A swim brief, or racing brief, refers to any briefs style male swimsuit such as those worn in competitive swimming and diving.
The popularity of the Australian Speedo brand racing brief has led to the use of its name to refer to any racing brief,
regardless of the manufacturer.
Swim briefs are also referred to as competition briefs, bathers, racer bathers, posing briefs, and racing briefs.
Swim briefs are made for fast competitive swimming with minimal drag.
However, for sheer speed some of the full body lycra swimsuits can make you go faster.
As they have no significant UV sun protection you better use them mainly in indoor pools.
For outdoor use you can add a swim shirt.
A matching swim cap is often used by lifesavers or waterball players.
Like underwear briefs,
swim briefs feature a "V-shape" front and a solid back providing form-fitting coverage.
They are usually worn below the lower waist, but some of them can be worn at the waist.
They are generally secured by thin banding at the upper thighs
and either a drawstring around the waist or an elasticized waistband.
Swim briefs are most often made of a nylon and spandex (Lycra) composite,
while some longer lasting suits are made from polyester and still others from other materials.
Most swim briefs have a beige or white front lining made of a similar fabric.
Swim briefs are worn by professional and recreational athletes in many water sports.
They are the standard for competitive diving and water polo,
and are preferred in competitive swimming for the reduction of the water's drag on the swimmer,
although longer suits made from high-technology swimwear fabric,
such as Speedo's LZR Racer, are sometimes worn instead of the swim brief.
Participants in sports that require a wetsuit
such as waterskiing, scuba diving, surfing, and wakeboarding often wear swim briefs as an undergarment to the wetsuit.
The popularity of swim briefs as casual beachwear and swim wear varies throughout the world.
In many parts of Europe, South America and Asia, swim briefs are very popular among male swimmers and beach goers.
In the United States, the roomier and less revealing trunks or board shorts are the suits preferred for recreation,
although swim briefs are always seen to some extent.
Reasons swim briefs are chosen for recreation include style, ease of movement in the water,
sunshine exposure, quick drying time, and the ability to be worn under pants or shorts.
