The Definition of Boardshorts and Swim Shorts

So what makes a pair of shorts boardshorts or swim shorts?
This is the question that many of us ask as we are searching the internet when we are shopping for a new pair of beach shorts for our holidays. In the not so distant past both of these items were generally only available from sports brands with a watersports interest and surf brands such as Quiksilver, Billabong, Rip Curl and Hurley. Now the market has dramatically changed as street brands and other extreme sports brands with no previous water sports association produce their own beach wear. This has crowded the market and made things even more confusing to the unwary shopper as they look to make their purchase.

The classic way of telling the difference between a pair of board shorts or surf shorts and a pair of swim shorts was that boardshorts did not have an inner pant lining. The reason being was that if you wore a pair of boardshorts with a meshed inner pant these would chafe in areas where you could do without a rash! A pair of surfing shorts will require freedom of movement and shouldn't rub, though you may still find some white or light coloured boardies with an inner lining that partly follows the shape of the leg, rather than an inner pant.

It is also generally accepted that a pair of boardshorts will have a fixed waistband rather than a full or partially elastic waist. A fixed waist is better for ensuring that your shorts stay firmly around your waist. However, the reality is that as guys get older our waistline does tend to increase somewhat so older surfers will sometimes wear a pair of elasticated boardies, though they need to tie these firmly for fear of losing them whilst spinning in the wave washing machine!

If you want to wear elasticated shorts when you are surfing you are best suited to finding a pair that does not have an inner pant, for the main reason of preventing chafe and friction burns!

The length of a pair of boardshorts can vary with the trends set by surfers and the surf brands. At the moment the common length still sits between 20 and 22 inches (50 to 55cm), though there has been some talk in the past few years of shorts getting even shorter.

Most men when they are looking for a pair of shorts for swimming or wearing on the beach are generally looking something that is comfortable in and out of the water, doesn't flash their wares the and doesn't restrict their tan line! Because guys generally wear boxers or pants they feel 'weird' when they wear shorts without some sort of support, hence why many ask for an inner pant. This is a common cause for someone to return a pair of boardshorts to an online shop, as they expect to find an inner pant in the shorts.

So what should I look for?
If you want a pair of shorts for the beach or swim shorts for the pool but you want an inner pant then it is likely that a pair of fixed waist board shorts will not provide what you are looking for as very few boardies actually have an inner pant. However, an elastic waist pair of surf shorts that might be listed as 'boardshorts' will probably give you what you are looking for. Though we would definitely advise checking if they have an inner pant rather than assuming.

The alternative is to wear a pair of polyester boxers underneath your boardshorts. This is popular with some surfers and brands such as Pull-In, Quiksilver and Rip Curl produce polyester boxers that might be suitable.

If you are looking for a pair of shorts to surf in then don't get a pair with an inner brief as invariably these will chafe and probably ruin the rest of your holiday! If you don't like shorts that hang over your knee (some surfers feel that these can catch easier on your knee) then go for a pair closer to 50cm in length. If you want the ultimate in fit, comfort and flexibility then look at the Rip Curl Mirage range of surf shorts, or the Billabong PX1 board shorts, or the Hurley Phantoms boardshorts. A pair of seamless surf shorts will provide even less friction and chafing, but ultimately it will depend on your budget when you buy a new pair of boardies.

Feel free to ask any questions and the Shred Head Customer Services Team will help as best we can, or email us at info@shredhead.com.