Spandex swim shorts will wear out faster than neoprene

Spandex loses its fight against chlorine, sun, and friction way before neoprene does.

Neoprene is basically rubber. It’s thick, it’s tough, and it doesn’t care about pool chemicals or salt water. The trade-off is that it’s less flexible and takes longer to dry. You wear neoprene when you need durability and insulation—surfing, diving, or long days in rough water.

Spandex (often called Lycra) feels great and looks sleek, but it breaks down fast. UV light degrades it. Chlorine eats it. Even the elastic bands inside the waist will go slack after a season or two. If you’re swimming laps or just lounging, spandex is fine, but you’ll be replacing them more often.

For longevity, neoprene wins hands down. But you don’t want neoprene board shorts for casual pool hangs—they’re heavy and hot. Pick the material for the job, not the shelf life.