorts, honestly.
For volleyball, surfing on a rented board or a long game of beach football, many guys prefer the extra coverage of shorts. Pick whichever you'll move most freely in. A brief that fits properly stays put, but this is the one area where shorts make sense for most men.
The scorecard
| Category | Swim briefs | Board shorts |
|---|---|---|
| Packing space | Wins | No |
| Drying | Wins | No |
| Even tan | Wins | No |
| Resort and beach-club style | Wins | No |
| Comfort when swimming | Wins | No |
| Walking around without a cover-up | No | Wins |
| Beach sports | No | Wins |
| Family resorts and water parks | No | Wins |
The smart vacation packing list
You don't actually have to choose. For a 5–7 day beach trip:
2–3 swim briefs. One on, one drying, one spare. A red and a black covers every mood.
1 pair of board shorts or light shorts for sports and walking around.
1–2 open linen shirts as cover-ups that also work for dinner.
Slides, a hat, sunscreen.
That's a full swim wardrobe in less space than a pair of jeans.
Never worn briefs before?
If the main thing keeping you in board shorts is nerves, start with the fit. Read how men's swim briefs should fit, check our size guide, and when you're ready, here's how to wear swim briefs confidently. A brief that fits is the difference between feeling exposed and feeling great.
Pack light: Mandate Swim Brief, red or black, $39.99 · Duo, 2 for $69.98 · Trio, 3 for $99.97
Ships from California, with 30-day returns on unworn items.
FAQ
Are swim briefs or swim trunks better for vacation? For resort pools, beach clubs and packing light, swim briefs win: they take less space, usually dry faster and are more comfortable to swim in. Board shorts are better for beach sports and walking around without a cover-up.
Is it OK to wear swim briefs at a resort? Yes. Briefs are common at resort pools and beach clubs, especially in Europe and the Mediterranean. At family resorts, board shorts are more typical, so read the room.
How many swim briefs should I pack for a week? Two to three: one to wear, one drying and one spare. Add one pair of board shorts for sports or walking around.
Do swim briefs dry faster than board shorts? Generally yes, because there's much less fabric to hold water.
What do you wear over swim briefs on vacation? An open linen shirt and slides, plus a light pair of shorts if you're heading into town or a café.