Stab Magazine | The High Performance Boardshort Is The Surf Industry's Biggest Crime
462 Views

The High Performance Boardshort Is The Surf Industry’s Biggest Crime

But here are ten that are palatable! 

style // Jul 26, 2017
Words by Stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

By 2018, we will stop talking about the high-performance boardshort. Stretch will retire; comfort will remain. Like the wetsuit, the boardshort–as far as tech goes–has reached its pinnacle. Next year’s model will be more of the same. 

But don’t be glum! Summer is in full swing in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s hot, the water’s warm and the waves are occasionally fun. But, who cares how good the surf is? Surfing in trunks is life’s greatest joy! And, style comes in many flavours. So we introduce you to our ripping arrangement: A collection of boardies that are sworn to make you boost higher and carve harder. 

So, here’s another selection of Stab endorsed trunks to line the beach, pool, catch the condensation from the bottom of your Mojito with… Or better yet, perform in. 

1. Billabong TRIBONG X AIRLITE BOARDSHORTS black dye performance

Tribong x Airlite Boardshort by Billabong

2. Hurley Phantom JJF 3 Maps Elite black performance

Phantom JJF 3 Maps Elite Boardshort by Hurley

3. Volcom Macaw Mod Boardshorts Black

Macaw Mod Boardshort by Volcom

4. Oneill HYPERFREAK HYDRO BOARDSHORTS performance

HyperFreak Hydro Boardshort by O’Neill

5. Outer Known Origin trunk seaport Blue performance

Origin Trunk by Outerknown

6. Quiksilver New Wave Highline 19 Boardshorts black performance

New Wave Highline 19 Boardshort by Quiksilver

7. RVCA BRUCE WARP PLUS BOARDSHORT dark denim performance

Bruce Warp Plus Boardshort by RVCA

8. VANS NF Rising Swell Boardshort

NF Rising Swell Boardshort by Vans

9. Vissla Diver 2022 Boardshort blood performance

Spaced Diver 20″ Boardshort by Vissla

10. ONEILL Hyperfreak Basis Boardshort OCN BLUE

Hyperfreak Basis Boardshort by O’Neill

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Ikea Is Not A Surf Brand

Is surfing facing a ChatGPT epidemic?

Nov 21, 2025

EAST With Mikey February, Episode Three

Task: Find bluewater barrels in the USA... in summertime.

Nov 21, 2025

Did You Actually Think Gabby Medina Would Sit Out 2026?

The comeback tour just keeps getting bigger.

Nov 20, 2025

Yet Another World Champ Announces His Return To The 2026 World Tour

JJF is back. 

Nov 19, 2025

Steph Gilmore To Join Carissa Moore On 2026 Tour

13 World Titles rejoined the CT WhatsApp thread this past week. How will they fare?

Nov 18, 2025

A Brief History Of The Aerial ft. Bruce Irons, Christian & Nate Fletcher And More

Dylan Graves unearths the facts, the firsts, and the controversial debates shaping surfing's above the…

Nov 18, 2025

Who Has The Right To ‘Protect’ A Hidden Wave?

In surfing's new-age colonialism, everybody's right and everybody's wrong.

Nov 16, 2025

Watch Snapt 5: The Final Cut

After twenty-two years, this is Logan Dulien's biggest mic drop yet. Probably.

Nov 13, 2025

Guess Who’s Back

New mom Carissa Moore to make her Championship Tour return in 2026.

Nov 13, 2025

Where Is Our Mind?

Why we just filmed another 'Stab in the Dark'... before releasing Kelly.

Nov 12, 2025

The Greatest British Surf Conspiracy Of Our Time

Multiple bankruptcies, Russian oligarchs, environmental fugitives and a... wavepool?

Nov 9, 2025

Unlocked: Shark-Eyed Prince João Mendonça In ‘Same Same’

You won’t hear much from the young Portuguese surfer's mouth, but his SEOTY entry says…

Nov 9, 2025

“I’ve Been In Pain My Whole Life. If I’m Going To Get Hurt Surfing, So Be It.” 

Jade Morgan recounts his latest spinal injury + the art of living with a body…

Nov 9, 2025

Inside The Illegal, DIY Operation To Bring Munich’s River Wave Back

Local surfers know exactly how to fix the Eisbach, but they risk a 50k fine.

Nov 8, 2025

“Not Only Did He Beat That Frickin’ Temper-Tantrum-Throwing Goober, Thank God, But He Did It On A Board He Crafted Himself”

Joel Tudor celebrates the maiden Longboard World Title of Kai Ellice Flint.

Nov 7, 2025

EAST With Mikey February, Episode Two

Five more shapers and five eliminations at rush-hour Malibu and Trestles.

Nov 7, 2025

“I’ve Won Three World Titles, But This Is The Biggest Win Of My Career.”

The true story of how Joel Tudor brought an international airline to its knees.

Nov 6, 2025

200 Anglegrinders Vie For Slab Tour, Bitcoin Winner Cut Loose, World Junior Champ Plunges Life Savings Into Luxury Eyewear

Industry news. Heaps of it.

Nov 6, 2025
Advertisement