Short swim shorts for men: how short is right?

Swim short length is measured on the inseam, from the crotch seam to the hem. Board shorts usually sit between 18 and 22 inches on the outside leg and finish at the knee. A short swim short sits well above it.

The numbers

A 5 inch inseam (about 13 cm) ends mid-thigh. A 5.5 to 6 inch inseam (14 to 15 cm) ends just above the knee and suits most builds. Anything past 7 inches starts to behave like a board short: more fabric, slower to dry.

Board shorts or swim shorts

Board shorts are built for the surf, with a fixed waist and a long leg. A tailored swim short is lighter, dries on the walk back from the beach and looks right at the café afterwards.

Sizing

Tampa sizes are your waist in inches (32 = 81 cm); Venice and Miami come in S to XXL. They run small: if you are between sizes, take the larger one. You have 100 days to swap for another size.

Shipping to Australia and New Zealand

Orders ship from the Netherlands and arrive in about 8 to 10 working days. Shipping is € 12.95, free from two pairs or from € 75.

Our swim shorts

Our shorts have a 14.5 cm (5.7 inch) inseam; the Tampa in sizes 36 and 38 is a little longer. Tampa comes with a five-year guarantee; Venice and Miami in more than a dozen colours. Shop swim shorts