Best Board Shorts

You don’t have to be duck diving the waves to enjoy a pair of board shorts nowadays. Explore our top picks for the best boardies and enjoy your time outside — even if it’s just lounging poolside.
Best Board Shorts for Men

Best Board Shorts for Men

4.5/5
APTRO Men’s 9″ Swim Trunks Long Board Shorts Beach Swimwear Bathing Suits
Fabric—The 9″ long swim trunks made from professional premium durable polyester swim fabrics match with water repellent technology dries fast, lightweight, soft and UPF 50+. Good construction for long time use.
# of Reviews: 3000+

Best Board Shorts for Women

4.4/5
Roxy Women’s to Dye 7” Boardshort
90% Polyester, 10% Elastane
# of Reviews: 872+

Best Big & Tall Board Shorts

4.6/5
Hurley Men’s One and Only 22-Inch Boardshort
100% Polyester
# of Reviews: 2800+

What to know about board shorts

Board shorts vs swim trunks

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.

Materials

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.

Fit and Style

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.

Best Board Shorts for Men

These 9 inch inseam board shorts are made from a lightweight yet durable polyester material with water-repellent technology and UPF 50+ to keep you comfortable throughout the day. A drawstring and elastic waistband allows you to adjust it for the perfect fit, keeping it safely in place no matter the sport or activity. Three convenient pockets with velcro flaps keep your possessions where they should be while out of the water. This highly breathable fabric make these shorts the perfect summer addition to your surf collection.

RR Rating:
4.5/5
# of Reviews: 3000+
◘ Fabric---The 9" long swim trunks made from professional premium durable polyester swim fabrics match with water repellent technology dries fast, lightweight, soft and UPF 50+. Good construction for long time use.
◘ Features---Drawstring goes through the elastic waistband for freely adjustment to fit and fixed of your waist suitable for all kinds of sports and plus the durable soft lining for extra support brings you comfort and secure effect all day long.
◘ 3 pockets---2 slanted mesh pockets and 1 back cargo flap pocket with velcro and drain hole which could help accelerate water flowing down and achieve the effect of quick drying.

Best Board Shorts for Women

Ladies will love these mid-rise Roxy board shorts. The mid-length 7 inch inseam offers full coverage to keep you comfortable both in and out of the water. These shorts are made from a sustainable REPREVE™ polyester with incredible 4-way stretch to give you a wide range of movement and optimal comfort during all your outdoor activities. Add this board short to your surf collection and you’ll feel stylish, comfortable, and ready for whatever the surf throws at you.

RR Rating:
4.4/5
# of Reviews: 872+
◘ Pull on with lace up closure
◘ 4-Way stretch repreve recycled polyester
◘ 90% Polyester, 10% Elastane
◘ Hook and Loop closure
◘ Hand Wash Only

Best Big & Tall Board Shorts

This ultra-lightweight board short is an affordable, yet functional option for surfers and pool goers alike. They’re made with a recycled super-suede material to give you a soft, yet quick-drying short. Its longer out-seam allows for the best coverage while in the water or on the sand. With Hurley’s patented EZ fly closure and fixed waistband, this short is designed to stay comfortably in place so you can enjoy your everyday activities without issue.

RR Rating:
4.6/5
# of Reviews: 2800+
◘ Patented EZ fly closure
◘ 100% Polyester
◘ Machine Wash
◘ Solid boardshort featuring fixed waistband with drawstring and logoed cargo pocket

FAQs about Board Shorts

Are board shorts and swim trunks the same?

Technically, no, they aren’t the same. Board shorts are typically longer in length to protect your thighs from the roughness on a surfboard, and swim trunks are usually designed with a lining on the inside while most board shorts aren’t. The best way to remember the difference is: you can swim in board shorts, but you can’t surf in swim trunks (trust us, your legs will thank us later).

What’s the best way to wash board shorts?

To help your board shorts last as long as possible, it’s best to hand wash them in cold water with a gentle shampoo or a mild dish soap or laundry detergent, then hang them to dry. It not only keeps them clean, but it prolongs the life of the water repellent coating on them.

Are board shorts just for surfing?

While board shorts were originally designed specifically for surfing, nowadays they’re worn for many other activities. Both men and women have started wearing board shorts even while in the pool at home or when lounging on the beach because of their comfortable fit. Even lifeguards now have specialty board shorts — lifeguard board shorts are red in color, not only so it’s easy to spot them, but because red signifies help.

What are hybrid board shorts?

Hybrid board shorts have the functionality of a boardshort with the styling of regular walkshorts. These boardies are a great solution for anyone who wants to quickly go from the beach to the store or just walk around town. They look like regular trendy shorts, but they’re made with the traditional board short water repellent fabric to keep you dry and comfortable even when you’re out of the water.

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