Best swim jammers for men in 2024

The best swim jammers are a good option for most athletes. Sitting just above the knee, this style of swim shorts is designed to have a snug, athletic fit to reduce drag through the water, and if they feel too loose or too tight – especially at the waist – then you should size up or down accordingly. 

Baggies, swim trunks, speedos, budgies are alternatives to swim jammers. These are all slightly different. What you choose will depend on how streamlined you want to be, what you prefer in terms of feel and how much of a shrinking violet you are. 

But if you’re looking for the best swim jammers for you, you’ve come to right place. We’ve put 14 pairs through rigorous testing to see which come out on top.

Best men’s swim jammers

Coots SG Jammers

• £110

I’ve been mighty impressed with the Coots SG Jammers and they’re my current favourites for pool training, justifying the premium price tag.

London-based swimwear brand Coots (an acronym for ‘Crawled out of the sea’) designs and makes everything locally, with a big emphasis on sustainability. 

The SG Jammers comprise 78% Econyl nylon generated from waste product, and the rest is elastane. They’re ultra chlorine-resistant, have shape-retaining qualities, and there’s a lifetime repair guarantee if any stitching comes loose during your suit’s lifecycle. 

They arrive in a wet bag made from bamboo towelling, and there’s even a locker loop inside to help with drying. 

The full leg coverage and streamlined fit made me feel fast through the water, and the chunky yet comfy waistline and robust drawstring meant they didn’t budge an inch during lengthy pool sessions. 

They have silicone leg grippers, reminiscent of tri or cycling shorts, that hug the leg perfectly, and they haven’t got baggy or loose after multiple washes. 

The full internal lining, essentially acting like briefs stitched onto the main part of the garment, is comfortable and keeps everything in place, but does add some weight. I don’t think this makes any discernible difference to the hydrodynamic properties. But I’d like to see some alternative, high performance Coots jammers in future, perhaps with a fully stitched gusset or just a front liner.

Speedo End+ Max Compression Mid

• £50.00 / $65

 The End+ Max Compression Mid from Speedo is designed to come down to around the mid-thigh, which is ideal for those who may find the grippers on some longer jammers sit too close to their knees.

Part of Speedo’s performance range, these jammers have a few extra bells and whistles compared to basic training suits, such as the ‘V-Cut’ design with a ‘power mesh’ liner. Essentially this is reinforced, V-shaped panelling on both thighs to provide some extra support. I felt like there was some more compressive benefits in this area compared to entry-level jammers through the water.

I am a fan of the built-in front lining and extra chunky, silicone gripper elasticated waistband, that is very easy to grab to get the jammers in place before setting off on your swim.

Couple with a robust flat drawstring, I could be 100% confident these jammers weren’t budging an inch in the water. They always stayed in place perfectly.

Speedo says the End+ Max Compression Mid is made for “long lasting performance”, while falling short of claiming 100% chlorine resistance. But after a few washes and several thousand metres in the pool, I have no reason to doubt that they’re very durable.

For a performance product, I think these jammers actually represent very good value. They are ideal for training or dipping your toe in master’s swimming competitions. Even if it’s not going to make me any faster (I can dream) I think the ‘distorted glitch-effect print’ looks great too.

Speedo Eco Endurance+ Slice Jammers

• £41 / $61

Speedo’s Eco Endurance+ Slice jammers are made from 50% recycled fabrics. They are also claimed to be 100% chlorine-resistant to last you thousands of lengths.

We can vouch for their durability after plenty of test swims, and the fabric is generally very comfortable and form-fitting, not bothering us at all on our test swims.

The drawstring isn’t quite as robust as some of the others on test here, but it does the job. Unlike the rest of the fabric, the front gusset for modesty is a thin piece of material and requires a bit of careful arrangement to ensure no unwanted chafing at the seams.

Zoggs Glare Panelled Mid Jammer

• £38

The subtly-patterned Glare is part of Zoggs’ range of mid-length jammers, designed to sit somewhere around the mid-thigh area and slightly lower than a pair of trunks. 

If you’re stubby-legged like me then you might find some longer jammers are a little too long, so the mid-jammer offers a decent solution if budgies aren’t your thing either. 

Zoggs’ 100% chlorine-proof Ecolast+ fabric that makes up these jammers is made from recycled bottles. A lifetime guarantee if your jammers somehow wear out shows the Aussie brand is very confident in the durability of its products. 

A triangular front lining and a robust drawstring keeps everything secure. The perfectly stitched flatlock seams avoid any chafing or irritation.

 I’ve previously praised the waistband of Zoggs’ mid jammers, and while it’s comfortable enough I find that it’s not quite up there with the chunkier one on Speedo’s End+ Max Compression mid jammer. 

Using the two pairs comparatively, I found the latter (admittedly £12 more expensive) sit better on my hips without feeling at all like they’ll slip. But I need to take a bit more care to ensure the Zoggs jammers are fitted properly before diving in. 

The legs also lack a bit of stretch. I needed to reposition them to stop them riding up in the water after pushing off or turning on the wall. 

I’d still be happy to use the Glare jammers for training. They’re very durable, have notable eco credentials and are reasonably priced.

Funky Trunks Star Sign 

• £35.95

Australian-born swimwear specialist Funky Trunks has become renowned for out-there designs. These are digitally printed onto its jammers to cause minimal environmental impact during the production process. 

The Star Sign, in Funky Trunks’ ‘training’ range, falls between its ‘classic’ and ‘crazy’ prints, offering plenty of space-themed visuals without being too OTT. 

While Funky Trunks also produce ‘Elite’ and ‘Amateur’ competition jammers, the training range prioritises durability, practicality and comfort. 

Prices are about the going rate for good-quality training jammers. It’s worth keeping tabs on the Funky Trunks website for occasional flash sales.

 Putting them on is a bit more of a battle than stretchier alternatives. Therefore it’s important to get the right size, because they will slip if they’re too small. After addressing that issue I found these jammers fine for long training sessions. 

I like the long cut which sits just above the knee, the waistband and leg grippers are comfortable and the drawcord is nice and chunky. One thing I appreciate about Funky Trunks jammers is that the ‘front pouch lining’ is fully stitched in. This cuts down on bulk and keeps everything covered that needs covering. 

After several washes, the colours are just as vivid and there has been no shrinkage or fraying. So I’m confident that Funky Trunks’ jammers and the exclusive C-Infinity fabric will last you for many swims. 

I think they’re most suitable for those with an athletic build who don’t fall between sizes, because there isn’t that much give in them should they not fit perfectly. 

2XU Propel Jammer

• £40 / $49.99

We had to double-check the size guide on receiving our medium Propel jammers, as they looked small compared to others here. However, Carvico’s Xlance Eco fabric used by 2XU does stretch considerably when you put the jammers on.

The construction is basic with small, stitched seams at the legs, and we found the fabric was digging into our cyclist’s thighs, which we could occasionally feel through the water, especially when turning.

The waistband is more robust, with a chunky drawstring for obtaining the correct tension. So far, the fabric appears to be durable after multiple washes and has retained its shape, and 2XU says it’s also highly resistant to chlorine and UV rays.

Overall, these jammers take a little getting used to but are fine if you don’t mind a close fit. You’re not going to stand out in these all-black jammers, either, but if plain is what you’re looking for, they certainly fit the bill.

Zoggs Kongo Mid Jammer

• £30

The Kongo Mid from Zoggs, designed to sit mid-thigh as the name suggests, are affordable jammers but punch above their weight in terms of quality of construction.

The seams on both the waistband and leg grippers are wide and sit very comfortably against the skin. This is all you can ask from everyday training jammers.

The legs aren’t quite as stretchy as some of the others on test and required a little bit of rearranging to stop the material bunching at the thighs. But once in position they stayed in place while we were swimming.

After several uses and washes we’ve no reason to believe the Kongo Mid jammers won’t last you hundreds of swims, making that very reasonable price go even further.

The Ecolast+ fabric is 100% chlorine- proof as standard and, for extra eco points, these jammers are made with recycled plastic bottles.

Funky Trunks Silver Lining

• £36.95 / $50

While not the funkiest of the eccentric swimwear range from Aussie brand Funky Trunks, the Silver Lining jammers are a good option for those who want to add colour without blinding their lane buddies.

The C-Infinity fabric comes from Italy and is said to ‘retain its durability far beyond other elastane swimwear fabrics’, making these jammers ideal for frequent pool use. The wide leg-openings and waistband are very comfortable on the hips and around the thighs. A strong drawstring allowed us to get perfect tension every time.

The front gusset on the Silver Lining is fully stitched in. We found this preferable as it provides the coverage needed without any potential bagginess if the jammers are ill-fitting (for the record, our test pair fitted perfectly). So far, these quality jammers are still looking fresh after numerous uses and washes.

Zone3 Jammers

• £35

Zone3’s everyday training jammers haven’t changed in construction or price since the last time we gave them a glowing review. And, taking into account the surging prices of just about everything else recently, that means they offer even better value this year.

They’re made with ‘XFINITY’ fabric, which is mooted as being 100% chlorine-resistant and fast-drying. A chunky waistband helps them to stay in place and this is complemented by a quality drawstring.

The lining is comfortable while providing the coverage you need, and after countless swims, the colours are still just as vivid, while the fit is exactly the same as when we took them out of the packaging.

Although we can’t quantify Zone3’s claims about the refined fit helping to ‘align the body in a more streamline position to give a smoother swim’, we’re confident the near- perfect fit should, in theory, help minimise unwanted drag.

Zone3 also makes several of the best budget triathlon wetsuits for men and women.

Nike Hydrastrong Solid Jammers

• £34.95 / $30

Nike says its Solid jammers are ‘built for speed lap after lap’ and, after plenty of test swims, we think their performance makes far more of a statement than the plain black fabric suggests.

The Hydrastrong main body fabric is made from a mix of polyester and PBT polyester, with the latter specced to make the material slide more smoothly through the water, while keeping its shape over a long period of time.

The front gusset is very soft, and the sizeable waistband with flatlocked seams is our favourite on test, ensuring our swims were chafe-free swimming lap after lap. Nike recommend hand washing, but we found machine washing on a low setting was fine.

Huub Brownlee (Jonny) Jammers II

• £39.99

The Brownlee Jammer II is available in Ali or Jonny flavours (of course) and it’s the more colourful Jonny version I’m reviewing here. Starting with the aesthetics, I just about prefer the splash of colour on the Jonny versions, and like the long cut of the leg which is designed to sit just above the knee.

The outer is made up of 53% standard polyester and 47% PBT, the latter included for its durability, sustainability and resistance to chlorine. It’s worth mentioning that this material doesn’t do particularly well in warm water, so avoid a post-swim hot tub to prolong the life of your jammers. There is a sizeable yet lightweight lining to provide coverage at the front, and the drawstring is nice and chunky to fine-tune the fit.

There’s nothing special going on at the waistline or lower legs, just dependable flatlock seams that do the job and didn’t irritate my skin during long pool sessions. They didn’t budge at all during the test swims, remaining comfortable throughout and keeping their shape after multiple swims and washes.

The Brownlee jammers sized up bigger than others on test, with the small fitting me just right (suitable for 29-31 inch waists according to the size guide). It’s worth checking the size guide because the material isn’t super stretchy. Likewise if you go too small an embarrassing tear could be more likely in these jammers compared to stretchier alternatives. If you get the sizing right, though, these are great training jammers that are built to last.

Speedo Boomstar Placement Jammers

• £35 / $40

The Boomstar Placement jammers have an enlarged ‘Boom’ print, inspired by Speedo’s logo, screen-printed on the side. They’re part of Speedo’s ‘Essentials’ line of swimwear, made to be durable and comfortable for “everyday swim fitness training” rather than competition.

The Endurance+ fabric is described as 100% chlorine resistant, and is supplemented by an extra integral support panel to keep everything secure. The drawstring on the waistband is very thin, and for us didn’t work as well as the chunkier, more secure drawstring on Nike’s Solid jammers – but it does the job, especially if you select the right size. Speedo also claims the fabric dries extra quickly to prevent your bag from getting too soggy after a session.

Overall, the Boomstar Placement jammers are perfectly serviceable for pool training, and feel built to last for thousands of pool lengths.

Maru Rainforest Jammers

• £26.99

Introverts are advised to keep clear of the Rainforest Pacer jammers from Maru, with the British brand proudly stating the ‘on-trend’ tropical style “will leave you the centre of attention at the pool”.

Maru claims they’re long-lasting thanks to the Pacer fabric and ours have shown little sign of wear after multiple swims and washes. The front gusset is black to prevent see-through disasters, and is fully stitched on unlike the other pairs on test. This kept things comfy and did the job on test swims.

The chunky drawstring allows for easy adjustment, but we found that it bunched up inside the waistband and lacked some comfort. They also weren’t very stretchy, which meant we had to spend more time getting them on correctly to prevent any embarrassing slippage. Even so, the fabric should last and is UPF50+, which’ll come in handy for outdoor swims.

Aqua Sphere Arkos 2

• £35.50

Having won a ‘best in test’ award for best triathlon wetsuits in two of our magazine issues, it’s fair to say that Aqua Sphere is having a good run in these pages, but will the Arkos 2 keep it going?

A claimed 200+ hours of chlorine resistance isn’t a bad place to start. We found the Italian-made Aqua Infinity fabric a little tougher than some of the more flexible options on test, making it a bit more of a struggle to get the perfect fit and ensure these jammers stay in place.

When we did have them on correctly, the drawstring and elastic waistband both did their job, with no adjustments needed in between sets.

On that note, a 42cm length means that these jammers sit mid-thigh, rather than towards the top of the knee.

The 47% P.B.T, 53% polyester blend is designed to be breathable and is rated UV50+ for sun protection, which is welcomed for outdoor swim training.

How I tested

To conduct my testing, I simply swam a lot for the most part. I spent some time making adjustments and ensuring the jammers fit me correctly before hitting the pool so nothing was marked down unfairly. I had to size up to a bigger waist in the Funky Trunks Star Sign during the test period, but everything else was right for me. 

My swims mostly involved lengthy endurance freestyle sets: all the fun stuff like 20×100, 6×200 build and daunting pyramids. A bit because I’m a glutton for punishment and it’s what I gravitate towards, but importantly because main sets like these are the foundation of any good triathlon swim training plan. This allowed me to feel what the jammers were like over a long session, in terms of offering support and speed benefits through the water, plus what the fit was like. If I could get to the end without having to mess with the drawstring or rearrange the legs, I consider that a success. 

All five pairs passed this test, and to further inspect the staying power it was important to do some sprints from a dive, where the chance of indecent exposure is higher if you haven’t secured your jammers properly. Nothing proved a disaster. But I had the most confidence in the Coots, Speedo and Huub jammers, while the Funky Trunks and Zoggs offerings required some extra care.

A score of 90% and above means the product is top-drawer, while 80-90% means we rate it very highly. Anything scoring 70-80% still comes well recommended, while anything below 70% has some significant flaws.

What to look for in swim jammers

In our buyer’s guide below, we outline what you need to look for when shopping for the best swim jammers.

Fit

The best men’s swim jammers should fit closely with zero bagging, while an adjustable drawstring waist will ensure they stay up.

Your jammers shouldn’t ride up or be at all baggy, and if that’s the case then it may just be that you need to size down.

I have experienced material getting baggy or loose around the legs over time on swim shorts of questionable quality, but that is unlikely to be an issue with the construction techniques utilised in the best swim jammers in 2024. 

While being streamlined, they also need to allow good freedom of movement.

As many of you will appreciate, there’s nothing worse than kit that drags in the water or impedes your technique.

Fabric

Most brands will have their own names for their fabric, but make sure they’re chlorine resistant.

You may also want to consider a garment’s eco-credentials, with some brands now choosing to make their swimwear out of recycled materials.

In our opinion, the best swim jammers are the products that do this while maintaining market-leading comfort and performance.

It’s also advisable to hand wash and keep machine washing to a minimum while avoiding the tumble dryer to prolong their life.  

Drawstring

When you’re training in the pool or swimming competitively, you want to be focused on moving through the water as efficiently and quickly as possible. That’s hard to do if your waistband slides down a few inches every time you push off the wall or tumble turn.

This is where a good drawstring comes in. The best swim jammers have a drawstring that ties up nice and securely and stays that way throughout your session or race.

At the same time, the waistband housing the drawstring needs to make sure you remain comfortable, so there shouldn’t be any pressure points.

Design

Of course, you also need to pick a design that makes you feel good as research has shown that the more confident you feel in kit, the better you perform.

UV protection

If you plan to do some of your swimming outdoors without a wetsuit, consider buying swim jammers that have UV protection built into the fabric. This will help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Not all manufacturers state this in the product descriptions, but brands such as Funky Trunks offer a UPF rating of 50+ in all of its garments. 

Looking for more kit to help with your swim training? Take a look at our lists of the best swimming ear plugs and best swimming goggles.

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