Do Guys Still Wear Speedos?
The Article
The short answer: Yes—guys absolutely still wear Speedos. While their popularity varies by culture, geography, and subculture, the Speedo (and other swim briefs) has never fully gone away, and in fact, it continues to thrive in certain communities.
Global Popularity
In Europe, South America, and Australia, Speedos are completely normal and mainstream at beaches, pools, and resorts. Countries like France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Brazil embrace them as a standard men’s swimsuit. Australian lifeguards are famous for their “budgie smugglers,” and in Brazil, the men’s bikini brief is almost as common as women’s. By contrast, in the United States, board shorts and swim trunks have traditionally dominated, but that stigma is slowly fading—especially among younger, more body-confident men.
Fun and Comfort
What many men discover is how fun and freeing a Speedo feels compared to heavy, baggy trunks. Swim briefs are aerodynamic, lightweight, and designed for movement. Whether swimming laps, diving, tanning, or playing beach volleyball, they let you move easily while showing off your physique. That body-positive feeling is a big part of the appeal.
Gay Communities and Pride
Speedos are especially popular in gay culture worldwide, where bold, sexy fashion is celebrated. From gay cruises to Fire Island parties to Pride pool events, skimpy swim briefs are a badge of confidence and self-expression. Many gay men see Speedos as both sexy and liberating, a symbol of owning their bodies and having fun with fashion.
Bodybuilders and Fitness Enthusiasts
Speedos also remain iconic in the bodybuilding world. On stage, competition trunks are essentially a highly stylized Speedo, showing off every line of muscle definition. Off stage, bodybuilders and gym enthusiasts often enjoy wearing them at the beach or pool, since they highlight their hard work and physique better than any baggy shorts ever could.
The Verdict
So do guys still wear Speedos? Absolutely—millions do, and proudly. While culture and personal comfort shape whether a man chooses them, Speedos remain a global symbol of sport, confidence, and fun.
The Story
I still remember the first time I packed only Speedos for a summer trip to Spain. Back home in California, most of my friends stuck to board shorts, and I used to blend in. But on the beaches of Barcelona, it was different—everywhere I looked, men of all ages were rocking little swim briefs like it was the most natural thing in the world.
At first, I felt nervous stripping down to my tiny navy Speedo. But the moment I walked across the sand, I realized nobody cared. No one was staring—they were just enjoying the sun, the water, and the freedom of movement. Within minutes, I felt more comfortable than I ever had in baggy trunks.
That trip changed me. By the end of the week, I had bought three new pairs, including a bright red one I never would’ve dared to wear back home. I noticed how many gay couples were confidently strutting around in neon thongs and micro-briefs, how bodybuilders flexed proudly in their minimal bikinis, and how straight guys, dads, and even grandpas wore their briefs without a second thought.
Now, when I go to Miami, Mykonos, or even my local pool, I wear them proudly too. The Speedo isn’t just a swimsuit—it’s a mindset. It says, I’m confident, I’m free, and I’m here to enjoy the water.
Do Guys Still Wear Speedos?
Part 1 – The Big Picture
The short answer is still: yes—guys absolutely wear Speedos, and they’re not going anywhere.
Across the globe, Speedos (and other swim briefs) are celebrated for their comfort, practicality, and boldness. In Europe, South America, and Australia, they’re completely normal—men of all ages, from college students to grandfathers, hit the beach in them. Australian surf lifesavers even made their “budgie smugglers” a cultural icon. In Brazil, they’re almost as popular as women’s bikinis.
Meanwhile, in the United States, they’ve always had a “daring” reputation, but attitudes are shifting. Younger guys, fitness lovers, and those traveling abroad are embracing the Speedo lifestyle.
What makes them fun? Speedos are light, aerodynamic, and body-positive. They’re built for swimming, not sagging, and they let guys show off what they’ve worked hard for.
They’ve also found a permanent home in gay communities worldwide, where minimal swimwear is celebrated as sexy, proud, and expressive. And in the bodybuilding scene, they’re an absolute staple—both for competition posing trunks and for casual poolside flexing.
Part 2 – The Styles and Who Wears Them
Not all Speedos are created equal. Over the years, designers have taken the classic swim brief and evolved it into dozens of exciting variations. Here are some of the most popular sub-styles and the communities that have embraced them:
1. Classic Swim Brief
- Look: Mid-rise, standard coverage, about 2–3 inches on the side.
- Who Wears Them: Traditional swimmers, older European men, and anyone who wants a no-nonsense Speedo. They’re practical, timeless, and great for lap swimming.
2. Low-Rise Bikini Brief
- Look: Slimmer cut, lower on the hips, sexier fit.
- Who Wears Them: Gay men at Pride events, fashion-forward younger guys, and bodybuilders on vacation. Popular on Mediterranean beaches where looking stylish is part of the culture.
3. Micro and Ultra-Micro Briefs
- Look: Tiny, barely-there pouches with high cuts on the hips. Some styles are so minimal they cover little more than the essentials.
- Who Wears Them: Gay party crowds, daring straight men abroad, and anyone who loves the rush of wearing the smallest swimsuit possible. Body-confident travelers often try these in Ibiza, Mykonos, or Rio.
4. Thongs and G-Strings
- Look: Pouch in the front, string or strap in the back—maximum tan, maximum boldness.
- Who Wears Them: Extremely popular at gay pool parties, circuit festivals, and some South American beaches. Fitness guys and exotic performers often love them for showing off glutes.
5. Sheer or Semi-Sheer Briefs
- Look: Lightweight spandex or mesh fabrics that reveal a little extra when wet.
- Who Wears Them: Gay communities and fetish-fashion circles. They’re flirty, playful, and often used for private pool parties or fun vacations.
6. Bulge-Enhancing or Pouch Briefs
- Look: Contoured or structured pouch that lifts and enhances the front.
- Who Wears Them: Bodybuilders, gay men, and confident straight guys who like to flaunt. Very popular in clubs, resorts, and photo shoots.
7. Compression / Sport Briefs
- Look: Sleek, tight-fitting, designed for serious swimmers or water polo players.
- Who Wears Them: Athletes, college swim teams, lifeguards. Seen as practical, but they also have a strong masculine aesthetic that appeals to gay men.
The Story – Expanded
When I first wore my Speedo in Spain, it was just a simple navy swim brief. But once I settled in, I started noticing the incredible variety around me. A group of bronzed Italian guys strutted in low-rise bikinis, their confidence radiating. A pair of bodybuilders from Germany flexed on the sand in bright red micro briefs, drawing attention with every pose. At night, I wandered into a beach party where dozens of guys danced in neon thongs and sheer mesh styles—it felt like a celebration of freedom.
By the end of that trip, I had expanded my collection: a daring white micro brief for tanning, a classic black one for swimming laps, and a sheer red pouch I only dared to wear at private pool parties.
What I realized was this: the Speedo world isn’t just one look—it’s a spectrum. Each style connects to a different culture, a different mood, and a different side of yourself. And once you slip into one, you can’t help but smile—its confidence stitched in spandex.