Swimwear briefs remain one of the most popular choices for male swimmers in Australia, particularly in school and club teams. Favoured for their freedom of movement, secure fit, and hydrodynamic design, briefs are a staple in both training pools and competitive environments.
When it comes to creating custom men’s swimwear briefs for your team, however, there’s more to consider than just style. From fabric choice and fit to branding and functionality, well-designed briefs can enhance both performance and team identity.
This article explores the key considerations when selecting or designing men’s swimwear briefs for school and club use in Australia.
Why Swimwear Briefs Are a Popular Choice
Men’s swimwear briefs offer a minimalist design that’s purpose-built for performance. Their low-profile cut provides excellent range of motion and minimal drag, which is particularly valuable in competitive swimming.
For schools and clubs, they provide a cost-effective uniform solution that works for training, carnivals, and representative meets alike.
The compact design of briefs makes them ideal for:
- Competitive swimmers
- Lifesaving training sessions
- School sports programs
- Squad teamwear and junior development groups
Their practicality, combined with comfort and performance, makes them a go-to option across a range of swim environments in Australia.
What to Consider When Choosing Men’s Swimwear Briefs
While briefs may appear simple in design, there are several important aspects to get right when ordering them for a team. Here are some of the key features and decisions to keep in mind:
1. Fit and Functionality
A proper fit is essential in swimwear, particularly for competitive briefs. The ideal pair should sit snugly without restricting movement. For youth swimmers, you’ll want a balance between comfort and support, ensuring the brief stays in place during active use.
Elasticity at the waistband and leg openings helps keep the brief secure, while flatlock seams reduce chafing and increase comfort for longer sessions. For teamwear, consistency in sizing across a group is key, so we always recommend referring to a detailed sizing chart or organising fitting sessions ahead of final orders.
2. Fabric Choice and Durability
The fabric used in men’s swimwear briefs should be chlorine-resistant and built to withstand regular use. In school and club settings, briefs are often worn multiple times a week, and cheap or thin materials can quickly wear out or lose shape.
The most common and recommended fabrics include:
Polyester Blends (PBT)
Polyester blends, particularly PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), are widely regarded as the gold standard for training and team swimwear. They’re highly resistant to chlorine, hold their shape over time, and maintain colour vibrancy after repeated use. For school and club teams that swim frequently, PBT is a reliable and long-lasting choice.
Elastane-Blend Fabrics
Fabrics that include elastane (also known as spandex or Lycra) offer added stretch and a closer fit, making them appealing for competitive swimmers. However, elastane fibres can break down faster in chlorinated pools, so these suits may not last as long under heavy use. They’re often better suited for short-term or low-frequency wear.
Fully Lined Briefs
A full lining adds a second layer of fabric to swimwear briefs, offering extra support and coverage, especially in lighter-coloured or thinner materials. Lined briefs also tend to hold their shape better over time and feel more secure during rigorous activity. This option is particularly useful for junior swimmers or teams seeking a more structured feel.
Quality fabric choices help ensure the briefs maintain their fit, colour, and performance across the entire swim season.
3. Custom Design and Team Branding
One of the main advantages of ordering custom swimwear briefs is the opportunity to create a unique and unified look for your school or club.
With sublimation printing, it’s possible to add:
Team Colours or House Stripes
Incorporating your school or club colours into the swimwear design helps build unity and a strong team presence, both poolside and in competition. Custom briefs can include solid colours, house stripes, or creative combinations that visually align with your broader team identity. This consistency reinforces pride and recognition at events.
School or Club Logos
A clearly placed logo adds a professional touch to your swimwear and makes your team easily identifiable during carnivals or meets. Whether printed on the front hip, back, or side panel, logos are seamlessly integrated into the design using sublimation techniques, ensuring they won’t fade or peel over time.
Custom Side Panel Designs
Side panel graphics offer an opportunity to be creative while maintaining a sleek appearance. You might include abstract patterns, wave motifs, or gradients that reflect your team’s energy and culture. These design elements add character to the brief without compromising performance or comfort.
4. Style Options and Cut Variations
Not all briefs are cut the same. While most competitive briefs follow a standard low-rise cut, there are slight variations that may suit different age groups or swimming contexts.
Some considerations include:
Higher Waistband Options
Swimwear briefs with a slightly higher waistband provide extra coverage around the hips and waist, which can be especially suitable for younger swimmers or school teams prioritising modesty. This style offers a more secure feel during movement, making it a popular choice for training and development squads.
Drawstring Adjustments
A secure, adjustable drawstring is essential for ensuring swimwear briefs stay in place, especially during dives, turns, and prolonged sessions. Drawstrings allow each swimmer to customise the fit around the waist, adding comfort and confidence during competition or training.
Double-Lined Options for Increased Durability
Double-lined briefs include an extra layer of fabric, enhancing both structural integrity and opacity. This is particularly useful for lighter colourways or briefs intended for high-frequency use. The additional lining helps the garment retain its shape and withstand chlorine exposure over time.
5. Practicality for Schools and Clubs
From a team manager or school sport coordinator’s perspective, briefs are also a highly practical option. They take up little storage space, dry quickly, and are relatively easy to manage when ordering in bulk.
It’s helpful to plan for:
Sample Sizing Kits for Accurate Fit
Organising a fitting session with sample sizing kits helps ensure that students or athletes are correctly sized before placing a bulk order. This reduces the risk of ordering incorrect sizes, streamlines distribution, and improves overall satisfaction with the final product, particularly important when dealing with a large group or multiple age levels.
Spare Units in Common Sizes
Having a small supply of spare briefs in the most common sizes (such as men's M, L, or youth sizes) can be a lifesaver during the season. These extras are useful when students forget their swimwear, transfer into the team mid-term, or require a quick size swap before a carnival or competition.
Turnaround Time
Timing is crucial when coordinating custom uniforms. It’s important to account for the full production schedule, typically 4 to 6 weeks after design sign-off. Planning early in the term ensures your swimwear is ready for training blocks, competitions, or representative meets, and avoids the stress of last-minute delays.
Organising swimwear early in the term ensures everything is ready before carnivals, training blocks, or representative meets begin.
Care and Maintenance Tips
To extend the life of men’s swimwear briefs, teams should follow a few basic care recommendations:
Rinse in Cold Water
Chlorine and saltwater can break down swimwear fibres over time, especially in high-use environments like schools or clubs. Rinsing briefs in cold, fresh water immediately after each swim helps remove residual chemicals and reduces wear, helping to preserve the fabric’s elasticity and colour.
Avoid Hot Washes, Bleach, or Strong Detergents
High temperatures and harsh cleaning agents can cause fading, fabric breakdown, and loss of stretch. It’s best to hand wash briefs using mild soap or a gentle detergent in cool water. This extends the life of the garment and ensures it maintains its fit and appearance throughout the season.
Avoid Rough Surfaces
Sitting or leaning on pool edges, concrete, or other abrasive surfaces can lead to pilling or small tears in swimwear fabric. Encourage swimmers to sit on a towel or smooth surface when poolside, and avoid rubbing the fabric against rough materials to help prolong the swimwear’s life.
With proper care, a quality pair of swimwear briefs can last through an entire season, or longer, without losing its shape or colour.
Practical, Professional, and Performance-Ready
Custom men’s swimwear briefs remain a trusted and practical solution for school and club teams across Australia. No matter the purpose, the right briefs combine function, comfort, and durability in a compact design that works.
By considering fit, fabric, and team branding, you can equip your swimmers with gear that helps them feel confident and perform at their best, both in and out of the pool.
Planning your next swim season? Explore your custom swimwear options with Team Spirit Sports who understand the needs of school and club teams.
Get in touch with us today to learn more!
FAQs About Custom Men’s Swimwear Briefs for School and Club Teams
1. Are swimwear briefs appropriate for all age groups in school and club settings?
Yes, swimwear briefs are widely used across junior and senior levels in both schools and clubs. For younger swimmers or those preferring more coverage, options like higher waistbands or slightly wider side panels can offer added modesty and comfort without compromising performance.
2. What fabric is best for swimwear briefs used in training and competition?
Chlorine-resistant polyester blends, such as PBT, are ideal for regular pool use. They offer excellent shape retention, durability, and colour fastness over time. Elastane blends provide more stretch but may wear out faster if exposed to chlorine frequently.
3. How should we determine the correct size for each swimmer?
Always refer to a detailed sizing chart and, where possible, organise a fitting session using sample garments. This ensures each swimmer is confident and comfortable in their gear, and reduces the chance of needing last-minute size exchanges.
4. Can custom designs affect the performance or fit of briefs?
When done properly, no. Modern sublimation printing techniques allow for full customisation, logos, colours, and patterns, without impacting fabric flexibility or comfort. However, it's important to consider logo placement and how designs may stretch on different body types.
5. How long do men’s swimwear briefs typically last with regular use?
With proper care, briefs made from quality materials can last an entire school or club season, and often beyond. Durability depends on frequency of use, exposure to chlorine or salt water, and whether the garments are rinsed and dried correctly after each session.
6. What are the benefits of briefs compared to jammers or swim trunks?
Briefs offer a streamlined fit, minimal drag, and maximum freedom of movement, making them ideal for competitive swimming. They also dry quickly and are easier to store and manage in team settings. Jammers may provide more coverage, but briefs are often preferred for their simplicity and performance benefits.