We have the good people of Milan to thank for Ripa Ripa, the Italian label that’s responsible for our favorite vacation-ready swim short. There’s something about the brand’s patterns and colors that makes you want to put up the out-of-office and promptly vacate to the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean. Ripa Ripa’s Parragi striped shorts is among Nolledo’s favorite swim trunks. He likes them for their “vintage style in look and feel,” saying they have a “lived-in quality to them that’s understated but noticeable.”
The shorts are lined with mesh and made from a soft-brushed nylon for a cotton-like feel. And as a nod to the maritime heritage of Italy, the adjustable waist tie is made from a braided nautical rope. Pro tip: Ripa Ripa shorts run slightly small (hello, svelte European sizing!), so if you prefer a little more room in your trunk, we suggest sizing up.
Best Swim Trunks for Watersports: Outerknown Apex Trunks by Kelly Slater
Fabric: 89% recycled polyester, 6% recycled spandex, 5% spandex | Inseam: 9 inches | Sizes: 28-38 | Liner: No liner
The headline of Outerknown’s Apex trunk is right in its name: It was developed and tested by 11-time world surfing champ Kelly Slater. But you don’t have to be a wave enthusiast to appreciate the fact that the stretchy performance fabric is made from 100% post-consumer waste. Given that these linerless shorts are designed with water sports in mind, you also get stitch-free seams to reduce unnecessary chafing that would happen otherwise.
“I didn’t do any extreme water sports in these, but I could see why a surfer would love them—they’re quite stretchy and don’t restrict your movement,” Chin says. He also adds that he prefers a shorter inseam on his swim trunks, but the overall look is perfectly fine.
More Swim Trunks We Love
CDLP Swim Shorts
Ten Thousand Set Short
Deus Ex Machina Glide Swim Trunk
Outlier New Way Five Fives
Todd Snyder Montuak Swim Short
True Tribe Active Swim Shorts
How We Tested
Collectively, we here at GQ have tested swim trunks in a variety of settings, clocking time with our picks from the coastlines of the Philippines to the craggy shores of New York’s Rockaway Beach, and many places in between. We look at comfort and performance both in and out of the water, taking note whether or not the swim trunks offer adequate support and freedom of movement with no chafing or discomfort. Lastly, we look at design and style, and give high marks to swim trunks that are versatile enough to go from beach or pool to boardwalk and beyond.
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