Love the very short very low cut suits 1 in, side
 

Don't overlook the Mate Gear mini short or the athletic short. They are very low rise, split up the sides, bit look like and athletic short although they cover like a brief. Fall out is handled by a built in sling.

mate
 

Didn't Torchwatch order one of those some months ago?

Btw he posted this 10-24-2013: http://mategear.com

I like two inch sides, brighter colors and prints, and a slightly lower cut on the waist and hips. I am really into Turbo right now, cool colors and themes.

Yes, I do remember the short shorts of tennis. I also still wear 1 inch inseam full side split running shorts when I run. They are actually not as revealing as they sound, but they are much more practical for running.

STS

A simple question
 

When I was younger, I played a lot of tennis, especially in my teens and into my 20's. I wore tennis shorts with probably a 2 inch inseam. I don't play tennis anymore but walk 2-3 miles every day and wear speedos usually with 1-2 inch sides under the shorts which have a 2-3 inch inseam. The speedos give me lots of support and feel really good while shorts are roomy enough to be comfortable.

Dooley67

SPEEDOS: I prefer traditional 2.5" side seam racing brief cut. Tyr or Speedo brand.
RUNNING SHORTS: I like em short, 1.5" to 2" inseam. Anything longer rubs my thighs wrong.
CASUAL SHORTS: just above the knee. I remember the short OP shorts of the 80s fondly, but never again.

SPEEDOS: don't wear anything longer than 2"
SHORTS: don't really wear them. Certainly not for walking around the streets, and for workouts I wear tracksuit bottoms.

1.5" sides rock and should be the standard!!!!!
 

1.5" sides are the best. It's the perfect amount of fabric on the side the serve it's function plus it grabs attention.
As far as the back, I prefer the Brazilian or a 3/4 cut on the butt.

Swim briefs: 1/2-1" sides with very low rise
Around town shorts: 4-5 1/2" inseam
Gym, in and around house shorts: 1" splits, 2-5" inseam (depends upon what I'm doing)
Evening & early morning shorts: 1-2" inseam

* Commando 99% of the time *

answers
 

Swimming: 1 -2 inch sides.
Shorts, 5 - 7 inches since I don't wear underwear. Wore them shorter before I stopped wearing briefs under shorts.

Discovered Aliexpress a couple years ago...
 

For lap swimming I like 1.25 to 2 inch sides. Desmiit swim briefs is what I wear the most and they are 1.25 inch.

For walking I like these short shorts with a built in jockstrap. They are the most comfortable and cost well under 10$ so you can get many of different colors.