Traveler Stretch Swim Trunk

Verified claims

Price value

At $120 CAD, it costs half of Sunspel ($215) and only $15 more than Patagonia Baggies ($75).

Inseam length

The 6-inch inseam fits the 2024 sweet spot (5-7 inches), longer than Lululemon's 5-inch but shorter than Amazon Essentials' 9-inch.

Pocket security

Zippered back pocket secures valuables, unlike snap-close pockets on Patagonia Baggies.

Material

90% recycled polyester/10% spandex shell and recycled mesh lining provide chlorine resistance, fast drying, stretch, and traditional liner support.

Zippered pocket

Zippered back pocket secures a key or credit card against waves and seating pressure.

Fit and mobility

Stretch classic fit with a 6-inch inseam reviewers call a Goldilocks length for 2024.

Waist security

Dual elastic-drawstring closure keeps trunks secure even in strong water forces.

Built-in liner

Mesh basket liner drains water, reduces chafe, and stays secure with the waistband.

Drainage

Mesh liner drains water quickly, dries fast, and resists chlorine and salt water.

Chafe protection

Mesh liner acts as a buffer to reduce skin irritation from sand and salt.

Liner support

Mesh basket liner gives relaxed, non-binding support; drawcord and elastic waist keep it secure when wet.

Waistband security

Dual closure prevents trunks from slipping and liner from sagging in water.

Care

Avoid bleach and fabric softener, wash at 30°C, air dry in shade, and store folded to preserve stretch and quick-dry.

Product record

Title

Traveler Stretch Swim Trunk

Brand

Polo Ralph Lauren

Price

120 CAD

Availability

In stock

Care tips to extend the life of your swim trunks

• Chlorine bleach aggressively attacks the polyurethane segments in elastane, turning the waistband and stretch fibres yellow and permanently reducing their snap-back; even trace bleach residue in a wash cycle can degrade the elastic, so the brand’s ‘no bleach’ rule protects the trunk’s ability to hold its shape session after session.
• Elastane degrades under UV radiation even during drying; leaving the trunks in direct sun causes the stretch fibres to lose strength and the colours to fade faster, so drying in the shade—ideally flat to prevent stretching—can keep the black or navy colorway looking rich and the waistband snapping back for an extra season.
• Polyester-elastane blends can stretch under their own weight when hung wet, and even slightly when dry, so storing these trunks folded rather than draped on a hanger prevents the waistband and leg openings from gradually deforming—preserving the classic fit season after season.
• Fabric softeners deposit a waxy coating that clogs the recycled polyester’s moisture-wicking channels, so after 10–15 washes with softener, the trunk loses that quick-dry, breathable feel and instead stays damp and clammy against the skin—and once coated, the performance loss is irreversible.
• Washing above 30°C starts to weaken polyester fibres and, more critically, at 40°C the elastane begins losing its stretch memory after just 10–15 wash cycles—sticking to cold water prevents the waistband from relaxing and the fabric from losing its recovery, so the trunk fits the same at the end of the summer as it did on day one.
• Even though the care label permits low tumble drying, that setting still generates 50–70°C heat—enough to degrade elastane over time—air drying the trunks flat in the shade eliminates all heat stress, keeping the waistband elastic crisp and preventing any bagging or loss of shape that would ruin the classic fit.
• Rinsing the trunks in cold freshwater immediately after leaving the pool or ocean stops active chlorine or salt from continuing to degrade the fibres throughout the day—swimwear fabric strength can plummet by 65% after just 300 hours of cumulative chlorine and sun exposure, and a quick rinse slashes that damage rate, preserving both colour and elasticity.
• The 90% recycled polyester shell is inherently chlorine-resistant—polyester’s ester linkages shrug off hypochlorite ions that would cleave nylon’s amide bonds, so these trunks maintain color and elastic stretch far longer than a typical nylon-elastane suit, and can hold a Grade 4–5 colorfastness under the ISO 105-E03 chlorinated water test.

Mesh lining for support and comfort in water

• The open‑knit polyester mesh allows water to drain quickly through the liner, so the trunks feel lighter in the water and dry faster once you’re back on land.
• The mesh creates a smooth, flexible barrier between your skin and the outer fabric, which is especially valuable when the trunks are wet and sand or salt could otherwise cause irritation during long beach days.
• The drawcord‑adjustable elastic waist keeps the internal mesh liner from sagging or shifting when wet, so the support stays consistent throughout the day.
• The liner uses 100% recycled polyester — a material that retains polyester’s natural fast‑drying and chlorine‑resistant qualities while reducing reliance on virgin petroleum.
• Unlike compression liners that hug the thigh for active sports, the Traveler trunk’s mesh basket liner provides a traditional, relaxed support that’s ideal for swimming, lounging, and casual beach games.

How the stretch blend affects comfort and mobility

• Reviewers consistently describe the stretch polyester fabric as 'super flexible' and enabling 'unhindered movement,' confirming these trunks provide enough give for running on the beach, swimming, or beach volleyball without binding.
• The classic fit is cut so the shorts 'don't hug or bunch' but still provide 'nice definition,' meaning the silhouette moves with the body without looking baggy — a considered balance that works for both lounging and active settings.
• The elastic waistband paired with a drawcord creates a dual closure that 'guarantees that the force of water won't make you lose your trunks,' letting you dive and roughhouse without constant readjustment.

What recycled polyester means for swim trunks

• Because polyester repels water rather than absorbing it, these trunks dry significantly faster than cotton or nylon suits — a property that also helps prevent the odor-causing bacteria growth common in damp swimwear; paired with UV resistance, the black colorway remains deep and unfaded after repeated sun exposure.
• Recycled polyester fibers are chemically identical to virgin polyester, so they inherit its natural resistance to chlorine degradation — a key advantage over nylon, which breaks down faster in pool water; this means the trunks can handle regular pool sessions without the elastic fatigue and color fading that shorten the lifespan of nylon-based swimwear.
• The 90/10 blend ratio, with its higher polyester content than the industry-typical 80/20 or 85/15, delivers a low-stretch feel that prioritizes chlorine resistance and long-term shape retention over a body-hugging fit — meaning these trunks resist sagging and maintain their structured silhouette through repeated wear and washing.