Choose between Swim Shorts, Swim Trunks, and Board Shorts: Which Option for Which Occasion?

Short de bain, maillot de bain ou sous-short ? Le guide Awrah | Awrah
🌊 Practical guide · Swimming & Modesty

Shorts, swimsuit, or under-shorts — which should you choose?

Three garments for covering the awra, three very different uses. We help you make the right choice based on your activity.

📅 Updated 2025 ⏱ 5 min read ✍️ Awrah
Beach, pool, sport, everyday life… covering your awra does not always require the same garment. Swim shorts, a swimsuit, or under-shorts — each has its advantages and ideal occasions. This guide helps you make the right choice without getting it wrong.

The 3 options explained

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Swim shorts

Versatile · Beach · Water sports · Everyday

Swim shorts are the most versatile solution for covering your awra. Designed in a lightweight, quick-drying fabric, they move easily from the beach to sports to a trip into town. Their cut falls below the knee to ensure full coverage of a man's awra.

Ideal for outdoor activities — surfing, paddleboarding, beach volleyball, swimming in the sea or a lake. The fabric resists salt water and sun.

🏖️ Beach 🏄 Surfing & paddleboarding ⛵ Boat trip 🌊 Sea swimming 🏐 Beach volleyball
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The swimsuit

Performance · Pool · Swimming · Chlorine-resistant

The Awrah swimsuit is designed specifically for swimming and the pool. Its hydrodynamic cut hugs the body to offer maximum freedom of movement in the water, while covering your awra from the navel to below the knee.

Made from a chlorine-resistant fabric, it keeps its properties even after dozens of pool sessions. It's the ideal choice for regular swimmers.

🏊 Pool 🏋️ Intensive swimming 🎽 Training 🏆 Competition
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The under-shorts

Modesty · To wear under shorts · Discreet · Universal

The under-shorts are the ideal solution for adding extra coverage under any swim shorts or sports shorts. They are worn directly against the skin, under a shorter garment, to ensure the awra is covered in all circumstances.

Especially useful if you already have shorts you like to wear but that don't cover enough. The under-shorts adapt to any style without being seen.

🤸 Indoor sports 🏃 Running 🏊 Swimming 👕 Under shorts 🌅 Beach

Quick comparison

Criterion 🏄 Swim shorts 🏊 Swimsuit 🩱 Under-shorts
Beach / sea ✓ Ideal ~ Possible ~ With shorts
Public pool ~ Depending on the pool ✓ Ideal ~ With a swimsuit
Indoor sports ~ Possible ✗ Not well suited ✓ Ideal
Chlorine resistance ~ Average ✓ Excellent ✓ Good
Versatility ✓ Very versatile ✗ Specialized ✓ Very versatile
Covers the awra ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ Yes (combined)

Which occasion → which choice?

  • 🏖️
    Family beach day
    Varied activities, seawater, sand, sun — you need a versatile garment that stays comfortable all day.
    → Awrah swim shorts
  • 🏊
    Regular swimming sessions at the pool
    Chlorine, intense movement, performance — you need technical gear designed for swimming.
    → Awrah swimsuit
  • 🏃
    Indoor sports or running
    You have sports shorts you like, but they don't cover your awra enough.
    → Awrah under-shorts + your shorts
  • 🌊
    Surfing, paddleboarding, water sports
    Maximum freedom of movement, saltwater resistance, relaxed style.
    → Awrah swim shorts
  • 🤸
    Mixed activities (beach + sport + stroll)
    You want one garment for the whole day, from the sea to the terrace.
    → Awrah hybrid swim shorts

Find your ideal garment

Swim shorts, swimsuits & under-shorts — designed to cover your awra without compromising on style.

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