6 Best Swim Trunks For Beach Camping That Double as Camp Shorts
Discover the best hybrid swim trunks for beach camping. This guide covers 6 versatile, quick-drying options that perform as well on the trail as in the water.
The sun is dipping below the horizon, painting the sky over the ocean in brilliant orange and purple. You’ve just finished a final swim, and the evening chill is starting to creep in as you head back to your tent pitched just beyond the dunes. The last thing you want to do is change into a separate pair of shorts just to get the campfire going; you need gear that can keep up with the rhythm of beach life, from surf to sand to supper.
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Why Hybrid Swim Shorts Excel for Beach Camping
Packing for any trip, even a car-camping weekend on the coast, is a game of efficiency. The core genius of a hybrid swim short is that it eliminates a piece of gear. It’s one less thing to pack, one less thing to keep dry, and one less decision to make. You can wear them for a morning paddle, let them dry in the sun while you read, and then hike up a bluff for a better view without ever needing to change.
These shorts are purpose-built for the transition from water to land. They use technical fabrics—typically nylon or polyester blends—that shed water and dry rapidly in a coastal breeze. Unlike a standard cotton short that would stay damp and heavy for hours, a good hybrid short will be comfortable enough to sit in by the fire just an hour after you’ve been in the waves. They also incorporate four-way stretch, giving you the freedom of movement needed for setting up a tent, gathering firewood, or scrambling over tide pools.
What truly separates them from a standard boardshort is their design. Hybrid shorts feature more practical details for life on land. You’ll find deeper, more secure pockets (often with zippers), belt loops or a more structured waistband, and a cut that looks more like a casual walk short. This versatility means you’re not just comfortable at a remote beach campsite, but you can also head into a small coastal town for supplies without feeling out of place.
Patagonia Baggies: The All-Around Camp Classic
If you’ve spent any time around outdoor pursuits, you’ve seen Patagonia Baggies. They are the undisputed, time-tested classic for a reason: they just work. For a casual beach camping trip where your agenda includes swimming, lounging, and maybe a short hike to a viewpoint, the Baggies are a simple, no-fuss solution that will last for years. Their straightforward design is their greatest strength.
Made from NetPlus® 100% postconsumer recycled nylon faille, these shorts are both durable and environmentally conscious. The fabric is tough enough to handle sitting on driftwood logs and has a DWR (durable water repellent) finish to speed up drying time. The internal mesh liner is a classic feature, providing some support and breathability, while the deep, mesh-lined pockets are perfect for stashing essentials. They are famously reliable.
The Baggies do come with tradeoffs. The relaxed fit and shorter inseam (typically 5" or 7") is a specific style that not everyone loves. While they dry quickly, they aren’t the absolute fastest-drying short on this list, and some people find traditional mesh liners uncomfortable over a long day. But for their sheer durability, iconic status, and do-it-all attitude, they remain the benchmark against which all other versatile outdoor shorts are measured.
Outerknown Apex Trunks: Performance & Sustainability
When your beach camping trip is less about lounging and more about high-output activity, you need gear that can keep up. The Outerknown Apex Trunks, developed with pro surfer Kelly Slater, are built for pure performance. These are the shorts for the person planning to surf at dawn, go for a long beach run at midday, and still need something comfortable and quick-drying for the evening.
The magic is in the material and construction. The Apex Trunks are made from an ultralight, four-way stretch recycled polyester that feels almost weightless and offers incredible freedom of movement. More importantly, it dries astonishingly fast. The seams are welded, not stitched, which completely eliminates chafing—a critical feature when you’re spending hours in salt water. The fixed, bonded waistband and tie closure provide a secure, low-profile fit that won’t get in your way.
This level of performance comes at a premium price, and the design is minimalist. They have no built-in liner, functioning like a true high-performance boardshort, which some may prefer for faster drying and versatility in layering. The pocket is a single, small welded zip pocket on the side, just big enough for a key and a credit card. This is a specialized tool for the active coastal adventurer who prioritizes lightweight, fast-drying performance and sustainability above all else.
Vuori Kore Short: Ultimate Comfort From Surf to Camp
Imagine the softest, most comfortable athletic shorts you own, but built to handle the ocean. That’s the Vuori Kore Short. These are designed for the beach camper whose priority is all-day comfort, from a morning yoga session on the sand to an evening spent relaxing in a camp chair. They seamlessly blend a casual, athletic style with technical features that work well in a coastal environment.
The standout feature of the Kore Short is its boxer-brief style liner. It’s incredibly soft, breathable, and supportive, offering a massive upgrade in comfort over traditional scratchy mesh liners and effectively eliminating chafe. The outer fabric is a lightweight, stretchy, and soft material that moves with you and dries at a respectable pace. The comfortable elastic waistband and drawstring make for an easy, relaxed fit perfect for lounging.
While they excel in comfort, they aren’t the most rugged option. The soft fabric is not designed for serious bushwhacking or scraping against sharp rocks. And while they dry well, the substantial liner means they will hold moisture longer than a linerless short or one with a simple mesh brief. The Kore Short is the perfect choice for trips where comfort is king and activities are less abrasive, like paddleboarding, beach volleyball, and casual coastal hikes.
Birdwell 310: Timeless Durability for Rugged Coasts
For some adventures, durability isn’t just a feature; it’s the entire point. If your beach camping involves the rugged, windswept coasts of the Pacific Northwest or New England, where you’re more likely to be sitting on granite than soft sand, the Birdwell 310 is your answer. These aren’t just shorts; they’re a piece of heritage gear built with uncompromising toughness.
Birdwell makes their shorts in the USA from their proprietary SurfNyl™ fabric, a two-ply nylon that is incredibly strong, abrasion-resistant, and built to withstand decades of sun and salt. The construction is bombproof, with double- and triple-stitched seams and a fixed waistband with a secure button fly. There is no stretch and no fancy tech—just pure, unadulterated durability. These are the shorts you buy once and pass down.
This old-school approach has its tradeoffs. The lack of stretch means you need to nail the sizing, and they offer less mobility than modern technical shorts. They are also linerless and take longer to dry than their lightweight polyester counterparts. But for the camper who values gear that is brutally tough and reliable, and who sees a bit of break-in time as part of the experience, the Birdwell 310 is in a class of its own.
Fair Harbor Anchor: Innovative Comfort, Built-In Liner
Fair Harbor tackled the most common complaint about swim trunks—the uncomfortable mesh liner—and built their brand around solving it. The Anchor short is their flagship product, designed for anyone who has ever been tempted to take a pair of scissors to their swim gear. It combines a classic, versatile look with a truly innovative approach to all-day comfort.
The secret is the BreezeKnit™ liner. It’s a super-soft, stretchy, and supportive boxer brief made from recycled materials that feels fantastic against the skin and prevents chafing. It’s a game-changer for long days spent in and out of the water. The outer shell is a durable, quick-drying fabric with a soft, peached finish and four-way stretch, making the entire package incredibly comfortable for any beach or camp activity.
With a range of inseam lengths and a style that looks more like a chino short than a swim trunk, the Anchor is exceptionally versatile. It’s perfect for the person who wants to go straight from the water to a seaside cafe without feeling underdressed. While not the absolute lightest or most technical option, it strikes an outstanding balance between innovative comfort, everyday style, and sustainable design.
Lululemon Pool Short: Sleek Style for Active Days
Lululemon brings its signature athletic design and technical prowess to the water with the Pool Short. This is the choice for the beach camper with a packed itinerary of active pursuits. Think a morning trail run along the coast, an afternoon SUP session, and an evening of beach games. These shorts are designed to move with you and look sharp doing it.
Crafted from a lightweight, water-repellent, four-way stretch fabric, the Pool Short is all about performance and mobility. The fit is typically more tailored and athletic than the other options on this list, providing a streamlined silhouette that won’t get in your way. They often feature a comfortable, supportive mesh liner designed for activity and smart pocketing, including a zippered pocket to secure your essentials during a workout.
The primary tradeoff is the price and the distinctly athletic aesthetic. They carry a premium price tag, and their sleek look might not appeal to those who prefer a more traditional or rugged camp style. However, for those who value a precise, athletic fit and high-performance materials that can handle a sweat session as well as a swim, the Lululemon Pool Short is an excellent, well-crafted option.
Key Features: Liners, Pockets, and Quick-Dry Fabric
When choosing the right hybrid short, it comes down to three key details. First is the liner. Your options are generally mesh (the classic, airy but potentially abrasive choice), a compression or boxer-brief liner (offers superior comfort and support but can hold moisture longer), or no liner (the fastest-drying and most freeing, but offers zero support). Your personal comfort preference is the most important factor here.
Next, consider the pockets. For a short to truly work at camp, it needs functional pockets. Look for pockets that are deep enough to hold a phone or wallet securely. At least one zippered or velcro-closure pocket is a massive plus for keeping car keys safe while you’re away from your site. Critically, ensure the pocket bags are made of mesh for instant water drainage—otherwise, you’ll be carrying two sloshing water balloons with you out of the ocean.
Finally, evaluate the fabric. All these shorts are "quick-drying," but there are levels to it. Lighter weight, thinner polyester fabrics will dry the fastest, making them ideal for trips where you’ll be in and out of the water frequently. Heavier, more durable nylons, like that used by Birdwell, offer incredible abrasion resistance but will take longer to dry. The key is to balance your need for durability against your desire for a fast-drying time. For most weekend beach campers, a mid-weight recycled polyester or nylon blend offers the best of both worlds.
Ultimately, the perfect pair of shorts is the one that simplifies your kit and lets you stay focused on the real reason you’re out there. Whether it’s a rugged, bombproof short for a wild coastline or an ultra-comfortable one for relaxing by the fire, the right choice is the one you can put on and forget about. Don’t get lost in the details; pick the pair that fits your adventure style and get back to planning your next trip to the water’s edge.
