I’ve started swimming because I’ve torn my Achilles from running and my doctor recommends it for low-impact cardio.
At my pool, there is a very clear age divide between older gents who wear speedos or swim jammers (I had to look this term up, lol) and younger folk who wear shorts, aside from a small handful of guys who look like they swim competitively (they’re in speedos too).
As a man who has just hit 30 and just wants to swim recreationally to get a cardio workout in, what’s the norm?
I’m comfortable in my own skin, I’m just curious what other men in their 30s do and at what point in one’s life the speedo starts to beckon haha.
Edit: I’m British, fwiw (adding because I’m seeing ppl refer to specific countries in the replies, which is very interesting!)
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Never a Speedo, ever.
Just wear swim shorts. I’d say that’s the default.
Personally, unless you’re swimming professionally, wearing speedos is just weird.
Don’t wear a speedo bro.
Unless you’re planning on winning a gold medal at the LA28 Olympics there is never a reason for a fully grown man to wear a Speedo.
Wear whatever you want
I have a running theory the older men get the shorter their shorts get so old men love speedos
Personally I do swim shorts but you do you man whatever’s more comfortable
I’m 43. I do normal trunks or triathlon shorts. I usually only do the tri-shorts as it’s getting closer to an event because they look weird.
In my 30s I wore a Speedo. I will still wear a speedo. Don’t really care what anyone else thinks. They’re comfortable to swim in and I hate feeling the drag of shorts. Old guys wear them because we don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks. Same reason we’ll walk around the locker room naked like it’s nothing. People can stick their judgment up their ass
I swim in Chubbies style shorts. Not all that brand, but same look. I like a high cut and a built in belt.
The thing is, a swimsuit is a pointless piece of clothing. It is in the way of the point of swimming, and (with the tiny exception of certain very competitive swimming suits) it just impedes swimming and adds drag, chafes, and keeps you wet longer when you get out. The only actual purpose is to keep people from seeing your whole body.
And from that perspective, it then comes down to how many fucks you give and who you are trying to make like you and how comfortable you are with yourself, and whatever laws and/or rules are in place where you are swimming. And only you can know that.
Those guys in speedos have given up caring about your opinion of them. They have freedom. The guys in oversized trunks are fronting somehow; they are insecure or they are trying to project an image or something. Whatever it is, they are willing to put up with the decreased usefulness of their swimsuit as a swimsuit.
Who do you want to be? Who are you trying to impress or get to like you at that pool? How comfortable are you in your body? How much wet suit do you want to drag around? Answer these, and you’ll know what suit to wear.
Having swam competitively I’m a speedo man.
They’re easier to swim in, dry quicker and pack lighter.
But I pop shorts on for the sauna and steam room.
I think this also have something to do with the comfortability to be naked around people. I have the theory that people is growingly uncomfortable naked or “insinuating” in environments where it should be acceptable, like a locker room. If you’re not comfortable showing your body in tight wear you’re not used to a locker room.
That’s why older people (who likely were in the military or something like that, or used more collective urinaries) and competitive athletes (who use locker rooms in a daily basis) are not afraid of using swim jammers or speedos. (And that’s why many gay men like to use speedos: because they’re comfortable showing their body)
You wouldn’t read an old man writing abot shy bladders or leaving the gym without showering.
This said: if you have to ask, use whatever you feel more comfortable when doing your activity. I would go for shorts or jammers tho.
Splashing around- Shorts. Swimming laps- jammers. for me the difference would be like going for a run snow boots vs. running shoes or going for a mountain bike ride on a banana seat cruiser.
You’re almost at the age when you just stop giving a shit completely because you’re busy, you have obligations, you got shit to do and you still need to be in shape and take care of yourself to do all those things.
That’s how old I am and that’s when it happened to me. I’ve become one of the old men who just walks around in the locker room with his pecker out. I just need to get a sweat, hit the sauna, shower and split because my day ain’t over until my head hits the pillow.
If you want to wear a Speedo go for it. I wear 7-5.5” inseam trunks.
I’ve noticed my gay bros enjoy Speedo’s more when we go to the lake or pool. I would just feel like I’m wearing underwear and wouldn’t feel as confident in them. I hate the feeling of liners in swim trunks so I’d hate speedos I think.
Personally I recommend getting speedo shorts. They are kind of like boxer briefs, and they come in a variety of cuts. They’re not as revealing as the standard budgie smugglers. But they cut way down on swimming resistance and are just generally a lot more comfortable to swim lanes in.
That being said, if I’m going to a pool or resort with the family I’ll just wear some baggy shorts to lounge or wade around in.
When I swim laps I wear a speedo endurance brief. So much more comfortable, makes swimming a mile a lot easier. Swimming at the beach I usually wear board shorts, but would love it if it were more social acceptable to wear briefs at the beach.
My stats: 31 straight married, if that matters
Generally boxers or boxer briefs. Or whatever im wearing when its hot outside and i want to cool off in the pond or the river.
Only wear a Speedo if you’re seriously packing and wanting to attract attention or you are wanting to swim properly. Shorts are fine for every other scenario.
Actually skip the first one only a narcissistic pervert will do that, there are children around, no one needs to see that.
Short length swim shorts. Even in shape wearing a speedo in the US feels weird
Budgie smugglers look pretty bad on most people.
I’m in my 50s and have never worn a speedo. They are ridiculous
I wear trunks. If your goal is cardio, not speed, they create more drag while swimming than something like speedos. They’ll be marginally better for what you’re trying to achieve. At the end of the day, just wear whatever you feel most comfortable in.
Swim trunks.
Where I swim it’s a mix- shorts, speedos, or speedo-shorts for what of a better term. I.e. like close fitting boxers but heavier swimwear material. I tend to do adult lane swim sessions so I guess most people swimming are there for fitness. I wear speedo-shorts as I don’t want baggy shorts ballooning around when I swim. I’d say I’m an average build guy, I could certainly lose a few pounds but don’t really care what people think.
If I had to guess, I would actually say young people (under 30ish) are going more speedo-shorts rather than baggy swim shorts. The swim shorts guys seem to be the 30-50 age range. Perhaps it’s a generational thing as loose swim shorts kind of came into being in the 90s when that age bracket were growing up.
Edit: I’m in the UK.
Shorts if I ever wear a speedo it’s because my girlfriend wants to draw me or I am doing the bodybuilding besides that no never ever.
But I broke my leg in eight places, and I was told to go to the pool when I could likely walk again to use it for therapy so I’ve been in your place. Just put on some shorts. It’s fine. Most people won’t care and if they do care, they don’t care for five seconds and then they’ll forget.
I’ve never been a competitive swimmer so for me swim shorts are always my go to. Pools just swim shorts outdoors usually a shirt too since I’m super white and burn instantly.
There isn’t a norm.
I find younger guys tend to wear very baggy swimwear sometimes even with underwear, totally bizarre to my mind. Older don’t tend to give a F and wear whatever they are comfortable in.
Unless you are in France. There they have strict rules about the type of swimwear and it’s the Speedo type…
Don’t have to go full speedo. This is a nice middle ground: adidas website
Trunks, shorts, speedos, all are acceptable. What do you want to wear?
Personally… I will never wear a Speedos. They are extremely uncomfortable and crush my dick/balls, worse is they show off the goods to literally everyone around. Swim shorts still do this for me, but at least it’s a less with the meshing. All in all I hate all swimming wear, the best shorts I have are ones that are just loose with no netting at all, but they’re extremely rare. I’ve started to rip out the netting so that I’m not crushed.
I just wear normal swim trunks
I started swimming after I recovered from shoulder surgery and it has made a world of difference, once week into my swimming routine I knew it was the way to go.
I honestly prefer speedos for swimming at a pool but I tend to swim at the beach by my house. Even though the beach is only a two minute walk from my house, I don’t think I’d want to walk down a busy boardwalk wearing a speedo to get there.
I’ve always had a preference for speedos when swimming, it just feels easier and can carry a couple pairs in my gym bag whilst taking up next to no room. I’m in the pool 4-5 times a week so I’ve seen all kinds of attire. Unless it’s swim club or training , I rarely see a man wearing speedos.
Very culture based, but speedos and jammers are much more normal in Europe and Asia. In the US, no guy wears either unless they swim competitively or perhaps swam competitively in the past. However, if I were trying to swim laps for exercise, I would definitely wear jammers over a swim suit or board shorts. That said, I did four years of water polo and competitive swim in high school so I feel pretty normal/fine wearing either.
I wear some stupid frat broish matching shirts and button down thing. I was a frat bro and like the look of pink ducks drinking Corona on my swim shorts and shirt. It’s funny to me
I personally prefer board shorts, especially at the beach. With the material they’re made of I don’t really see the “dry time” to be a legitimate reason for wearing a banana hammock. Plus I can just wear them into restaurants and whatever, before and after swimming. My pool is at a tennis club (think country club minus the golf course) so I’m usually there grilling, and hanging out before and after swimming. The responses I’ve read here defending the banana hammocks have sounded almost militant 🤣 like, you do you, but don’t hate on me for my preference either.
Full plate armor. Okay it’s a bit impractical but I never get sunburned.
Seriously though wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. I’m actually heading towards more and more because of the challenges with swimming outdoors and sunburn, but that’s just the right balance for me, it’s definitely not for everyone.
You can go halfway and pick up what swimmers call a ‘drag suit’.
It’s basically a speedo with like a mesh over it which makes it look like shorts but it’s actually a speedo underneath.
Best of both worlds if you’re not into wearing speedos.
Former (spinal injury) surfer/ocean swimmer who swims laps (pool): surf skins. No fuss. Get the swim in. No needless drag.
I’ve always worn swim trunks. From little kid to adult. Regardless as to how good in shape I’ve been. I’ve not a professional swimmer / diver. I don’t need Speedos.
I think it’s more of your level of swimming. Anyone who has swam competitively and does real swimming cardio wears a speedo or tight fitting suits to reduce drag in my experiences
https://preview.redd.it/ehplopq3fzze1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e6fbaf86c85f77948ec2b5a8cfd8a092748debe
This is what I wear
Swim trunks/board shorts. I find them comfortable…plus work great where I live for swimming, letting them dry and then wearing them to the beach bar or restaurant. Completely normal.
A speedo would probably be frowned upon at the restaurants not directly on the beach.
I wear a wool one piece bathing costume. It’s old fashioned, I know, but everything else looks silly with my handlebar mustache.
I’m early 40s, I wear a jammer when I swim laps and trunks when I’m doing anything else water related. Speedos are for people who have or do swim competitively, are boomers, or are just way more comfortable letting it hang out than I am.
I really notice the difference in drag between trunks and jammers when I’m doing laps.
Just wear what you’re comfortable with.
I wear shorts and a t-shirt.
I wear boardshorts because I use swimming for surfing cross training, and I definitely am not wearing a speedo surfing! But I don’t judge anyone who wears a speedo, It’s way less drag than boardshorts.
Depends, if I’m just casual swimming then regular shorts. If I’m swimming lengths as a work out I prefer speedo briefs cuz regular trunks cause too much dragm
Speedo the brand or as in the banana hammock? What I wear depends on what I’m doing. Beach? Shorts. Water polo, Speedo shorts.
I bought a peach colored speedo online its fuggin hilarious
Bright pink chubbies brand mid thigh swim trunks
Posting this from my home hot tub, which I haven’t worn a swimsuit in ever. Skinny dip every day.
So, I grew up swimming competitively, and the norm for training would be a drag suit.
https://www.swimoutlet.com/products/tyr-poly-mesh-trainer-drag-suit-2848
All the big companies make them, including Arena which I believe is European company.
More comfortable than a speedo because they’re looser, but everything stays in its place. Less drag than typical baggy shorts. Also when you hop out of the pool your Guy isn’t vacuum-sealed for that moment of “oh god everyone can see my boy”. I don’t swim laps anymore but I still have mine from high school in case I move away from the ocean and decide to start swimming again.
I sometimes wear a speedo or swim jock under my trunks for support and modesty. Never go in just the Speedo. Lately I just wear my Saxx Swim Trunks. It has the ball park pouch to hold the boys in place and dries quick. It was worth the ridiculous price they charge
I didn’t really start wearing speedos and swim briefs until my early 30s (currently 38). They are MUCH more comfortable than shorts imo. My body is on the thicker side, the kind that gets derision online for wearing speedos, but I honestly don’t care. I don’t get any weird looks and I forget I’m wearing them most of the time.
And unlike shorts, I’m not contlstsntly pulling and adjusting them every time I get out of the water.
Used to be a lifeguard and semi competitive swimmer, i wear board shorts. Im 40 and in better shape than most 20 year olds, board shorts forever. Ive never wore a speedo, but i cant imagine there is any kind of performance improvement for a recreational swimmer. Its like the cyclists that claim shaving their legs makes them more aero dynamic… i dont see it for the average weekend warrior. That being said, wear whatever makes you comfortable.
If I want to show off my quads Aussie bums is the way to go
I’ve wanted to wear them since my twenties but always did it when I was a alone at the pool. But ever since turning thirty and having a baby, I stopped caring what people thought.
It is pretty region/country specific but it’s also dependent on your community.
As a runner who has never done any swimming outside of water skiing and going to the beach – I’m training for my first triathlon (41M) and I’m in your shoes – I only ever had swimming shorts before.
I just bought jammers for the first time and they’re the most comfortable and functional option from my POV. I’d still wear shorts to the beach or for a lazy pool day though – the jammers are for workouts. Quite similar to my running kit being different from what I’d wear to play basketball, for example.
I’m an American living in the USA though. Speedos are way outside of the norm here outside of the swimming community.
I prefer a thong… You asked.
I wear nothing to swim. I have a private pack yard so why would I wear a swim suit. If I’m in public, it’s a swim brief. For context: am gay, nice body, 30s.
43 and knee length trunks
If I were you I’d wear speedos cycling
i use swim jammers but also have never tried speedos. i don’t see anyone with swim trunks/swim shorts during lap swim.
Speedo is just weird. Unless ur in The Olympics or some sht no guy should be wearing a Speedo at the pool or beach.
Unless you have an impeccable body with a 6 pack I wouldn’t be wearing a speedo. I wear shorts
Swim trunks always but I’m a bit older (almost 50)
Shorts are sometimes ok but a lot of pools require actual swim gear.
I don’t think anyone I know in real life would wear speedo’s aside from high school swim team
I wear the speedos that come down just below the knee. More comfortable to swim in because less drag, but not quite as racy
Speedo? Heck, get yourself a thong and let your ass hang out like women do.
I’m 34. I’d swim naked every single time. Unfortunately, that’s never the case, so just normal swimming trunks
Just wear what you’re comfy in. Shorts are just going to slow you down, if you’re swimming for exercise though that doesn’t really matter unless you’re concerned with the raw value of how many laps you can do
I just wear some short swim shorts. I’ve got some board shorts too but they give noticeable drag.
Board shorts, I don’t feel comfortable being on display in a speedo. I remember how uncomfortable I found it as a kid/young adult.
This is quite regional though, as others have pointed out it’s a lot more common in Europe to wear speedos
If you’re doing laps wear spedos, if you’re just there to get wet wear shorts. But really, do whatever you want.
Swim shirt and shorts
Modesty is never out of style
The guys I see at the pool in shorts seem to be the not-so-serious swimmers. Often have no goggles and get in and swim a length or splash with a friend and leave. Or they are doing water running or a rehab set. The guys who swim laps are usually wearing some form of stretchy body hugging suit of a varying outseam length from brief to trunk to jammer.
I’m so confused by the concern for this. We all have body parts and you’re gonna see me in the pool or in the locker room. I personally cannot be entangled in wet cloth billowing and snaking around my legs as I swim a few km.
Also it comes down to the sport. Play soccer? You’re gonna need cleats. Cycle seriously? Sooner or later it’s the spandex shorts a helmet and a decent bike. Gonna jog daily? You’ll need good runners. Swim a lot? You need a suit u can move in.
Personally, I’d never wear speedos. Never never. I’m comfortable with myself but it’s either trunks or nothing at all.
Basketball shorts, I fucking hate the material or swim shorts or board shorts and I double hate mesh
Trunks + rash guard/surf shirt basically is what I do now, over a one piece since I squish my top flat with it.
I’m not really a fan of the banana hammock thing.
I was in swim team in high school. Haven’t worn a speedo since….. Mercifully.
I’m in my thirties in the US. I couldn’t care less what people think. I’m wearing my Speedo to the pool or beach
There is no correlation between age and speedo wearing, but I apply the rule to myself about weight and speedo wearing.
I’ve had some brutal injuries and have huge scars, so even if I was ideal weight I’d still wear a regular suit and a swim shirt.
Wear what you like. I wear speedos and speedo square cut.
Tore my Achilles recently too, the rehab has been brutal to say the least.
I wear swim shorts lol