Mesh-lined board shorts are your best bet.

Choose swim trunks with a built-in mesh liner and 4-way stretch fabric — that combo dries fast and stops chafing better than anything else.

The built-in liner eliminates the need for separate underwear (which stays wet and causes chafing). The 4-way stretch lets them move with you, not against you, whether you’re swimming or sitting in a camp chair. Look for nylon or polyester blends; avoid cotton like the plague — it holds water and rubs you raw.

Brands like Patagonia, Vuori, and Bonobos all make solid options. But honestly, any trunk with those two features (liner + stretch) will work fine. You don’t need to spend $100.

The only downside: some guys don’t like the feel of mesh against their skin. If that’s you, get trunks without a liner and wear quick-dry compression shorts underneath. But that’s an extra step. The liner route is simpler.

You’re probably overthinking this. Just get a pair with a liner and stretch fabric and move on.