Fair Harbor Anchor Swim Trunks Review

Looking for a pair of trunks that will keep you looking and feeling great all summer long? Fair Harbor is the way to go.

Summertime just isn’t any fun if you’re not heading to the pool or the beach whenever temperatures turn hot. 

With the hottest months of the year moving full-steam ahead, I’ve been testing a few pairs of swim trunks so I can recommend only the best for you. And in this Fair Harbor Anchor Swim Trunks review, I think we really have a winner.

So pack up the car, put on your sunscreen, and change into a pair of swim trunks — it’s time to hit the water.

Quick Take

Fair Harbor’s Anchor Swim Trunks hit that Goldilocks-perfect zone: Just the right amount of everything, including tons of color selections, a super comfortable built-in liner, medium-length inseam, and affordable pricing.

Whether you’re looking for your first pair of swim trunks or your fifth, they’re an awesome choice.

Pros

• Tons of colors and patterns to choose from
• Built-in liner is extremely comfortable
• Wide range of available sizes
• Affordable

Cons

• Only one inseam length available
• Athletic fit might be a little baggy on smaller guys

My Build

For reference, I’m 6’3″ with arms that are much longer than they rightfully should be. That makes getting exact sizes for tops difficult for me, but I generally start with a large and then adjust from there.

I weigh around 190 pounds with an off-season athlete’s build, and I usually wear size 34 pants.

About Fair Harbor

Founded in 2014 by siblings Caroline and Jake Danehy, the Fair Harbor brand was created with one mission in mind: Creating the best quality, most sustainable swimwear around.

Inspired by summer trips to Fair Harbor, a beach community on Fire Island, NY, the siblings wanted to make a clothing brand that would protect the places they love most, all while encouraging people to enjoy everything the water has to offer.

What I Like

I’ve owned a few dozen pairs of swim trunks in my lifetime, from sustainable and tailor-made pairs to overpriced off-the-rack stuff I bought when I rolled into a beach town and realized that I’d left my favorite trunks at home.

A few of them have been comfortable and stylish enough to wear as everyday shorts throughout the summer, but most have been too stiff, crinkly, or garishly colored to really consider wearing in polite company.

I’ve said all that to set the stage for what I’m about to say about Fair Harbor’s Anchor Swim Trunks: They’re very nearly perfect.

The outer material for these trunks is soft enough to be comfortable whether wet or dry. But the real magic is in Fair Harbor’s proprietary BreezeKnit liner — which I’m not going to pretend to completely understand, but you can read all about it here.

Basically, it’s airy but supportive, making it so comfortable to wear these shorts as your only bottom layer.

Aside from those wonderful pieces of construction, the Anchor trunks also come in an exceptionally wide range of colors and styles. That covers a whole spectrum from bright and bold to simple and classic, offering something for everybody.

And when you take into account that these shorts are made almost entirely from recycled water bottles and that they’re really affordable for the quality they offer, they’re just an awesome pair of trunks that I’d recommend to just about anyone.

What I Don’t Like

So what might turn you off from buying a pair of the Anchor Trunks? Potentially one or two things.

First, these trunks are only available with an 8-inch inseam. For average height to taller guys, that’s going to fall at just about the right place for a casual pair of trunks. But, if you’re on the shorter side, they might end up being too long for a sharp fit.

Secondly, they’re made with an athletic fit that favors a guy with a little bit of muscle. If you’re hitting your squats at the gym, they’ll look great — but if you’re on the smaller side, they might feel a bit too roomy.

But Fair Harbor has a pretty solid return policy too, with 45 days from the date of purchase to decide whether they’re right for you.

So in my opinion, it’s always going to be worth trying on a pair to see how well they suit you.

FAQs

Last but not least, here are the answers to the most common questions I’ve seen people asking about Fair Harbor on the web: 

Where is Fair Harbor clothing located?

Fair Harbor’s offices are in New York City, but their products are made in facilities around the globe.

Who owns Fair Harbor clothing?

Fair Harbor is still owned by brother and sister Caroline and Jake Danehy.

Do Fair Harbor shorts run big?

In my experience, Fair Harbor’s shorts run true to size.

Final Verdict

Overall, I’m completely satisfied with my experience with Fair Harbor’s Anchor Swim Trunks. The fit is right, the feel is right, and the range of color and size selections has something to offer just about everyone.

If you’re looking for a shorter inseam to show off a little leg, Fair Harbor also offers other trunks of various lengths.

Questions? Comments? Leave them below!