Key Takeaways
- The three things that matter most in boys bathing suits are a built in mesh liner, an elastic drawstring waistband, and the right length for your kid's age
- Boys swim trunks run from xxs (12-18 months) through xl (9-10) so brothers at different ages can wear coordinating prints
- Boardies are shorter than traditional board shorts and work better for active swimmers and younger kids
- A rash guard is worth adding for full beach days or kids with sensitive skin
- Coordinating boys and girls swimwear is as simple as finding a shared print or pulling one color from her suit to match his trunks
- Rinse boys swim trunks in cold water
Shopping forย boys bathing suits should be the easy part of summer prep. It's just swim trunks, right? And then you get into it, and suddenly there are questions about liner types and inseam lengths, and whether your seven year old will actually wear something with crabs on it, or if that ship has sailed. It adds up faster than you'd think.
This blog post covers everything you need to know before you buy, from fit and fabric to rash guards and how to coordinate with the rest of the family without making your son feel like he's wearing a costume. If you want the full family swim breakdown first, start with our kids bathing suits guide. Otherwise, let's get into it.
What to Look for in Boys Bathing Suits
Not all boys swimwear trunks are built the same, and the differences actually matter once your kid is wearing them for six hours straight at a water park.
The liner is the big one. A good mesh boxer brief liner means your son isn't wearing anything underneath, which sounds obvious but makes a real difference in comfort and fit. It also means one less layer of laundry. The boardies (aka our board shorts) in our boys swimsuit collection all come with a mesh liner built in, so that box is already checked.
Waistband construction matters more than most people realize, especially for little guys who are still on the leaner side. A full elastic waistband with a drawstring gives you adjustability that a fixed waistband just doesn't. If your child is between sizes or tends to run narrow in the waist, that drawstring is what keeps everything where it belongs during a cannonball.
Pockets are worth a mention too. Side pockets and a velcro back pocket are standard in our boys oardies and genuinely useful, because kids put things in pockets whether you want them to or not.
Boys Boardies, Board Shorts and Swim Shirts
The boys boardies swim trunks in the SGK collection this season are banded hem boardies, which means they sit at a shorter, cleaner length than traditional long board shorts. Not too long and not too short, just the right length for actual swimming, running, and the kind of jumping that makes lifeguards nervous.
Our bathing suit prints range from the bold, colorblock with shades of orange and blue to the more novelty driven Sardine Stripe Print (our fave!) and the Shark print. Older boys who are getting more opinionated about what they wear tend to gravitate toward the cleaner colorblock styles. Younger boys almost always go for whatever has the most interesting thing on it, and sardine cans with a stripe print definitely qualify!
Our Performance Swim Shirt is worth adding to the conversation here, too. It's a long sleeve boys swim shirt that works as a rash guard for full day beach trips and as an extra layer for kids who run cold in the water. More on that in a minute.
Boys Bathing Suits by Age
For baby and toddler boys, the priority list is pretty short. Easy on and off, a soft waistband that doesn't dig in, and enough coverage to keep things comfortable. The good news is that our toddler swim trunks start at xxs, which fits 12 to 18 months, so baby boy swim is covered from the very start. The same styles run all the way up to xl (9-10), so brothers in different age groups can wear coordinating prints without any extra hunting.
For little boys in the 4 to 7 range, secure fit is the main thing. A suit that stays put through slides, waves, and whatever that thing is where they launch themselves off the pool stairs. The drawstring waistband and snug liner combo handles most of that.
For older boys and tweens, length and print become the negotiation. This age group has opinions. The banded boardie length tends to work well because it reads more athletic and less little kid without going full surfer length. Colorblock styles are an easy sell for boys who want something that doesn't feel babyish.
Rash Guards and Sun Protection for Boys
A boys rash guard set isn't just a surfer thing. If your family does full beach days, lake weeks, or any kind of summer camp situation with extended water time, a long sleeve rash guard cuts down on how often you're wrestling a wet, sandy kid to reapply sunscreen. That alone is worth it.
The Ocean Explorer Performance Swim Shirt coordinates with the boys boardies in the collection, so if you want the rash guard plus trunks situation, it actually looks intentional rather than thrown together.
Short- leeve rash guards offer less coverage but more range of motion, which some kids prefer for active swimming. Long sleeve styles are the better call for all day sun or kids with sensitive skin.
How Boys Bathing Suits Fit Into the Family Picture
This is where it gets fun. The prints in the boys swim collection this season are specifically designed to coordinate across the whole family, which means you can pull together a cohesive beach photo without anyone wearing the exact same thing.
The Sardine print shows up in both the boys bathing suits and the girls bathing suits one piece and bikini. The colorblock styles in coral and orange are similar to theย women's swim line and the men's boardshorts. If you're doing a family beach trip and want everyone to look like they at least consulted each other, the color stories are already there. It genuinely doesn't take much effort.
For brothers at different ages, the same print in different sizes is the easiest move. For a brother sister situation, pull one color from her suit and match it to his trunks. Done.
A Few Quick Care Tips for Boys Bathing Suits
Rinsing boardies in cold water after every swim is the single best thing you can do to make them last. Chlorine, salt, and sunscreen all break down the fabric and fade the colors over time. A ten second rinse before you leave the pool extends the life of the suit by a lot.
Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle and skip the dryer when you can. The elastic in the waistband holds up much better when it's not getting heat dried repeatedly. Lay flat or hang to dry and a good pair of boys swim trunks can absolutely make it through multiple summers.
Browse our entire boys bathing suits collection to find this season's styles. ย And while you're here, check out the rest of our kids spring clothing collection. We've got girls dresses, boys graphic tees, smocked outfits, pima cotton styles, and so much more for the whole family.
If you're planning a beach trip or family vacation, you'll also want to check out our family matching swimwear because getting everyone coordinated from head to toe is kind of our thing!
Frequently Asked Questions About Boys Bathing Suits
What should I look for in boys bathing suits?
The three things that matter most are a built-in mesh liner, an elastic waistband with a functional drawstring, and the right length for your kid's age and activity level. Pockets are a bonus โ kids will use them whether you plan for it or not.
What size boys swim trunks should I buy?
Check the size chart for each specific style. Our boys swim trunks run from xxs (12-18 months) through xl (9-10). For toddlers and younger kids, sizing up is almost always the right call since swim fabric is snug and kids grow fast.
When should boys wear a rash guard instead of just swim trunks?
Anytime you're planning a full beach day, lake week, or extended pool time. A long-sleeve rash guard cuts down significantly on sunscreen reapplication and is a smart choice for kids with sensitive skin or fair complexions.
What is the difference between boardies and regular board shorts?
Boardies are a shorter, banded-hem style that sits at mid-thigh. Traditional board shorts run longer, closer to the knee. Boardies tend to work better for younger kids and active swimmers since they don't restrict movement and dry faster.
How do I coordinate boys and girls bathing suits for sibling photos?
The easiest approach is to find a print that runs across both the boys and girls collections, or pick a color from your daughter's suit and match it to your son's trunks. You don't need exact matching โ a shared color story is enough to make photos look intentional.
How many swim trunks does a boy need for summer?
Two to three pairs is a solid number for most families. One to wear, one to wash, and a backup for back-to-back beach days or vacation weeks. If you're doing a week-long trip, three pairs means you're never scrambling.
How do I make boys swim trunks last longer?
Rinse in cold water right after swimming every single time. Machine wash cold on gentle and skip the dryer โ heat breaks down elastic fast. Hang or lay flat to dry and a good pair of boardies can absolutely make it through multiple summers.
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