Jammers vs swim trunks, what’s the difference?

What are jammers?

This is where science meets the swimwear industry. No, they are not signal blockers, but very efficient swimwear.  They are built primarily for professional swimmers for practice or competition. Jammers are the evolution of the swim briefs, with more modesty than the square-cut shorts. They are built to tighten the core leg area, and built with a slick nylon material that wicks away the water. Jammers are very similar to the squared swim shorts but have longer legs often going all the way down to the knees. These are for pure performance to make water drag almost down to nothing and increase your racing speed.  Although these are specialized and uncommon choices for the pool or beach, that does not mean they do not have a place in that area. These are great for those that will be spending long periods of time swimming or doing water sports. As they will provide a comfortable feel while providing maximum power to your swimming. 

These commonly use the minimal amount of material possible, so it has the lowest weight possible, meaning that sometimes the chlorine water in pools can fade the coloring, and accidentally make these more revealing. After some use, they can also begin to sag a bit at times, reducing their effectiveness for speed. Although considered the best to shave those milliseconds off in a competition, these might need additional thought before adding to your swimwear repertoire, and you might need to consider what their usage would be. 

What do jammers and swim trunks have in common?

When looking at jammers and swim trunks in detail it might seem like they have few things in common. However, if you take a step back they are not that different.

Both are swimwear for men, with jammers coming from swim briefs, and both have the purpose of being used in water. They are also made from similar materials that wick away water and have some level of elasticity to them.

Another similarity between the two is that they both come in a variety of colors and patterns. You can find jammers and swim trunks with anything from simple solid colors to wild prints. This variety lets you express yourself and find the perfect pair (or pairs) for your style.

Different between jammers and swim trunks?

The main difference is that jammers are designed for competition or professional swimming while swim trunks can be for anything from relaxing at the beach to playing volleyball.

The most noticeable difference is that jammers are often much longer and much tighter than swim trunks. Swim trunks often end above the knee, while jammers often end below the knee.

Jammers are often slimmed to the legs while swim trunks are looser in the legs. This is what makes jammers better for performance, they offer much less drag.

Since swim trunks are loose they will often come with an inner mesh lining. This is to offer increased comfort and “keeping things in place”. Jammers, on the other hand, don’t come with this mesh lining. It’s not needed in the jammers since they are already slimmed on your body and offer both comfort and stability from the beginning.

Should you wear jammers or swim trunks?

So, jammers vs swim trunks, which is better?

It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a pair of swimwear that you can lounge around in and enjoy the sun, then swim trunks are probably a better option. But if you want to take your swimming to the next level then jammers might be a better option.

Jammers are more of a niche item and are probably only needed when swimming professionally. On all other occasions, you’ll most likely be fine with regular swim trunks.

If you are in doubt, it’s probably best to stick with swim trunks.

Do you have a preference between jammers and swim trunks? Let us know in the comments below!

Happy swimming!`)

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