Even if you’re not a regular beachgoer, everyone needs a great pair of boardshorts for when the best days of summer arrive. While the Billabongs and Rip-Curls of the world are tried and true classics, if you’re willing to expand your search beyond what a local surf shop offers, there are some seriously good options out there.
From classic, above-the-knee designs to elaborate resort-inspired prints, these are all the boardshorts for men we look forward to rocking over the summer.
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- Todd Snyder Nylon “Everywhere” Short
- Jac + Jack “Toto” Swimshort
- Drake’s “Bathers Print” Swim Shorts
- Outerknown “Nomadic” Volley
- Ripa Ripa “A Priezza” Swim Short
- Jacquemus “The Puntini” Swimsuit
- Gimaguas “Filipo” Swimsuit
- Commas “Classic” Swim Short
- ORTC Boardshorts
- Venroy “Printed” Swim Shorts
- Pilgrim Surf + Supply Swim Shorts
- Onia Boardshorts
- Frescobol Carioca Sport Floral Jacquard Swim Shorts
- Vuori Boardshorts
- Lululemon Boardshorts
- Noosa Longboards Boardshorts
- Orlebar Brown “Bulldog” Swim Shorts
Todd Snyder Nylon “Everywhere” Short
DETAILS
- 100% Nylon
- Mesh Lining
- Elastic Drawcord Waistband
- One Zippered Back Pocket
- Tonal TS Embroidery at Wearer’s Left
These really are everywhere shorts. Constructed from a quieter nylon(swish be gone), they’re as well suited to a game of tennis as they are a dip in the pool.
The petrol-blue tone will pair with any tee, plus they can be folded down into the zipped back pocket.
Jac + Jack “Toto” Swimshort
DETAILS
- Regular fit
- Mid thigh length
- Internal gusset
- 100% nylon
Minimalists, rejoice. These classic, cocoa-coloured trunks – crafted from soft Japanese nylon – hit the sweet spot between beachwear and everyday gear.
Clean, unfussy, and surprisingly luxe, they’re sure to take top spot in your trunks pile.
Drake’s “Bathers Print” Swim Shorts
DETAILS
- 100% Nylon
- Made in Portugal
- Drawstring Waist
- Side Pockets
Enter and exit the pool in style with this true-to-form design from Drake’s.
Cut from fast-drying microfibre nylon in a dashing pattern, with side pockets for stashing beach reads, AirPods, or hotel coasters.
Outerknown “Nomadic” Volley
DETAILS
- Front side seam pockets and back zip pocket
- Durable recycled polyester twill with Quick Dry
- Comfortable elastic waistband
Permission to peacock granted in these style-forward shorts from Kelly Slater.
A standard length and relaxed fit paired with an elastic waistband and a zipped back pocket means you’ll almost forget why heads are turning.
Ripa Ripa “A Priezza” Swim Short
DETAILS
- Made from soft, brushed fabric, quick-drying and distinctive cotton feel
- Two side pockets with water outlets
- Fine-mesh interlining
- Tying cord made from braided nautical rope in unbleached cotton
Italian-made with artful charm, these A Priezza shorts are an ode to ‘la dolce vita’.
Designed for a more elegant and tailored look with soft, brushed fabric, a nautical rope tie, and an intricate hand-drawn pattern.
Jacquemus “The Puntini” Swimsuit
DETAILS
- Horn buttons
- J-shaped back pocket
The resort king returns once more with these boxer-style shorts.
Irreverent details like the J-shaped back pocket, faux-fl y with horn buttons, and bewitching palm-like starfish pattern make these a complete knock-out. You may as well book Scorpios now.
Gimaguas “Filipo” Swimsuit
DETAILS
- 100% polyethylene
- Hip pockets
- Central draw string
Barcelona-based Gimaguas channels Catalan cool in these eye-catching, gradient-striped shorts.
Coloured like dappled waves, they’re replete with the standard specs of a mid-length swimshort – the only difference is nobody else on the beach will be wearing them.
Commas “Classic” Swim Short
DETAILS
- Mid-weight polyester
- Soft mesh lining
- Elasticated drawstring waistband
- Back pocket with a metal zipper
Zig where they zag in these stealthy black togs. The understated but versatile design should come as no surprise for anyone who’s watched the brand take the lead in summerwear.
Zipped back pocket, mesh lining, soft nylon – they’ve got it all, and then some. Race you to the end.
ORTC Boardshorts
DETAILS
- 100% recycled polyester
- Quick-drying and mesh-lined
- 2 for $120 multi-buy deal
- Made in PRC
Lovers of Aussie-owned swimwear labels have probably heard the name ORTC.
Founded by two friends — who wanted to offer domestic consumers high-quality swim shorts that were both eco and wallet-friendly — ORTC now stocks a complete range of clothing for men, women and kids.
Beyond the quality of boardshort construction, ORTC’s big strength is variety. The brand offers around 30 prints and patterns at any given time — most of which are available in ‘junior’ sizing in case you want to play twinsies with your young ones.
Venroy “Printed” Swim Shorts
DETAILS
- Slanted side pockets
- Single back welt pocket with zip closure
- Polyester drawcord with custom logo
- Built-in mesh brief
This blink-and-you-miss-it pair is a fine example of monogramming done right, with a mid-length cut to soften impact.
An elasticated waistband, comfy mesh inners, and recycled polyester build make it the ideal short for living and lounging.
Pilgrim Surf + Supply Swim Shorts
DETAILS
- 100% nylon taslan
- Classic above-the-knee cut
- Prices starting at $156
- Made (depending on model) in the US, Japan, and PRC
Ostensibly a third-party retailer, Brooklyn-based Pilgrim also stocks its own small edit of boardshorts. Made in Californian factories from nylon taslan, each sports a practical and subtly stylish aesthetic.
Usually made with one signature detail in mind — whether it be colour-blocked panels or colour-contrast — Pilgrim’s boardies are a versatile option when you need something (in a pinch) to wear on your off days.
Onia Boardshorts
DETAILS
- Signature cotton/polyamide fabric
- Classic above-the-knee cuts
- Prices start at $209
Hawaiian prints might be a tad too punchy when splashed across the everyman’s midriff, but you can always take a less risque approach by donning the motif in a smaller, more targeted way.
That’s where Onia comes in. The premium swimwear brand offers a range of tasteful florals, utilising the above-knee ‘Calder’ swim trunk design or similarly cropped ‘Crinkle’ (the latter is also self-packing).
In the best tradition of tailored shorts, most pairs even feature angled side-entry pockets — meaning your valuables remain secure and your silhouette retains its sharpness.
Frescobol Carioca Sport Floral Jacquard Swim Shorts
DETAILS
- Drawstring waist
- Branded cord-ends
- 100% recycled polyester mesh lining
- Back pocket with button closure
Pioneering the chic-ification of boardies is this pair of parakeet green quick-dry shorts.
The nylon design is emblazoned with jacquard begonias front and back – you’re practically halfway to Ipanema.
Vuori Boardshorts
DETAILS
- 4-way stretch poly/elastane fabric
- Inseams ranging between 6″-8.5″
- Prices starting at $130
Inspired by the active lifestyle of Southern California’s denizens, Vuori is another in the canon of athleisure brands that also happens to do a tidy sideline in boardshorts.
The label offers a smattering of short, moderate and lengthy styles for men — almost all of which take advantage of the proprietary ‘VCycled’ performance fabric.
Our personal favourite is the ‘Maverick’ short: a hybrid style of boardshort, made out of textured stretch fabric, comfy enough to be worn amid a game of volleyball. Top Gun, eat your heart out.
Lululemon Boardshorts
DETAILS
- 100% recycled fabric
- Inseams ranging between 5″-7″
- Prices start at $99
Nobody on planet Earth requires an introduction to Lululemon, yet we’d be remiss when compiling a list of the best boardshorts brands for summer if we didn’t at least acknowledge the Canadian activewear giant’s burgeoning status in the space.
In a similar fashion to Vuori, much of the technology in the brand’s boardies has been transplanted from its workout apparel: a strategy that might initially appear a little unimaginative until you remember how comfortable any of its bestsellers (e.g. the ‘Surge’ or ‘Licence to Train’) are.
Noosa Longboards Boardshorts
DETAILS
- 100% recycled nylon
- Most styles have a certified 50+ UPF rating
- Prices start at $79
Noosa Longboards — established, as the name suggests, in the heart of the Sunshine Coast — is all about swimwear with a performance edge. While a number of the brand’s swim shorts can be on the ‘fun’ (verging on dadcore) side, the boardies on offer here are about as classic as they come.
Our favourite, of all the various styles, has to be the straightforwardly named ‘Original’: a quick-drying over-the-knee number, in classic shades of black or French blue, with a checkerboard motif running down the outside leg.
Orlebar Brown “Bulldog” Swim Shorts
DETAILS
- Recycled polyester, woven in France (100% recycled polyester)
- A Sarah Graham artwork, reworked exclusively in-house
- Anemone coronaria II, 2020 (Painting by Sarah Graham)
- Made in Portugal
The brand dedicated to holidaying introduces a groundbreaking floral pattern for spring via their Bulldogswim shorts in Night Iris.
Cutin a vintage-inspired high waist, the drawstring is sartorially upgraded to side tabs, clasp fastening, and a fly.
If you’ve enjoyed our edit of the best brands for men’s boardshorts, then why not check out our other style-related buyer’s guides? Here are a few favourites to get you started:
