Chubbies’ documented strength is comfortable, fun shorts and swim trunks that wearers love. The San Francisco brand built its name on short inseams and bold prints, and describes itself as making “radical shorts for your weekend,” with free shipping, free exchanges and a fit guarantee. Its swim trunks are hugely popular at retailers. Dick’s Sporting Goods lists Chubbies’ Classic 5.5-inch swim trunks at 4.8 from more than 3,500 reviews, with 99% of reviewers recommending them, and Walmart lists Chubbies’ stretch swim trunks at 4.8 from more than 6,000 ratings. One Walmart reviewer said he brought three swim trunks on a trip to Cancún and only ever wore his Chubbies.
Trustpilot fans are enthusiastic too. Andrew Howard (UK, 5 stars) said Chubbies’ quality sets it apart from Gymshark, Reebok and Under Armour, with clothes that feel great on the skin and more fun designs than competitors, adding that his US order reached the UK in two days. Candis (US, 5 stars) said she’s had years of positive experiences gifting Chubbies swim and casual shorts and always finds them well made. Sara Schuler (US, 5 stars) said two agents made exchanging her volleyball team’s shorts incredibly easy by text. Shelby Miles (US, 5 stars) praised his 3XL 7-inch swim trunks as high quality and a great fit.
Chubbies’ range covers swim trunks, casual shorts, athletic and training shorts, pants, shirts, polos, outerwear and NFL-licensed collections, with women’s and kids’ options. The Originals casual shorts and The Ultimate Training Short cost about $79.50, according to Busted Wallet and That Fit Friend. Classic swim trunks list around $68 to $69.50 at retailers, often on sale. Many styles come in 5.5-inch and 7-inch inseams.
The honest caveat: Chubbies’ Trustpilot score is 2.4 from just 33 reviews, with 64% one-star. The profile is unclaimed and Chubbies doesn’t invite reviews, so it’s small and skews negative. Still, the complaints repeat: slow shipping that misses vacation dates, out-of-stock items without notice, AI chat support with long waits, broken return tools, refunds issued as gift cards, free returns limited to the US, and a polo whose stitching failed after one wear.
Quick Highlights
✅ Classic swim trunks rated 4.8 from 3,500+ reviews at Dick’s
✅ Stretch swim trunks rated 4.8 from 6,000+ ratings at Walmart
✅ Bold prints and fun designs
✅ Comfortable stretch fabrics, praised by fans
✅ Multiple inseams, including 5.5 and 7 inches
✅ Ultimate Training Short with compression liner
✅ Everywear shorts are water- and wrinkle-resistant, per Garage Gym Reviews
✅ Wide size range, including big sizes
✅ NFL-licensed collections and matching kids’ styles
✅ Free shipping and free exchanges, per Chubbies
✅ Fit guarantee, per Chubbies
✅ Text-based support praised by some customers
❌ Trustpilot score of 2.4 from 33 reviews, 64% one-star
❌ Slow shipping that misses promised dates
❌ Out-of-stock items without notification
❌ AI chatbot support and long waits
❌ Online return tool not working for some reviewers
❌ Refunds issued as gift cards, per a reviewer
❌ Free returns only in the US
❌ Premium prices, around $79.50 for some shorts
Why Trust This Review
This review draws on 33 Trustpilot reviews of Chubbies (TrustScore 2.4), retailer ratings from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart and REI, hands-on testing from That Fit Friend and Garage Gym Reviews, product details from Busted Wallet, and Chubbies’ own description. Some retailer reviews were collected as part of promotions. Chubbies’ Trustpilot profile is unclaimed and small, so we balanced it with larger retailer review samples. GlossGirly has no commercial relationship with Chubbies that affects this verdict.
Full Review Breakdown
Design and Style
Chubbies’ personality is its calling card. Its shorts and swim trunks come in loud prints, bright colors and playful names, alongside darker, more classic options. Andrew Howard said Chubbies’ styles are more varied than big athletic brands, mixing dark colors with fun designs. The brand popularized shorter inseams, offering 5.5-inch options alongside 7-inch versions for those who want more coverage. A Walmart reviewer said he was glad he chose a longer inseam after sitting in the shorts.
Chubbies also sells NFL-licensed collections, matching family styles and kids’ swim trunks, which REI reviewers praised for matching father and son. ishan sharma (Australia, 1 star) felt the brand has become less interesting since 2020 to 2021, dropping favorites like its trucker jacket and fluffy hoodies.
Comfort, Fit and Performance
Comfort earns consistent praise. Retail reviewers describe stretchy, comfortable fabric. REI lists its stretch swim trunks at 92% polyester and 8% spandex, with a stretchy liner. That Fit Friend tested The Ultimate Training Short for lifting, CrossFit and running, finding its compression liner snug but mobile and calling it a strong all-around training short. Garage Gym Reviews praised the Everywear Performance Short for being water- and wrinkle-resistant, with lots of colors and two inseam options.
Fit varies by style. Steve Lewis (UK, 1 star) said shorts ordered by Chubbies’ size chart were too big. That Fit Friend suggests sizing up the Ultimate Training Short for casual wear. Shelby Miles said Chubbies’ 3XL swim trunks fit great, showing the brand’s inclusive size range. Check each product’s size chart and inseam carefully.
Shipping and Order Accuracy
Shipping is the most common complaint. FRANCESCA (US, 2 stars) said swim trunks with a two-week estimate weren’t shipped until shortly before that date and missed her trip. Cory Timberlake (US, 1 star) said items sat in one location for two weeks before his vacation. Collette (UK, 1 star) paid for two-day shipping and waited almost a month. Melissa Castleman (US, 1 star) said her order was never sent, then re-entered with one item out of stock and a delayed refund. Jeffrey Peck (US, 1 star) said he wasn’t told that items were out of stock until he contacted support three weeks later.
Some orders arrive fast. Andrew Howard received his UK order in two days. Order well ahead of vacations and events, and track your order closely.
Customer Service, Returns and Value
Support relies heavily on email and an AI text assistant, which many reviewers dislike. Tinker (US, 1 star) said the automated approach leads to delayed responses and long chat queues. Paul (UK, 1 star) said he waited hours for a human after the AI couldn’t help. But Sara Schuler praised agents Dany and Erin for easy exchanges by text, and Lisa (US, 5 stars) received store credit for an entire delayed order.
Returns can be complicated. Steve Lewis said the online return button stayed greyed out, and that free returns only apply in the US, so he paid £7.56. Annoyed (US, 1 star) said Chubbies issued a gift card despite requesting a refund for sale shorts. Justin (US, 1 star) said a $60 polo from an authorized retailer came apart after about one wear, and Chubbies offered only 50% store credit. On value, Chubbies’ $79.50 shorts are premium, but retail sales often bring swim trunks down significantly.
Best Products Worth Buying
Chubbies’ bestselling swim trunks, made from stretchy 92% polyester and 8% spandex with a stretch liner, per REI. They’re rated 4.8 from more than 3,500 reviews at Dick’s, with 99% recommending them, and 4.8 from over 6,000 ratings at Walmart. Prints range from bold tropical patterns to classic stripes, and there are matching kids’ versions. Best for vacations, pool days and gifts. Trade-offs: the 5.5-inch inseam is short, so choose 7 inches for more coverage. Buy from a retailer with easy returns if you’re unsure about sizing.
A versatile training short with a snug compression liner, deep seams for mobility and a key holder tucked into the waistband. That Fit Friend found it performed strongly for HIIT, lifting and CrossFit, and works for short to mid-range runs. Best for gym-goers who like built-in compression liners. Trade-offs: at around $79.50 it’s pricey, and the liner fits snugly. Size up for a roomier casual fit.
Chubbies’ signature casual shorts, with the short inseams and colors that built the brand, available in a 7-inch inseam among others. Busted Wallet praised the collection for doing its job well. Best for weekends, barbecues and warm-weather outings. Trade-offs: premium price for casual shorts, and sizing can run large for some. Check the size chart carefully.
What Customers Actually Think
“The thing that separates Chubbies away from Gymshark, Reebok and Under Armour is their outstanding quality.” — Andrew Howard, Trustpilot reviewer (UK, 5 stars, Chubbies apparel)
“I always inspect the items first. They’re made well.” — Candis, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars, swim and casual shorts)
“Being able to text and talk to a real person for help is a game-changer.” — Sara Schuler, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars, team shorts exchange)
“Being able to text and talk to a real person for help is a game-changer.” — Sara Schuler, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars, team shorts exchange)
“At $60 bucks a polo, you would think I would get more than 1.25 wears outta the thing, but that’s not the case.” — Justin, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star, Chubbies polo)
Is It Worth It?
Yes, for buyers who want comfortable, fun shorts and swim trunks, especially when bought on sale or through retailers with easy returns. If you’re ordering directly, order well ahead of trips, check sizing, and keep records in case you need an exchange or refund.
Competitors Table
Feature | Chubbies | Vuori | Fair Harbor | Vineyard Vines | Lululemon | Old Navy |
Trustpilot rating | 2.4/5 (33 reviews) | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
Bold prints | Yes | Limited | Yes | Some | Limited | Some |
Short inseams (5.5″) | Yes | Some | Some | Some | Some | Some |
Swim trunks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Some | Yes |
Training shorts | Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited | Yes | Yes |
Price level | Mid to premium | Premium | Mid to premium | Premium | Premium | Budget |
FAQs
Are Chubbies swim trunks good?
Yes. They’re rated 4.8 from thousands of reviews at Dick’s and Walmart.
What inseams does Chubbies offer?
Many styles come in 5.5-inch and 7-inch inseams.
Does Chubbies offer free returns?
Chubbies says it offers free exchanges, but a UK reviewer said free returns only apply in the US.
How much do Chubbies shorts cost?
The Originals and Ultimate Training Short cost about $79.50, and swim trunks about $68 to $69.50.
How long does Chubbies shipping take?
It varies. Some orders arrive in days, while others miss estimated dates, so order early.
Final Verdict
Chubbies makes some of the most comfortable, fun shorts and swim trunks available, and thousands of retailer reviewers back that up. Bold prints, stretchy fabrics, multiple inseams and inclusive sizing make it a favorite for vacations, gym days and gifts.
The weak spots are shipping reliability, order communication and customer service, with reviewers describing missed vacation deadlines, AI support, return tool problems and gift-card refunds. Buy early, consider purchasing through retailers with easy returns, and check sizing carefully.
Scorecard
Category | Score |
Comfort | 9.0/10 |
Design & Style | 9.0/10 |
Product Quality | 7.6/10 |
Size & Inseam Options | 8.6/10 |
Shipping Reliability | 5.0/10 |
Customer Service | 4.8/10 |
Returns | 5.2/10 |
Value for Money | 7.0/10 |
Overall | 7.0/10 |
