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Swimwear Review

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JOR furnished the 1028 Shark Swim Bikini for review. All opinions are that of the reviewer.

Rating: 9/10

  • Daily Fit: 9/10
  • Sizing: 8/10
  • Construction: 10/10
  • Styling: 9/10
  • Daily Performance: 9/10

Pros:

  • Fun print
  • Comfortable fabric
  • Stylish bikini cut

Cons:

  • Sizing
  • No drawstring
  • Letters/numbers printed on back won’t be for everyone

If you’ve listened to the most recent UNB Podcast, you’ll know that summer swimwear season is NOT canceled. So what better time to review a new swim bikini, right before the summer heat arrives!

The first thing I noticed about the JOR 1028 Shark Swim Bikini was how soft it felt. If you’re going to lounge by a pool or catch some sun in your backyard, this would work well for an afternoon in the sun.

The second thing I noticed is the bikini cut. The style is just a bit skimpier than a tradition swim brief, both my package and butt were covered, there’s just a little sexy hint of butt cheek sticking out. This is right up my alley, but some may prefer to opt for a fuller swim brief cut.

I love the design of the pouch. It is styled to appropriately hold a man’s equipment, without being obscene. I think it has the right balance of sex appeal, while still being something you could wear on a crowded beach (if that ever becomes a thing again). Some may want a little extra room, but I felt that everything fit nice and snug, which I personally like.

One of the downsides of this bikini comes to the sizing. While everything was able to fit in, I felt as if I was just barely fitting in….the pouch, the back, the sides. Admittedly, the quarantine has added on some pounds, so I won’t deduct too many points for that. I know that some prefer to go up a size in JOR, so my advice is to look closely at the size chart. If you’re towards the top of a size range, you may consider going up, if you don’t want an overly snug fit. Be careful not to go up too high though, as there’s no drawstring to help hold things in if it’s too big.

Finally, let’s talk about the print itself. The name may confuse you at first, or at least it did for me because I thought this was a camouflage print at first. Look closely though and you’ll see the sharks in the design. It’s a fun print overall, though I’m personally not a huge fan of the lettering and numbers on the back.

Overall, this is a great bikini with great design and construction. Spend a little time reviewing their size chart to ensure you get the right fit, and you’ll be set!

PAIR: JOR 1028 Shark Swim Bikini Printed

COLORS: Camouflage Shark Print, though other swim bikinis are available

FABRIC: 87% Polyester 13% Spandex

SIZES: Small – X-Large

COST: $46.00

Cocksox furnished the CX02PR Zebra Swim Brief for review. All opinions are that of the reviewer.

Rating: 8.6/10

  • Daily Fit: 9/10
  • Sizing: 9/10
  • Construction: 7/10
  • Styling: 9/10
  • Daily Performance: 9/10

Pros:

  • Playful prints
  • Dual use as underwear

Cons:

  • Unlined
  • Price

While I have tried a lot of Cocksox underwear, this was my first opportunity to try their swimwear. I would consider the CX02PR swim brief a combo swimwear/underwear.

This swim brief has no drawstring and is unlined. Other than the Polyester/Lycra fabric blend, this is as close to Cocksox underwear as swimwear gets. This of course is not a complaint from me, but something you should be aware of as you consider your purchase.

I’d say this one is for the really bold man who is looking to show off a bit at a pool party or on a beach. The pouch is the Original Cocksox pouch which is designed to lift your package up and out to enhance the look. Combined with an unlined pouch, and a see-through when wet white fabric, this isn’t for the timid. While I personally am a fan, I did deduct some points for these items simply because I know that this one wouldn’t be appealing to a lot of guys.

Thankfully, Cocksox has provided a few color options for this swim brief, and some of those would work better when wet, if you’re not looking to show off EVERYTHING. The fabric is comfortable and the quality is top-notch, as one would expect from Cocksox.

If you’re feeling bold, check this Zebra print swim brief. For those who are not as bold, you may want to check out one of the other color options and/or other styles. The quality is worth it, you will just need to read descriptions to find the right style for your comfort level.

PAIR: Cocksox CX02PR Swim Brief

COLORS: Zebra, Giraffe, Paradise Palms, Hibiscus Cruise

FABRIC: 80% Polyester 20% Extra Life Lycra®

SIZES: Small – X-Large

COST: $42.00


BRAND: JOR
PAIR: Sunny Swim Thong 0427
COLORS: Black, Fuchsia, White, Grey Print, and Yellow Print
FABRIC: 84%NYLON 16%SPANDEX
SIZES: Small  – XL
COST: $41.60

Rating: 8/10 (Average of the Rating Below)

• Daily Fit: 7/10
• Sizing 9/10
• Styling: 9/10
• Performance 7/10

Pros:

• Love the styling-I have always been a fan of the thicker waist band look. I think the wide band style gives a little modesty to an inherently un-modest swimsuit. Sometimes little refinement and sophistication rather than overly strappy and loud styling can be a little much in a thong swimsuit for me.
• Colors- Love the arrangement of solid to print colors on the suit. I personally own the black and love the simplicity in wearing a solid black thong. However, the Fuchsia, or other prints brings this thong to another notch in loudness! Great to fit the personality of the wearer.
• Buns Factor- The wide bands make your behind look outstanding. Hands down my favorite back on any thong I own right now

Cons:

• Center Strap design- What really stops me from wearing this suite every time is that darn center strap, or really string. Many of JOR’s thong swimsuits’ center strap eventually becomes a simple string that eventually joins the pouch. To be honest, I have learned to hate that feeling beneath my gonads. If you are just tanning for the day, it’s really not bad, but if you are at all active, or dare I say bend over, there really isn’t a lot of coverage to save you.

• Pouch size- While the pouch is luxurious and soft and the material construction is fantastic, the size is just ok. For me its slightly constricting and not a whole lot of room to stretch. Especially with that string…nothing to save you below that pouch…Have I mentioned I don’t like the center strap!?

• Big clothing tag on the back-strap. I guess I must be splitting hairs, but the clothing tag is huge for just a small swimsuit… I promptly remove the tag because it literally hangs out the side of your suit if you are not careful. But their goes your sizing, washing, and care instructions…

UNB Shawn Recommendations

This is a great first swim thong to purchase. If you are on the fence about this whole swim thong craze here on UNB look no further than this suit. It is easy to find, pricing not terrible, lots of colors, and fairly modest backside.

I have worn this thong a few times in the sun and in the water and it really is a thong built to last. Good quality construction and for the most part pretty comfortable…Maybe you will like the stringy strap, but it all reality it’s a great piece of clothing and I am glad it is a part of my collection.

WildmanT furnished the Sportivo Bikini Black with Red Stripe for review. All opinions expressed are that of the reviewer.

Rating: 9/10

  • Daily Fit: 9/10
  • Sizing: 9/10
  • Construction: 9/10
  • Styling:9 /10
  • Daily Performance: 9/10

Pros:

  • Bigger cut of a swim brief
  • Compliments more body types
  • Great for a day in the pool

Cons:

  • Some guys may not like the pouch since it’s not enhancing
  • The back is bigger cut, if you have a butt you may not like that

UNB Tim recommendation:

I have had a few pairs of WildmanT underwear over the years. One of my favorites is the Big Boy brief. It’s made out of mesh and has an amazing pouch. Tim over there really knows how to design great underwear. I wanted to finally get my hands on some of his awesome swimwear and I finally got my chance. I got the Sportivo Bikini.


The first thing I love about this bikini is the size. Some may argue that it’s a brief not a bikini. I”ll let you figure that out for yourself. Being a bigger guy the skimpy bikinis I wore in my youth just don’t look the same on me. This bigger cut is made for more guys. If you’re a bigger guy (such as a bear) this will fit you well and complement your body.

I wore this to a pool day. The suit really felt great all day. It was amazing how great this felt. The back is a full back so you don’t have to worry about falling out the back when you’re active in the pool. Plus not having junk in the trunk, its good to have full coverage. The pouch wasn’t as pronounced as the undies but it gave great support. I prefer my undies with not as a pronounced pouch. There fit me better, I think!

I really loved this brief and am taking it on a trip with me. I may get in a pool but not sure yet. But I figure why the hell not. It’s amazing brief that you guys should check out!

BRAND: WildmanT
PAIR: Sportivo Bikini Black with Red Stripe
COLORS: Black
FABRIC: 80% Nylon / 20% Spandex
SIZES: Small – X-Large

COST: $44.50
FURNISHED BY: WildmanT

Sportivo Bikini Black with Red Stripe

tempst ReviewN2N Bodywear furnished the Tempest Sport Swim Brief for review.

Rating: 9/10

  • Daily Fit: 9/10
  • Sizing: 9/10
  • Construction: 9/10
  • Styling: 9/10
  • Daily Performance: 9/10

Pros: Unlined, Semi-Natural Pouch Hang

Cons: Unlined

SALVATORE Recommendation: Here I am living in Tropical Paradise where most men wear long board shorts or trunks. Granted, shorter swimsuits are in, but I think guys are missing a great opportunity to look great in a swim brief. As you all know, here at UNB, we have put a lot of emphasis on swim briefs. From our swim guides to a series of posts about skimping down this Summer on the beach. We think swim briefs are an awesome alternative to the super long shorts. That take forever to dry when you get out of the water and inhibit greatly one’s ability to move in the water.


Honestly, the most natural way to swim is naked.  But that is currently outlawed in most areas of the good ole US of A. With that said, we also recognize that many men are very uncomfortable bearing all in a swim brief on a beach that mainly covered in board shorts. Coming to Hawaii has been a great experience. I am constantly puzzled by what I see guys and gals wearing on the sands of Waikiki and other hot spots. The men are shorts wearers and ironically, the ladies seem to prefer the Brazilian cut and thong back. Who would have thought???? Let’s stay away from those topics for now and look at a great swim brief that I’d recommend to the guy looking to see if he likes the idea. But might not be ready to strip down.

Let me recommend the N2N Tempest Sport Brief. As something that you can wear underneath your shorts with the idea to strip down, or something that you can wear by itself. This is a great brief for either occasion. Here are few things that I liked about the design.

Pouch: Because N2N does a brilliant job with fabric selection in all of it’s products. Most of their underwear, swimwear, and loungewear meet my definition of a natural pouch. This swim brief did exactly that. With 92% being Polyester and 8% being Spandex. The fabric blend allows for your sacred spaced to have plenty of space. One of things I hate about traditional swim briefs is the bulky lining that seems to bunch up the boys. This swim brief is unlined leaving you with a true underwear intimate feel. I see this as a definite positive in most situations. I also see this as a negative for the circumcised male as the impression is quite impressionable and might not be appropriate for every occasion. You will have to decide. On my honeymoon many moons ago. I remember seeing a very sexy and extremely tanned European man wearing an opaque white skimpy bikini that was unlined at the pool. He was proud and so were all of the women staring at him. I don’t have the body he had and am not sure my wife would appreciate all of the of the attention focused on my junk.

Drawstring: Not every bikini has a drawstring. This brief does. This allows you to freely maneuver in the water without worry that you’ll lose your drawers. However, because the brief is unlined. The impression of the drawstring is visible from time to time making for an odd look on the pouch. Side note—be careful to groom your pubic hair if you are going to wear an unlined swim bikini. A bush impression on the crotch is as bad a drawstring impression on a crotch.

Cut: The cut of the brief is a hybrid between a true bikini and a traditional competitive swimmers suit. This allows you to get an awesome tan without feeling like you are wearing a string bikini. The hybrid cut also maintains a full seat so you don’t feel like you have a wedgie all day. The cut is spectacular and sexy. The seat stays in place and leg bands are very comfortable. N2N nailed this aspect of the brief.

Logo: The very small N2N logo displayed on the rear of the right hip is the perfect size. Not over the top like some of the brands that plaster the logo across the entire butt (N2N does this occasionally). But just right to let the other underwear enthusiasts know that you have style. The branding on this swim brief is subtle and perfect—a special coded simple that speaks to the heart of underwear collector.

Overall, I think this is a stunning visual representation of classy and sexy. The two colors are great—bold enough to turn heads, but not so bold to get gawkers! As always, I love that N2N now offers this brief in multiple prints. I enjoy wearing mine under trunks or out in the open. Get yours and give this well thought out brief a shot at the beach, the pool, or just tanning on the roof.

BRAND: N2N Bodywear

PAIR: Tempest Sport Solid

COLORS: Tempest Blue, Mandarin

FABRIC: Body: 92% polyester 8% spandex

SIZES: Small – XL

COST: $22

FURNISHED BY: N2N Bodywear

Where to buy:

0605 (2)

Hey undie nerds, Undies Rock here with another review.  Those of you that have been following my posts know that I am a huge fan of swim briefs. Or as I refer to them as “swimmers.” Which is why I am stoked to review Clever’s Tropical Colombia swim brief in white (0605). Furnished by Candyman Fashion.

First off, this pair will meet your expectations for everything a swim brief should be.  It’s a solid pair of swim briefs. The construction and material are quality.  The material is comfortable, and the cut and print are cool.  I have to be honest, for the longest time I haven’t been a fan of Clever.  Due to bad experiences I have had with their thongs.  Though their thongs are constructed well, as all Clever products are. I find them to be uncomfortable.  Specifically the trim is made of a rough material that tends to be abrasive on my skin. Let me put it this way, you don’t want to be wearing one during a long work day. But these swimmers have changed my perspective on Clever. They are highly comfortable for both lounging and water activities.  I took a dip in the ocean with this pair and it did not lose its form and dried quickly. Which I was worried about since the front and back are fully lined (which just reiterates the quality of construction).

The cut is conservative with full butt coverage and mid-rise but remains stylish and fun with its colorful, tropical print. I am usually not into this cut/style of swim brief, but these ones worked out quite well for me.  I’m a in the 32-42 inch waist category and I wore a large which is rated for a 32-34inch waist.  The suit fit snug and felt true to size, without any unfortunate tight or loose areas.  The sides are 3.5 inches with a 1 inch white waist band. The pouch is comfy, my package fit like glove, but I could see for bigger guys that it might be uncomfortable.  One aesthetic of the pouch that I found unappealing is the center seam.  Always gets me lol.  The 85% polyester 15% spandex material feels soft and luxurious.  I wore these briefs for a majority of a day without any discomfort. The elastic drawstring is thin and has metal medallions on the ends which is a cool feature. But can be annoying when tying a knot.  Also the drawstring ports are reinforced with metal rings. Which are more durable than sewn edges. But can get hot and burn when sunbathing.  I feel like I am dragging on with my aversions, but I actually really like this pair.  It doesn’t blow my mind, but I definitely approve.0605 (1)

 

Pros:

–        Fully lined

–        High quality material (soft and malleable; doesn’t lose elasticity)

–        Well built

–        Comfortable and supportive enough for lounging and activities

Cons:

–        Center seam

–        Medallions on drawstring

Ratings:

  • Fit –8
  • Sizing – 9
  • Construction – 9
  • Styling – 7
  • Performance – 9
  • Overall -8.4

Find the CleverTropical Colombia at Candyman Fashion for $53.48. For this price you certainly get what you pay for, and without doubt this pair will hit the spot.

10579173_10153823797421501_1322744664_oHey guys, it’s Undoes Rock here back at it with another review for the Navy Brief from Ca-Rio-Ca.  I picked up this swim brief up not too long ago when I met the owner and designer of Ca-Rio-Ca.  We hit it off right from the get go. After three hours of bonding over what I refer to as “undie talk”. I walked out with quite a few goodies including a swim brief which I am pleased to review.

During my meeting Gil continually stressed how important the quality of his products is.  If you own a Ca-Rio-Ca swimmer, you know this is true.  Let me put it this way, when I try on my Ca-Rio-Ca sunga I feel like royalty.  No joke. This swimmer is the total package.  The construction is impeccable.  The material is soft, and sets the bar in my book.  The designs and prints are edgy and are seemingly infinite.  I had such a hard making a selection from all of the endless choices. I spent quite a substantial amount of time scoping out all of the different prints, colors and patterns.  But I ended up with the Navy brief, which makes my list of “top ten best life choices”.  Believe me it wasn’t the easiest choice, but the navy print clicked for its classic yet edgy and fun vibe.  Ca-Rio-Ca offers five cuts: bikini, brief, low rise, classic, and traditional (sunga). Bikini being the skimpiest cut and sunga being the most conservative.  I went with the brief because I like the minimal yet adequate coverage and the classic cut.  Though at the time, selecting the navy brief wasn’t such a straightforward choice. it’s easily become one of my favorite printed briefs in my collection.

IMG_0993

The 85% polyamide 15% spandex material set the standard for the ultimate luxe material. The fabric provides the perfect balance between support and flexibility.  The entire suit is fully lined with a 100% polyamide layer.  When you first feel a pair, right away you will be able to tell that they are an incredibly comfortable pair from how soft the material is.  The suit seems a little thick to the touch initially, but once I was in the water they felt like any other swim brief.  I mean they aren’t racer status. But if you get the right size they don’t feel heavy in the water or like they are dragging at all.  The waist band and drawstring design is great at maintaining tension and grip. I was able to swim laps in a pool just like I would with a pair of Nike or TYR suits.

As I have repeatedly stated. This pair is designed for comfort. Believe me, it’s truly the perfect lounge/relax brief.  There were no pinch points or any exceptionally tight regions.  I have a ~34” waist and the medium I was wearing (rated for 32”-33” waist) fit like a glove; not too tight or loose.  The material is stretchy so if you like our swimmer to be a little snug, I think it is safe to size down with this pair.  Though I love suits without a center seem. I was a little concerned with this suit as there isn’t a lower crotch seem/relief.  I look for this in a swim brief to guarantee a good pouch that maintains a solid cup for my package. While providing the seamless flat front look.  It’s a huge pet peeve when the crotch in a suit starts to sag and my package starts to overflow/slip out. Much to my surprise, this pair maintained a good cupping effect the entire time.

Currently you can find these perfect lounge swimmers directly on the Ca-Rio-Ca webpage for $99.  I know this a hole your wallet, but the quality and style is well worth the price.  If you’re a swim brief fan, this pair is an absolute must, no exceptions, as this a center piece in my collection.  Personally I can’t wait for summer to kick in so I can spend as much time in these Brazilian swimmers as I possibly can!

Pros:

·       Impeccable construction

·       Incredibly soft, breathable fabric

·       Great print

·       Perfect lounge swimmer

Cons:

·       Pricy

Ratings:

·       Fit – 9

·       Sizing – 9

·       Construction – 10

·       Styling – 10

·       Performance – 7

·       Overall – 9

Find the Navy Brief on the Ca-Rio-Ca Site

surf-white-0

I know many of you out there either don’t feel comfy or don’t have a beach/pool where you can wear a swim brief this summer. So you won’t be participating in our Swim Brief challenge. That doesn’t mean you can’t get some really fun swimwear for this summer.

The pair I got to review is the the Teamm8 Surf Swim Short. I really love the fun pattern of this pair. So when I got to pick a few pairs of swim, this was top of my list. The print really caught my eye and I had to have it! As you can see the Surf Swim Short is a traditional swim trunk. Well, it is for us in the US. These are the kinds of suits I grew up on wearing. So they give me a retro feel.

It has a retro look but made with new fabrics and design. The old shorts I wore never had pockets. So this is a new addition to the style. I personally like a swim suit with pockets. It’s not that i want to load my pockets down in the water or hanging out. But, inevitably you will need to go somewhere and its great to have a place to put your ID and money when you go, instead of holding it in your hand.

Next is the print. I said above that I love it. The reasons I love the print is because it’s very beachy, colorful and not over the top. First, the print reminds me of the beach because of the palm leaves and floral print is what you should wear at the beach. Next are the colors, its very Miami South Beach to me with the more muted/pastel colors. They work well together. Lastly is its not over the top. How many times have you seen prints and went, who’s curtains did they use? Well this one is fun and you’ll get noticed for the right reasons.

I wore these to a pool where it’s encouraged to wear swim briefs. Note that I did bring a swim brief as well but kept them in my bag. I wanted to see how well these did by themselves. Often I wear a swim brief under other swimwear because I like the extra support under other lined suits. The one smart thing Teamm8 did was have the lining and fly meet up. Meaning when you udo the fly you don’t have to worry about the lining. it’s sewn into the sides of the fly rather. I thought this was super smart.

I will say for trunks these were pretty good trunks. I prefer a more square cut or swim brief as my main pair. I will definitely wear these again. They felt great just relaxing by the pool and in the water. Reviews for swim are always hard for me because I never put swimwear through it’s paces. I”m more of a relax and hang out rather than play volleyball or be active. So for me these did the trick and I got a few compliments and informed a few guys about Teamm8!

Pros:

  • Loved the print
  • The lining doesn’t get in the way
  • Was very comfy

Cons

  • Some guys may not like the lining
  • Pockets, again some may not like pockets in swim

Ratings:

  • Daily Fit – 9
  • Sizing – 9
  • Construction – 9
  • Styling – 10
  • Performance – 9
  • Overall – 9.2

Teamm8 furnished this pair for review. You can find it on their site for $79 AUD.

IMG_3523

Yes I know, Pool season is over.  For many of us, it’s time to bundle up and brave chilly weather as we go about our daily activities.  But that also means it’s time to start shopping for swimsuits to wear next Spring.  I personally love buying swimwear at this time of year; you can find some great deals.  One of the hottest brands to hit the market in the last few years is Orca Blu Beachwear.  Offering suits in vibrant colors and patterns, this Florida based company is ready to  help you make a statement at the pool and beach.

I received a one of their signature bikini swimsuits to review.  Since it’s too cool to lay out anymore, I decided to wear it to the pool at a local gym to get some laps in.  I got a few inquisitive looks in the locker room and as I entered the pool area, as I was certainly not wearing the typical suit you see guys swimming laps in.  I swam a quick 800 meters (and by quick I mean I was trying to keep the ladies in the next lane who had just finished doing aquarobics  from passing me).   The suit felt comfortable and secure the whole time.  I can’t wait to wear it in warmer weather in the sun; perfect reason for me to schedule a much needed vacation to someplace tropical.

Multi-colored and definitely eye-catching, this suit will make you a hit at the local watering holes.    With a full seat and wider sides, it’s a great suit for the guy that is used to wearing more of a trunk style but wants to branch out into speedo cut suits.  The waistband is a a solid color that offsets the pattern of the suit well, and the seams are barely noticeable.    There is no drawstring, so I’d use caution when diving into a pool.  The suit I received is a small, which fit my 31” waist perfectly and gave me enough room in the seat and the pouch.

Pros:

  • great support
  • bright colors and patterns
  • polyester/lycra blend feels great

Cons:

  • no drawstring

Ratings:

  • Daily Fit – 8
  • Sizing – 10
  • Construction/Materials – 10
  • Styling – 10
  • Daily Performance  – 8
  • Overall: 9.2

OrcaBlu furnished this pair for review

cocksox-sonar-swim-thong-review

As you might have read in an earlier post (Operation Thong), I had the opportunity to wear the Cocksox Sonar Swim Thong as my first thong on the beach. This swim thong is made of high quality Italian lycra in a cool blue, white and black mirco camo print. They also feature a protruding shaped pouch and a triangle style back. I was very impressed initially, but worried about this maximum exposure. This is part of the Sonar Collection which also comes in a more modest brief and trunk style.

As you know I wore these a few times to the beach, both just for laying out and also playing in the water. I was concerned that the minimal pouch was going to not be adequate coverage, however the pouch was amazing! Its shape really pushed out a nice profile to hold you in. Even when getting out of the waves. The front is quite low (manscaping is a must), so be careful. The back had a great amount of fabric to stay right in place. I would recommend this swim thong for special events or somewhere that you want to be the center of attention.

The sizing for Cocksox is based of real waist measurements, not your jeans size, so please keep that in mind with ordering. Also, some Cocksox has some models available with different sized pouches; this style has a snug pouch, which might not fit everyone.

This swim thong has a lot of features I like; the shaped center seam pouch keeps everything in place and leaves little to the imagination. The stitching throughout is done quite well, no itching or adjusting. The waist seam features a tiny sewn in elastic waistband to help keep your suit up.

I am happy to say that I have worn this swim thong numerous times since the original post and will continue to next summer. It is a welcome addition for anyone who is looking to get some sun on those buns. I plan on getting a few more even!

Pros:

  • Great Pouch shape,
  • perfect sizing

Cons:

  • very low front

Ratings:

  • New Ratings:
  • Daily Fit – 9
  • Sizing  – 8
  • Construction/Materials – 9
  • Styling – 9
  • Daily Performance -8
  • Overall: 9

Cocksox furnished this pair for review