7 Best Bathing Suit Shorts | 9-Inch Inseam For Full Coverage

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A sturdy 9-inch trunk that one buyer wore through rain, white-water rafting, and snorkeling in Costa Rica — and says it performed wonderfully.

With a 9-inch inseam, these board shorts give you coverage down to just above the knee, making them a safe bet if you want a classic look that doesn’t feel too short or too long. The compression liner is the kind customers note they prefer over mesh—one reviewer specifically mentions it is a “standout.” The fabric is listed as waterproof and quick-dry, which means you can jump in and walk out without the shorts clinging wet to your legs.

One buyer put them through a serious test: “I used both on a recent trip to Costa Rica where it rained a ton and there was white-water rafting and snorkeling involved and they performed wonderfully.” The same reviewer notes the trunks are thicker than some, so the waistband takes a little longer to dry.

Unlike the FT FENTENG 9-inch below, the difficort trunks include a single zipper pocket rather than a pocket-and-loop setup, which is enough for a phone but may not satisfy buyers who carry multiple items.

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A 9-inch trunk with a deliberately baggy outer shell and a snug compression liner — designed specifically for bigger waistlines and thighs.

The FT FENTENG trunks use a 9-inch inseam and a relaxed fit that buyers describe as “baggy” on the outside while the inner compression liner stays snug. One reviewer, who says “Im a 34-36 pants depending on brand and got the XL,” confirms the sizing runs true for larger builds. The outer layer is soft and lightweight, and the material dries quickly after a swim.

Reviewers point out the compression liner is “super comfortable” and a clear step up from the old mesh liner. The single zipper pocket is practical, though one reviewer wishes there was an additional pocket. If you carry a phone, keys, and a card, you may need to choose what goes in the pocket and what stays on the shore.

Compared to the difficort trunks above, the FT FENTENG offers a similar 9-inch inseam but leans baggier in the outer shell, so it fits differently on bigger thighs and waistlines.

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A 10-inch trunk that gives you the most leg coverage in the list — plus two zipper pockets and a fourth side pocket — all in a stretchy 4-way fabric.

The SILKWORLD 10-inch inseam gives these the longest leg of any product in this guide, sitting right at or just below the knee for a traditional board-shorts look. The fabric uses a 4-way stretch polyester-and-spandex blend (stretches in every direction), so you get flexibility for swimming or beach volleyball without the shorts feeling baggy. Two zipper pockets and one side pocket with Velclosure give you real carrying capacity that the 5-inch maamgic cannot match.

One buyer who is 6’4″ and 200 pounds ordered a size 34 waist—one size down from his normal pants—and says the fit is “beyond any pair of swim/board trunks I’ve ever worn.” The same reviewer notes the cargo pockets on solid-color options look a bit goofy but are almost invisible on patterned models.

Compared to the maamgic 5-inch, the SILKWORLD has a longer inseam (10 inches versus 5 inches), which makes it the clear choice if you prefer shorts that cover more leg.

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A 7-inch middle-ground trunk from the same brand as the 5-inch above — made from a 90% polyester and 10% spandex blend for real stretch.

The 7-inch inseam sits squarely between the short 5-inch and the long 10-inch options, giving you a look that is athletic without being aggressive and covered without being bulky. The fabric is 90% polyester and 10% spandex, so there is real stretch in the waist and legs. Two zipper pockets keep your phone and wallet secure, and the compression liner uses the soft spandex brief style that buyers consistently say they prefer over mesh.

A buyer says these “run very small,” noting that a size small was too tight and a medium fit perfectly, with the possibility of a large also working. If you are between sizes, the feedback points clearly to going up one size for the best fit.

Unlike the 5-inch maamgic, the 7-inch version gives you 2 inches more leg length (7 inches versus 5 inches), which makes it the better middle-ground if you cannot decide between a short and a long trunk.

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A technical water short with UPF sun protection (blocks UV rays), rain resistance, and stain resistance — more like outdoor gear than a swim trunk.

The Columbia PFG Backcast IV is built less like a swim trunk and more like a water-ready short for active days on the lake or ocean. It comes in both 6-inch and 8-inch inseam options, so you can pick your preferred leg length. The fabric is sun-blocking, rain-resistant, and stain-resistant, and it dries quickly after getting wet. The rear zipper pocket secures a wallet, while the deep side pockets can hold even a large phone.

One repeat buyer says, “I have used them for many years until I totally destroy them then buy another pair!” Another notes the pockets “oddly droop lower than the leg length of the shorts,” which is a quirk to watch if you plan to wear them casually. Unlike every other pick on this list, the Columbia uses a breathable liner rather than a full compression liner, so the support feel is lighter.

Compared to the difficort 9-inch, the Columbia is a more technical short that prioritizes sun and rain protection over the snug compression-liner feel.

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At 17 inches, this trunk has the longest inseam of any pick here — it goes well past the knee, closer to a pair of casual shorts than traditional swimwear.

The 17-inch inseam is massive—these trunks go well past the knee, giving you a long, surf-inspired silhouette that is structured enough to pass for casual shorts when dry. The elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring makes them easy to pull on and off, and the 4-way stretch construction is designed for paddling and moving on a board. The enzyme wash (a wash that uses enzymes to soften fabric) gives the material a soft, broken-in feel from the first wear.

One buyer says they are “structured enough to pass for regular shorts but great in the water too.” However, another buyer warns, “It has NO STRETCH,” and notes the waist garter is “very weak,” which contradicts the 4-way stretch claim in the description. That mixed feedback means you should check the specific batch and be ready to order a size up if the elastic feels loose.

Compared to every other pick, the Volcom is the only trunk with a 17-inch inseam, making it the best choice for tall guys or anyone who wants maximum leg coverage.