Men's Health June 12, 2026 0 Comments

Fair Harbor vs. Bather Swim Trunks: Which Brand Holds the Secret to Ultimate Style and Performance This Summer?

Ever noticed how one tiny thing can tank your perfect beach day? For me, it’s always been the swim trunks—those sneaky culprits that promise fun but deliver chafing, waistbands that grip like a boa constrictor, or worse, soggy fabric sticking around long after the last splash. I’m obsessed with water-side vibes, whether chilling on the sand or lounging poolside, but picking the right trunks? That’s an art form. After plenty of trial, error, and a few regrettable fashion choices, I found two contenders that actually get it right: Fair Harbor’s Anchor Trunk and Bather’s Solid Swim Trunk. Both blend style and comfort differently, yet brilliantly. So, if you’re torn about which pair should fuel your summer adventures without the hassle, stick around—I’ll break down the nitty-gritty to help you decide which swim trunks truly deserve your rotation. LEARN MORE

4 min read

THERE’S NOTHING I love more in the summer than being by the water. Whether I’m laying out on the beach or tanning next to the pool, it feels like I’m at my happy place. I’m not picky about where the water is, but I am picky about the swim trunks I wear around it. I’ve learned the hard way that even the perfect water day can be ruined by rocking the wrong pair. A mesh liner that chafes, a waistband that digs in, or one that stays soaked long after you’ve left the water. Thankfully, I didn’t experience those problems with Fair Harbor’s Anchor Trunk or Bather’s Solid Swim Trunk.

Both pairs work the same way: clean enough to wear like shorts, easy to throw on with a summer t-shirt or a short-sleeve button-up, and finished off with simple sandals. On paper, they’re both solid on comfort and style, but each has a couple advantages over the other, a little better than the other. So if you’re deciding which one earns a spot in your summer rotation, here’s how they compare.

Fair Harbor Anchor Trunk

Bather Solid Orange Swim Trunk

Fit & Feel

When it comes to fit and feel, Fair Harbor’s Anchor Trunk leans heavily into comfort. It sits naturally at the waist with an 8-inch inseam that stops just above the knee if you’re taller, or right around the knee if you’re closer to my height at 5’8”. The standout is the BreezeKnit liner, which feels less like traditional mesh and more like a soft, built-in boxer brief situation. It has light compression supportive for my crown jewels without feeling restrictive and helps everything stay comfortable without any chafing. The recycled polyester-spandex blend gives it plenty of stretch, and the scalloped hem at the leg opening adds a bit more mobility when I’m walking through the sand or jumping into the pool.

Bather takes a slightly different approach. The nylon fabric has that classic lightweight, swishy feel meaning you hear it, you feel it, you know it’s swimwear. The mesh liner here is also soft and flexible, but the whole short feels a bit more minimal overall. The 5.5-inch inseam offers a more modern, leg-baring look, and it feels closer to a regular short you could wear off-duty. Both have elastic waistbands that sit comfortably without digging in, but where Fair Harbor still feels like a dedicated swim trunk, Bather blurs the line between swimwear and everyday shorts in a way that’s pretty effortless.

Dry Time & Water Performance

In terms of dry time, Bather gets the edge. The lightweight nylon shell dries quickly after a swim, and the overall construction feels lighter and less absorbent. Even though both trunks have water-draining pockets, Bather is simply carrying less material, which helps it shed water faster.

That’s not to say Fair Harbor feels soggy. The Anchor Trunk still dries at a reasonable pace, and I never found myself sitting around in soaking-wet shorts. The difference comes down to the BreezeKnit liner. While it’s significantly more comfortable than traditional mesh, it’s also a bit more substantial, meaning it holds onto moisture slightly longer than Bather’s setup. If getting dry as quickly as possible is your top priority, Bather has the advantage. If you’re willing to trade a little dry time for extra comfort and support, Fair Harbor more than holds its own.

Style

Style-wise, both trunks have more versatility than your average swim short. Some swim trunks come with such loud prints or beach-specific details that you never think about wearing them anywhere other than the water. That’s not the case here.

Of the two, Bather does the best job of disguising itself as an everyday short. The minimalist design, shorter 5.5-inch inseam, and technical-but-not-shiny finish make feels most at home outside the water than a traditional swim trunk. It also comes in 18 solid colors, giving you plenty of options depending on your personal style. I could easily wear it with a camp-collar shirt, a Hawaiian shirt, or tee while sightseeing, grabbing drinks, or heading to a casual resort dinner.

Fair Harbor’s Anchor Trunk is versatile too, but in a different way. The retro-inspired stripe gives it more personality, which I happen to love, but it also makes the trunk the focal point of the outfit. Instead of building around it with other statement pieces, I’d keep the rest of the look as simple as possible. To me, it still reads as a swim trunk first, which makes it perfect for beach days, poolside lunches, and resort activities where you’re constantly moving between the water and dry land.

Verdict

Both trunks are excellent options, but they cater to slightly different guys. If comfort is your top priority, Fair Harbor’s Anchor Trunk is the better pick thanks to its supportive BreezeKnit liner, stretchy fabric, and comfortable fit. If you want a swim trunk that can double as an everyday short, Bather comes out ahead with its shorter inseam, quicker dry time, and versatile styling. Personally, I’d reach for Fair Harbor on beach and pool days, while Bather would be my choice for vacations where I plan to spend as much time exploring as I do in the water.

SHOP FAIR HARBOR ANCHOR TRUNK

SHOP BATHER SOLID ORANGE SWIM TRUNK

More of the Best Summer Clothes

As the Style and Reviews Editor for Men’s Health, Joseph covers all-things fashion and grooming. Previously, Cheatham was a commerce editor for Spy, and he has written for Travel + Leisure.