What’s New in the Bag | Splashwear Aquatics
Men's Speedo 1.5" is Back in 2026!
Summary: Speedo men’s swim briefs come in more cuts than many swimmers realize. From the minimal 1.5-inch Brief Mini and balanced 3-inch Mid to the fuller 5-inch Sunga, Speedo offers different levels of coverage while maintaining the freedom of a traditional brief. The collection also includes the Jetstream Textured 3.5", training-focused Club Training and Endurance+ styles, and the versatile Solar 2" for the pool, beach and sun. This guide explains the differences in fit, coverage, front construction, durability and purpose so you can find the right Speedo men’s brief for the way you swim.
When most people hear the word Speedo, they picture the classic men’s swim brief.
But there is no longer just one Speedo brief.
Today's Speedo men's swimwear includes traditional cuts, minimal briefs, fuller-coverage options, durable training suits and styles intended to work just as well at the beach as they do in the pool.
That means choosing the right Speedo is about more than color and size.
How much coverage do you want? How often do you swim? What type of front support feels best? Do you want a dedicated training suit or something equally comfortable for laps, sun and the beach?
For this edition of What’s New in the Bag, Splashwear breaks down the major Speedo men’s brief options, including the Brief Mini, Brief Mid, Sunga Solid, Jetstream Textured 3.5", Club Training, Endurance+ and Solar 2".
Why Do Swimmers Choose Briefs?
The basic advantage of a swim brief is simple: less material around the upper leg.
That can provide:
- Excellent freedom through the hips
- Unrestricted kicking
- Less fabric around the thighs
- Easy movement through turns and push-offs
- More Secure positioning than other cuts
- A compact suit that rinses and dries easily
But not every brief provides the same amount of coverage.
A 1.5-inch Mini and a fuller Club Training brief can both be called briefs while looking and feeling very different.
Understanding those differences makes shopping much easier.
The Classic Speedo Brief Family
Speedo's updated classic brief styles can be understood as three basic levels of side coverage:
All three preserve the open upper leg of a traditional brief. What changes is how much of the hip is covered.
Speedo Brief Mini: 1.5-Inch Outseam
The Speedo Brief Mini is the most minimal of the classic cuts.
Its 1.5-inch outseam exposes more of the hip and upper thigh, making it particularly attractive to swimmers who want maximum freedom around the leg.
Its updated construction includes:
- 1.5-inch outseam
- Vertical front seam
- Internal drawcord
- Comfort front pouch
- Soft nylon-elastane fabric
- Fully lined construction
The front construction is important.
A smaller swimsuit does not automatically mean less support. The vertical front seam, comfort pouch and lining give the Mini structure even though its side profile is very small.
Best For
The Mini works particularly well for swimmers who already like briefs, prefer minimal coverage and want the classic smaller Speedo silhouette.
Think of the Mini as the minimal classic.
Speedo Brief Mid: 3-Inch Outseam
The Speedo Brief Mid moves up to a 3-inch outseam, adding noticeable hip coverage while remaining unmistakably a swim brief.
It includes:
- 3-inch outseam
- Internal drawcord
- Updated comfort pouch
- Fully lined construction
- 1-inch elastic waistband for added comfort
For swimmers transitioning from jammers, the Mid can be an excellent first brief.
It provides the freedom of an open upper leg without immediately moving into the smallest available cut.
Best For
The Mid is a strong choice for lap swimmers, Masters swimmers, competitive swimmers and first-time brief wearers who want more coverage than the Mini.
For many swimmers, 3 inches is the sweet spot between coverage and freedom.
Speedo Brief Sunga Solid: 5-Inch Outseam
The Speedo Brief Sunga Solid takes the classic concept to a fuller 5-inch outseam.
It still leaves the upper thigh open but covers substantially more of the hip than the Mini or Mid.
The Sunga offers:
- 5-inch outseam
- Internal drawcord
- Comfort front pouch
- Fully lined construction
- Fuller brief silhouette
This is especially useful for swimmers who like the freedom of a brief but are not interested in minimal side coverage.
Best For
The Sunga can be ideal for swimmers transitioning from a square cut or jammer, men who prefer more coverage around the hip, or anyone who simply likes the fuller Sunga silhouette.
Choosing a brief does not automatically mean choosing minimal coverage.
Mini vs. Mid vs. Sunga
Minimal coverage and maximum upper-leg freedom.
Balanced coverage and a traditional brief feel.
Fuller hip coverage without moving into a square cut.
Speedo Men’s Club Training Brief: Built for Practice
The Speedo Men’s Club Training Brief is exactly what the name suggests: a family of suits intended for swimmers who train.
But Club Training does not describe one fixed side measurement.
Some Club Training briefs have sides around 5 cm, approximately 2 to 2.5 inches, giving them a compact traditional training-brief appearance.
Other Club Training styles can be much fuller, with side measurements around 13.5 cm to approximately 17.5 cm, depending on the specific model.
That is a major difference.
A swimmer shopping Club Training should therefore look at the individual product specifications instead of assuming every Club Training brief offers the same coverage.
Why So Many Cuts?
Because competitive swimmers do not all want the same thing.
One swimmer may want very little material around the hip.
Another may want a durable practice brief but prefer significantly more coverage.
What connects the Club Training family is not one exact silhouette. It is the purpose:
Practice. Training. Repeated pool use.
Best For
- Club swimmers
- High school swimmers
- Masters swimmers
- Frequent lap swimmers
- Athletes training several days per week
- Swimmers wanting a dedicated practice suit
Think of Club Training as the training family, with coverage varying by individual style.
Speedo Endurance+ Brief: The Everyday Workhorse
For swimmers spending substantial time in chlorinated water, the Speedo Endurance+ Brief puts durability near the top of the priority list.
Endurance+ styles are designed for repeated pool use, making them especially relevant to swimmers who need a dependable practice suit rather than something that only sees water occasionally.
Best For
Consider an Endurance+ Brief if you:
- Swim frequently
- Train several times per week
- Prioritize chlorine resistance
- Want a dependable everyday practice suit
- Care about durability and shape retention
If Club Training is the training family, Endurance+ is the everyday workhorse.
Speedo Solar: Pool, Beach & Sun
The Speedo Solar is marketed as a 2" Brief has a different personality. It can absolutely be used for lap swimming, but it is equally comfortable outside the lane lines.
The approximately 2-inch side provides minimal hip coverage and plenty of upper-leg freedom, making the Solar attractive for swimmers who want less material and reduced tan lines.
It is an especially good choice for:
- Outdoor pools
- Beach swimming
- Vacations
- Sun exposure
- Fitness swimming
- Recreational swimming
The Solar is also known as a highly durable suit. Its fabric is built to hold up against the things that are particularly hard on recreational swimwear, including chlorine, sunscreen and body oils.
Morning laps, afternoon at the pool, then the beach. One suit can handle all three.
Try it in White! Solar
White swimwear looks clean and distinctive, but it immediately creates one concern for many shoppers: Will it become translucent when wet?
The white Speedo Solar has developed a strong reputation among swimmers and wearers looking for a white men's brief that maintains good coverage when properly fitted. That makes it particularly appealing to someone who wants the look of a white swimsuit without the transparency concerns associated with some lighter or thinner fabrics.
Best For
Choose the Solar if you want:
- Minimal 2-inch side coverage
- Secure positioning with a front pouch vertical seam
- Outdoor pool or beach versatility
- Reduced tan lines
- A durable suit
- A brief that handles sunscreen and recreational use well
- A strong option in white
- Maximum freedom around the upper leg
The Solar is the pool-to-beach Speedo.
Coverage and Security Are Not the Same Thing
This may be the most important lesson when shopping for men’s swim briefs. A suit that covers more skin does not automatically feel more secure.
When a male swimmer says a swimsuit feels "too revealing," he may not actually be talking about the amount of thigh or hip showing.-----He may be talking about the front construction.
A jammer covers considerably more of the body, but a very low waist or loose fit may still make some swimmers feel exposed.
A square cut covers more of the hip and upper thigh, but the front construction may allow more movement, causing constant attention during swimming.
Meanwhile, a much smaller garment, the swimming brief can use supportive lining, structured seams, a comfort pouch and an internal drawcord to hold the body securely.
That is why you should look beyond side length or outside inseam.
When choosing a Speedo brief, pay attention to:
- Front lining
- Front seams
- Comfort-pouch construction
- Fabric thickness
- Fabric stretch
- Waist position
- Drawstring security
- Rear coverage
- Leg openings
Coverage describes how much skin the suit covers. Security describes how well the suit holds and supports you.
They are related, but they are not the same thing.
Which Speedo Brief Is Right for You?
Here is the quick version.
Choose it for the smallest classic cut, desire for support, minimal hip coverage and excellent freedom.
Choose it for a balanced traditional brief with a little more coverage and waistband comfort.
Choose it when you want significantly more hip coverage while keeping the upper thigh open.
Choose it for moderate coverage and a more distinctive textured look.
Choose it for frequent practice. Check the individual model because coverage varies substantially.
Choose it when durability and repeated chlorine exposure are high priorities.
Choose it for minimal coverage, outdoor swimming, beach use, sun exposure and a durable pool-to-beach suit.
What Should a First-Time Brief Wearer Choose?
If you have always worn jammers, you do not have to start with the smallest brief available.
The 3-inch Mid is an excellent starting point.
Want even more coverage? Try the 5-inch Sunga or one of the fuller Club Training models. Strange as it sounds, if you are comfortable with your abs, these are sometimes the best suits.
Once you become comfortable with the open-leg feel of a brief, you can decide whether you want to move toward a smaller Mini or Solar.
And do not judge a swimsuit by standing motionless in front of a mirror.
Move.
Raise your knees.
Bend at the hips.
Squat.
Mimic a streamline.
Check the waistband and leg openings.
Pay attention to how the front construction feels.
A good swim brief should be secure enough that once you get into the water, you stop thinking about the suit.
Training Brief vs. Racing Suit
A regular Speedo brief is not necessarily a technical race suit.
The Classic, Club Training, Endurance+ and Solar styles discussed here are primarily relevant to training, fitness swimming and everyday use. Specialized racing swimwear has a different purpose, construction and price point. Your training suit should handle the everyday work.Your race suit has another job.
A Note on Specialized Speedo Briefs
Speedo also produces briefs for more specialized disciplines.
The Speedo Polo Brief is intended around the particular demands of water polo.
Four Star SplashwearThe Aquablade Racing Brief is a more specialized racing-oriented product.
Four Star SplashwearThe Splashwear Take
There is no single best Speedo men's swim brief because there is no single type of swimmer.
The 1.5-inch Mini gives you the minimal classic Speedo silhouette, with great security.
The 3-inch Mid balances coverage, security and freedom of leg movement.
The 5-inch Sunga provides a fuller alternative, showing just the stomach.
The Jetstream Textured 3.5" creates a different, more contemporary look. This is a cool collection
Club Training as the name reveals, gives frequent swimmers a family of practice-focused options with varying levels of coverage. These are great for custom designs.
Endurance+ focuses on the demands of repeated pool use.
And the Solar 2" moves easily between swimming, sun and the beach while remaining one of the most appealing choices for someone looking for a durable minimal-cut Speedo, including in white.
Body shape matters.
Training volume matters.
Coverage matters.
Front construction matters.
And comfort matters.
The goal is not to find the smallest brief or the suit with the longest feature list.
It is to find the Speedo that stays secure if you desire, moves naturally where you want and lets you concentrate on why you came to the water in the first place.
Find Your Speedo at Splashwear Aquatics
Whether you are buying your first men's competitive swim brief, looking for a Club Training or Endurance+ suit, deciding between the Mini, Mid and Sunga, exploring the Jetstream Textured 3.5", or looking for a durable Solar 2" for the pool, beach and sun, Splashwear Aquatics can help you find the right Speedo for your fit, coverage preference and swimming.
Different cuts. Different levels of coverage. Different uses. One familiar name in swimwear.
Shop the Speedo 1.5-Inch Brief
Prefer a print or keep it classic with a solid? Both use the minimal 1.5-inch Speedo cut featured in this guide.
