9 Best Swim Run Shorts For Men, Women, And Older Kids

We’ve put a large range of hybrid shorts through their paces to discover the very best swim run shorts for your whole family. Let’s explore all the choices.

There are lots of reasons that hybrid shorts are a wonderful thing. Not least of these is that if you’ve got a vacation or trip to the beach planned, they cut down on packing! The point of hybrid shorts is versatility.

There’s been an upsurge of interest in triathlete events recently, largely driven by high-profile events such as the Olympics and Ironman. This has resulted in more people than ever before looking for activewear that knows no boundaries when it comes to supporting their fitness endeavors.

What To Look For In The Best Swim Run Shorts

You need to pay attention to the brand and reputation. Although we love taking a chance on underdogs, the big brands have a good name for a reason.

It should go without saying, but you should check the reviews to ensure the swim run shorts are actually fit for purpose. You might also be interested in our round-up of the best yoga outfit ideas.

How To Pick The Best Swim Run Shorts

best swim run shorts
Hybrid shorts is important in choosing the perfect pair for your needs and lifestyle

The main things to consider when choosing a pair of hybrid shorts are performance, versatility, comfort, durability, and your budget. Think about your lifestyle and fitness habits. If, for example, you simply want a well-fitting pair of shorts that’ll easily transition from swimwear to running gear, then you won’t need to worry about choosing shorts with embedded padding designed to provide additional comfort to cyclists.

Then there’s style: are you in the market for shorts that’ll look great while exploring or hiking while on vacation, or is it all about versatility in the sports department? Carefully weighing up exactly what you want from a pair of hybrid shorts is important in choosing the perfect pair for your needs and lifestyle. You might also be wondering can you swim in running shorts.

Best Swim Run Shorts For Men

Speedo Jammer Endurance+

If you’re looking for hybrid shorts that can easily take you from the poolside to the track, this Speedo option could be perfect. The material features four-way stretch and is chlorine resistant, and has been designed to retain its shape, so there’s no need to worry about the shorts sagging or losing their shape.

If you’re in the mood for some hiking? Simply add a t-shirt, and you’re set.

The additional coverage is a plus for many reviewers, as is the overall level of comfort and practicality the Jammer Endurance+ offers. They’re quick-drying and lightweight, too, thereby ticking all the boxes for what you want from a pair of hybrid shorts.

Pros
  • Available in a range of colors and sizes
  • Consistently receives great reviews
  • Designed specifically for performance and comfort
Cons
  • Reviews suggest it may be sized slightly small
  • Needs to be washed with care to prevent shrinkage
  • Provides a compression-type fit which may not be to all wearer’s preferences

Billabong Quick-Dry Hybrid Shorts

Billabong has created these stylish shorts as part of their amphibious menswear range, designed to perform as well on land as they do in the water. What earns this garment a place on the list is its high-quality stretch fabric, designed to move with you, and its incorporated micro-repel technology. The latter swiftly wicks away moisture to keep you comfortable and dry when you’re out of the pool.

The shorts feature mesh-lined pockets and a zippered back pocket for added practicality. Plus, the textured nature of the fabric means they can be worn with your favorite casual wear as well as for running and swimming – making them a perfect addition to your holiday capsule wardrobe!

Pros
  • Stylishly designed with a flattering tapered leg cut
  • Combines high performance with comfort
  • Long-lasting
Cons
  • Reviews suggest sizing runs small
  • Waistband may not be as stretchy as some wearers prefer
  • Button closure rather than a drawstring

Brickline Hybrid Shorts

If you’re in the market for a versatile pair of men’s swim trunks that’ll support your performance in the pool or while running, then this pick from Brickline could have your name all over them! They feature spandex for extra stretch and are ultra soft, so they function well as general all-around workout shorts.

Amphibious shorts like these from Brickline need to cover a wide range of bases. The material must be durable and anti-shrink while also being breathable and quick-drying.

As well as having your back when it comes to these things, these shorts also incorporate antimicrobial technology and have mesh-lined pockets. Plus, they’re tough enough for surfers ready to put them through their paces, swimmers who need activewear able to keep up with them in the pool, or triathletes training for their next challenge.

Pros
  • True to size
  • Can be machine washed and tumble dried
  • Skin-friendly
Cons
  • Non-elasticated waist
  • Some reviews suggest pockets don’t function well
  • Features button closure rather than a drawstring

Best Swim Run Shorts For Women

Baleaf Swim Board Shorts

If you want your swimsuit to be versatile enough to wear while running, at the gym, or at the yoga studio, you should definitely check out this Amazon bestseller from Baleaf. The brand incorporated a mesh brief liner rather than a box liner, which is liable to bunching when swimming or running, and features a flattering high elasticated waistband for ultimate tummy control.

If you like swim shorts that give you a little extra coverage, then these board shorts fit the bill. The fabric is extra soft and stretchy, with a silky feel, and the generously sized pockets have been specifically designed to accommodate your phone.

Pros
  • Wide range of sizes available, including XXL sizes
  • Suitable for a wide range of wet and dry sports
  • Reviews suggest fit is comfortable and true to size
Cons
  • The tummy control element may not be to all wearers’ preferences
  • Limited range of colors
  • Pockets are non-zippered

Zoot Triathlon Shorts

These triathlon shorts may be relatively expensive, but they’re a great investment. The non-chafing, Italian-designed shield fabric provides all-day comfort and will support you as you train for your next event – or simply relax poolside once you’ve crossed the finish line.

What sets this garment apart from other hybrid shorts on the market is the secure compression fit they provide, which, along with the wide, flat waistband, keeps them in place both on land and in the water. Plus, the inseam drawstring allows you to achieve the perfect fit.

Pros
  • Superior design, crafted for athletes
  • Incorporates UPF 50+ sun protection
  • Features dual hip holster pockets
Cons
  • Relatively expensive option
  • Sized small, according to reviews
  • Need to wash with care

My Kilometer Triathlon Shorts

Looking for hybrid shorts that feature a high-density foam chamois specifically designed to support and protect the female body without compromising on flexibility? These shorts incorporate an ultra-soft waistband created for optimal fit and comfort. They are also finished with a hydrophobic treatment.

Many wearers particularly appreciate the soft and wide elasticated leg openings, which provide a secure fit and help keep everything in place, as well as the breathability of the fabric. The shorts are highly moisture-wicking, too, taking sweat away from the skin’s surface and allowing it to evaporate quickly for increased comfort.

Pros
  • Allows for unrestricted movements
  • Non-bulky
  • Features handy side pockets
Cons
  • The padding may be too thick for some wearers’ preferences
  • Fabric is relatively thin
  • Some reviews suggest are not as flattering as other options

Best Swim Run Shorts For Older Children

Baleaf Boys’ Athletic Jammer

These may look like a standard pair of long swim trunks, but they offer much more than just great comfort in the water. They’re also perfect for your older child to run, train, or simply play on the beach. The adjustable waistband and the inner drawstring mean your kid can get the perfect fit to keep them comfortable and in place all day – without compression, which some children don’t like.

The fabric is two-way stretch and enriched with spandex for extra flexibility, and it is quick-drying, too, with the flatlock seams protecting against chafing. You might be interested in learning why do yoga pants keep sliding down.

Pros
  • Incorporates UPF50+ sun protection
  • Thick, high-quality fabric
  • Salt and chlorine-resistant
Cons
  • Limited range of colors
  • Hand wash advised
  • Air dry only

FitsT4 Kids Triathlon Shorts

Have you got a sports-loving child and a holiday on the horizon and would prefer not to take along a plethora of different shorts for various activities? If that’s the case, these triathlon shorts can help keep your packing under control.

They’re padded and breathable, making for comfortable cycling, and feature silicone leg grippers to keep them in place while running or in the water. They are quick-drying once your child has finished their swim.

The four-way stretch fabric incorporated spandex meaning the material will better move with the wearer. Further, the 3D high-density sponge pad minimizes vibration and shock on even the most adventurous of rides!

Pros
  • Stay in place with no bunching
  • Wide range of sizes
  • Easy to care for
Cons
  • Limited colors
  • Compression-type fit may not be to all kids’ preferences
  • Pockets are non-zippered

Volcom Frickin Surf N’ Turf Hybrid Shorts

Need track, workout, or basketball court shorts that can also be worn as swimwear? No problem!

Volcom began in 1991 and quickly made its mark as a purveyor of high-quality, street-styled hybrid athletic wear, fusing the cultures of skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing. The company is still doing what it does best today: meaning that while this garment looks like your standard pair of running shorts, there’s way more to them than that.

Designed to be fully amphibious, the Surf n’ Turf Hybrid Shorts will take your kid from the street to the pool to the studio. As a parent, you’ll also appreciate the fact that they’re durable, super quick-drying, and don’t come out of the washer all wrinkled.

Pros
  • Huge range of sizes and colors
  • Features adjustable closures
  • Easy to care for
Cons
  • Reviews suggest sizes run small
  • Relatively expensive
  • No drawstring waist fastening

Testing Criteria

Swimming trunks on wooden
Swim-run shorts were judged included performance

When it comes to choosing the best swim-run shorts for you or your family, a few considerations are crucial. It’s exactly these factors that were used to decide which garments earned their way onto the list above. The criteria against which these swim-run shorts were judged included performance, durability, comfort, and style.

As the person largely in charge of the laundry in my household, I’m going to tell you that hybrid shorts that come out of the washer unwrinkled and ready to go scored extra points, too.

Why You Can Trust Me

Sifting through endless products and associated reviews online is a chore and one which many of us simply don’t have time for. This is exactly why we end up with a pair of hybrid shorts that bunch up in the pool, aren’t comfortable when we’re out running, and – worst of all, don’t wash well.

I haven’t just written widely on fitness and wellness topics for years; I’m a mom. When it comes to garments that are going to fit well, be comfortable and come out of the washer with zero shrinkage, I’ve got your back.

Include 7-10 products. Please include options for men, women, and older children where available.