Category: Pánske plavky – trendy, výber a inšpirácia
Seven to fourteen days by the sea. Sun, salt, sand, regular swimming, evening walks along the coast. On paper the perfect holiday — in practice often a situation where after three days a man notices his swimwear is stretching at the waist, or finds that one wet pair did not dry overnight and he has nothing to wear the next day. Sometimes he ends up spending the whole holiday in one pair of shorts that wears well but is not really suitable for swimming.
This article is a practical guide for men who want to enjoy their seaside holiday without swimwear problems. No marketing phrases — just specific recommendations on how many mens swimwear pairs to pack, which cut makes the most sense by the sea, and what is not worth bringing. We rely on more than 19 years of DESSUE expert experience selling mens swimwear and on real feedback from customers who take their swimwear on holidays from Croatia to the Maldives every year.
Mens swimwear for a seaside holiday is not the same as swimwear for a city pool. The sea places a completely different type of stress on the material — salt, UV radiation, fine sand in the folds, higher temperature and often higher humidity throughout the day. Swimwear therefore operates under conditions that ordinary cheap pieces are simply not prepared for. We cover this difference in detail in the article Swimwear for the sea vs. the pool, which explains how different environments affect material lifespan.
The second reason the choice matters is pure practicality. On holiday a man wears his swimwear significantly longer than in normal mode at home. At home, swimwear is put on for an hour at the pool and taken off. At the sea it is often on the body all day — beach, lunch at the beach restaurant, afternoon by the water, evening walk. Comfort, cut and material therefore decide whether you will truly enjoy the holiday or spend every hour figuring out where the swimwear is pinching.
The third reason is aesthetic. A seaside holiday is one of the few moments when a man is regularly exposed to attention — not judgment, but the natural gaze of the surroundings that the beach as a social setting brings. Quality quality mens swimwear in such a situation gives confidence that is hard to obtain in the city.
This is one of the most common questions before summer — and the answer is not "as many as possible". Too many pieces just take up suitcase space and most stay unused anyway. The ideal number depends on the length of the holiday and how often you go in the water. From DESSUE practice and customer feedback, a simple rule applies, which we break down below into three scenarios.
For a long weekend or a one-week holiday, 2 pairs of mens swimwear are perfectly enough. The logic is simple: while one pair is wet and drying, you wear the other. With quality fast-drying materials such as Hi-Tech polyamide blends, a pair of swimwear dries in 1-2 hours in the sun, so rotation works smoothly without downtime. The principle of fast drying is covered in detail in the article How fast drying works in practice (not marketing).
In destinations with higher humidity and weaker wind (Thailand in the rainy season, some exotic beaches), it can make sense to pack 3 pairs, because drying there takes longer than in dry Europe.
For a one-week to 10-day stay we recommend 3 pairs of mens swimwear. One is just on the body, the second drying on the balcony after the morning swim, and the third is a backup — either clean and dry in the wardrobe or prepared for a special situation such as a luxury evening event by the pool, a boat trip or a wellness day at the hotel.
Three pairs at the same time open up the possibility to choose swimwear by specific activity: a shorts cut for the beach and walks, a boxer or brief cut for active swimming, and the third as a backup or style piece. How one correctly chosen model can replace several pairs is also discussed in the article How to choose one swimsuit for everything – holiday and pool.
For a two-week holiday or longer stay (summer road trip or winter escape to the tropics), it is worth packing 4 pairs of mens swimwear. Not just because of rotation, but also because salt and UV start to stress the material in two weeks of intensive use — and rotating the pieces significantly extends their lifespan.
A fourth pair is also handy in case something damages one of the three main models — snagging on a turtle shell, the sharp edge of a sun lounger at the beach restaurant, careless washing at the hotel.
This is where most men make mistakes. They pick one cut type — most often shorts — and use it for swimming, on the beach and at the evening drink. Yet different cuts of mens swimwear solve different situations, and the combination is always better than one universal model. Cut differences are covered in detail in the article Types of mens swimwear: complete overview of briefs, boxers, shorts and thongs.
Mens swim shorts are the most universal cut and also the most common choice for a seaside holiday. Their advantage is that a man looks good in them on the beach, can go to the beach restaurant for lunch, sit at the bar or walk along the promenade without looking out of place.
At the sea, short swim shorts are ideal (length to mid-thigh, above the knee) — they are more dynamic, look better on tanned skin and offer no unnecessary resistance when swimming. Long knee-length models are practical but can look slightly "old-fashioned" on an exotic beach, and modern 2026 fashion strategies do not favour them. We explore more about cut, length and style in the article Mens swim shorts – how to choose the right cut, length and style.
Boxer swimwear is the perfect compromise between the freedom of shorts and the stability of briefs. It fits closely, holds shape, but does not show as much as a thong or briefs. If you regularly swim longer distances or do water sports on holiday (yacht, paddleboard, snorkelling), boxer swimwear makes sense as a second or third pair.
Brief swimwear is making a strong comeback in 2025-2026. For men who care about even tanning and maximum comfort in the sun, it makes sense. It is minimalist, fits well, dries extremely fast and emphasises the figure. It is suitable as a second pair alongside shorts — especially in southern destinations (Greece, Italy, Croatia, Egypt), where brief cuts are common and natural.
Mens thong swimwear is not for everyone, but on southern beaches and in luxury resorts it is accepted as a natural choice. It is best for maximum tanning without white lines and also works as a piece that gives a sense of freedom. If you already wear them at home, definitely pack them for the holiday too — just remember not every beach is "thong-friendly" (family resorts, shallow sea with children).
We have written about materials in detail in the article Swimwear for the sea vs. the pool, so here just a brief summary for the holiday context.
Salt is aggressive to swimwear differently than chlorine. While chlorine bleaches colours, salt rather dries out the fibres and makes them brittle. After a seaside holiday, swimwear requires thorough rinsing in fresh water, otherwise it must be replaced a season earlier. From practice observation: cheap polyester swimwear lasts on average 1-2 seasons at the sea, quality Hi-Tech polyamide swimwear 3-4 seasons even with intensive use.
UV radiation hits wet swimwear at the sea more intensely than dry swimwear at the pool — because of reflections from the water surface and sand. The UV index can be up to 25% higher on a beach with white sand than the index measured in the air. That is exactly why ordinary polyester swimwear fades significantly faster at the sea. Hi-Tech polyamide materials are 3-4× more UV-resistant and keep their colour even after a week of intensive sun. A related topic is also why some swimwear loses shape — more in the article Why mens swimwear loses its shape over time – and which ones don”t.
Fine sand settles in the seams and gradually attacks them abrasively. There is nothing to do against it except thorough rinsing after each day and avoiding cheap swimwear with thin seams that give in to the first such "attack".
The conclusion is simple: for a seaside holiday it is not worth packing cheap swimwear that ends up in the bin after the season anyway. Quality mens swimwear made of Hi-Tech materials lasts 3-4 seasons even with regular sea use. That is exactly why the Roberto LUCCA brand has held its place among the Top 10 best swimwear brands for 2026 for the third year in a row according to the French Edgard L Élégant editorial team — Hi-Tech materials are not just a marketing claim there, but a measured standard.
The most effective strategy for a 7-10 day holiday is the combination of three different cuts. Each works in a different situation and together they cover practically everything a beach holiday brings:
This combination guarantees that a man never feels he is poorly dressed or that "the right pair" is missing. At the same time, he looks good in the photos he brings home from the holiday.
Some things we regularly see in men”s luggage that complicate the holiday rather than make it easier.
Cotton absorbs heavily in salt water, does not dry for hours and presses on the skin. If you have ever seen a man on the beach in textile shorts that hang like wet rags after an hour in the water, you know what we are talking about. Swimwear made of cotton or cotton blends simply does not belong on a seaside holiday.
Some cheap mens swim shorts have the inner mesh removed — it may look stylish, but in the water the swimwear loses shape, "rolls up" and becomes uncomfortable. Good swimwear has a fine inner lining that holds the cut and comfort.
Black or dark blue swimwear overheats at the sea significantly more than light colours. When worn all day in the sun, this can be felt as elevated temperature in the groin area. If you choose dark colours, choose a material that also offers UV protection and breathability, not just the cheapest synthetic.
Classic mistake: a man packs 5 swim shorts in different colours. They look like a colourful collection, but on holiday the pair for active swimming is missing. Diversification of cuts is more important than diversification of colours. How to choose by your body shape we cover in the article How to choose mens swimwear according to your body shape – complete expert guide.
If on the day before departure you remember you forgot the swimwear and buy the cheapest one at the airport supermarket — be prepared that after two days threads will be sticking out, after four days the colours will fade, and on the last day the waistband will probably tear. Swimwear is an investment, not a last-minute item.
Ideally, place it on top of the suitcase or in a separate bag so it does not catch on other things and is immediately available. Some men also pack swimwear in hand luggage — that makes sense if you fly shortly after lunch and know you will go to the water immediately after arriving at the hotel.
Avoid heavy folding — modern Hi-Tech materials handle wrinkling well, but if you know you will be travelling several days, it is better to pack swimwear loosely. Roll it gently rather than folding it sharply.
The basic rule is: rinse with fresh water after every entry into salt water. Many men neglect this, and then wonder that the swimwear "lost colour" or "dried weirdly". A 30-second rinse under the shower at the beach extends swimwear life by a season or two.
Also, do not leave wet swimwear in a closed bag overnight — bacteria multiply, smell sets in and the colour suffers. Dry on a balcony hanger or on the back of a chair on the terrace, ideally in the shade.
If you forget about a pair of swimwear in your bag for two days and discover them when they are crusty with salt, do not throw them in the washing machine immediately. First soak them in cold fresh water for 30-40 minutes to dissolve the salt, only then rinse and dry. Direct washing without prior soaking can permanently damage the elastic fibres.
On holiday, swimwear is not just a piece for the water. With the right combination it becomes part of an outfit that works on the promenade, in the beach bar or even for an evening walk.
Mens swim shorts + light cotton T-shirt or linen shirt + slip-on shoes or comfortable sandals. This is the classic that works on every beach in the world. Choose the colour of the shirt to harmonise with the swimwear — you cannot go wrong with white. Linen shirts in earth shades (sand, cream, sage) work great with bright swim shorts.
Slip or boxer swimwear + linen trousers + light cotton shirt. If the hotel has a relaxed dress code, you can also leave swimwear underneath as a quick swimming option. For a more formal evening, change the swimwear for boxers and add a polo shirt.
Swim shorts + UV-protective T-shirt (preferably long-sleeved) + boat shoes or simple sliders. Sun and wind on a yacht are aggressive, and a quality T-shirt with UV factor saves a man from being toasted "from above" while wearing only swimwear "from below". For boat trips, choose swimwear with a colour that does not show salt deposits — dark blue, deep green, burgundy.
The holiday begins with packing. If you pack 4 cheap pairs of swim shorts in the same cut, after two days you will know it does not work. If you pack 2-3 quality pairs of mens swimwear in different cuts and from a Hi-Tech material, you will not have to think about swimwear all 14 days — it will just function.
Practical recommendation summarising the whole article:
If you are looking for quality mens swimwear for a seaside holiday that lasts several seasons and that you will feel good in, take a look at our collection mens swimwear or the specialised category mens swim shorts and brief swimwear. All Roberto Lucca models are made of premium Hi-Tech materials, anatomically shaped and designed exactly for the conditions the sea brings — salt, UV and intensive regular use.
If you want to liven up your holiday in fashion terms, take a look at the new String Mania collection, which offers several interchangeable coloured strings to one pair of swimwear. From one pair you have a different look every day — ideal especially for longer holidays where the same piece would otherwise repeat.
The article content was prepared by DESSUE practitioners based on more than 19 years of experience in selecting, testing and selling mens swimwear. We test Roberto Lucca products in real conditions: sea, pool and thermal waters.
For a one-week holiday 2 to 3 pairs of mens swimwear are enough. Two pairs work with quality fast-drying materials that dry in 1-2 hours — while one is wet, you wear the other. The third pair gives the freedom to choose swimwear by specific activity (a shorts cut for the beach, a boxer or brief cut for active swimming).
The best are mens swimwear made of Hi-Tech polyamide materials with elastane blend. These materials resist salt, UV radiation and sand, dry in minutes and keep their shape and colour even after three to four seasons of regular use. Ordinary polyester swimwear fades significantly faster at the sea and loses its shape after one intensive holiday.
The most universal are mens swim shorts of medium length (to mid-thigh, above the knee) — they look good on the beach and at the beach restaurant. For active swimmers the ideal complementary pair is boxer or brief swimwear, which offers no resistance in the water and supports even tanning.
The basic rule: after every entry into salt water rinse the swimwear with fresh water (e.g. under the beach shower). Do not leave wet swimwear in a closed bag overnight, dry in the shade not in direct sun. Once a week wash by hand in cold fresh water with a mild detergent.
It depends on the destination and personal preference. In southern Europe (Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain), thongs and briefs are common and natural. In family resorts and on beaches with children, choose shorts or boxers. For maximum tanning without white lines, however, briefs or thongs are the only solution.
Avoid cotton swimwear (does not dry, presses), shorts without an inner mesh (lose shape in water), 5 pairs of the same cut (lacks diversification) and last-minute supermarket purchases (low quality, short lifespan). Investment in quality mens swimwear pays off over several seasons.
At Dessue.com you will find Roberto Lucca mens swimwear made of Hi-Tech materials with proven resistance to salt water, UV radiation and chlorine — including a wide selection of mens swim shorts, brief swimwear and boxer swimwear. International delivery available.
Review of the e-shop
| 5 |  |
|
138x |
| 4 | |
|
7x |
| 3 | |
|
1x |
| 2 | |
|
1x |
| 1 | |
|
1x |
We guarantee the origin of reviews, which are verified by the e-shop and come only from users who have purchased this product.
▸ 2 products → – 5% (code: 5-OFF )
▸ 3 products → –10% (code: 10-OFF )
You can freely combine products.
(swimwear, underwear, clothing)
Apply the discount in the shopping cart.
(does not apply to discounted goods)
Cookies settings
Our website uses cookies to help us improve it. In order for us to use cookies, you must allow us to do so. By clicking on the "OK, I agree" button, you grant this consent.
Settings OK I agreeCookies are small files that websites (including ours) store in your web browser. The contents of these files are exchanged between your browser and our servers or those of our partners. We need some cookies for the website to function properly, and some cookies are needed for marketing and statistical analytics. Here you can set which cookies we can use.
Souhlas můžete odmítnout here.
420 234 076 045
