Helpful Handbook: The Board Short Buying Guide

Below is a a few pointers that we think will help you in choosing your boardshorts. With so many to choose between it's enough to make you dizzy, so hopefully some of the points below might help you differentiate between them and guide you to your perfect board shorts. It's a match made in heaven.

Waist Sizes Available

All of our boardshorts come in waist size 30, 32, 34 and 36. Some styles will also come in a 28 and 38. On certain commercial styles we also offer 31 and 33 for example PLU 54050/Repeater, 54911/Scattered, 55898/Taj Teed. The reason for this is that as boardshorts are not elasticated and you can't wear them with a belt, to get the perfect fit we offer the in-between sizes.

Leg Lengths

What sort of leg length are you looking for? The majority of boardshorts are between 53-58cm long (outside leg measurement). However if, like me, you like to go a bit retro now and then, look out for the shorter Havana style shorts of the Point Vo (55992). This style offers a slimmer, above the knee cut, also good for swimming.

Stretch Fabric

A couple of styles (55880/Al Shogun Platinum, 55881/Predator Platinum, 55890/Tricky) are made with a stretch, quick drying fabric. This is to help freedom of movement when you tuck in for your next barrel. The Platinum range fabric is also embossed with a subtle pattern that shows up more when wet.

Eco Fabric

Some of the Billabong styles (54052/Shockwave in 3 colours, Metallica, El Pixel, 55882/Sonic) are made from Recycled fabrics. Look for the swing tag on the garment. Most boardshorts are made from Polyester which is a plastic. Therefore the eco warriors amongst you could find this the perfect choice – a great looking boardshort with consideration for the environment built in. Billabong is one of a handful of brands making boardshorts from re-cycled materials. Billabong calls the fabric Eco-Supreme Suede which is made up from recycled textiles and plastic bottles and helps to conserve the world’s valuable resources.

Signature Models

If you want to be the next Taj Burrow (Billabong Pro Surfer for those scratching there heads), point yourself in the direction of one of the signature series boardshorts. These are designed in collaboration with the pros and are likely to used in adverts and marketing initiatives. Look for styles such as these: