Are Board Shorts the Same as Swim Trunks? No! Differences You Shouldn’t Miss

Which one should you choose between swim trunks vs board shorts?

Well, you can only know for sure after you know the features that each comes with. In the past, we have looked at the best swim trunks for love handles. Perhaps you can start there …

While at it, also take a look at the article we did, asking whether you can use board shorts for swimming.

Today, we would recommend you get both of them. If you are a swimming enthusiast, you will find there are times when board shorts are more appropriate.

There will also be times when trunks are most preferable.

Board shorts vs swim trunks: Main Differences

These two swimming attires are not very different, but they are not the same thing. The most outstanding differences between them are, as in the small table below:

Swim trunks	Board shorts
Slightly shorter, above the knee	They are longer, going to the knee or below
They are wider, with more legroom	They fit more narrowly with a fitting profile
Swim trunks are for swimming only	Board shorts are for surfing and swimming
They have a drawstring for closure	Comes with Velcro and tie closure
Made with fast-drying material	Made with thicker, tear-resist material
Some come with compression liners	They don’t have an insert or lining
Can’t be worn with bikini bottoms as they’ve inserts	Women can wear them with bikini bottoms

 

Difference between swim trunks and board shorts: In detail

They may look the same from a casual glance, but they are different, as you have seen in the table above. Here, we shall look at the main differences in detail:

1. Board shorts are great for beach wear

If you are looking for something to wear on the beach as you relax, play volleyball or other games, board shorts are perfect.

They are thick enough and long, so they offer you more protection from the UV rays of the sun. Their breathability enables airflow over your skin.

In case you would like to take a swim in the board shorts, go ahead. In fact, you can even jump into the water with them and there is no risk of the force of the water pulling them off your butt.

They come with a tight closure of Velcro tape and drawstring, a great combination.

2. Swimming trunks are short and board shorts are longer

Swimming trunks are shorter, and they come above the knees. The inseam is shorter at 4 inches, although it is also possible to find longer ones.

Because of their large leg openings, if you make yours too long, they will not look stylish especially when the wind makes them billow outwards.

Board shorts come are longer and they fit better since they have a smaller leg opening. With a slim fit and an inseam of 7 inches or longer, they look very stylish.

3. Board shorts are perfect for casual wear around town

Wearing a nice pair of sneakers and board shorts will make you stand out when you are walking around town. As long as the weather allows, you can have fun strolling in the market in a pair of board shorts.

Because of the boxier nature of the swimming trunks, it can be hard to walk around town in them because they tend to billow out around the legs.

4. It is easier for women to wear board shorts

Board shorts are not for men alone, but even women can wear theirs easily. However, it is advisable to wear them with bikini bottoms.

Women can also wear swim trunks, but they would be a bit of a bother. The swimming trunks have a mesh lining, which is designed to help men stay comfortable.

The wider design of the swimming trunks is also more associated with men than women.

The mesh can feel a bit harsh on women’s anatomy. Besides, it doesn’t make much sense to wear swimming trunks with bikini bottoms since they already have an insert.

5. Swim trunks dry fast

Swim trunks are made with fast-dry materials that do not absorb a lot of water. This is what makes them so good for swimming.

On the contrary, swimming trunks are not breathable enough, so in the sweltering heat of summer, they can be a bit punishing.

On the other hand, board shorts are made with breathable material, so there can be airflow over your skin.

Board shorts are best for hot weather. When you clean them, they will not dry as fast as the swimming trunks. It is a small price to pay for the benefits you will get.

6. Board shorts have better closure

The closure of board shorts is safer than that of swimming trunks. It comes with a Velcro closure and drawstrings. If the drawstrings run loose when you are in action in the water, the current will not rip your shorts off.

The swimming trunks come with drawstring closures, so they are not as secure as the board shorts. Luckily, when the drawstring absorbs water, it holds on tighter.

Do women prefer swim trunks vs board shorts?

Because of the shape of their bodies, women tend to prefer swim trunks to board shorts. Swim trunks are more accommodating to the bigger thighs and hip area.

By nature, women have more fat distribution on their hip and thigh areas. That is why the slimmer board shorts would not fit the women very well. When ordering, check the size keenly.

Besides, to carry your personal effects, you should use the swim trunks because they have pockets on the side and some have pockets on the back.

You need a few pockets on your trunks for swimming so that you can store your items such as keys and cellphones, when you are strolling along the beach.

Choose a pair that has secure pockets, mostly with Velcro tape. This will prevent things from slipping out when you are running on the beach.

Swim trunks for women are slightly different from those of men by design. The difference comes at the crotch. Men’s shorts have bigger crotch areas. Women’s trunks have a tighter crotch area.

However, if the trunks fit you nicely over the hips and thighs, you can even wear men’s swimming trunks. No one is going to notice the difference.

Women’s board shorts for swimming

Board shorts for men and women are regarded as good swimming attire for public swimming pools. Women can wear them for swimming. They are made for surface water sports, including paddleboarding, wakeboarding and surfing.

You can pair your board shorts with your bikini top, and you will still look very smart. However, if you are a little on the overweight side of things, board shorts might not be your thing. In such a case, you would do better with the best swimsuit for fat people.

When you are buying women’s board shorts for swimming on amazon.com, you will see that they come in all styles. Some fit tighter.

The most vital consideration is the inseam size. Depending on what you choose, your board shorts for swimming can come above, below, or on the knee.

Also, depending on the design, it could fit tighter around the crotch area. Because of anatomical differences, women’s shorts may fit more snugly around the crotch.

One of the most popular board shorts for women for swimming is the Roxane women’s boardshorts that you can buy on Amazon.com. They have a 7-inch inseam, meaning the size of the seam from the crotch to the tip of the leg opening.

They are made of polyester and elastane material, so they are pretty tough, and breathable, and they do stretch a bit to accommodate your curves.

One of the questions that most women ask is: where will the board shorts sit? Most women prefer wearing theirs slightly below the belly button. You can also wear yours slightly lower, on the waistline.

Do board shorts have a liner?

Board shorts do not have any lining, which is one of the most notable differences between them and swimming trunks. Swim trunks have a netting, which is soft and comfortable.

Despite the lack of lining, men can wear theirs without underwear when they are going swimming. However, if they just intend to stroll the beach or wear them around their home, it is best to wear them with a pair of boxers.

For a woman to wear a pair of board shorts for swimming comfortably, she needs to wear them with bikini bottoms.

Of course, if your personal preference is to wear yours without anything underneath, go right ahead. It’s only that covering up a bit more is comfortable, and you can also swim with yeast infection.

Swimming trunks have compression liners. This is a very important feature for men because it holds their private parts in place well.

Can you wear board shorts casually?

You can wear board shorts casually for a road trip, for a walk, or even to town. You can wear them on the beach with sandals or with water shoes for swimming.

You can wear board shorts for swimming, for both men and women. You can also use them for casual wear at home, or when engaging in outdoor activities.

Because they have pockets, some even come with three pockets—you can carry a few personal items, such as keys, mobile phones, and others with you.

Besides, these shorts come in so many styles. Some are long, and some are short. They can also come in neutral colors, stripes, and prints. You can choose the one that appeals most to you.

Board shorts are also made of different types of materials. Nylon and polyester, blended with elastane, are the most common ones.

Final thoughts: Swim trunks vs board shorts

There is no winner when comparing swim trunks and board shorts. The two come in different designs, all have pockets, and the prices seem just about the same.

If you are looking for a pair that you can use to swim in the open water, in the swimming pool, or for casual wear at home, board shorts are your best bet.

The idea here is to buy what you feel most comfortable in. If you are oversized, get a pair that is most suitable for overweight people.

Swim trunks are a bit baggy in design, so most women like to steer clear of them. It is hard to notice women wearing baggy swimming attire today.

The most important thing is to buy your swimming shorts by your gender. You can find all types on amazon.com.