Feel like you need some new kit to help you get the best out of your pool sessions? Here, we test 15 pairs of the best swim jammers for men to see which are worth your well-earned cash.
Picks start from just £22.99 and all have gone through the same level of vigorous testing. Discover more about how we tested below, while you'll also find out buying guide at the bottom of this page.
But now, without further ado, here's our top picks on the market...
Best men's swim jammers
Speedo Eco Endurance Slice Jammers
- £41
Speedo’s Eco Endurance Slice jammers are made from 50% recycled fabrics, and also claim to be 100% chlorine-resistant to last you thousands of lengths.
We can vouch for their durability after plenty of test swims, and the fabric is generally very comfortable and form-fitting, not bothering us at all on our test swims.
The drawstring isn’t quite as robust as some of the others on test here, but it does the job. Unlike the rest of the fabric, the front gusset for modesty is a thin piece of material and requires a bit of careful arrangement to ensure no unwanted chafing at the seams.
While the Eco Endurance Slice jammers feel stretchier than similarly priced options from Funky Trunks and 2XU, we think Zoggs and Zone3’s offerings just edge it for value.
Verdict: Long-lasting with plenty of stretch, but some adjustment required to avoid chafing.
Score: 80%
2XU Propel Jammer
- £40
We had to double-check the size guide on receiving our medium Propel jammers, as they looked small compared to others here. However, Carvico’s Xlance Eco fabric used by 2XU does stretch considerably when you put the jammers on.
The construction is basic with small, stitched seams at the legs, and we found the fabric was digging into our cyclist’s thighs, which we could occasionally feel through the water, especially when turning.
The waistband is more robust, with a chunky drawstring for obtaining the correct tension. So far, the fabric appears to be durable after multiple washes and has retained its shape, and 2XU says it’s also highly resistant to chlorine and UV rays.
Overall, these jammers take a little getting used to but are fine if you don’t mind a close fit. You’re not going to stand out in these all-black jammers, either, but if plain is what you’re looking for, they certainly fit the bill.
Verdict: Basic, functional training jammers with a particularly tight fit on our cyclist's thighs.
Score: 76%
Funky Trunks Rainbow Web
- £39.95
If you like your trunks (or jammers) funky then you can guarantee Funky Trunks will deliver, and the Rainbow Web design is one of the most garish in the Aussie brand’s eccentric collection.
There’s technical know-how to back up the looks, though, as these jammers are made with C-Infinity fabric that’s said to be highly chlorine- resistant – useful when you want your colourful jammers to stay colourful for many swims to come, while retaining their shape.
While we appreciate the durability of the fabric, we do find that the fit of Funky Trunks’ jammers can clash with the thighs of a cyclist somewhat, as the legs felt very tight compared to the waist.
This led to a fit that felt slightly baggy around the midriff and we experienced some slippage when turning hard on the wall, so we had to tie the drawstring tighter than we’d have liked.
Verdict: Durable and certainly colourful, but the fit isn't ideal around the waist for this tester.
Score: 71%
Zoggs Kongo Mid Jammer
- £30
The Kongo Mid from Zoggs, designed to sit mid-thigh as the name suggests, are the most affordable jammers on test but punch above their weight in terms of quality of construction.
The seams on both the waistband and leg grippers are wide and sit very comfortably against the skin, which is all you can ask from everyday training jammers.
The legs aren’t quite as stretchy as some of the others on test and required a little bit of rearranging to stop the material bunching at the thighs, but once in position they stayed in place while we were swimming.
After several uses and washes we’ve no reason to believe the Kongo Mid jammers won’t last you hundreds of swims, making that very reasonable price go even further.
The Ecolast fabric is 100% chlorine- proof as standard and, for extra eco points, these jammers are made with recycled plastic bottles.
Verdict: Affordable and durable workhorse jammers with decent eco credentials to boot.
Score: 84%
Tenola Male Jammers
- £38
Much like the name, Tenola’s Male Jammers are no frills in both appearance and performance, but they’re suitable for pool training and built to last. Made from 100% chlorine-proof Carvico Darwin fabric, they’re touted as breathable and quickdrying, largely doing everything you’d expect them to do for the purposes of putting in those hard pool yards.
After numerous cold machine washes, the fabric on our test pair retained its shape and colour with no noticeable shrinkage. Rather than having an open gusset stitched into the front like most other pairs on test, this one is split in two and stitched down the middle, which we personally found put a little unwanted pressure where we most definitely didn’t want any.
The drawstring in the waistband is also quite chunky, which made it more difficult to achieve the perfect tension compared to our preferred jammers from Zone3 and Funky Trunks.
Verdict: A little pricey for what's on offer and not the most comfy, but they do the job.
Score: 70%
Funky Trunks Silver Lining
- £36.95
While not the funkiest of the eccentric swimwear range from Aussie brand Funky Trunks, the Silver Lining jammers are a good option for those who want to add colour without blinding their lane buddies.
The C-Infinity fabric comes from Italy and is said to ‘retain its durability far beyond other elastane swimwear fabrics’, making these jammers ideal for frequent pool use. The wide leg-openings and waistband are very comfortable on the hips and around the thighs, while a strong drawstring allowed us to get perfect tension every time.
Unlike all the other pairs on test, the front gusset on the Silver Lining is fully stitched in, which we found preferable as it provides the coverage needed without any potential bagginess if the jammers are ill-fitting (for the record, our test pair fitted perfectly). So far, these quality jammers are still looking fresh after numerous uses and washes, which bodes well.
Verdict: High quality and durable jammers with a built-in gusset that deserves praise.
Score: 86%
Nabaiji Men's Swimming Jammer Fit
- £22.99
Aimed at ‘intermediate swimmers wanting to improve their technique’, these jammers use a polyester-based textile that’s said to be quick-drying and is claimed to only lose 3-4% of chlorine resistance through its lifespan.
We haven’t noticed any colour fading on our sample, but we have found found them less stretchy than others on test, with a tendency to slip. The sizing was also a little off, with our UK size 32 being considerably tighter than others of the same size.
Coupled with the fabric’s lack of give, we could only just safely fit into these, particularly after a couple of washes, so we’d be sizing up in our next pair. The great value offered by Decathlon’s in-house brands has impressed us in the past, but sometimes it’s a case of ‘you get what you pay for’. That said, we appreciate the low price may still appeal.
Verdict: The bargain price may be tempting, but a few trade-offs show you get what you pay for.
Score: 68%
Zone3 Jammers
- £35
Zone3’s everyday training jammers haven’t changed in construction or price since the last time we gave them a glowing review. And, taking into account the surging prices of just about everything else recently, that means they offer even better value this year.
They’re made with ‘XFINITY’ fabric, which is mooted as being 100% chlorine-resistant and fast-drying. A chunky waistband helps them to stay in place and this is complemented by a quality drawstring.
The lining is comfortable while providing the coverage you need, and after countless swims, the colours are still just as vivid, while the fit is exactly the same as when we took them out of the packaging.
Although we can’t quantify Zone3’s claims about the refined fit helping to ‘align the body in a more streamline position to give a smoother swim’, we’re confident the near- perfect fit should, in theory, help minimise unwanted drag
Verdict: Highly comfortable, fairly priced and ideal for training; these are among the best swim jammers you can get.
Score: 92%
Tri-Fit Rapid Jammer
- £89.99
The Rapid Jammer from Aussie multisport brand Tri-Fit is made with Carvico Revolutional Energy fabric, lauded for its hydrophobic, compression, chlorine- resistant and quick-drying properties.
The tough bonded seams are more commonly found in swimskins or tri shorts, but they work brilliantly on swimming jammers, too, feeling comfortable against the skin and providing a secure fit at the legs.
The silicone waistband is also nice and stretchy with a heavy-duty drawcord to ensure the correct tension. Through the water the fit is just the right amount of compression, allowing you to kick and turn freely.
They also dry quickly. It’s worth mentioning for any competitive master’s swimmers reading that the Rapid jammers are not FINA-approved at the time of writing. However, Tri-Fit assures us there shouldn’t be any reason why they can’t be in the future.
Verdict: Expensive, yet brilliantly engineered jammers for triathletes, just not FINA-approved... yet.
Score: 88%
Nike Hydrastrong Solid Jammers
- £34.95
Nike says its Solid jammers are ‘built for speed lap after lap’ and, after plenty of test swims, we think their performance makes far more of a statement than the plain black fabric suggests.
The Hydrastrong main body fabric is made from a mix of polyester and PBT polyester, with the latter specced to make the material slide more smoothly through the water, while keeping its shape over a long period of time.
The front gusset is very soft, and the sizeable waistband with flatlocked seams is our favourite on test, ensuring our swims were chafe-free swimming lap after lap. Nike recommend hand washing, but we found machine washing on a low setting was fine.
Verdict: Durable fabric with an exceptional stretch.
Score: 92%
Huub Brownlee (Jonny) Jammers
- £39.99
As the name suggests, the Brownlee Jammer was designed in collaboration with Jonny Brownlee, and the result is a very comfortable product with a striking geometric print.
The sizeable front gusset is free-flowing either side and stitched in the middle, which is unusual but shouldn’t lead to any discomfort, so long as you don’t select a size too small. This fabric inside also extends down to the legs, providing some extra support and coverage on the thighs. The leg grippers and waistband are impressive – both are comfortable and provide just the right amount of stretch for an ideal fit.
We can also vouch for the quality of the polyester fabric, as the print was like new and the Huub logo fully intact after a number of test swims. As the priciest on test we were expecting high quality from the Brownlee Jammers, and they didn’t disappoint.
Verdict: Boasting a bold print and huge comfort for both training and racing.
Score: 90%
Speedo Boomstar Placement Jammers
- £35
The Boomstar Placement jammers have an enlarged ‘Boom’ print, inspired by Speedo’s logo, screen-printed on the side. They’re part of Speedo’s ‘Essentials’ line of swimwear, made to be durable and comfortable for “everyday swim fitness training” rather than competition.
The Endurance fabric is described as 100% chlorine resistant, and is supplemented by an extra integral support panel to keep everything secure. The drawstring on the waistband is very thin, and for us didn’t work as well as the chunkier, more secure drawstring on Nike’s Solid jammers – but it does the job, especially if you select the right size. Speedo also claims the fabric dries extra quickly to prevent your bag from getting too soggy after a session.
Overall, the Boomstar Placement jammers are perfectly serviceable for pool training, and feel built to last for thousands of pool lengths.
Verdict: No-nonsense training jammers with long-lasting fabric; waist band could be improved.
Score: 87%
Maru Rainforest Jammers
- £26.99
Introverts are advised to keep clear of the Rainforest Pacer jammers from Maru, with the British brand proudly stating the ‘on-trend’ tropical style “will leave you the centre of attention at the pool”.
Maru claims they’re long-lasting thanks to the Pacer fabric and ours have shown little sign of wear after multiple swims and washes. The front gusset is black to prevent see-through disasters, and is fully stitched on unlike the other pairs on test. This kept things comfy and did the job on test swims.
The chunky drawstring allows for easy adjustment, but we found that it bunched up inside the waistband and lacked some comfort. They also weren’t very stretchy, which meant we had to spend more time getting them on correctly to prevent any embarrassing slippage. Even so, the fabric should last and is UPF50 , which’ll come in handy for outdoor swims.
Verdict: Eye-catching design and good value, but lacking some stretch.
Score: 81%
Aqua Sphere Arkos 2
- £35.50
Having won a ‘best in test’ award for wetsuits in each of our last two issues, it’s fair to say that Aqua Sphere is having a good run in these pages, but will the Arkos 2 keep it going?
A claimed 200 hours of chlorine resistance isn’t a bad place to start. We found the Italian-made Aqua Infinity fabric a little tougher than some of the more flexible options on test, making it a bit more of a struggle to get the perfect fit and ensure these jammers stay in place.
When we did have them on correctly, the drawstring and elastic waistband both did their job, with no adjustments needed in between sets.
On that note, a 42cm length means that these jammers sit mid-thigh, rather than towards the top of the knee.
The 47% P.B.T, 53% polyester blend is designed to be breathable and is rated UV50 for sun protection, which is welcomed for outdoor swim training.
Verdict: Functional yet unremarkable training jammers suited to outdoor swim training.
Score: 75%
Zoggs Byron
- £34
The Byron jammers are brand new from Zoggs, with a 45cm leg length that sits just above the knee and made from the brand’s Ecolast fabric, which is meant to be durable as the name suggests.
We found that they have plenty of stretch and, while not quite as form-fitting as Zone3 or Funky Trunks’ offerings, they were among the most comfortable on test.
After numerous washes they still look fresh, suggesting the chlorine resistance is doing its job.
The leg grippers are wide and comfortable without being too tight, and an embroidered logo shows no signs of peeling off over time.
The front gusset keeps everything contained as we’d like it to, and a chunky drawstring allowed us to get the ideal tension.
It’s also good to know that the Byron jammers are part of Zoggs’ sustainability programme, meaning they’re made from regenerated yarn consisting of recycled fishnets and nylons.
Verdict: Comfort, durability and good eco-credentials make these jammers a great choice.
Score: 84%
How we tested
All of these swim jammers have been tested extensively in the pool by former 220 Triathlon staff writer and top age-grouper, Jack Sexty.
Throughout the testing period, we analysed the swim jammers based on how well they fitted, how hydrodynamic they felt, how comfortable they were and how the fabric performed (for example, was it durable and chlorine resistant?).
We also considered how well the jammers held their shape over multiple washes, plus whether or not they were constructed using recycled materials.
A score of 90% and above means the product is top-drawer, while 80-90% means we rate it very highly. Anything scoring 70-80% still comes well recommended, while anything below 70% has some significant flaws.
What to look for in swim jammers
In our buyer's guide below, we outline what you need to look for when shopping for the best swim jammers.
Fit
The best men's swim jammers should fit closely with zero bagging, while an adjustable drawstring waist will ensure they stay up.
While being streamlined, they also need to allow good freedom of movement.
As many of you will appreciate, there’s nothing worse than kit that drags in the water or impedes your technique.
Fabric
Most brands will have their own names for their fabric, but make sure they're chlorine resistant.
You may also want to consider a garment's eco-credentials, with some brands now choosing to make their swimwear out of recycled materials.
In our opinion, the best swim jammers are the products that do this while maintaining market-leading comfort and performance.
Drawstring
When you’re training in the pool or swimming competitively, you want to be focused on moving through the water as efficiently and quickly as possible. That’s hard to do if your waistband slides down a few inches every time you push off the wall or tumble turn.
This is where a good drawstring comes in. The best swim jammers have a drawstring that ties up nice and securely and stays that way throughout your session or race.
At the same time, the waistband housing the drawstring needs to make sure you remain comfortable, so there shouldn’t be any pressure points.
Design
Of course, you also need to pick a design that makes you feel good as research has shown that the more confident you feel in kit, the better you perform.
UV protection
If you plan to do some of your swimming outdoors without a wetsuit, consider buying swim jammers that have UV protection built into the fabric.
This will help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
Looking for more kit to help with your swim training? Take a look at our lists of the best swimming ear plugs and best swimming goggles.
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