Board shorts are a durable essential for surfers, designed for daily use in places such as the ocean and on the sand.
Wearing a one-piece swimsuit or bikini can leave you feeling overexposed on the beach, especially when it comes to high-impact water sports such as surfing.
If you are a woman who enjoys being active in or on the water, board shorts are great for providing you with an extra layer, so you can concentrate on catching the waves while feeling comfortable!
Keep reading to find out more.
Top Picks
O’NEILL South Pacific Women’s Stretch Board Shorts
The O’NEILL South Pacific Women’s Stretch Board shorts are surf-proven, water-tested, and designed for wearing in and around the water.
The exclusive quick-drying Hyperfreak Stretch fabric allows the boardshorts to move with you in all directions.
These high-performance board shorts boast a flattering low-rise cut that is designed to sit at or below the hip bone.
Pros:
- Quick-drying – These board shorts feature a durable water-resistant (DWR) coating that helps the fabric dry incredibly fast.
- Two lengths available – The 3-inch inseam gives you complete freedom of movement while still being long enough to wear off the beach, while the 9-inch inseam provides more coverage and protection.
- Superfly lacing system – This ensures that your board shorts stay tight at the waist even in the roughest of swells.
Cons:
- One customer noted that the sizing of these board shorts runs large.
Roxy Women’s to Dye 2 Inch Board Short
The Roxy Women’s to Dye 2 Inch Board Short is made out of a 4-way stretch fabric that is designed to keep you comfortable all day long!
These board shorts are made out of recycled fabric! The reprieve traceable, recycled 4-way stretch polyester is not only stylish but also sustainable!
These shorts are quick-drying for your convenience, allowing you to wear them comfortably at the beach without chafing.
Pros:
- Versatile – These board shorts are perfect for a variety of uses, including surfing, swimming, beach days, and more!
- Fixed tie closure – These Roxy board shorts boast a fixed tie feature and heavy duty Velcro that allows you to tighten or loosen the shorts for the perfect fit and to ensure that they stay up all day.
- Roxy branding – Featuring the iconic Roxy branding, these shorts are both stylish and comfortable!
Cons:
- A few customers claimed that they wished that these particular women’s board shorts had pockets.
O’NEILL Women’s Water-Resistant Stretch Swim Board Short – 2, 3, 5, or 7 Inch Inseam
The O’NEILL Women’s Water-Resistant Stretch Swim Board Shorts are made out of 100% solid polyester dynasuede for your comfort!
Featuring a drawcord closure that you can tie as tight as you wish, these board shorts are sure to stay on in the roughest of waters.
These 5″ inseam boardshorts with superfly are made with durable material by surf enthusiasts for those who love to live the surf lifestyle!
Pros:
- Back velcro pocket – The convenient back velcro pocket allows you to carry small possessions outside of the water.
- Variety of sizes – These board shorts come in a variety of different sizes to choose from.
- Versatile – Whether you intend to go surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or swimming, these board shorts are a wardrobe staple for water sports enthusiasts!
Cons:
- One customer noted that these board shorts were smaller than they had been anticipating so they had to size up.
Roxy Women’s Endless Summer 2″ Board Short
No products found.The Roxy Women’s Endless Summer 2” Board Shorts with 4 way stretch are essential for every beach enthusiast.
These board shorts are made out of 90% polyester and 10% elastane, making them incredibly quick-drying and perfect for going in the water.
Versatile! Featuring a thick, stretchy waistband for extra coverage, you can either fold these shorts down or wear them as they are for the perfect board short that is suitable for an array of water activities.
Pros:
- Easy to clean – These board shorts are safe to machine wash so cleaning them after a long day at the beach has never been simpler!
- Pull-on style – These shorts are the perfect casual option you can throw over your bathing suit.
- Multiple colors – These board shorts come in a variety of colors to perfectly match your style!
Cons:
- A few customers didn’t find the thick waistband on these particular board shorts flattering.
No products found.
Alex Vando Womens Swimwear Shorts Beach Board Short Trunks
The Alex Vando Women’s Beach Board Shorts are made of a 82% nylon and 18% spandex construction that is soft, breathable, and comfy to wear.
These shorts boast a UPF 30 fabric that helps to block UV rays and therefore helps to prevent sunburn and skin damage during long hours in the sun.
These board shorts come in US sizes S through to XXL, so you can either size up or down depending on how you like the fit of your board shorts.
Pros:
- Versatile – These board shorts are ideal for a variety of activities including swimming, surfing, the beach, outdoor activity, or casual wear at home.
- Drawstring elasticated waistband – The waistband makes it easier to adjust the shorts to fit your waist.
- Variety of styles and colors – Whether you’re looking for a printed design or a block color, there’s bound to be an option that fits your style perfectly.
Cons:
- A couple of customers noted that the color of these particular board shorts was different from the picture.
Buyer’s Guide
There are a few things to keep in mind when buying women’s board shorts, but it primarily comes down to the length and size, the material, and waist type.
It is also important to mention that you’ll want to ensure that you pick durable board shorts that you can put through their paces in and out of the water.
This is especially important if you intend to be surfing regularly, as you’ll need them to be able to withstand frequent use and all types of sea conditions.
Check out the factors below before going ahead with your purchase.
Length and size
An important factor that you’ll need to consider when you’re in the market for a pair of board shorts is the length of the shorts. The length of your shorts will be determined by the types of activities that you intend to be doing in your board shorts.
If you are a surfer, you should pick a shorter length that shouldn’t be longer than 5 inches so that you have the freedom of movement to kick up onto your surfboard.
You can also wear shorter-length shorts for swimming when you want more coverage than a regular swimsuit provides. Just be sure to pick a pair that does not have a mesh liner so that you can wear them over a swimsuit bottom.
When you’re figuring out which length to opt for, you’ll need to measure your leg length. Leg length is most commonly measured in inches, and you’ll need to measure the outseam and the inseam to find the shorts that you’re most comfortable in.
Measuring the outseam and inseam is easy once you know how to do it:
Outseam: The outseam is the measurement from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the garment.
Inseam: The inseam is the measurement from the crotch to the bottom of the garment.
Additionally, you will need to make sure that you note down your waist and hip measurements so that you pick the right size and your board shorts fit you perfectly.
Waist: To measure your waist, you will need to measure the circumference of your natural waist, just above the hip bone.
Hips: With your feet together, measure the fullest part of your hips.
Make sure that you correctly measure your legs and note down your waist and hip measurements before going ahead with your purchase to ensure that you are comfortable with your new board shorts!
Material
When choosing the right board shorts, you need to think about the material that they are made out of. This is where you’ll want to consider which board short is right for you based on the activities you plan to be participating in.
Polyester – This is the most common fabric used in board shorts. This fabric is used for its durability and the fact that it dries incredibly quickly, making it one of the most convenient and comfortable choices you can choose for board shorts.
Stretch – This fabric offers flexibility for an optimum range of movement and performance. The material often comes in a 1 way, 2 way, or 4 way stretch. Generally, 4 way stretch provides the most flexibility. Professional surfers mostly chose to wear stretch fabric.
Cotton – Cotton is mostly used for ‘lifestyle’ or ‘fashion’ style board shorts. However, the downside is that this fabric doesn’t dry quickly when wet, and therefore isn’t the most appropriate for water sports. That being said, it does offer comfort out of the water and is incredibly breathable for those hot summer days on the beach.
Whichever material you opt for, make sure that it’s appropriate for what you intend to use your board shorts for. For instance, if you know you’re going to be in and out of the water frequently, you’ll want to pick a material that is quick-drying, such as polyester.
To make sure that you’re picking the right shorts for you, always make sure that you research the type of material beforehand and go from there.
Waist types
Something you’ll need to consider when purchasing board shorts is the waist type. Generally speaking, there are two waist types to choose from: elastic waist and fixed waist.
Elastic waist – This waistband is either completely or semi elasticized. Elastic waists are not ideal for performance sports as they are more likely to fall down or be pulled off in the waves.
That being said, this waistband type is best for lounging around and casual beach days as opposed to high-impact surfing. There are positives to this waistband, though, as an elastic waist offers the greatest range of waist sizes and is comfortable to wear all day long at the beach!
Fixed waist – This waistband is a rigid, non-stretching, waistband that provides a firm and secure fit when you’re doing activities.
This is the best type for water sports as it grips the best to your waist and stays put in the roughest of waves. The fly fastening is usually made out of Velcro, buttons, zips, neoprene, or lycra with a drawcord for you to adjust the fit.
Whichever waist type you choose, make sure you take your intended use into account to ensure that your board shorts hold up.
Durability
Something you’ll need to consider when purchasing women’s board shorts is how durable they are.
A good way to find out if a product is durable or not is to check the product reviews section. In this section, customers can leave feedback, good or bad, that gives you a better idea of whether a product is worth buying or not.
Another positive about the product reviews section is that it reveals more about a company’s customer service. If a customer has experienced bad customer service, they will likely tell you about their experience in the product review section and will give you a better idea of whether you want to invest in the product.
Although problems arise that are out of a company’s control, how they rectify a customer complaint reveals a lot about a company.
Always do your research and make sure that you’re happy with the customer reviews before purchasing your new women’s board shorts.
Pockets
Another factor you’ll want to consider is whether your board shorts have pockets. Although you might not consider this as necessary if you’re going to be spending the majority of your time in the water, pockets can be incredibly convenient.
A lot of board shorts come with zipper pockets that keep your possessions safe when you’re on the beach or are out walking.
As board shorts aren’t limited to the beach, pockets provide you with the opportunity to carry your possessions wherever you are when you’re not in the water.
That being said, whether they have pockets or not will significantly contribute to how convenient your board shorts are to wear when you’re out and about or doing other activities in them that are away from the water.
For instance, if you decide to go for a hike or a run in your board shorts, you might find yourself reaching for your board shorts less if you don’t have a safe zipper pocket to keep your phone or other possessions in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are women’s board shorts used for?
Board shorts are a staple in any beach lover’s wardrobe. Board shorts are incredibly versatile. Whether you use them for surfing, swimming, or just general beachwear, they’re useful to have on hand and complete any casual beach outfit.
Alongside this, women often wear board shorts for running and hiking, as their stretchy material is comfy to wear for a variety of different activities.
That being said, you’ll want to choose a pair of shorts that are made out of a breathable and quick-drying material, such as polyester to ensure that you don’t end your run feeling uncomfortable and sweaty!
It’s helpful to know which kind of activities you intend to use your board shorts for, as you will have a better idea of the type of material and functions you need from your board shorts.
For instance, if you know you want a pair of board shorts that are great for an array of activities, then you’ll likely want a pair that also includes pockets to keep your possessions safe. If you know you’ll be using them for swimming or surfing alone, this might be less of a priority for you.
Additionally, board shorts are a great option for someone who wants more coverage than a traditional one-piece swimsuit or bikini provides.
Do you wear anything under board shorts?
The answer to this question largely depends on your own personal preference. However, a lot of female surfers will opt to wear a one-piece swimsuit or bikini bottoms under their board shorts for an added layer of comfort and to ensure that they are covered at all times.
If you’re wearing board shorts for more coverage, it is likely that you’ll want to wear a bathing suit or bikini bottoms for that extra peace of mind when you’re out in the water and on the beach.
That being said, more traditional board shorts often have a built-in mesh liner for optimal comfort and function. This can be useful, as wearing swimwear underneath can increase the drying time when out of the water.
As we’ve noted, what you wear under board shorts largely comes down to personal preference. Although some people prefer to wear nothing, if you’re into high-impact sports, such as surfing, then you might want to consider wearing a bathing suit underneath to ensure that you’re always protected if your shorts suddenly fly off!