Mens bathing suits, like womens, are also available in various styles, designs and types though options are generally uniform in comparison.

Speedo, actually a swimsuit brand name, may be the most popular bathing suit for men. The name is now used as a generic term for any briefs-style male swimsuit. Speedos can be identified by the V-shape feature in the front and form-fitting solid back, and are mostly made of Lycra or a spandex composite. They are typically worn below the lower waist, and are secured by a drawstring and thin band at the upper thigh.

Board shorts are basically half length pants, longer than briefs, shorts, or Speedo styles. They may also have a baggy appearance and typically extend to the knee area or a little above it. They are popular, but not exclusively, for water sports such as surfing and wakeboarding. Maybe thats why they are called board shorts. The skater punk fashion of the 1990s and 2000s has also immensely popularized these pants.

Jammers are normally worn by professional swimmers which enable them to gain speed advantages because of its Lycra or spandex composite. They extend from the mid-waist to the area above the knee and have more water resistance than other types of mens swimwear.

Briefs are worn by the casual swimmer. Briefs normally refer to mens underwear but the word is used for bathing suits too. The reason behind the popularity of briefs lies in their practicality: they offer an almost equal degree of support as jockstraps, which means many men find them comfortable to swim in.