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Boardshorts are the one piece of surf gear you wear every single session in summer. They need to handle salt water, sand, paddling, and occasional wipeouts on shallow sandbars — all while looking good on the walk back to the car. We spent a season testing 10 pairs across SoCal breaks to find the ones worth buying.

What We Tested For

• Stretch and mobility — Can you duck dive and pop up without restriction?
• Waistband comfort — Does it stay put during a long paddle out?
• Drying time — Nobody wants to drive home soaking wet for an hour.
• Durability — Stitching, color fade, and drawstring after repeated use.
• Style — Does it look as good walking the pier as it does in the water?

The Top Picks

1. Vuori Kore Short — Best Overall

The Kore is the rare boardshort that works in and out of the water equally well. Exceptional stretch, a waistband with an internal drawcord that doesn’t dig in, and quick-dry fabric that lives up to its name. Around $85 — not cheap, but the one we kept reaching for.

2. Outerknown Apex Trunk — Best Sustainable Pick

Made from recycled materials, designed in collaboration with Kelly Slater’s team. The Apex is a performance short that doesn’t compromise on environmental ethics. Slightly stiffer on the first few wears, but breaks in beautifully.

3. Patagonia Hydropeak — Best for All-Day Wear

Recycled polyester, 4-way stretch, flat-waistband design that’s comfortable for hours. Great for a full day at the beach that goes from surfing to lunch to a sunset walk.

4. Billabong Airlite — Best Under $60

Lightweight, stretchy, and available in a range of fits and prints. It’s what we’d hand a first-time buyer without hesitation. High performance at an accessible price.

5. Hurley Phantom — Best for Serious Surfers

Cut for surfing first — the stretch and minimal seaming reduce drag and won’t catch fins. If you’re logging serious hours in the water, these hold up season after season.

6. RVCA Yogger — Best Hybrid Short

Straddles the line between boardshort and athletic short. Works for a surf session, a skate sesh, and a coffee run. Narrower leg opening than traditional boardshorts — some guys love it, some don’t.

7. O’Neill Reserve — Best Classic Style

Clean, simple, well-made. Made with recycled materials and available in solid colors that don’t go out of style. Leans lifestyle over performance, but looks sharp beyond the beach.

8. Quiksilver Highline — Best for Pop-Up Power

Engineered for the moment of the pop-up. The articulated pattern gives you full range of motion when it matters most. A reliable technical performer.

9. Rip Curl Mirage — Best Value for Frequent Surfers

Affordable, durable, and performs above its price point. If you’re surfing 4–5 days a week and burning through a pair a season, this is the economical choice that doesn’t feel like a compromise.

10. Faherty Brand Stretch Boardshort — Best Premium Lifestyle Pick

Heirloom-quality boardshorts with exceptional fabric and attention to detail. Perfect for longboard Malibu vibes. Probably overkill for a heavy reef break, but absolutely the move for the style-first surfer.

The Bottom Line

For most guys: Vuori Kore or Billabong Airlite. Go sustainable with Outerknown or Patagonia if that matters to you. For something that earns compliments in and out of the water, the RVCA Yogger is hard to beat.

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