Underwear Under Boardshorts? Yes You Can! (Shopping Guide)

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The quintessential underwear question is boxers or briefs? Yet, there are so many better questions to ask about a guy’s underwear to hone in on the ideal pair for a given situation. One of these questions is whether you should wear underwear under boardshorts? It is clearly on many guys’ minds; Google says thousands of guys search for this topic each month. My answer is yes – you should wear underwear under boardshorts.

Below are several underwear options made for getting wet and worn under board shorts or swim trunks if you remove the mesh liner. A couple of brands, such as Saxx, make their own swim trunks with built-in boxer briefs. These are perfect for swimming because the swim trunks and boxer briefs are made for the water, are more comfortable than the usual mesh brief liners found in regular swim trunks, and contain Saxx’s Ballpark Pouch for additional comfort for your balls.

Never Wear Soggy Underwear Under Boardshorts

Before we get to the underwear, I want to highlight a few key features to look for when buying underwear for boardshorts. As mentioned above, please don’t wear regular cotton underwear under boardshorts or any swim trunks. You need underwear designed to be wet. Here are a couple of essential criteria to take note of:

Underwear Description

Ideally, the manufacturer will note that they designed the underwear for water. More specifically, the description should say it’s both saltwater- and chlorine-safe so you can wear it at the pool and the beach. Do not take chances if the description is ambiguous.

Underwear Material

Continuing from the description, underwear in this category will be made from synthetic materials. Cotton – in any amount – is not acceptable as cotton retains water and leads to sogginess. Most pairs contain a blend of +/- 80-85% polyester/nylon and 15-20% elastane or spandex. If you have read my Ultimate Guides, you’ll quickly notice that more elastane or spandex means greater stretch and comfort. However, chlorine can destroy spandex and elastane, so keep this in mind if you’ll be wearing underwear primarily in the pool rather than in the ocean.

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Inseam Length and Style

Below, you’ll find pairs in briefs, trunks, and boxer briefs so all guys can find a style that matches what they wear regularly. However, take a moment to consider what activities you’ll be performing while wearing boardshorts. If you’ll be mainly at the beach and on land – lounging, sunbathing, or playing frisbee or volleyball – you may want to choose briefs or trunks for improved air circulation and temperature control, assuming your thighs don’t get irritated. On the other hand, if you will be surfing or in colder ocean waters (California, for example), you may want to choose boxer briefs or even 8” long boxer briefs. This provides warmth in cooler water and helps protect against chafing on your legs.

Another consideration for underwear length is the length of your boardshorts. If your boardshorts are 5-7 inches long, 6-inch boxer briefs – or worse, 8-inch boxer briefs – will stick out from the bottom of your boardshorts. Some of you may want this look, as it is becoming popular at the gym and among athletes. Others may cringe at the sight. Either way, know what you are getting yourself into.

Boardshorts Color

If you wear lighter-colored boardshorts, stick to lighter-colored underwear. Otherwise, if you wear dark underwear with light boardshorts, your underwear may show through, especially after you come out of the water and everything is wet. Lighter-colored underwear will also show underwear lines more easily when wet, regardless of your underwear color.

Branded Underwear Waistband

If your boardshorts hang a little low on your waist, your underwear waistband will likely show. This is as much of a fashion choice as choosing the color and pattern of your boardshorts. If you are more conservative with your fashion choices, choose underwear with a plain, unbranded waistband. That way, you aren’t an advertisement for your underwear; instead, it blends in well with your boardshorts. On the other hand, if you want to show off your underwear, go for those big, bold waistbands.

With that said, here are some underwear pairs you’ll want to consider wearing under boardshorts. Also, check out my other blog post on shorts with built-in underwear, including my review of Saxx’s Oh Buoy swim shorts. Like the options below, men’s boardshorts and swim shorts with built-in boxer brief liners aren’t the mesh liners of yesterday; they contain high-quality boxer briefs for ultimate comfort.

Saxx – Hydro boxer briefs

Saxx is a Canadian underwear company best known for its BallPark Pouch, a wholly separate area for your balls. Featuring both solid colors and whimsical designs, Saxx is popular nowadays, plus Saxx has an amazing Instagram account. Yet one design missing from Saxx’s lineup was water-safe underwear. Fortunately, Saxx filled this gap in 2022 and introduced its DropTemp Cooling Hydro lineup.

Buy Now: SAXX Men’s Hydro Boxer Briefs in Black.

You can purchase Hydro boxer briefs separately – to wear with your own boardshorts – or you can get Saxx’s swim trunks with the Hydro boxer briefs built-in, as I did. I felt that Saxx’s swim shorts with the built-in Hydro liner were very comfortable, and I loved wearing Saxx’s Ballpark Pouch in the pool.

• Description: Saxx notes its Hydro boxer briefs “can be worn under unlined board or swim shorts.” This is key – you should wear boxer briefs with unlined boardshorts, not swimming trunks that already have a built-in liner.
• Inseam: Saxx’s boxer briefs feature a 5″ inseam, quite standard for boxer briefs. No briefs or trunks yet.
• Colors and Patterns: Saxx only produces a couple of colors and patterns for its DropTemp Cooling Hydro boxer briefs. While colors and patterns come and go, the black boxer briefs are consistently available. If you get Saxx shorts, the built-in Hydro boxer brief liner is gray.
• Price: $36. Although hefty compared to the general universe of men’s underwear, the price tag is in line with other premium brands such as Mack Weldon (above) and Bn3th (below).
• Material and Fabric: 87% polyester, 13% elastane. The elastane content is good and in line with Bn3th below.
• Fly: No fly, as none of the underwear brands in this category feature flys.
• Ball Pouch: Yes, Saxx features their single separated pouch branded the BallPark Pouch. I wrote a full review of Saxx’s pouch here.

• Branded waistband: Simple faded logo in the front, although I almost wish the lettering was white, so it stood out a bit more!
• Multipacks: Saxx doesn’t currently offer multipacks of its Hydro boxer briefs.
• Design Country: Canada

Bn3th – Pro Agua X series

Bn3th is heavily focused on making underwear for active guys. So it’s no surprise that Bn3th created underwear specifically to wear under boardshorts: the Pro Agua X series. What I especially love about Bn3th is that their company mission also includes being environmentally friendly! Pro Agua X boxer briefs are not only wonderful for wearing under boardshorts – on land or while riding waves- but Bn3th also manufactures these boxer briefs from recycled plastic bottles.

With features like the MyPackage ball pouch and bold patterns, you may also want to buy additional Bn3th underwear to wear at home. Although I don’t own a pair of the Pro Agua X boxer briefs, I own Bn3th’s regular modal boxer briefs, and I love the feel and their U-shaped pouch is cool. But don’t wear modal underwear at the beach or in the pool – stick to the Pro Agua X boxer briefs for your water-based activities!

• Inseam: Bn3th only offers boxer briefs in its Pro Agua X series, with a 6.5” inseam. Bn3th heavily promotes wearing these boxer briefs under boardshorts, so it makes sense to focus on boxer briefs. The longer inseam than trunks will help protect you from rashes and chafing under your boardshorts.
• Price: $38, which is definitely in the high-end underwear category. However, Bn3th often has sales around major holidays, which is a fantastic time to stock up.
• Colors and patterns: Bn3th’s Pro Agua X line-up mostly features image patterns, though you can also get a solid black pair. Nonetheless, if you want bold images to wear under your boardshorts, Bn3th has you covered.
• Material and fabric: 90% recycled polyester, 10% Spandex. The Spandex level is good for polyester-based underwear, which means these boxer briefs should be pretty comfortable. And 90% recycled polyester is super cool, especially if you care about the environment.
• Fly: No functional fly, although not a surprise considering that Bn3th is a premium underwear brand.
• Ball pouch: Bn3th advertises its “Original 3D Pouch” and its “3D lift and support.” I thought the V-shaped pouch was very comfortable while wearing Bn3th’s regular modal underwear. I believe pouches are a must-have, so make sure to read my Cheat Sheet on Pouch Underwear to learn how to find your best pouch.
• Branded waistband: Yes. Bold letters on the back of the waistband feature Bn3th’s logo.
• Multipacks: None.
• Design Country: Canada

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Speedo Swimsuits

I’m not a swimmer, but even I know Speedo is an eponym, meaning Speedo is interchangeable with the product it sells: swimming briefs. So why include swimsuits in an underwear list? Because why not wear them under your boardshorts?

Fitted swimsuits – in the style of briefs, trunks, or boxer briefs – can ideally double as underwear for swimming or surfing. Think about this: the only difference between wearing a swimsuit on its own or wearing it as underwear is that, as underwear, your boardshorts are covering it. View it that way, and the universe of potential underwear for boardshorts expands dramatically. As an added benefit, you can wear swimsuits on their own if the mood strikes you, so you are also doubling your swimming and beach wardrobe. Finally, if you prefer briefs or trunks, Saxx only sells boxer briefs for boardshorts, so choosing a swimsuit gives you options that suit your style.

Note whether the swimsuit you choose has the waist drawstring on the interior (against your skin), not on the exterior (where everyone can see). I want to emphasize the drawstring location because if your swimsuit appears above your boardshorts, having two drawstrings will look weird. I own a pair of underwear with the drawstring on the exterior, and it feels like a jumbled mess with my shorts. Yet, if it is on the interior, you might feel less comfortable with the drawstring rubbing against your skin, which defeats the purpose of buying comfortable underwear. Ideally, there would be no drawstring at all, just a simple elastic waistband.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2026-08-23 at 19:50 and are subject to change. / Affiliate links.

Therefore, let’s add the original Speedo to this list of boardshorts underwear!

• Description: Speedo notes that they are “chlorine-resistant” and suitable for the beach.
• Inseam: Wide variety! Speedo’s lineup includes hip and regular briefs, square-cut trunks, and long-length boxer briefs (called “jammers” in swimming circles).
• Price: varies greatly, from around $20 to $50+. Much like Mack Weldon, premium models will demand premium pricing, and Speedo is no different.
• Colors and patterns: With a plentiful array of colors, patterns, and prints, you can comfortably wear Speedo’s pairs without boardshorts. If you are getting a few pairs, you’ll love the variety.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2026-08-23 at 19:50 and are subject to change. / Affiliate links.

• Material and fabric: Generally around +/- 80% nylon/20% Spandex/elastane, although note that some of Speedo’s briefs have 0% Spandex/elastane. While you sacrifice stretchiness without Spandex/elastane, these 0% models may perform better with repeated use in swimming pools, since chlorine can break down Spandex and elastane. Speedo also offers recycled and eco-friendly nylon blends for the environmentally conscious.
• Fly: No-fly.
• Ball pouch: Not really. Some models advertise a “front gusset,” which means there is an extra seam to reduce stress at tight seams. The gusset may provide some flexibility around your penis, but I do not consider it a ball pouch. If you are used to having a pouch, this may feel tighter around your penis and balls.
• Branded waistband: Usually not. Some pairs have logos around the legs, visible if you wear a Speedo alone and possibly if you wear wet, thin boardshorts in a lighter color. Otherwise, the logo most likely won’t be visible peeking out of your boardshorts waistband.
• Multipacks: No.
• Design Country: United States

ARENA Swim Suits

Speaking of wearing swimsuits under boardshorts, a brand I noticed getting great reviews on Amazon is ARENA. I have never worn ARENA, but I want to highlight it as an option because it ranks highly on Amazon across several models. They also have a wide assortment of swim briefs, square-cut trunks, and jammers, so you can choose the length that is right for you.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2026-08-23 at 14:53 and are subject to change. / Affiliate links.

• Description: Many of the models say “chlorine-proof,” which is important if you are going to be wearing them in the pool. Again, if this matters to you, make sure the description says “chlorine-proof.”
• Inseam: ARENA sells swim briefs, square-cut trunks (very similar to Brazilian sungas), and long-leg jammers (boxer briefs), so you can choose the length that works best for you. I didn’t see any mid-length options. I would also mention that if you are not familiar with square-cut trunks, they are more like briefs than trunks. In other words, they have almost no leg coverage.
• Price: Generally, briefs are in the $30 range, while jammers are around $60 per pair. However, if you buy the right pair, it can last quite a long time.
• Colors and patterns: ARENA offers a large selection of patterns and colors. Some solid colors are available, but most pairs have a pattern.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2026-08-23 at 15:17 and are subject to change. / Affiliate links.

• Material and Fabric: 100% polyester. This is ideal for swimming pools.
• Fly: No fly.
• Ball pouch: Not really. In fact, several models state that they offer a “conservative silhouette,” so I imagine that means keeping everything as tight as possible.
• Branded waistband: Waistbands aren’t branded, but some models do feature ARENA’s logo on the leg or on the side of the brief. Also, most models have an adjustable drawstring inside, which is ideal.
• Multipacks: None.
• Design Country: Italy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2026-08-23 at 15:17 and are subject to change. / Affiliate links.

Conclusion

I believe that you should wear underwear with boardshorts if you wear underwear under regular shorts. Furthermore, if you go to the beach, you will probably be active in some way (swimming, surfing, volleyball, frisbee, etc.). You will want support for your balls and underwear that can handle sweat. 

Underwear under boardshorts gets a bad rap because outdated public opinion stems from guys not choosing the right underwear for boardshorts. You will need to purchase underwear made for both saltwater and chlorinated water (for swimming pools). Underwear in this class will also be quick-drying, so you aren’t bogged down by soggy underwear when you are out of the water.

With Saxx and Bn3th now offering underwear designed explicitly for boardshorts, there is no reason not to purchase underwear for beach days. If you further consider wearing actual swimsuits under your boardshorts – and with guys shifting towards briefs and trunks as their regular underwear, this is more tolerable today – then the options are almost endless.

Everything in this post is perfect for beach boardshorts and great swimming underwear. Let me know in the comments below what are your favorite pairs of underwear to wear at the beach or the pool.

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