Birddogs swim trunks are my favorite shorts for active summer days — here's what makes them so great

Business Insider

27-05-2025

The men's clothing brand Birddogs is known for its shorts and pants with built-in underwear and its tongue-in-cheek approach to marketing. The brand was featured on Shark Tank back in 2018 and has a very loyal following, so I've been wanting to see if the hype matched up to the reality. Comedian Bert Kreischer is one of the brand's original fans-turned-spokesman. "I love my birddogs," said Kreischer. "They are my summer shorts. I can jump in the pool, grill some burgers, then head to the bars — all in my same pair of birddogs shorts."
This summer, swim trunks have been high on my list of clothing items to reinvest in, so I spent some time testing out the Birddogs 6-inch swim trunks. These feature a compression liner, which has been a quickly growing trend in men's swimwear. Compression-lined swim trunks provide a higher level of comfort than old-fashioned netting liners. I was really impressed with the fit, level of comfort, and construction of Birddogs' swim trunks. That also goes for the brand's other products, including shorts, polos, and joggers. I'm all about getting as much wear out of my clothes, so I also love how these trunks work not just for swimming, but for other activities like hiking or a casual day out.
Design and features
Birddogs' swim trunks come in three inseam sizes — 6-inch, 7-inch, or 9-inch — and six colorways, from a solid light blue to a bright red and orange floral pattern. One of the first things I noticed was how well-constructed these are. I didn't find any snags in the stitching or other issues when I flipped them inside out. They're also well-designed with comfort in mind and include thoughtful details.
They feature a nicely springy elastic waistband and drawstring that keeps the trunks in place without being constricting. The trunks have two side pockets, a zippered back pocket, and a sort of secret side zippered pocket, which is a nice touch in case you need a bit more storage. They don't have a key loop like some other brands, but you could always put your keys in one of the zippered pockets if need be.
The swimsuit liner is a standout. As opposed to some compression liners that can feel constricting, these feel light and breathable and move with your body.
Performance and use
Birddogs makes its swim trunks from a fabric that's 94% nylon and 6% spandex, which gives them a soft handfeel and a lot of stretch. They dry quickly too. I found they went from soaking wet to dry in about 40 minutes. These are some of the most comfortable swim trunks I've worn. I'm 6 feet tall with a 32-inch waist, and the size medium fits me really well — neither too loose nor too tight, whether the swimsuit was wet or dry. Similarly, the leg openings are wide enough to give you a good range of motion without gaping or sagging. As I mentioned, the liner is a standout. I didn't experience any chafing, and everything stayed where it was supposed to, both in and out of the water, without feeling tight or restrictive.
These swim trunks are really versatile, especially paired with a Birddogs polo, which is also soft, stretchy, and quick drying, making for a perfect all-day outfit. I've worn this combo not only at the beach before and after swimming, but also for hikes and running errands (all on the same day).
After washing this swimsuit three times, there was no obvious degradation in the material or colors.
The bottom line
The high level of comfort, well-thought-out design, solid construction, and versatility make the Birddogs 6-inch swim trunks well worth the $79 price tag. Besides providing a near-perfect wearing experience — especially regarding the soft, stretchy, breathable liner — you'll get a lot of wear out of these trunks day after day and summer after summer.
Birddogs does a fabulous job with all its clothes when it comes to versatility, and these swim trunks are in line with this. As Bert Kreischer mentioned, these trunks will get you through your day whatever it might bring, and hopefully, this summer that involves a lot of time at a pool or beach and enjoying ice-cold beverages with friends.
The only downside I could even come up with is that some customers might feel the brand's selection of colorways is somewhat limited, or else have a problem with the trunks' lack of a key loop. But the positives of the Birddogs 6-inch swim trunks definitely outweigh these small quibbles.