Kavu Rally Fest Swim Trunk - Men's - 2009 BCS

They're great shorts for hiking, fishing, or spending a day at the lake or the beach. Very versatile as shorts or a swim suite. They're designed like board shorts but I wouldn't wear them surfing or diving, though they would do in a pinch.

I thought about using these for swim trunks but they seem just a little.....odd. I don't know if it's the tie on the front or how the fly is situated but they just seem a little funky in that region. They move extremely well, dry quickly and don't seem to chafe the skin when you walk in them wet. I'm using them mostly for hikes with more intense river/stream crossings or river travel. They've been nice for that but swimming didn't work that well for me. They're descent for the job and not bad for the price but don't expect a regular swim trunk.

These are nice, comfortable shorts, but I really wouldn't use them for swimming. They have two hand pockets, and a rear velcro pocket, none of which will keep anything in your pockets if you're in the water (however, there is a small zippered pocket on the side). The "surf-style tie" does make them look like swim trunks, and they do dry quickly (so they would be good for splashing in rivers or on the beach, or on a boat or kayak). But--with the pocket configuration--they do work well for casual shorts (if you don't mind the look of the tie). Like many Kavu products, they tend to fit on the small side (possibly even smaller than is listed in the sizing chart) so if there is any doubt, I would size up. As is evident in the photos, they are also on the long side (with a 12" inseam).