For all the adventurous water babies, here are this season’s best boarding shorts that are comfortable, fashionable, and highly durable. Board shorts have certain distinct features that separate them from a traditional pair of swim trunks. One of the major differences is the waistband, as board shorts are aimed to be worn for high-intensity water activities, and do not have an ordinary elastic waistband. They have strong, well-engineered waistbands that are secured with velcro allowing for a highly secure fit.

Board shorts are available in an exceptional range of solid colors, and prints so that you can look stylish even when you are not engaging in any water sports. These make for great casual wear to lounge at the beach or wear to your nearby cafe. Therefore, through our extensive trial and error process, we have shortlisted a few high-functionality, multipurpose boarding shorts options that are both functional and trendy. 

What Are Board Shorts?

Board shorts are a type of swim trunks that are specially developed to withstand harsh conditions during water sports, especially surfing and wakeboarding. 

Our contributor Loshane A. Vasilyeva, Fashion & beauty expert, says, “Wearing board shorts offer comfort, flexibility and freedom of movement, hence, making them perfect, for water sports and outdoor activities.” These usually have to be equipped with certain features like quick-drying, stretchability, and durability. Lightweight and soft fabrics like polyester or nylon, are the favorable material choices for the same.

These shorts are typically slightly above-the-knee to ensure good coverage while also offering freedom to move swiftly. The wide waistbands are one of the most important factors of these shorts to provide secure closure.

• 1
  Best Overall

  APTRO Men's Board Shorts Swimsuit

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Finely crafted with polyester fibers to enhance your performance during watersports, APTRO Men's Board shorts are water repellent, lightweight, soft, and have a UPF 50+ to provide protection against UV radiations. 

These shorts feature an additional soft mesh lining for extra support, a secure elastic waistband with a string attached for an adjustable fit, and 3 pockets for storing essentials. With a wide range of design options, these high-quality board shorts are made to last for several years. So, you just need to invest in one pair of these shorts and you are covered for several years.

2

Best Design Options

KAILUA SURF Mens Swim Trunks

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Your struggles to find the perfect pair of board shorts that flatters your body may end with these 100% polyester shorts by KAILUA SURF. The brand offers a vast size range that caters to all body types. These imported men's board shorts feature 2 side pockets and a back pocket with velcro closure for secure storage and an ultra-soft tripled-layer mesh lining to avoid excessive chafing. 

There is also an elastic waistband with adjustable drawstring closure to ensure extra protection while you enjoy your water adventures. For all the men who are tired of searching for swim shorts that are not tight around their thighs, this is perfect for you. It has a 9 inches inseam length that will keep you comfortable and breezy on a beautiful beach.

3

maamgic Mens Boys Short

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Designer men’s swim shorts by maamgic is here to help you make a splash in style. Featuring a superior-grade mesh lining inside this pair of shorts, two pockets, and adjustable drawstrings with elastic waistbands to provide extraordinary comfort and security. These shorts fall above the knee with a 5-inch inseam for you to flaunt your quads. These have great quick dry property which normally takes just about 5 to 10 minutes. Based on our first-hand experience, we can say that these shorts are very stylish and convenient for any water activities. 

4

Best Functionality

Quiksilver Men's Everyday 21 Board Short

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These professional-grade surfing shorts from Quiksilver are made of an exceptional quality polyester fabric called Supersuede with an additional inner polyester lining to give you a soft and comfortable feel. The waist has secure surf-style ties with drawstring closures that will leave you feeling secure as you glide through the waves. These knee-length shorts come in different design variants for you to choose from according to your preferred style. 

 

5

Best Value for Money

O'NEILL Men's Standard Surf Tie Boardshorts

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Made with super comfortable polyester fabric, O'NEILL Men's classic surf tie board shorts are a great budget-friendly option. It has a classic fit that is available in vibrant designs. The ultrasuede fabric is soft and light allowing for swift and easy movements while cruising on your surfboard. With quick dry DWR treatment, these shorts take less than a few minutes to shed water. They also feature a sturdy velcro fly, drawstring closure, and a secure velcro patch pocket at the right leg. 

 

6

Most Versatile

Ahegao Men's Swim Trunks

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If you are someone who is not sure if it is worth spending so much on swimwear, then this one's for you. Ahegao Men's swim trunks are extremely versatile and have been innovatively designed to look trendy while swimming, lounging, cycling, jogging, or surfing. So you can wear these silky and comfortable polyester shorts anywhere you want. They are equipped with elastic waistbands with adjustable drawstrings, mesh lining, and side pockets for convenience. The fabric used is quick-drying, breathable, skin-friendly, and lightweight. These are also highly durable without undergoing any color fade or releasing any odor. 

 

7

Most Comfortable

Nonwe Mens Swim Board Shorts

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Get beach-ready with the trendiest board shorts for men. Made with superior-grade polyester fabric, these board shorts from Nonwe have an unbelievably soft feel and classy look. The fabric is wear-resistant, stretchable, and durable which gets extra comfortable and softer after washing. There is also an additional inner lining that protects you from skin irritations especially while you are busy enjoying water sports. These retro-style shorts have an elastic waistband and drawstring closure for a perfect fit, 3 pockets for storage, and extensive style options for you to choose from. 

 

8

Best Material

G Gradual Store Men's Swim Trunks

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Crafted to deliver maximum comfort and breathability, these premium quality shorts by G Gradual Store are worth the hype. The lightweight and quick drying ability of these shorts makes sure that you are completely dry within minutes. Along with that, the fabric has UPF 50+ for sun protection that protects you against skin-damaging UV rays of the sun. There are smart functional zippered pockets with drain holes that quickly release the water while keeping your belongings safe. Additionally, there is an elastic waistband that has an adjustable drawstring that ensures that your shorts don't slide down while surfing or swimming.

 

9

Viodia Men's Swim Trunks

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Featuring unique compression liners, this new line of Viodia Men’s swim trunks protect your skin from scratches and itchiness caused by sand and friction. With chlorine-resistant, water-repellant, and lightweight material they are made to keep you cool and dry on a hot sunny beach day. 

They also have UPF50+ in the fabric making it ideal for outdoor activities like swimming, surfing, running, etc. There are 2 thigh pockets on the liner for extra storage along with three outer pockets with drainage facilities. The elastic waistband has an adjustable drawstring for a customizable fit, ensuring your shorts remain intact even against the most intense waves.

 

10

Most Stretchable

Chubbies Men’s Swim Trunks

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The Chubbies swim shorts offer the classic shorts design that has been a go-to swim option for several decades. It is made of a comfortable polyester/spandex blend that offers an unbelievable 4-way stretchability. If you want to showcase your thighs, then these vintage-inspired shorts should be considered. These shorts feature a stretchy mesh liner for additional support and comfort, two front pockets, and one back zipper pocket for the safe storage of personal belongings. These swim shorts are quick-drying to avoid weighing you down as you surf and swim in the blue water. 

 

11

Hurley Men's One and Only 20

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Hurley Men’s Board shorts are one of the classic surfing shorts. These are made with carefully crafted silkiest polyester fabric that offers comfort and breathability. These imported shorts have a non-stretchable, high-strength waistband with a pull-on closure for a personalized fit. These shorts are highly durable and can be easily machine washed without affecting their integrity and shape. They make for a great surfing option — thanks to the sturdy waistband design and soft polyester fabric. 

 

12

Best for Surfing

Billabong Men's Standard 73 Pro Boardshort

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High-performing board shorts by Billabong are made of the softest recycled polyester and cotton fabric that delivers great stretchability and comfort. The fabric has superior functionality, four-way stretchability, and exceptional durability. It also has a specially in-built Micro Repel water-repellent coating that makes these shorts quick-drying and lightweight. It features a tie closure, fixed waistband, flap cargo pocket, and a regular fit with a 20 Inch outseam, hitting just above the knee. These shorts are perfect for any occasion that demands casual dressing. 

 

13

Best for Lounging

SURF CUZ Men's Vintage Cruzer Stretch Boardshort

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Surf in the utmost comfortable SURF CUZ’s board shorts made out of an extraordinary blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex fabrics. They are high-grade surfing shorts that have professionally crafted, extra-strong waistbands with Velcro closures and drawstrings to make adjustments according to your fit. These shorts are extremely comfortable and breathable, making them perfect for lounging by the pool or under the sun on a beach. 

 

Board shorts and swim trunks have certain major differences that make them ideal for different activities. Let us understand a few advantages and disadvantages of each. 

Swim Trunks: They are comparatively lightweight materials that are not well equipped to withstand constant abrasions and to allow swift and flexible movements. They also usually have a loose fit that is more fashionable. 

Pros:

1. Wide inseams range 
2. Comfortable and soft fabric
3. Built-in inner lining for protection
4. Available in various lengths and designs
5. Comparatively cheaper

Cons: 

1. Not very durable
2. Mesh inner lining may be restricting movements
3. Not enough coverage
4. Usually no sun protection

Boarding Shorts: These are specifically designed for water sports like surfing, so normally allow more range of motion and are more sturdy. They are also usually fitting and longer than swim trunks to provide better protection against harsh waves. 

Pro:

1. Quick-drying and breathable
2. Highly secure waistbands with a Velcro fly and drawstring closure
3. Offers a better range of motion
4. More durable 
5. Higher coverage and sun protection
6. Fashionable and can be worn as streetwear

Cons:

1. May feel a little too tight
2. Cannot be easily worn
3. More expensive
4. Not very comfortable loungewear

To select the perfect boarding shorts, you may consider the following aspects as these are important for providing protection and comfort while you enjoy intense water sports. 

1. Material: Best board shorts need to have fast moisture-wicking properties that will help you stay lightweight on your feet. They must also be highly stretchable, durable, and provide sun protection. Our contributor Loshane A. Vasilyeva shares, “When it comes to protecting yourself from harmful UV rays, it's a good choice to invest in board shorts that provide sun protection. This is because these shorts provide an extra UV rays protective layer and reduce the chances of sunburn and skin damage.” Always look for shorts made of nylon or polyester fabric as these are ultra-comfortable and soft that can also hold up against abrasions.
2. Waistband Design: Ocean waves are powerful enough to pull off loosely tied shorts. Therefore, buying board shorts with extra strong elastic bands and sur-style drawstring ties with velcro fly is an ideal choice for you to stay carefree and confident while riding the waves.
3. Design: Always make sure that your board shorts are long enough to provide protection and allow movement. Other than that there are an extensive variety of stylish design choices that will also make for great streetwear providing an added advantage.  

After exploring some of the best board shorts, you must have gotten familiar with the top brands and styles that match your personal preferences. Although highly stylish, you have to keep in mind that these shorts are actually designed to withstand the high intensity of water sports. Therefore, while buying a pair of board shorts make sure to analyze the material, design, and waistband quality before committing to one. This will not only ensure your comfort but will enhance your performance on the board.

Contributor: Loshane A. Vasilyeva, Fashion & beauty expert - CabanaCatalogs