We test the best men’s swim trunks, shorts and jammers for 2026

Swim jammers are an essential bit of swim kit for male triathletes and swimmers alike. Like the streamlined swimsuits for women, jammers are designed to have a snug, athletic fit to reduce drag through the water.

Baggies, swim trunks, speedos, budgies, whatever you want to call them, these are all less hydrodynamic alternatives to swim jammers. What you choose will depend on how streamlined you want to be, what you prefer in terms of feel and fit.

Most swimmers prefer the athletic fit and performance of jammers, and in this article, we’ve put our favourite options to the test to see which comes out on top.

Best men’s swim jammers in 2026

1. Coots LF Jammer

Price	£120 (UK only)
Length	Knee
Features	Inner pant lining, recycled adjustable waistband, silicone leg grippers, UV protection, chlorine resistant regenerated nylon
Sizing	XS (28-30in) to XXL (38-40in)

The Coots LF Jammer is for the conscious swimmer who wants to feel good both in and out of the water.The London brand’s LF Jammer is a testament to how performance swimwear can be both high-quality and ethically made.

At its core is ECONYL® fabric, a regenerated nylon made from rescued ocean waste. This isn’t just a marketing gimmick; the material feels robust and ultra-chlorine resistant, standing up to the demands of frequent pool sessions. 

The fit is superb, thanks to the anatomically-cut design and inner silicone leg grippers that keep the suit firmly in place during push-offs and turns. The recycled waistband cord and ethical production in a zero-waste factory are added bonuses.

In the water, the jammer feels fast and supportive. It provides a good level of compression that helps you feel streamlined without feeling restrictive. While this isn’t a lightweight race-day suit, it’s a brilliant, hard-wearing workhorse for your training.

The main consideration is the premium price point. This is a significant investment for a single jammer. However, with its lifetime guarantee on construction and the brand’s commitment to sustainability and giving back to charity, you’re not just buying a piece of kit—you’re buying into a philosophy.

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2. Tri-Fit Propel Jammer

Price	$83 / £60
Length	Knee
Features	Chlorine-resistant, fast-drying and UV-protective fabric; double-layered front panel; silicone grippers; internal drawstring
Sizing	S-XXL

The Tri-Fit Propel Jammer is a durable, high-performance piece of kit that justifies its premium price point.

Constructed from a premium Italian Carvico fabric, the Propel Jammer boasts impressive durability and chlorine resistance. The material is also quick-drying and offers UV protection, making it a versatile option for both pool training and open-water swimming. It has a secure, compressive fit that reduces drag and holds its shape well over time.

One of the standout design features is the use of silicone grippers on the waist and legs, which ensures the jammer stays securely in place during vigorous training sessions. The flat seams are a welcome detail, designed to prevent chafing and enhance overall comfort. The built-in drawstring provides an adjustable fit, and the front panel is double-lined for added coverage and stability.

While the compressive fit is excellent for performance, some swimmers may find the sizing runs slightly small compared to other brands. It is recommended to check the size guide carefully or consider sizing up. 

The design is sleek and modern, appealing to those who prefer a more understated aesthetic over the bold, bright designs of other brands. 

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3. HUUB Bright 2 Jammer

Price	$83 / £60
Length	Knee
Features	Chlorine-resistant fabric; front lining; internal drawstring
Sizing	S-XXL

The HUUB Bright 2 Jammer is an excellent training jammer that prioritises durability and comfort, making it a reliable choice for long-term use. The Bright 2 jammer is constructed from Carvico fabric, which Huub claims is ten times more fade and chlorine resistant than conventional swimwear material. 

In the pool, this fabric lives up to its promise, holding its colour and shape impressively well after repeated use. It offers a comfortable, close-fitting design that feels supportive without being overly compressive. 

The four-way stretch technology gives it a soft and comfortable feel, while the front lining provides added stability and modesty. One of the standout features is its fast-drying nature. This is a small but significant detail for anyone who swims frequently, as it means you’re not left with a soggy swim bag for long. 

The drawstring waist is robust and ensures a secure, adjustable fit. The design itself, as the name suggests, is bright and eye-catching, which is a nice touch for a brand that often leans towards more serious, understated aesthetics.

However, some swimmers may find the fit to be slightly less compressive than other performance-oriented brands. The design, while bold, might not appeal to those who prefer a more classic look. 

Another downside of the suit is the lining. It’s not stitched or glued down the inside of the leg so it can make fitting the shorts somewhat challenging. 

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4. Orca Core Jammer

Price	$55 / £34.95
Length	Knee
Features	80% recycled materials with chlorine resistance, flatlock stitching
Sizing	30-42

For a mid-range training jammer, the Orca Core Jammer is an excellent option. It’s a testament to Orca’s build quality, offering a reliable and comfortable suit that should last.

Orca’s Enduro fabric feels both soft and durable. It has a comfortable, yet snug fit and holds its shape well. Unlike some jammers that can feel overly tight or restrictive, the Core Jammer strikes a nice balance between compression and freedom of movement. 

The flatlock stitching is a welcome addition, reducing chafing and adding to the overall premium feel of the suit, which is a definite step up from more basic models.

In the water, it performs exactly as you’d want it to. The fabric is quick-drying and doesn’t get waterlogged, maintaining a streamlined profile that helps you feel efficient through the water. It’s a suit you can rely on for long sessions and repeated use.However, for a brand with a strong focus on high-performance gear, the Core Jammer doesn’t quite push the boundaries. 

The design is very much a classic, with no standout features or innovative paneling that might give a competitive edge. It’s a solid, dependable choice, but it lacks the ‘wow’ factor of some of Orca’s more advanced suits.

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5. Zoggs Extender Mid Jammer

Price	£38 (US pricing N/A)
Length	Knee
Features	Front lining, drawstring waist, 100% chlorine resistant Ecolast fabric
Sizing	30-40

The Zoggs Extender Mid Jammer will appeal to swimmers who value comfort, durability, and a sustainable approach. This honest and reliable suit prioritises comfort and longevity over high-performance features and should support you through consistent training.

The key to the Extender’s appeal is its Ecolast+ fabric, which is made from recycled materials. This is a big win for sustainability-conscious triathletes. The material feels soft and flexible, providing a comfortable fit that doesn’t restrict movement. 

The name “extender” comes from its shape retention properties, and in testing, the suit held up well, never becoming saggy even after multiple long sessions. 

Its chlorine resistance also appears to be top-notch, a crucial factor for anyone spending significant time in the pool. While the comfort and durability are impressive, this jammer won’t give you the same feeling of speed as a high-compression, performance-focused suit. 

The fit is more relaxed, which is great for comfort but less ideal for those looking to shave seconds off their personal best. The design is also quite understated, lacking some of the technical paneling or modern aesthetic found on other brands. 

It’s a workhorse for your training plan, not a race-day showstopper.

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6. Nabaji 100 Basic Jammer

Price	£17.99 (US pricing N/A)
Length	Knee
Features	Chlorine resistance, elasticated drawstrong waistband, 71% recycled polyester
Sizing	29-41

The Nabaiji Jammer 100 Basic is an entry-level piece of swimwear from Decathlon punching well above its weight. For triathletes just starting out, or for anyone needing a reliable, no-fuss training jammer, the Nabaiji Jammer Basic is an excellent choice. It’s not going to set any speed records, but for getting the job done day in, day out, it’s brilliant.

Nabaiji’s proprietary Equilibre fabric is said to be durable and chlorine-resistant to withstand the rigours of regular training. 

On initial inspection, it feels robust and well-constructed, with a nice level of thickness that doesn’t feel cheap. The stitching is clean, and the comfortable fit is perfect for swimmers who don’t want to feel restricted by excessive compression.

In the pool, the jammer performs reliably. The fabric doesn’t sag and the fit holds up well, staying in place during push-offs and turns. While it lacks the high-tech features and compression of more expensive suits, its reliability is its strength. 

However, it’s not for everyone. For those of you who are more serious about your training, the fabric offers minimal compression, lacking that ‘locked-in’, hydrodynamic feeling of premium suits. 

The simple design also lacks some of the bells and whistles, like flatlock stitching or zoned panels, that can make a difference for competitive swimmers. Ultimately, this is a functional workhorse rather than a race-day speed suit.

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7. Speedo End+ Max Compression Mid

Price	$65 / £50
Length	Mid-thigh
Features	Elasticated waistband, built-in front lining

 The End+ Max Compression Mid from Speedo is designed to come down to around the mid-thigh, which is ideal for those who may find the grippers on some longer jammers sit too close to their knees.

Part of Speedo’s performance range, these jammers have a few extra bells and whistles compared to basic training suits, such as the ‘V-Cut’ design with a ‘power mesh’ liner. Essentially this is reinforced, V-shaped panelling on both thighs to provide some extra support. I felt like there was some more compressive benefits in this area compared to entry-level jammers through the water.

I am a fan of the built-in front lining and extra chunky, silicone gripper elasticated waistband, that is very easy to grab to get the jammers in place before setting off on your swim.

Couple with a robust flat drawstring, I could be 100% confident these jammers weren’t budging an inch in the water. They always stayed in place perfectly.

Speedo says the End+ Max Compression Mid is made for “long lasting performance”, while falling short of claiming 100% chlorine resistance. But after a few washes and several thousand metres in the pool, I have no reason to doubt that they’re very durable.

For a performance product, I think these jammers actually represent very good value. They are ideal for training or dipping your toe in master’s swimming competitions. Even if it’s not going to make me any faster (I can dream) I think the ‘distorted glitch-effect print’ looks great too.

8. Nike Hydrastrong Solid Jammers

Price	$30 / £34.95
Length	Knee
Features	Front gusset, waistband with flatlocked seams

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 I found machine washing on a low setting was fine.

9. Zoggs Glare Panelled Mid Jammer

Price	$50 / £38
Length	Mid-thigh
Features	100% chlorine-resistant, lifetime guarantee, front lining, drawstring

The subtly-patterned Glare is part of Zoggs’ range of mid-length jammers, designed to sit somewhere around the mid-thigh area and slightly lower than a pair of trunks. 

If you’re stubby-legged like me then you might find some longer jammers are a little too long, so the mid-jammer offers a decent solution if budgies aren’t your thing either. 

Zoggs’ 100% chlorine-proof Ecolast+ fabric that makes up these jammers is made from recycled bottles. A lifetime guarantee if your jammers somehow wear out shows the Aussie brand is very confident in the durability of its products. 

A triangular front lining and a robust drawstring keeps everything secure. The perfectly stitched flatlock seams avoid any chafing or irritation.

 I’ve previously praised the waistband of Zoggs’ mid jammers, and while it’s comfortable enough I find that it’s not quite up there with the chunkier one on Speedo’s End+ Max Compression mid jammer. 

Using the two pairs comparatively, I found the latter (admittedly $15/£12 more expensive) sits better on my hips without feeling at all like they’ll slip. But I need to take a bit more care to ensure the Zoggs jammers are fitted properly before diving in. 

The legs also lack a bit of stretch. I needed to reposition them to stop them riding up in the water after pushing off or turning on the wall. 

I’d still be happy to use the Glare jammers for training. They’re very durable, have notable eco credentials and are reasonably priced.

10. Coots SG Jammers

Price	£110 (UK only)
Length	Mid-thigh
Features	Elasticated waistband, built-in front lining

I’ve been mighty impressed with the Coots SG Jammers and they’re my current favourites for pool training, justifying the premium price tag.London-based swimwear brand Coots (an acronym for ‘Crawled out of the sea’) designs and makes everything locally, with a big emphasis on sustainability. 

The SG Jammers comprise 78% Econyl nylon generated from waste product, and the rest is elastane. They’re ultra chlorine-resistant, have shape-retaining qualities, and there’s a lifetime repair guarantee if any stitching comes loose during your suit’s lifecycle. 

They arrive in a wet bag made from bamboo towelling, and there’s even a locker loop inside to help with drying. The full leg coverage and streamlined fit made me feel fast through the water, and the chunky yet comfy waistline and robust drawstring meant they didn’t budge an inch during lengthy pool sessions. They have silicone leg grippers, reminiscent of tri or cycling shorts, that hug the leg perfectly, and they haven’t got baggy or loose after multiple washes. 

The full internal lining, essentially acting like briefs stitched onto the main part of the garment, is comfortable and keeps everything in place, but does add some weight. I don’t think this makes any discernible difference to the hydrodynamic properties.

But I’d like to see some alternative, high performance Coots jammers in future, perhaps with a fully stitched gusset or just a front liner.

How we tested swim jammers

To conduct my testing, I simply swam a lot for the most part. I spent some time making adjustments and ensuring the jammers fit me correctly before hitting the pool so nothing was marked down unfairly. I had to size up to a bigger waist in the Funky Trunks Star Sign during the test period, but everything else was right for me. 

My swims mostly involved lengthy endurance freestyle sets: all the fun stuff like 20×100, 6×200 build and daunting pyramids. A bit because I’m a glutton for punishment and it’s what I gravitate towards, but importantly because main sets like these are the foundation of any good triathlon swim training plan.

This allowed me to feel what the jammers were like over a long session, in terms of offering support and speed benefits through the water, plus what the fit was like. If I could get to the end without having to mess with the drawstring or rearrange the legs, I consider that a success. 

All pairs passed this test, and to further inspect the staying power it was important to do some sprints from a dive, where the chance of indecent exposure is higher if you haven’t secured your jammers properly. Nothing proved a disaster. But I had the most confidence in the Coots, Speedo and Huub jammers, while the Funky Trunks and Zoggs offerings required some extra care.

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.

Features to look for in 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.

Your jammers shouldn’t ride up or be at all baggy, and if that’s the case then it may just be that you need to size down.

I have experienced material getting baggy or loose around the legs over time on swim shorts of questionable quality, but that is unlikely to be an issue with the construction techniques utilised in the best swim jammers in 2024. 

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.

It’s also advisable to hand wash and keep machine washing to a minimum while avoiding the tumble dryer to prolong their life.  

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.

Not all manufacturers state this in the product descriptions, but brands such as Funky Trunks offer a UPF rating of 50+ in all of its garments. 

Do swim jammers make you faster?

Because swim jammers are made from a tight-fitting and smooth material (usually a combination of Nylon, Lycra and Spandex), it stands to reason they will be faster through the water than trunks. 

This will almost certainly be true if the brand has optimised the jammers’ hydrodynamics too.

However, if you’re swimming in open-water and the temperature is wetsuit-legal, the best triathlon wetsuits should outpace swim jammers. Triathlon-specific wetsuits benefit from added buoyancy and cover more of your body with slippery material. 

Are swim jammers worth it?

It depends where, how long and how seriously you swim. 

Standard swim briefs or even swimming trunks are fine for occasional and casual swimming. 

But swim jammers have numerous advantages over these potentially cheaper options.

They stay in place when you push off the side and accelerate, they won’t rub or chafe, they protect your legs from the sun and they’ll be faster.

As with anything, the risk of buying cheap is that you have to buy twice. 

More expensive swim jammers have features that should extend their life, such as chlorine resistance and more durable materials and stitching sometimes backed by lifetime guarantees. 

What’s the difference between swim briefs and jammers?

Jammers are long (knee-length) and provide compression for muscle support, offering more coverage. They are highly effective for reducing drag and are very popular for both training and racing.

Swim briefs are short (minimal coverage) and offer maximum flexibility and the least amount of fabric in the water. This traditional racing choice is still popular for their unrestricted movement, but aren’t for the body-conscious.

Looking for more kit to help with your swim training? Take a look at our list of the best swimming goggles.

Meet our testers

Jack Sexty is a former 220 Triathlon staff writer and high-level triathlete. He now edits road.cc while regularly contributing reviews of multisport gear to 220.

John Wood is a swimming coach who has raced at national and international level. He has also represented Great Britain in age-group triathlon. John has been a gear tester for 220 for years.

Recent updates

• 15 December 2025: we explained the difference between swim jammers and briefs, added information on our testers, and removed products no longer for sale.
• 16 March 2026: we checked all products were in stock and reduced the selection.