How does color changing and water reactive swim trunks work? (2025)

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Swim trunks are already at the forefront of technology and clothing and it doesn’t stop there. Now there’s a growing niche of color-changing and water-reactive swim trunks out there. This is primarily for men’s color-changing swim trunks, and it’s all due to the coating on them. It’s not dangerous at all and it can be a fun and cool way to enjoy those hot summer days at the pool.

Just to answer the question on everyone’s mind, no these are not powered by some magical force, but simply by either special dyes or microcapsules that make them one of the most scientifically advanced types of clothing out there. These are a great choice to add to any collection for the swim trunks connoisseur.

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These are for those that are truly playful and want to have a bit more fun than usual when swimming around those coastal beaches or doing some white water rafting. These color-changing swim trunks are a great addition for those that want to bring a little chaotic styling to their collection, as you cannot always control the outcome of how these trunks will look.

Jump onto social media to check out the bold that are doing color-changing swim trunks TikTok videos. They will show exactly what types of patterns can be made, and how the drying process itself will make a unique design for you every single time.

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Pineapple Palm Mint Swim Shorts
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Sand
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How do color-changing swim trunks work?

Swimming trunks that change color are not powered by advanced science. There are special microcapsules that are temperature chromic materials. What this means is that if the temperature shifts to a much colder one (Such as jumping into the water or a pool), then the fabric will change its color.

Once the color-changing swim shorts or swim trunks get warm again, then they will revert back to the original color. These swim shorts that change color does not do so because of the water, they change color because of the temperature decrease from the water. That means if the water is warm, such as in a jacuzzi they won’t change color. If you hop out of the ocean in your personal paradise, the swim trunks that change color will do so and revert back to the primary color of the trunks.

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Mint Striped Swim Shorts
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These are a great choice because you can actually create your own designs with these types of color-changing swim trunks, and if you’re looking for a fun and loud new pair of men’s trunks then consider men’s color-changing swim trunks. You can spend the day experimenting with different designs and create your own custom temporary swim trunks.

Every time you put some cold water on these swim trunks you’ll be making a new pair for your enjoyment.

What are water-reactive swim trunks?

Color-changing swim trunks change the actual color of the trunks based on the heat differential. Water-reactive swim trunks are a different beast altogether. These are for someone who is looking to expand their repertoire of men’s swim trunks, without wanting something as bold as swim trunks that change color. Here it’s all about subtlety over a different design for each day of the week.

These are perfect for those that want a bit of a random pop to their swim trunks, without looking as if you switched out your swim trunks while jumping into the water, due to the changing color swim trunks. These water-reactive swim trunks have a muted pattern that can be revealed with contact through the water. These will usually reveal a beautiful pattern to the parts of the swim trunks that are covered in water.

Since these are a lot more muted than swim trunks that change color, these are almost perfect for every type of setting. Whether you’re wind sailing in Southeast Asia or are hosting a party on a yacht, they are a fantastic option.

They lean towards a more refined palette and taste for men’s color-changing swim trunks, as these water-reactive swim trunks are about revealing a stylized pattern, that can be a simple white or a darker shade of the primary swim trunk color. This means there’s more of a uniformity to these types of swim trunks versus their color-changing swim trunks cousin.

Pineapple Palm Mint Swim Shorts
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Mint Striped Swim Shorts
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£29

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Stripes 2-Pack Swim Shorts
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Ducks Swim Shorts
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How do water-reactive swim trunks work?

This time around, it’s all about the water. That means the temperature plays no part. When the water hits the fabric, it will reveal the pattern, similar to how mystery ink worked back in the days when people remembered that product. As soon as your swim trunks start to dry, the pattern will start to disappear, so make sure to keep yourself.

Both of these types of swim trunks are the latest in the swim trunks offering arena. Whether it’s color-changing swim trunks or water-reactive swim trunks, more and more options are becoming available. Both of these types are also machine wash friendly without losing the durability of their respective technologies.

Since they are a newer model of swim trunks in general, they come in a lighter material and are a lot more comfortable. A lot of models out there have quick-drying tech built-in, to ensure there’s no chafing or any other issues with your color-changing swim trunks.

As a burgeoning swim trunks collector, color-changing swim trunks and water-reactive swim trunks must join your growing collection after you get your staple swim trunks sorted. Also keep in mind that these are specially treated, and although they can handle being machine washed, and should be hung to dry, don’t forget all those additional tips to keep your swim trunks, color-changing trunks, or normal ones, lasting as long as possible.

Also, ensure that you always make sure to get your proper size, so you can move and enjoy your new color-changing swim trunks.

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