If you are a man of creature comfort (and 8-hour shred sessions), you would do well to make sure your boardshort of choice has anti-chafe technology. Better for activities like surfing and wakeboarding because board shorts allow for better range of motion and won't ride up. You want a pair of boardshorts that fit comfortably—and tightly—around the waist, and thankfully most brands now offer products in waist measurements (rather than using small/medium/large designations) to help you find the perfect size, with attachments methods like tie strings and Velcro flys to make sure everything stays in place. The other key metric is the overall length of the shorts themselves; products with 18-inch outseams drop just above the knees to provide cover without hindering your movement, while others lean into smaller outseams that expose more of your thigh or baggier ones that fall below the knee. If performance is a must, consider those that include stretch panels or fabric with four-way stretch, which allows the shorts to fit a touch snugger, and won’t get in your way while swimming, surfing, paddleboarding, or fishing.

Boardshorts of 2023 - TripSavvy The 10 Best Boardshorts of 2023 - TripSavvy

Board shorts also have a tighter, more secure waistband with a Velcro fly and drawstring closure — no elastic involved. This helps keep the shorts on while engaged in intense activities like surfing. Men’s board shorts range from a 17-inch to 22-inch outseam. In addition to being longer, board shorts are also narrower. They don’t have any mesh lining, which can constrict surfers maneuvering complex movements. Board shorts are often made from polyester/Spandex blends to offer more stretch. Lining: Swim trunks almost always have mesh linings to provide more support. Boards shorts, on the other hand, do not usually have linings; in fact, surfers and sailors avoid liners because that extra fabric can cause abrasion against the skin. Instead, board shorts offer a free, less restrictive fit that helps air circulate to keep you cool on those hot summer days, and give you more wiggle room and space for movement on the waves. Really, if you're performing heavy activities in water, no lining is the way to go. If you like Alex Knost, Costa Rica and slow-moving point breaks have a squiz at RVCA’s top models. Anti Chafe

Stylish and can be worn off the beach as casual streetwear. Also popular with skaters and MMA fighters. Some boardshorts come without an inner lining, which frees things up and provides a more streamlined overall fit. But those trunks can also lead to chafing, a real possibility when you factor in higher-energy sports and saltwater. Others use a variety of stretchy synthetic lining, typically made of tightly woven mesh or another breathable fabric that protects your boys without overheating. More advanced boardshorts also add more structured liners, using fabrics similar to wet suits to add compressional support and warmth. Board shorts were originally designed for surfers. The longer length was intended to keep surf wax from ripping out a surfer’s leg hair, as well as reduce irritation from rubbing. First thing first: you won't find any cotton-heavy fabric in board shorts since it will get too heavy when soaked with water and thus weigh you down.

Mens Board Shorts - City Beach Mens Board Shorts - City Beach

A lightweight and durable board short that won’t stretch out over use. Popular for its long length, these shorts hit the knee on men over 6’ tall. Unisex style. Many can wear board shorts over other swimsuit bottoms as fashionable beachwear or shorts. From fit, lining, waistband, fabric, and occasion, board shorts actually differ from swim trunks in many ways.From Need Essentials’ dark navy offerings to Banks Journal’s jaundice-coloured swag, muted colours are to 2022 what three-quarter-leg length monstrosities were to the early 2000’s. Popular with chain-smoking undergrads and intrepid adventurers alike. Dual Tone

Board Shorts in 2023, Tested by Style Experts 20 Best Board Shorts in 2023, Tested by Style Experts

While the likes of Hurley have previously been owned by sportswear giant Nike and took incredible advantage of the company’s fabric technologies in the process, most pairs of boardshorts these days will offer levels of performance unrivalled by other sports shorts. Flashy High Performance Length: The main difference here is the length. While swim trunks generally hit at the thigh, men's board shorts tend to be longer, usually ending right at the knee or slightly below it. This helps provide more coverage in general, and it protects you from the sun. Traditional board shorts tend to be baggier in shape and are known for being less restrictive—one of the many reasons they are recommended for highly intense activities, such as surfing, wakeboarding, and beach games.