Board Shorts
Buying Board Shorts
If you using your board shorts for regular surfing, swimming, and other water sports, it pays to purchase high-quality shorts. Better quality swimwear looks better and holds up longer under regular, active use, so it does not have to be replaced as often. When shopping for board shorts, consider the following:
- Fabric: All board shorts manufactured today are made from quick-drying fabrics that can endure regular use in the water. Most board shorts are made of polyester microfibers. These fabrics are soft, lightweight, fast-drying, and unlikely to chafe. Many people consider them the most comfortable fabric for wearing out of the water. Another popular fabric is nylon. Today's nylon fabrics are the lightest, fastest drying fabrics for board shorts because they have more texture than other materials that may cause unpleasant chafing. In order to solve this problem, some manufacturers have created nylon blends such as Baja Nylon, which is softer and less likely to chafe but offers many of the same advantages as nylon. In recent years, stretch fabrics that combine polyester and spandex have become increasingly popular for their comfort and fast drying time.
- Seams: Most board shorts today are sewn with double or triple needle construction for durability and flexibility. In recent years, there has been a growth in the use of comfortable taped and liquid seam technology for seams. Another development is the creation of seamless inseams. Many rash and chafing problems are caused not by fabric but by seams. Seamless inseams are an effective and comfortable way to remove this source of discomfort.
- The Fly: Due to problems with rashes from Velcro, more and more manufacturers are offering Velcro-free flys. In these flys, Velcro is often replaced with more comfortable lycra or neoprene, but the flys may not be able to be opened all the way, so if rashes have not been a problem for you, Velcro flys may be more convenient. Some manufacturers also offer zipper flys that can open fully and do not create the same rash problems as Velcro.
- Pockets: Most board shorts have at least one pocket that is generally equipped with drain holes and often a lanyard to secure keys while surfing.
- Length: Most regular board shorts are about 21 to 22" long. These will be just above the knee on the average surfer. Shorter lengths are currently making a comeback as well. Longer lengths are popular for fashion board shorts, but generally not suited to regular use for surfing.
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