Why CrossFit Athletes Are Ditching Boardshorts for Swim Briefs
If you've ever tried to swim a 400m time trial in a pair of sodden boardshorts, you already know the answer. But for the millions of CrossFit athletes now incorporating swim WODs into their training, the question of what to wear in the water is becoming a lot more interesting.
Pictured - @max_sidequests
The problem with boardshorts in the pool
Boardshorts were designed for the beach — casual surfing, lying around, looking relaxed. They were not designed for a 16-minute swim WOD after a 2,000 metre run. The drag alone is a performance killer. Water is 800 times more dense than air, which means every extra bit of fabric is working against you. Long boardshorts catching water as you kick is the aquatic equivalent of running in ski boots.
There's also the practical problem: you can't exactly leave your wallet, keys and phone in a locker mid-WOD when you're transitioning from a run to the pool and back again. Boardshorts belong on the sand. In the water, they're just wet shorts you have to walk around in for the rest of the day.
Why Sluggers make sense for CrossFit
The logic is the same as why CrossFit athletes wear tight singlets rather than baggy t-shirts, or short shorts rather than trackies. Less drag. Better movement. You can actually see what your body is doing.
Competitive swimmers have known this for a century. Olympic athletes don't wear boardshorts for a reason. Water is a resistance environment — the less fabric, the faster you move and the less energy you waste.
For CrossFit athletes, a pair of sluggers also solves the transition problem. You show up in shorts, pull them off when it's time to get in the water, swim your WOD, and you're dry again in minutes. No soggy boardshorts waddling through the box for the rest of the session.
The confidence factor
There's a reason CrossFit has produced a culture comfortable enough to train shirtless, wear short shorts, and push physical limits in public. It's a community that rewards hard work and isn't shy about showing it.
The same confidence that lets a CrossFit athlete deadlift in front of a crowd is the same confidence it takes to rock a pair of sluggers at a pool. And honestly? If you've put in the work, why cover it up with a metre of wet polyester?
What to look for in sluggers for training
Not all sluggers are created equal. For CrossFit athletes doing swim WODs, you want:
- Chlorine resistance — if you're in the pool regularly, lycra degrades fast from chlorine. Look for a fabric with no elastane, or at minimum one that's specifically rated chlorine resistant
- Secure fit — a drawstring is non-negotiable. You don't want to be adjusting anything mid-WOD
- Quick dry — you'll be transitioning back to land movements. Your sluggers should be dry within minutes
- Freedom of movement — a well-cut pair of sluggers shouldn't restrict your kick or hip mobility
Why Australian sluggers?
Australians have been wearing sluggers as everyday swimwear for decades. While American men have been told boardshorts are the only option, Australian blokes have been turning up to the beach, the pool and the backyard BBQ in a pair of sluggers without a second thought.
The result is a swimwear culture that prioritises fit, function and a bit of personality — which is exactly what a CrossFit athlete needs.
At Sluggers, we've been making Australian-designed sluggers since 2014. They're bold, they're comfortable, they're built for actual swimming — and they ship to the US with duties pre-paid so there are no surprises at the door. Shop DEETEES — our most popular style — or if you're a serious lap swimmer check out our chlorine proof Racerbacks.
If your box programs swim WODs and you're still turning up in boardshorts, it might be time to rethink. Your time trial will thank you.
