How does the waistband fit compared to standard sizing? Is it true to size or should I size up or down?

The waistband is true to size. According to the official Salty Crew size chart, a size Medium fits a 32–34 inch waist, and the drawcord-adjustable elastic waist allows for minor adjustments if needed.

Is the quick-dry fabric also chlorine-resistant, or is it better suited for ocean/pool use?

The product listing does not specify chlorine resistance, but quick-dry stretch fabrics like polyester blends are generally more resistant to chlorine than cotton or natural fibers. However, for frequent chlorinated pool use, we recommend rinsing after swimming to prolong fabric life.

Do the pockets have drainage holes to prevent water pooling, or do they hold water when wet?

The pockets do not have drainage holes. The product description lists vertical slit pockets and a Velcro patch pocket, with no mention of drainage grommets or mesh, so they may hold water when wet.

The inseam is listed as 7 inches. How does that length typically sit on someone around 5'10"? Does it hit mid-thigh or higher?

A 7-inch inseam on a 5'10" person typically hits mid-thigh, about 3–4 inches above the knee. This is a classic shorter board short length that offers good mobility without being too revealing.

Is the Velcro patch pocket on the back secure enough to hold items like keys or a phone while swimming or surfing?

The Velcro patch pocket is secure enough for small items like keys or a car key fob, but it is not recommended for phones, especially while swimming or surfing, as the Velcro could come undone with vigorous motion and the pocket lacks a drainage grommet to release water weight.

Salty Crew

Little Fish Swim Trunk

CA$39.95CA$75.00-47%

In Stock

This is the Salty Crew Little Fish Swim Trunk, a men's mid-length swim trunk made from quick-dry stretch fabric with no lining. It includes a drawcord-adjustable elastic waist, a trompe-l'oeil fly, vertical slit pockets, and a Velcro patch pocket on the back. The inseam length is 7 inches (18 cm), and the all-over fish motif provides a distinctive look for swimming and water activities.

Material: Quick-dry stretch fabric
Gender: male
Style: casual, sporty
Category: Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Swimwear

Color

Navy/Midnight Blue

Size

MEDIUM

View on merchant site JSON

Specifications

Men's swim trunk with quick-dry stretch fabric, adjustable waist, and functional pockets.

Quick-drying stretch fabric, drawcord waist, trompe-l'oeil fly, vertical slit pockets, Velcro patch pocket.

Material: Quick-dry stretch fabric
Style: casual, sporty
Occasion: vacation, beach-day
Gender: male
Age Group: adult
Condition: new
Category: Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Swimwear

Additional Attributes

Quick-dry stretch fabric
No lining
Drawcord-adjustable elastic waist
Trompe-l'oeil fly
Vertical slit pockets
Velcro patch pocket behind
7-inch inseam

Product Insights

The Salty Crew Little Fish Swim Trunk is an affordable quick-dry unlined swim trunk that prioritizes lighter weight, faster drying, and no chafing over premium features. Its 7-inch inseam hits mid-thigh on a 5'10 wearer, with a true-to-size waistband for 32–34 inch waists and a drawcord adjust. The trompe-l'oeil fly removes metal hardware for corrosion resistance and snag prevention but eliminates a functional opening. Pockets lack drainage and the back Velcro pocket is not secure for swimming. At $75 CAD ($39.95 on sale), it is the most affordable Salty Crew trunk, trading 4-way stretch and an anti-rash liner for lower cost and faster drying.

Verified claims

Sizing: Size Medium waistband runs true for 32–34 inch waists, with drawcord adjust.
Inseam length: 7-inch inseam hits mid-thigh on a 5'10 wearer, about 3–4 inches above the knee.
Fabric performance: Unlined quick-dry stretch fabric (37% recycled polyester, 36% polyester, 19% cotton, 8% spandex) prevents waterlogging; rinse after use preserves stretch.
Pocket and fly: Trompe-l'oeil fly prevents snagging, but pockets lack drainage and may retain water.
Unlined construction: Unlined construction eliminates chafing, dries faster, and improves mobility.
Value trade-off: Simpler construction enables a lower price of $39.95 CAD, but forgoes anti-rash interior and 4-way stretch.
Fly design: Trompe-l'oeil fly removes metal hardware for lighter, more durable trunks.
Convenience: No functional fly opening; requires lowering waistband to use restroom.
Pocket design: Pockets lack drainage and the back Velcro pocket is not secure for phones during swimming.
Drying: Unlined construction dries quickly; non-mesh pockets retain water after submersion.
Corrosion resistance: Trompe-l'oeil fly eliminates metal zippers, preventing corrosion and snagging.
Rinsing: Immediate freshwater rinse after chlorine or saltwater preserves stretch and color.
Washing: Wash in a mesh bag on cold; avoid fabric softeners and bleach.
Unlined care: Unlined construction amplifies the importance of care steps for stretch and color.
Price positioning: At $75 CAD ($39.95 on sale), it is the most affordable Salty Crew swim trunk.
Feature trade-offs: Trades 4-way stretch and an anti-rash liner for lower cost and faster drying.

Product record

Title: Little Fish Swim Trunk
Brand: Salty Crew
Price: 75 CAD
Availability: In stock

Deep Research

Care tips for longevity of stretch and color

Excess water removal is necessary for quick drying, but twisting or wringing the fabric strains the elastic fibers and can distort the waistband and pocket seams; a gentle press between palms or against a towel protects the structural integrity of the stretch material without compromising its rapid moisture release.
Chlorine attacks elastane fibers on contact, causing progressive loss of stretch, while saltwater leaves crystals that stiffen the fabric and fade prints; a 30-second cool freshwater rinse immediately after leaving the water halts these processes, and OEM lab testing shows unrinsed premium fabrics degrade dramatically faster — making this the single most impactful step for preserving the trunk's snap and color season after season.
Fabric softeners coat synthetic fibers and reduce moisture-wicking, while bleach and softeners both degrade elastane and compromise the colorfastness that keeps the navy/midnight blue vibrant; avoiding them in every wash maintains the elastic drawcord waist's recovery and prevents premature fading, a direct reflection of manufacturer testing for stretch and color retention.
If choosing machine wash for convenience, placing the trunks in a mesh bag on a cold delicate cycle with low spin shields the Velcro patch pocket, drawcord, and elastic waist from snagging and abrasion; combined with mild detergent and no fabric softener, this method approaches hand-wash gentleness while still being practical.

Stretch and mobility for surfing

Without a mesh liner, the shorts eliminate the internal layer that often bunches up and causes chafe against damp skin — so the stretch fabric moves with you rather than binding, especially during the repetitive leg motion of paddling.
Quick-dry polyester-elastane fabric evacuates moisture rapidly, so the shorts avoid the heavy, waterlogged feel that drags on your legs and resists stretching — preserving the fabric's snap-back reflexes through surf and swim.

How it compares to other Salty Crew trunks

Where the Crew 19 boardshort uses a recycled poly/cotton/elastane blend with 4-way stretch and an anti-rash interior, the Little Fish simplifies to a basic quick-dry stretch fabric — a deliberate cost-down that enables the $75 CAD regular price and drops the sale price to $39.95 CAD, well below the Crew 19’s entry-level pricing, giving buyers the brand’s core quick-dry performance without the premium mobility and chafe-reduction features layered into higher-end models.

Trompe-l'oeil fly and unlined design

The front fly is a printed or stitched illusion — no functional opening — which eliminates the need for a metal zipper or button closure, yielding a smoother, lighter front that won't corrode or snag during paddling or sitting.
Eschewing the inner mesh or compression liner found in many swim trunks, this unlined build cuts weight and allows the quick-dry fabric to shed water rapidly — a priority in surf wear where a second layer would trap water, slow drying, and restrict movement.

Image Analysis

2 images

01: Product
Men's mid-length swim trunks visible on a model from the front; elastic waistband with drawstring, side hand pockets, all-over small fish motif, and a small rectangular logo patch on the left thigh.
Overall silhouetteMid-length shorts worn at the waist with a relaxed straight leg falling to above the knee on the model.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.48 · w 0.76 · h 0.44 (high)
WaistbandElastic waistband with stitched channel and visible topstitching around the waist.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.48 · w 0.44 · h 0.06 (high)
DrawstringFunctional drawstring emerging from the front center of the waistband, tied in a loose bow with patterned cord tips.
1 region
x 0.41 · y 0.51 · w 0.18 · h 0.10 (high)
Side pocketsInset hand pockets at both hips with visible pocket openings; model's hands are placed inside the pockets.
2 regions
x 0.10 · y 0.56 · w 0.20 · h 0.26 (high); x 0.70 · y 0.56 · w 0.20 · h 0.28 (high)
All-over printSmall, evenly spaced fish motifs printed across the shorts in contrasting lighter colors and small colorful accents.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.60 · w 0.60 · h 0.26 (high)
Logo patchSmall rectangular woven or rubber logo patch sewn onto the lower left thigh area near the side seam.
1 region
x 0.66 · y 0.72 · w 0.13 · h 0.08 (high)
Fabric appearanceSmooth knit or woven fabric with a slight heathered or slub visual texture in the dark base color.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.56 · w 0.60 · h 0.36 (medium)
Other
Studio product shot showing a torso-and-short view on a standing male model against a plain light gray background; image is cropped at mid-neck and mid-thigh; even soft lighting with minimal shadows.
Shot compositionFramed from the mid-neck to mid-thigh of a standing male model, centered horizontally with the model facing forward and hands in pockets.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high)
BackgroundPlain light gray seamless background with no visible props or texture.
Lighting and shadowSoft, even studio lighting producing gentle shadows under the model's arms and along the inner thigh seams; minimal specular highlights.
Image cropTop of the model's head is cropped out; lower legs out of frame.
Colors
dark navy· shorts main fabric#3D4A5Bteal· fish print - teal accentswhite· fish print - white accentscoral· fish print - coral accentsdark navy with white flecks· drawstring#2C3443
02: Product
Rear view of a male model wearing mid-length swim trunks with an elastic waistband, a single back patch pocket with a flap and metal grommet, and a repeat small fish motif printed across the fabric.
Cut and silhouetteMid-length swim trunks sitting at the natural waist with straight leg openings that reach the model's mid-thigh from this rear view.
1 region
x 0.13 · y 0.52 · w 0.74 · h 0.42 (high)
WaistbandElasticized waistband with visible gathered fabric around the waist; no visible drawstring from this view.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.50 · w 0.60 · h 0.06 (high)
Back pocketSingle rectangular patch pocket on the right back side (viewer right) with a top flap, visible topstitching, and a small metal grommet near the lower-right of the pocket.
1 region
x 0.56 · y 0.61 · w 0.24 · h 0.23 (high)
Pocket label legibilitySmall rectangular woven label on the pocket; text on the label is not legible at this resolution.Partial
1 region
x 0.63 · y 0.67 · w 0.05 · h 0.04 (medium)
Fabric appearanceJersey-like or knit-looking fabric with a subtle heather or slub texture visible across the trunk surface.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.56 · w 0.60 · h 0.36 (high)
All-over printSmall, scattered fish motifs printed across the trunks in lighter blue/teal and white accents; motifs are repeated irregularly.
3 regions
x 0.18 · y 0.62 · w 0.12 · h 0.10 (high); x 0.40 · y 0.64 · w 0.10 · h 0.08 (high); x 0.70 · y 0.70 · w 0.12 · h 0.10 (high)
Other
Studio rear-view product shot of a standing model against a plain light gray background, evenly lit with soft shadows; image framed from the top of the model's head to mid-thigh.
Shot compositionCentered rear-view of a standing male model, straight posture, arms relaxed at sides, cropped near mid-thigh.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high)
BackgroundPlain, neutral light gray backdrop without visible texture or props.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high)
Lighting and shadowSoft, even studio lighting with a faint shadow on the left side of the model (viewer left) and minimal specular highlights.
Image qualityHigh-resolution retail studio image with clear focus on the garment and model; no visible motion blur.
Colors
heather navy· main fabric#3D4659light teal· fish motifswhite· fish motif highlights

Documents & Data

Q&A

5 answered

How does the waistband fit compared to standard sizing? Is it true to size or should I size up or down?: The waistband is true to size. According to the official Salty Crew size chart, a size Medium fits a 32–34 inch waist, and the drawcord-adjustable elastic waist allows for minor adjustments if needed [4].
Is the quick-dry fabric also chlorine-resistant, or is it better suited for ocean/pool use?: The product listing does not specify chlorine resistance, but quick-dry stretch fabrics like polyester blends are generally more resistant to chlorine than cotton or natural fibers. However, for frequent chlorinated pool use, we recommend rinsing after swimming to prolong fabric life.
Do the pockets have drainage holes to prevent water pooling, or do they hold water when wet?: The pockets do not have drainage holes. The product description lists vertical slit pockets and a Velcro patch pocket, with no mention of drainage grommets or mesh, so they may hold water when wet.
The inseam is listed as 7 inches. How does that length typically sit on someone around 5'10"? Does it hit mid-thigh or higher?: A 7-inch inseam on a 5'10" person typically hits mid-thigh, about 3–4 inches above the knee. This is a classic shorter board short length that offers good mobility without being too revealing.
Is the Velcro patch pocket on the back secure enough to hold items like keys or a phone while swimming or surfing?: The Velcro patch pocket is secure enough for small items like keys or a car key fob, but it is not recommended for phones, especially while swimming or surfing, as the Velcro could come undone with vigorous motion and the pocket lacks a drainage grommet to release water weight.

Provenance

Merchant Link: https://www.simons.ca/en/men-sports-clothes/swimwear/boardshorts/little-fish-swim-trunk--20481-2604?colourId=0
Updated: July 31, 2026