Your Most Embarrassing Questions about Speedos, Answered

We answered the questions you’re too embarrassed to ask on how to wear a speedo.

It’s pretty normal to wear a speedo in Europe, even mandatory at French public pools. The speedo has helped men win Olympic gold medals and gave us a reason to watch Baywatch. Still, the majority of American men tend to have mixed feelings about the speedo.

In one of our recent polls, we asked men what type of swimwear they typically wear. The results were split almost fifty-fifty: 49% of men don’t mind swim briefs, while 51% of men prefer swim trunks. 

We get it – there’s a lot to think about when you’re wearing a speedo. It’s only human to feel uneasy in swim briefs, especially with your junk front and center. You might even have some concerns on your mind that are just too awkward to ask face to face.

To help you out, here are the most common questions on how to wear a speedo found repeatedly on online forums (Quora, Reddit, Yahoo! Answers, etc.). You just might find the answer to your awkward speedo question below!

Do I need to shave my pubes to wear a speedo?

Unless you’re a professional athlete or model where it can be required to shave, you don’t need to shave to wear a speedo. It's really a matter of place and time. If you’re going to a more conservative beach or public pool, it’s best to keep your pubes out of sight to avoid conflict with indecent exposure. However, this is clearly not an issue on clothing optional beaches.

How should I place my penis in a speedo – up, down or to the side?

There’s really no unwritten rule that your penis should be facing a certain way in a speedo. Some guys prefer situating their penises slightly downwards (or centered) so they don’t have to keep fixing themselves when it falls to the side. As long as you’re not inappropriately exposing yourself, you’re free to place your penis whichever direction feels most comfortable. North, south, east, west, northwest, southwest… You get the idea.

Can I wear a speedo as underwear?

The short answer is: yes, you can wear speedos as underwear. It’s more about personal preference for the same reason anyone would wear regular briefs for swimming. Just keep in mind that speedos might not be as breathable and sweat absorbing as normal briefs due to the fabric composition. If you really love the feeling of wearing swim briefs, you can always look for men’s briefs made in similar fabrics to prevent any discomfort and chafing.

Will I get a wedgie if I wear a speedo on a pool slide?

Unfortunately yes, there’s no way around this. Like everyone else wearing swim briefs, you just need to pick it and move on with your life. On the bright side, your speedo shouldn’t fall off on a pool slide. If you find it falling to your ankles that easily, you should consider buying swim briefs in a smaller size. 

How do I keep my penis from falling out of my speedo?

If you’re facing this issue, your speedo is probably too small or too big, which is why you might be spilling out of your swimsuit. You can try sizing up for a better fit. You can also find swim briefs made with more contoured pouches that can accommodate well endowed guys.

How can I prevent an erection in a speedo?

For whatever the reason might be, it happens. Some guys recommend jacking off before wearing it, but that’s not really practical in most cases. You can try getting used to the idea by wearing a speedo as regular underwear. You can also wear it underneath your swim trunks until you’re comfortable enough to wear them alone. Just test out a couple different methods to find what works for you.