Buyer's Guide · 7 min · August 2026
How to Choose the Best Men's Beach Shorts in 2026
Forget brand-name rankings. The best beach shorts come down to liner comfort, wet cling, inseam, storage, waistband security, and whether you still want them on after swimming.
The best men's beach shorts are not the pair with the longest feature list. They are the pair you can swim in, walk in, sit in, and keep wearing once the beach portion of the day is over.
1. Start with the liner
Traditional mesh is simple but can feel scratchy. Compression liners add support but stay tight around the leg. Loose inner liners create coverage and separation without the same squeeze. Decide which feeling you actually want for an all-day short.
2. Think about wet cling
Thin outer fabric feels great until it gets wet and sticks directly against you. A separate inner layer can help create space between skin and shell, which is one reason Krunkie uses a loose nylon liner in its men's beach shorts.
3. Pick an inseam you will wear away from the water
Shorter inseams tend to move easier and look more like a modern casual short. Longer inseams add coverage. Krunkie's current men's beach-short specification lists a 5.5-inch inseam — a short coastal cut designed to work in and out of the water.
4. Do not ignore the pockets
Once the swimming stops, storage matters. A secure zipper pocket can be more useful than another performance buzzword when you need somewhere for keys or cards.
5. The waistband has to survive real movement
A drawstring waistband gives you control over the fit when swimming, moving, or wearing the shorts for hours. The best setup is secure without feeling stiff.
Where Krunkie fits
Krunkie men's beach shorts are built around a loose-fitting nylon inner liner, less wet cling, a secure back zipper pocket, drawstring waist, 3D rubber patch, and a short coastal cut. The idea is one comfortable short for the water and the rest of the day.
Judge beach shorts by how badly you want to change out of them after the beach.