Best Board Shorts

A lot of people use board shorts and swim trunks interchangeably when in reality, they’re two different products. Board shorts don’t have a mesh liner on the inside and they’re usually a little longer in length than regular swim trunks. You also shouldn’t wear underwear under a pair of board shorts like you can with swim trunks — they’ll get wet and heavy and lead to horrid chafing. When in doubt, just remember: you can swim in board shorts but you can’t surf in swim trunks.

Along with swim trunks, volleyball shorts (ones that are more high cut with an elastic waistband) have started to become more popular among the surf community — however, traditional board shorts are a better choice since they give you more room to move and stretch when in the water. Volleyball shorts tend to bunch up in the waist and the extra material will drag through the water, making it more difficult to swim or paddle.

Board shorts used to primarily be made out of a canvas-like cotton and nylon mix material that was durable but was also — as you can imagine — very uncomfortable. Nowadays, that heavy canvas material isn’t nearly as popular. What you will find is a polyester microfiber mix, usually with some stretch to it. It’s still durable, but much softer and more comfortable than before.

For those long wave sessions, board shorts made out of high-end performance material will be able to handle regular wear and tear that other materials couldn’t. And even if you’re just lounging poolside or having a casual day on the beach, you’ll still want your boardies to be breathable and cool.

The most important features of your board shorts’ overall fit and style is the waistband, closure system, seams, and length.

Having a properly fitting waistband is necessary when it comes to both being in the water and on dry land. One that’s too loose on you will end up falling past your hips, causing an array of problems on its own (no one wants to have or see an accidental mooning). On the other end, a waist band that’s too tight will make movement hard and will make closure difficult, even if it’s a stretchy material.

With a well-fitted waistband comes the need for a shorts fly that stays closed. The best way to check for a good closure system is to flip the board shorts inside out and check out how it’s made. Do the seams, zippers, buttons, or velcro cause it to have hard edges? If so, you can already be assured that you won’t be comfortable with it against your body all day. Buttoned or zippered closures are more ideal for relaxing by the pool rather than surfing — nobody wants those digging into them while laying on a board. Another traditional closure system is laces, which are more comfortable than the latter but don’t always like to stay tied. One closure that is growing in popularity is a mock-fly. It’s made with a piece of stretchy material where the traditional fly would normally be, eliminating the closure system altogether.

Seams are often overlooked, but they’re actually crucial when it comes to designing quality board shorts. In general, you want the least amount of seam material possible — bulky seams risk rubbing and chaffing your thighs and groin. It costs more to produce less seam material, so cheaper board shorts tend to have thicker seams while more expensive board shorts’ seams will be nearly nonexistent.

The length of your board shorts is important, especially for surfers, because it protects your thighs while paddling on your board. Inseams range in length from 15 to 21 inches, with the average usually falling in the 18 to 20 inch range. It really comes down to personal preference — having extra material around your knees or having less protection over your thighs.