From fit, lining, waistband, fabric, and occasion, board shorts actually differ from swim trunks in many ways.
Length: The main difference here is the length. While swim trunks generally hit at the thigh, men’s board shorts tend to be longer, usually ending right at the knee or slightly below it. This helps provide more coverage in general, and it protects you from the sun. Traditional board shorts tend to be baggier in shape and are known for being less restrictive—one of the many reasons they are recommended for highly intense activities, such as surfing, wakeboarding, and beach games.
Lining: Swim trunks almost always have mesh linings to provide more support. Boards shorts, on the other hand, do not usually have linings; in fact, surfers and sailors avoid liners because that extra fabric can cause abrasion against the skin. Instead, board shorts offer a free, less restrictive fit that helps air circulate to keep you cool on those hot summer days, and give you more wiggle room and space for movement on the waves. Really, if you’re performing heavy activities in water, no lining is the way to go.
Waistband: Board shorts have a very specific tighter, more durable waistband that opens up in the front and is secured by a Velcro or zip fly. It can be adjusted using a string tie, normally laced through grommets (aka those o-shaped metal hardware pieces) that help prevent them from falling down. However, swim trunks can come with a range of closures from button snaps and zip-flies to the most commonly used basic string tie at the front.
Comments are closed.