Men's Swimwear Market By Fabric (Polyester, Nylon, Spandex), By Sales Channel (Departmental Stores, Specialty Retail Stores, Sports Outlets, Others (Monobrands Stores, etc.), By Region, By Competition Forecast & Opportunities 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.74 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.74%
Fastest Growing Segment	Polyester
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.83 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Men's Swimwear Market will grow from USD 2.74 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.83 Billion by 2031 at a 5.74% CAGR. Men's swimwear comprises apparel specifically engineered for aquatic activities, including board shorts, swim trunks, briefs, and jammers designed for both leisure and performance purposes. The market is primarily propelled by a global rise in health consciousness and increasing participation in water sports, which necessitates frequent garment replacement and drives sales volume. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, in 2024, the individual sports segment featuring swimming activities experienced a 7.4 percent increase in participation points, reflecting a robust consumer shift toward aquatic fitness that supports industry revenue.

However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the volatility of raw material prices for synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester. These fluctuating costs create pricing instability and compress profit margins for manufacturers, which can ultimately reduce consumer purchasing power in price sensitive regions and restrict overall market growth.

Key Market Drivers

The Expansion of International Beach Tourism and Leisure Travel serves as a primary catalyst for revenue growth within the global men's swimwear sector. As travel restrictions have dissolved and consumer confidence has returned, there is a renewed surge in demand for resort wear and board shorts specifically purchased for vacation purposes. This correlation between travel frequency and apparel consumption is critical, as vacation preparations often trigger the replenishment of aquatic attire. According to UN Tourism, May 2024, in the 'World Tourism Barometer', international arrivals reached 97 percent of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024, signaling a near-complete recovery that directly boosts retail opportunities for vacation-essential apparel. This revitalization of leisure activities is reflected in broader retail performance; according to Dick's Sporting Goods, in 2024, the retailer delivered a 5.3 percent increase in comparable sales during the first quarter, highlighting robust consumer investment in active and outdoor lifestyle categories which supports the swimwear vertical.

Concurrently, Increasing Consumer Demand for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Swimwear is fundamentally reshaping product development and manufacturing standards. Modern consumers are increasingly scrutinizing the environmental footprint of their purchases, pushing brands to replace virgin synthetics with recycled materials derived from ocean plastics and post-consumer waste. This transition is essential for the industry to mitigate its environmental impact, particularly given the dominance of synthetic fibers in swimwear production. The urgency of this shift is underscored by the scale of raw material usage; according to Textile Exchange, September 2024, in the 'Materials Market Report 2024', the production of virgin fossil-based synthetic fibers increased to 75 million tonnes in 2023. Consequently, manufacturers are aggressively adopting recycled polyesters and nylons to differentiate their offerings and align with the values of eco-conscious buyers, thereby driving market value through premium sustainable product lines.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility of raw material prices for synthetic fibers, specifically nylon and polyester, acts as a primary barrier to the expansion of the Global Men's Swimwear Market. As these petroleum-based inputs are essential for manufacturing durable and elastic swimwear, unpredictable fluctuations in their costs directly destabilize production budgets. Manufacturers face significant difficulties in maintaining consistent profit margins, forcing them to either absorb rising expenses or pass them on to retailers and consumers. This financial pressure lowers purchasing power in price-sensitive regions and discourages brands from scaling operations, effectively creating a bottleneck that restricts broader market saturation.

This cost instability fundamentally weakens the industry's growth potential by limiting the ability of producers to compete on price and volume. According to the International Textile Manufacturers Federation, in November 2024, 25 percent of global textile producers cited high raw material prices as a major concern impacting their business operations. This statistic underscores the widespread severity of the issue within the supply chain. For swimwear brands, such persistent cost challenges reduce the capital available for market penetration and inventory expansion, directly hampering the sector's overall revenue trajectory.

Key Market Trends

The Proliferation of Multifunctional Swim-to-Street Hybrid Apparel is radically altering consumer purchasing behaviors by prioritizing garment versatility over traditional single-use aquatic wear. This trend is defined by the widespread adoption of "amphibious" shorts engineered with quick-drying, four-way stretch fabrics that possess the tailored aesthetic of casual streetwear, allowing wearers to transition seamlessly from water activities to social settings without changing. This utility-driven shift is significantly boosting revenue for brands that successfully bridge the gap between activewear and swimwear, often outpacing competitors reliant on seasonal vacation demand. For instance, according to Inside Fashion Live, December 2024, in the 'Why Vuori Outperforms in a Highly Competitive Market' report, the performance apparel brand Vuori reported a 23 percent increase in sales, vastly outperforming the broader market's forecasted 4.3 percent growth, largely due to the commercial success of its versatile hybrid product lines.

Concurrently, the Integration of UV-Protective and Chlorine-Resistant Performance Textiles is becoming a critical differentiator as health consciousness regarding skin damage intensifies among male consumers. Manufacturers are increasingly embedding advanced UPF filtration technologies directly into fabric weaves to block harmful ultraviolet radiation, while simultaneously utilizing durable high-gauge fibers that withstand degradation from pool chemicals and salt. This focus on functional health protection is driving substantial turnover for heritage outdoor brands that anchor their product identity in technical fabrication rather than just fashion. According to Fibre2Fashion, February 2025, in the 'US Columbia Sportswear Company's sales rise 3% in Q4 2024' article, the Columbia brand, which extensively utilizes its proprietary Omni-Shade sun-deflecting technology in its water apparel, achieved a 6 percent sales increase to $945 million during the quarter, underscoring the high market value of protective performance gear.

Segmental Insights

The polyester segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category within the Global Men’s Swimwear Market, driven by its exceptional durability and resistance to environmental stressors. Market analysis indicates a strong shift in manufacturer and consumer preference toward polyester due to its ability to withstand prolonged exposure to chlorine, saltwater, and ultraviolet radiation without degrading. Unlike other fabrics that may stretch or fade over time, high-quality polyester retains its shape and color vibrancy, ensuring long-term product value. Furthermore, the material’s quick-drying properties and resistance to shrinkage appeal to the growing demand for functional, high-performance swimwear suitable for frequent use.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global Men's Swimwear Market, driven by high consumer disposable income and a strong culture of recreational water activities. Industry analysis indicates that the region's dominance is bolstered by widespread participation in swimming, surfing, and coastal tourism, which sustains consistent demand for both performance and leisure apparel. Furthermore, the presence of major manufacturers focusing on product innovation, such as sustainable fabrics and versatile designs, strengthens regional sales. These economic factors and established retail channels collectively ensure North America remains the primary hub for global swimwear revenue.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025, Adidas launched a knitting-inspired swimwear collection in collaboration with a British champion diver. The four-piece capsule included swimming trunks and five-inch shorts designed with vibrant colors and retro graphics that reflected the athlete's passion for knitting. The items were constructed using the company's resilient Infinitex fabric, which offers high resistance to chlorine and salt water. This partnership aimed to blend high-performance technology with a fashion-forward aesthetic, allowing swimmers to express individuality through unique, bold designs suitable for both training and leisure.
• In October 2024, Arena announced a strategic partnership with the Healthy Seas foundation to combat marine pollution and promote sustainability within the aquatic sports industry. The collaboration involved organizing clean-up missions to remove ghost nets and other marine litter from waters, which were then regenerated into ECONYL® yarn. This recycled material was utilized to manufacture the brand's sustainable swimwear lines, including the first-ever World Aquatics-approved racing suit made with recycled fibers. The initiative highlighted the company's commitment to environmental responsibility while maintaining high-performance standards for competitive swimmers.
• In August 2024, Speedo unveiled a comprehensive brand repositioning and visual identity refresh ahead of the Summer Olympics. Spearheaded by the creative agency Anomaly London, the rebranding introduced a new "medal gold" and underwater green color palette, along with a streamlined logo designed to perform better on digital platforms and technical fabrics. The strategic move aimed to broaden the brand's appeal beyond elite competition to a wider audience of swimming enthusiasts. The refreshed identity focused on inclusivity and the joy of water, reinforcing the company's heritage while adapting to a modern, digital-first market.
• In June 2024, Orlebar Brown released a summer capsule collection in collaboration with the maximalist design brand La DoubleJ. The partnership merged the British resort wear label’s tailored approach to men's swim shorts with the vibrant, energetic prints characteristic of the Milanese brand. The 34-piece collection featured "Bulldog" swim shorts and matching camp-collar shirts adorned with bold red, blue, and white geometric and floral patterns. This launch targeted the luxury vacation market, offering a cohesive wardrobe designed to transition seamlessly from the beach to social settings.

Key Market Players

• O'Neill, Inc.
• Diana Sport
• Eveden Group
• Seaspray Swimwear
• PARAH S.p.A
• Perry Ellis International, Inc.
• Speedo International Ltd
• Seafolly
• Jantzen, Inc.
• American Apparel, Inc

By Fabric	By Sales Channel	By Region
Polyester Nylon Spandex	Departmental Stores Specialty Retail Stores Sports Outlets Others (Monobrands Stores, etc.)	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Men's Swimwear Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Men's Swimwear Market, By Fabric:

• Polyester
• Nylon
• Spandex

• Men's Swimwear Market, By Sales Channel:

• Departmental Stores
• Specialty Retail Stores
• Sports Outlets
• Others (Monobrands Stores, etc.)

• Men's Swimwear Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE