Performance Boardshorts
4 commentsIt seems like long ago when O’Neill introduced a breakthrough for the surf industry: the Superfreaks. The O'Neill Superfreaks were comfortable, lightweight, stretchy, and most importantly incredible to surf in. Superfreaks quickly became the best selling boardshorts on the market and went on to win the 2004 SIMA Image Award for Product Innovation of the Year.
Flash to the present (6 years later) and the Surf Industry and Boardshorts have completely changed. Core Surf Companies like Hurley, Quiksilver, & Volcom make a plethora of Performance Boardshorts. O’Neill still sells Superfreaks as well as many other Freaks like the Jordy Freak, the Lopez Freak, the HyperFreak, and the Hyperfreak 2.0. SIMA now has an award designated just for Boardshorts. It’s safe to say boardshorts have completely changed for the better, and If you surf, Performance Boardshorts are a must have.
Over the next couple of days we will be covering the ins and outs of Performance Boardshorts for 2010. We will try and breakdown all the adjectives and technologies into a simple guide to help you find the perfect boardies to fit your surfing needs. Below is a brief outline of the performance boardshorts and features we will be covering. Stay tuned!!!
Billabong Board Shorts
BILLABONG PX1 BOARDSHORTS
Retail Price: $99.50
Features:
- 21? Zero Gravity Stretch
- Plaitnum X Quad Stretch
- PX Infinite Seam Technology
- H2 Repel
- 80% nylon / 20% spandex
BILLABONG PX DOMINATOR BOARDSHORTS
Retail Price: $89.50
Features:
- 21? Zero Gravity Stretch
- Platinum X Quad Stretch
- Premium Japanese 4-way stretch fabric
- 79% PET polyester / 21% lycra
Hurley Board Shorts
Hurley Puerto Rico Phantom 60 Boardshorts
Retail Price: $59.00
Features:
- exclusive p60 Phantom fabric
- signature Puerto Rico gradiant plaid print and foil branding
- icon waistband embroidery
- patented ez fly closure
- one piece gusset
- icon pocket drainhole
Hurley P140 Nike Flywire Boardshorts
Retail Price: $199.99
Features:
- Ultra Lightweight
- 140% stretch
- EZ Fly velcro-less closure
- NO inseam
- Water Repellent
O’Neill Board Shorts
O’Neill Hyperfreak 2.0 Boardshorts
Retail Price: $84.50
Features:
- Hyperfreak stretch
- Welded hyerprene panels
- Superfly 2.0 closure
- Welt zip pocket
- Screened, embroidered and appliqued logos
O’Neill Hyperfreak Boardshorts
Retail Price: $84.50
Features:
- Ultra stretchy hyperstretch fabric
- curved seam fit
- No-inseam
- Lycra lined superfly
- Locking drawcord
Quiksilver Board Shorts
Quiksilver Cypher Massive Boardshorts
Retail Price: $85.00
Features:
- 100% polyester Diamond Dobby Deluxe(tm)
- Double tie with patented Neoprene fly utilizing Quiksilver wetsuit technology
- 4-Way Stretch Panels
- Double-Up Closure
- Lycra Hem
Quiksilver Cypher Reflex Boardshorts
Retail Price: $65.00
Features:
- 100% polyester Diamond Dobby Deluxe(tm)
- 4-Way Stretch Panels
- Welded Inseam
- Double-Up Closure
- Lycra Hem
Volcom Board Shorts
Volcom 3D Mod Boardshorts
Retail Price: $58.00
Features:
- New Grid Dry
- 2-way stretch nylon
- locking zip fly
- 92% nylon, 8% spandex 2-way stretch
This guide was reproduced with permission from HSSSurf.com.
I paid $70 for a pair of hyperfreaks, took me a while to actually spend that much. They are the best pair of board shorts I have ever had the pleasure of wearing. Crazy comfortable feel. Peace hope this helps.
+1 for O'Neill Hyperfreak shorts. Pricey, but handsdown better than any other shorts I've owned. Be sure to check the sizing, I've purchased (online) Hyperfreaks in size 32 that fit like 34s when cinched tight. I've had a half-dozen pairs of Billabong boardshorts (100% polyester) that simply wear out too fast. The new stretch Billabongs have a glued seam down the back that can be weak and come unglued (like a wetsuit seam). Avoid Quiksilver - too thin, too short of length, and feel cheaply made. I have the Quiksilver Kaimana Platinum or some nonsense and they just feel all around low-budget. I've had a pair of 100% polyester Volcom and they just didn't fit right, but the quality was ok. Haven't owned a pair of Hurleys yet. If you're on the fence, buy O'Neill, I have 5 pairs and they're all great fit and quality.
I would love to get some mens board shorts. I have a boat and a couple wave runners. I would really like to have performance shorts when it comes to these different activities
what does performance fit mean?