The Best Boardshorts of 2024, Tested by Outside

Updated May 17, 2024 04:30PM

No matter if you’re surfing, swimming or crushing a beach workout, the best boardies allow you to perform more naturally, comfortably, and confidently. Once you find that unequaled pair, you’ll wear them until the seams finally give out—forcing you to start the quest all over again.

We’ve been testing the newest boardshorts in and out of the water for the past two seasons. These six rose to the top of the pile.

At a Glance

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best Performance

Outerknown Apex Trunks 17″ by Kelly Slater

Pros and Cons
⊕ High-performance fabric
⊕ Double bonded rear seams and welded inseams
⊕ Made from 95% recycled materials
⊗ Slower drying time
⊗ Pricey

The GOAT, Kelly Slater, delivered with the Outerknown Apex Trunks—the runaway winner of our test. The 17-inch-long shorts feature an ultralight four-way stretch blend of recycled polyester and spandex that offers category-leading performance and sustainability.

Stitch-free welded seams and a smooth inside fly allow you to surf and play longer without skin irritation, while the double bonded rear seam adds durability so you can keep ripping in these shorts for years to come. Laser-cut ventilation holes on the side seam allow for instant draining, while the bonded rear pocket with an Aquaguard zipper securely stows valuables—or the trunks themselves, as they pack neatly into their own pocket.

Best for Surfing

Quiksilver Highline Pro Straight

Pros and Cons
⊕ Airy feel
⊕ Four-way stretch fabric offers superior performance
⊕ Quick drying
⊗ Lack of pattern options

Quiksilver put over 50 years of boardshort design knowledge to good use with its Highline Pro. The 19-inch length hits above the knee, while the laser-cut hem and perforated four-way stretch fabric blend of polyester and elastane provides a lightweight feel and maximum mobility during critical maneuvers.

The performance fly cinches together for a secure fit, while the welded outseam and taped bar-tacks further enhance overall comfort. The water repellant coating keeps drying times under 30 minutes, and the zippered rear pocket is perfect for stashing a key or cash for coastal happy hour.

Quickest Drying

Hurley Phantom-Eco One and Only Solid 18”

Pros and Cons
⊕ Quickest dry time of the test
⊕ Good value
⊗ Non-welded seams

A solid all-around boardshort, the Phantom-Eco One and Only blends sustainability and performance. Featuring an 18-inch length and an 86-percent recycled polyester and spandex blend, these shorts allowed for freedom of movement in the water and on the beach. We weren’t as impressed with the non-welded seams or velcro rear pocket, but the water repellant coating worked well by reducing drying time to less than 20 minutes.

Most Versatile

Roark Passage Primo

Pros and Cons
⊕ Stylish, slim fit
⊕ Quick drying time
⊗ Lackluster pattern options

Meet our go-to trunk for summer: the Passage Primo features a comfortable, slim fit and an 18-inch length, while a fabric blend of spandex and recycled polyester doesn’t restrict movements while surfing or beach running. Welded inseams minimized chafe and maximized stretch while a water-repellent fabric coating kept drying times to less than 20 minutes, making it easy to hit the cantina after leaving the sand. Plus, a vertical waterproof zip pocket on the right leg came in handy for stashing cash or cards.

Best Update

Quiksilver Original Scallop 18”

Pros and Cons
⊕ Stylish throwback look
⊕ Hydrophobic coating effectively repels water
⊗ Less stretch than other shorts we tested

The makers of the original scallop hem boardshort in 1971, Quiksilver created this now-iconic design to allow for greater movement while surfing. More than 50 years later, the brand has revived the legend with the Original Scallop, sewing in a few upgrades for the modern-day waterman while keeping the classic look.

Most notably, the new poly-elastane-cotton fabric blend offers new-school comfort with four-way stretch, which is great for surfing, swimming, or beach volleyball. A hydrophobic coating effectively repelled water from soaking the fabric, which led to sub-30 minute dry times. Good news: The new tech didn’t replace its old-school style, which was faithfully recreated with contrast stitching and a patch featuring the company’s original logo.

Most Comfortable

O’Neill Hyperfreak Hydro Tech 19″

Pros and Cons
⊕ Streamlined fit with a no-bulk closure system
⊕ Fabric blend allows for unrestricted movement
⊗ Small pocket adds slight bulk on right leg
⊗ Slower dry time compared to others we tested

O’Neill’s patented hook and loop Velcro closure system eliminates a bulky drawstring and delivers a streamlined fit that lays flat against your skin. That, combined with no inseam, a laser-cut hem, and four-way stretch fabric, meant we could surf longer with fewer restrictions. The polyester-elastane fabric blend coated with a water repellant treatment took less than an hour to dry, while a small welded zip pocket on the right leg was helpful for stashing wax or keys.

How to Choose the Right Boardshorts

A boardshort purchase may seem simple enough, but anyone who’s had their surf trip ruined by serious chafing or lost their trunks to a set wave would advise you to take your shopping seriously. Here are key things to consider:

Fit

The fit of your trunks depends on what you plan to do in them. If they’ll mostly be used for surfing, you need a tighter, more secure fit that won’t get pulled off by the waves. Many surf-oriented boardshorts are also a little longer to help protect your legs from the sun and rubbing on the board.

However, if you’re just going to hang on the beach and take the occasional dip, lifestyle shorts can be a little looser and shorter.

Fabric Choices

It’s also important to consider fabric choices, as this impacts both sustainability and overall performance. Recycled polyester is a good option for eco-conscious surfers, but you’ll want to ensure it’s blended with elastane or spandex to get that high-performance stretch you’ll need in the water. While not as important as the fabric blend, a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating can keep fabric from sticking to your skin and usually results in faster dry times.

Other Features

Most trunks have a pocket, but check for a key loop and a secure closure system. Trust us, losing your key to the bottom of the sea is a sure-fire way to ruin your day.

Where to Buy

Buying direct from the brand’s website is the easiest way to get your favorite boardies, as you’ll typically find more size and color options available. While it’s tough to beat the convenience of the internet, we’d still encourage you to support your local surf shop. Not to mention, trying on boardshorts in-store ensures you’ll score the ideal fit and won’t have to hassle with returns.

How We Test

We wore each pair of boardshorts for a dedicated three-hour session that included surfing, a quick beach workout, and then laying out to test dry times (we know, it’s a tough gig). After putting each pair through this initial stress test, we rotate them through various individual activities such as surfing, swimming, standup paddling, and beach running to see how they held up.

While in the past we gave some consideration to style, this year’s testing process focused on performance. We honed in on options that allowed us to move freely, dry quickly, not chafe during longer sessions, and showed very few signs of wear and tear—even after getting blasted into the sand a few times. The options that made the final cut emerged (mostly) unscathed.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Jack Haworth is an avid standup paddler and surfer who lives in Dana Point, California. With ample opportunities for surfing, paddling, swimming and beach running, Haworth put the boardshorts through a classic Southern California wringer. Ryan Jonnson, an avid surfer, fitness enthusiast, and entrepreneur based in Laguna Niguel, California, assisted him.

The Best Boardshorts for Surfing, Swimming, and Beyond