Summer Boardshorts in 2024

The Apex trunks from Outerknown are awesome, but way to expensive and the pricing won’t change until they get a proper distribution set up happening in Aus. The Apex trunks haven’t changed much since the first iteration dropped a few years ago, but I believe they have changed up the amount of recycled materials that go into making these. And that’s amazing. From a looks/performance angle tho, not much has had too. These were epic when they dropped, and they are still epic now.

Hard to pass these up, even with the wild price tag. Easily a top 3 pair of trunks, that firmly sit in the performance bracket, I’ve worn. Comfortable, easy to wear and no crazy patterns. It’s a win for Outerknown, but they could probably back the truck up if they dropped the price a bit…

Had a bunch of people reach out asking about these. All questions I’ve answered with a ‘yes’. I can’t stress enough how good these shorts are IF you’re a beaten crab like me who needs all the help you can get. My body is pretty torched, I’ve had 4 hip ops so i think I’m qualified to tell you if they ‘work’ or not. Things I noticed? There is a big difference surfing in these and other brands, from how my hips/lower back feel to how more ‘on’ I feel in the water from the get-go. No more needing 3/4 of a surf to get warmed up. These are the trunks of the year, for performance, in my opinion. But at $200, it’s a big hit to the wallet.

If you’re a grub (Ie under 30) then you probably don’t need these, or won’t notice the difference they make to your surfing (they will still help though). It’s one of those things that if you can get them on discount, do it. But, I think the regular Mirage range from Rip Curl is adequate enough for most of us.

These are a pair of super well thought out boardshorts. Amazing fabric, great cut, environmental considerations. If you consider the high performance of these things, they should be up there with your first thought when wanting to buy a new pair of shred shorts. While these may seem familiar from years gone by, there have been some changes made from the earlier pair we reviewed a year or two ago (read that review here).

One addition is the anchor stitching on the backside of the waist band. This is most likely there to help anchor the waistband closure system and avoid any twisting of the waist band given the design of it. Something perhaps learned from Hurleys hyperweave back in the day. They are slim fit, so for those thunder thighs out there, maybe try on before you buy or just go up a size. Otherwise you may as well be wearing bike pants, ha.

Odds on you’ve seen Griffin wearing a variation of these over the last year or so, generally in the red launch colourway. This is blue, a new colour, in Quiksilvers’ top of the line performance trunk. Quiksilver have made some huge progress on their trunks (and wetsuits) over the last few years and it’s been noticeable with an increase of visibility of their products out in the water. Tip of the hat to the Pubes for his design skills on getting these two categories popping again.

The Highline Pro from Quiksilver is their pinnacle performance boardshort at the moment. They have 4 way stretch fabric, are made from recycled plastic bottles and have a plant-based hydrophobic coating. This update to the Highline Pro looks like it’s fixed some of the issues that the original pair had – mainly structure and drape – which I imagine the re-introduction of double stitched panels and waistband will help immensely.

These aren’t the pinnacle trunk from the trifecta of Florence brothers, (these are) but I kinda lean on durability a bit more then performance with Florence. As one would assume these three know a thing or two about trunks given their heavy water experience (and having the Hurley team behind them).

I’ve become a huge fan of Cordura trunks over the last few years thanks to Rip Curl and Roark, and with all trunks available in the Florence line I still think these will be your best bet. Especially if you’re one of those guys who uses one pair until they die, cross countries on them and bounce of reef in them – these will continue to hold up over all the beatings you give them.

These are a great option for those who want a performance short but with some environmental considerations. You get recycled materials that are CW0 treated and you get 4-way stretch Cordura material and all the other bells and whistles you’d expect from one of the best teams in boardshort development. At $120 these provide a lot of value in my opinion.

The last boat trip I was on, I couldn’t get out of the Boatman trunks I had. Until the last few days when I swapped them for a pair of the Roark Passage trunks, which are their premium/performance pair. A little less cordura, a little more welded seams and lightweight materials. For something so light, they had a good balance of flex and structure – no dick stamp, no over the knee stretch and no rash. They performed quite well.

This season, Roark teamed up with famed local artist Yiling Changues, a Tahitian graphic designer, illustrator, writer, animator, philosopher, poetess, anthropologist, and professional daydreamer to produce her rendition of Tahiti’s colorful underwater beauty. Quite a nice looking pair of trunks.

I like what Vissla are doing, in and out of the water. You should buy more of their stuff to keep them growing and able to re-invest into shapers, surfers and grass roots events. Start with these boardshorts – $120 – made from Repreve and Cocotex they come with a tethered waistband, 4 way stretch and a DWR coating that 100% PFC and Fluorocarbon-free. Hard to fault Vissla, the more I look the more I get psyched on what they’re doing.

Having said all that and telling you these, in this Vissla Jade colourway, are $120. The black version of these trunks are running for $100 – i have no idea why the price difference, I’ve checked the stats, etc and they are the same trunks on paper. The only difference is colour, which leads me to think new/old season. Tbh, grab the black…

Up front declaration, I haven’t worn this colourway. But I’ve been wearing a pair of Loggers on/off for a while now and for a brand that’s barely out of nappies, they’ve got a solid boardshort program happening. And  I love the look of them, I dig what Rivvia is doing and these – on paper – look pretty good. I say that with confidence as the guy who designed these has been designing trunks for a couple of decades and has introduced some innovations that trunks of today still use. So, we should be good…

What are you getting with the Rivvia Logger Heat Map trunks?
Most of the bells & whistles you expect in boardshorts these days – 4 way stretch, quick dry and some environmental considerations. They look nice/interesting and seem to hang well off the hips. Will report back soon with a review.

You’re not buying Former trunks expecting a pair of Rip Curl Activate, you’re buying them for another reason beyond performance. And that’s the main reason you should buy these Hoyo ones. That statement doesn’t mean these will shit the bed on you, quite the opposite actually. I wore a pair of Dane’s signature trunks a while back, they were good.

How will these Hoyo ones hold up? Well, you’ll be one of the few rocking them as they are limited and not available in the US (i think). You’ll run a 18.5 inch length on them, the poly-spandex blend with 4-way stretch will ensure you can pretend to do as many HoyBacks as possible. Triple stitch construction on the panels for strength and durability, a bunch of custom FORMER x HOYO details like aglets, etc, and available in the colour of the year – rainbow!

These look nice enough, obviously I’m a fan of trunks without too heavy a pattern. I haven’t used this style in particular, but if I’m going off previous O’Neill shorts I’ve used odds on they’re pretty good. These trunks have a traditional cinch closure (vs the previous No Tie Fly that O’Neill had) which will make it easier for you to fit in between sizes depending on eating habits during boardshort season.

The rest of the trunks – materials, cut, fit, etc – are solid as you’d expect from O’Neill who’ve been in this game longer then most of us have been breathing. Recycled 4 way stretch with REPREVE material, Cordura (if you beat your trunks up and only get one pair a year, get these – or at least something with Cordura in it), quick drying via hyperdry DWR, and the thing that most brands forget about – pocket placement. These have an engineered pocket placement at high hip sewn into seam so it doesn’t swing around when you have stuff in it. At $100 these are amazing value – fantastic price point to sit at given all the features you get.

There was a lot to choose from in Billabong’s current collection of trunks, but you’d have to shoot me in the face before i pick any of those throw back to the late 90’s/early 00’s trunks. I just can’t, sorry. If it’s you, all for it, and pick out the Fluid2K if you really want to get back there. But I’m Dbah, or Sundays, all day with Billabong trunks. 

Given how well their Airlite trunks have performed for me over the last few years, I think that at $100 these offer some great value for you, the consumer. The Airlite program from Bong is solid and you’ll get a good pair of trunks, 4 way stretch made from recycled PET plastic bottles, micro repel water repellent coating for a lightweight and quick drying fabric and an improved engineered fit.  The print is rad too, for me as an old fart, plus you might surf Ethan Ewing if you get them (probably not)

I got a first hands look at these back in Jan and was kinda scratching my head wondering if they’d be any good to surf in. Damn was I wrong. I surfed in these a bunch in the first half of the year and they were my go to trunks for a long time. That waistband was a dream! While looking like a cushy pillow, it was quite comfortable and, more importantly, secure around my hips. You also get 4-way stretch. welded seams, the welded pocket with key loop amongst other things that make these very good.

At $100 these are very good value and well worth a look if you’re open to hitting new brands. For their first time (?) doing some performance trunks, Xcel knocked it out of the park. And in all honesty, the $100 price point right now offers the best value in trunks across the market. Love it.

Last year I picked the Yago Mod Tech trunks, they seemed nicer and had most of the bells’ n whistles that Jack’s did. This year though, the designers and Jack really stepped it up and delivered what I’m calling Volcom’s best pair of performance trunks thus far.

Built from a stretchy nylon blend with a water-repellent finish, these trunks offer 4-way flex for unrestricted movement. A welded zip pocket and cinch fly technology provide secure storage and a custom fit, while the sleek side panels and Beamis taping deliver a streamlined, tailored look. The only thing I’d change is the 20 inch length, that ain’t for hobbits, its for long leggers. A 18.5 on these would be a delight, that or leg surgery…

“The needessentials Burgundy Ultralight Boardshort is designed as a high performance lightweight technical basic boardshort. Featuring the highest quality ultralight 360° stretch minimal absorption rapid dry fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and an 19″ leg length, these boardies sit above the knee for functional maneuverability. “

You know we’re big fans of needessentials and their play in the price point space of surf gear. From suits to boardshorts they really have you covered these days. These shorts have you covered with the majority of what you’re chasing in shorts when surfing – 4 way stretch, recycled fabric and a simple no fuss look. At $70 these are the most affordable option in our guide and are probably up there with the more expensive options in terms of performance. Review to follow…