# What should I wear under my swim trunks? Need answer kind of fast **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 11, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004 "2017-07-11T15:48:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/1 "2017-07-11T15:48:42Z")
I’ll be taking my kids down the shore tomorrow, and just realized that the last few trips ended up being a bit painful for me. The mesh in my swim trunks seems to continually rub against a particularly sensitive part of my anatomy, and after a few days, causes a stinging burn there. I’ve used different swimsuits and it still seems to happen. I’ve countered this in the past by wearing boxer briefs underneath, but this is pretty uncomfortable and especially bad when out of the water,when the boxer briefs are still wet. Any ideas? It’s too late to order anything online, so it would be great to have something I could pick up at a Target or the mall. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/2 "2017-07-11T15:51:36Z")
I remember when we were little and spent summers at the pool, my dad would occasionally wear a jock strap. I know it sounds gross and improper that I know this, but you know, he’d throw it in with all of the other pool laundry and I’d see it and had to ask what it was! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/3 "2017-07-11T15:56:32Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > I’ll be taking my kids down the shore tomorrow, and just realized that the last few trips ended up being a bit painful for me. The mesh in my swim trunks seems to continually rub against a particularly sensitive part of my anatomy, and after a few days, causes a stinging burn there. I’ve used different swimsuits and it still seems to happen. > > I’ve countered this in the past by wearing boxer briefs underneath, but this is pretty uncomfortable and especially bad when out of the water,when the boxer briefs are still wet. > > Any ideas? It’s too late to order anything online, so it would be great to have something I could pick up at a Target or the mall. I’m assuming you’re a guy because you went with boxer briefs, which, if that’s the case, go to Target and buy a [boardshort style swimsuit](https://intl.target.com/p/men-s-plaid-swim-trunks-white-merona-153/-/A-51938726#lnk=sametab&preselect=51334964). These are specifically created to have no inner netting/webbing at all. Plus they dry super fast. Another option is amphibious shorts, which are regular shorts designed to go into the water as well. I have a pair and they’re a godsend when it comes to going to theme parks (or my recent Hawaii trip). They look great as regular shorts, but if you need to go into the water they double as a swimsuit. Buy a plastic belt and you’re good to go. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/4 "2017-07-11T15:58:45Z")
Speedo ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/5 "2017-07-11T16:01:04Z")
I spend a lot of time _near_ the water, but I seldom go into the water. I lounge on the beach, spend time in kayaks, pontoon boats, fishing boats, etc, but I rarely spend more than a few minutes actually in the water. I wear a bathing suit with underwear underneath. I pack a few pair of underwear and a few bathing suits and change when/if I get wet. Although I wear boxers sometimes, under my bathing suit I wear “briefs” (is that what they’re called?). ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/6 "2017-07-11T16:17:36Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I’m assuming you’re a guy because you went with boxer briefs, which, if that’s the case, go to Target and buy a [boardshort style swimsuit](https://intl.target.com/p/men-s-plaid-swim-trunks-white-merona-153/-/A-51938726#lnk=sametab&preselect=51334964). These are specifically created to have no inner netting/webbing at all. Plus they dry super fast. The suit you linked to specifically says it has a mesh liner and built-in brief. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/7 "2017-07-11T17:01:08Z")
After an unfortunate wakeboard spill that pulled my swim trunks right down to my ankles when I was a teenager, I wear [compression shorts](https://intl.target.com/p/men-s-9-compression-shorts-c9-champion-174/-/A-52044609#lnk=sametab&preselect=51935320) underneath now. No chafing, and the polyester/spandex dries a lot more quickly than cotton boxer briefs. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/8 "2017-07-11T17:06:50Z")
Cut the mesh out and wear them without it. Friend of mine did that after experiencing the same thing you did. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/9 "2017-07-11T17:58:52Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Speedo You laugh, but that’s what I used to do. As a swimmer I was so used to wearing briefs, what most people call Speedos, I wore them under my other suits. I finally go used to just having the mesh netting, but I will admit that at times I do get annoyed by the mesh. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/10 "2017-07-11T18:05:29Z")
There is actually a product designed to be worn under the un-meshed board shorts: [Under surf shorts](http://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-r0-under-surf-shorts/889833555044.html?CAWELAID=120226140000306730&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqvPRgeiB1QIVyVcNCh04XQW8EAQYAiABEgIrt_D_BwE) ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/11 "2017-07-11T18:20:29Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > The suit you linked to specifically says it has a mesh liner and built-in brief. Shit. Well, regardless, I promise you they make them, and they look mostly like that. Try going to the mall and going to a Billabong or a Pacific Sunwear (Pac Sun). They’ll have them for sure. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/12 "2017-07-11T18:42:23Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > You laugh, but that’s what I used to do. As a swimmer I was so used to wearing briefs, what most people call Speedos, I wore them under my other suits. I finally go used to just having the mesh netting, but I will admit that at times I do get annoyed by the mesh. No laugh. Used to do this daily during my lifeguard days. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/13 "2017-07-11T19:07:19Z")
Thanks everyone. I’m going to start by checking out the meshless board short options, followed by the under surf/compression shorts. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/14 "2017-07-11T19:25:39Z")
What sort of boxer briefs were you wearing before? If they were run of the mill cotton ones I’d try a synthetic version marketed for running/exercise before spending 3x as much on compression or board shorts. Target’s C9 brand sells them and they dry pretty quick. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/15 "2017-07-11T22:50:19Z")
Brother, I know what you are talking about. And when you add some sand into the equation, you are in for some very painful, uh, times. Seems to be a recent phenomena - the liners they used to put in men’s casual swim trunks were fine mesh, but today they look more like netting, so no wonder we are getting rubbed raw. Going commando with board shorts may be an option, but there will still be friction (and not the good kind). I have resorted to using a pair of tighty-whitey bikini-style underwear to go along with any swim trunk. Does not dry as fast, but you can avoid painful situations this way. You can also just use a regular Speedo as underwear. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/16 "2017-07-12T18:49:39Z")
I have a similar problem with running shorts on long runs. So now I grease up with Aquafor or Vaseline beforehand. I grease my nipples, too,for the same reason. You just have to remember to lube up _before_ you go out in public, lest you have to explain to the nice officer exactly why you were rubbing your crotch while standing on a beach full of seminude women and children. People are so quick to assume the worst… ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/17 "2017-07-12T21:20:37Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Cut the mesh out and wear them without it. Friend of mine did that after experiencing the same thing you did. I, too, did this. No more problems. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/18 "2017-07-12T21:31:10Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I remember when we were little and spent summers at the pool, my dad would occasionally wear a jock strap. > > I know it sounds gross and improper that I know this, but you know, he’d throw it in with all of the other pool laundry and I’d see it and had to ask what it was! 😃 I thought you meant that’s all he wore. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/19 "2017-07-12T22:11:48Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > I have a similar problem with running shorts on long runs. So now I grease up with Aquafor or Vaseline beforehand. I grease my nipples, too,for the same reason. You just have to remember to lube up _before_ you go out in public, lest you have to explain to the nice officer exactly why you were rubbing your crotch while standing on a beach full of seminude women and children. People are so quick to assume the worst… For the nips, I recommend [these](https://www.band-aid.com/basic-care/clear/bandage-spots-one-size-50-count). I never used any of the jelly products for that purpose - I don’t get how they work, and seem messy. These provide a barrier to abrasion. Be sure to trim away any hairs before applying. They come-off easy in the shower after a run. However, if you decide to take your shirt off midway thru a run with them on, you will get that same reaction - people will assume the worst. ---
**Author:** ![SacFly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@SacFly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SacFly)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004/20 "2017-07-12T22:16:59Z")
Go to the supermarket and buy a container of corn starch. 2$ will buy a lifetime supply. After you dry off, powder up! I spend a lot of time at the beach surf fishing during the summer. Often this will involve changing from wet shorts to dry shorts 3 or 4 times a day. I know about the discomfort you are speaking of extremely well. Corn starch (baby powder) was a total game changer. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-wear-under-my-swim-trunks-need-answer-kind-of-fast/791004.md?page=2)