Are These the Jason Bourne of Boardshorts? - Stab Mag
1262 Views
Photos by Zak Bush

Are These the Jason Bourne of Boardshorts?

O’Neill’s Best Boardshorts of 2023
are sleek, silent, tech-savvy assassins.

style // Apr 21, 2023
Words by Stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

With minimal seams and an athletic-forward, tech-forward design, these feel like wearing nothing (in the best way).

Product: Hyperfreak Tech Solid 19″ Boardshort

Price: $65

Giving heavy Nike or Lulu Lemon energy, these (stoically) state, “Performance is #1, everything else can f*ck off.” With any sense of “extra” fabric terminated, there isn’t a single unnecessary stitch to be found (and no inseam whatsoever); however, these do include a stealth pocket with a liquid-sealed zipper for any black-operative undertakings on your to-do.

X-Factors:

  • Structured 4-way stretch engineered to be rash- and cling-resistant
  • Hyperdry Technology: A premium, water-repellant treatment offering a lightweight feel and ultra-fast dry time
  • Flex-Tie Drawcord: A sturdy tie closure with a grip-coated surface to prevent any slippage.
  • Welded Construction: Ultrasonic welding joins inseams to create a flush, super-smooth interior. Goodbye, rashes. Hello, comfort.
  • Laser-Cut Hem: A clean finish with zero seams at the knee.
  • Ultra lightweight material means no inseam = no rash = longer surf sessions
  • Made with Repreve® environmentally friendly materials

In a word, this boardshort member of O’Neill’s Hyperfreak franchise is as stealthy as they come. In the water, they remain featherlight and pose zero inhibition to your session in any way (so if you blow it, that’s on you and you alone).

The quality of the 4-way stretch feels soft and nearly nonexistent against the body, and I can assure you that there ain’t a chance in hell you’ll rash up and end up walking around town like a bow-legged cowboy.

Verdict: These boardies live at the intersection of high-performance tech and modest aesthetics.

See the rest of Stab’s Best Boardshorts & Swimwear of 2023, here.

Note: Garrett is 6’0, 170 lb., wearing size 32.

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

The Desperately Primal Defense Of Something That Was Never Truly Your Own

We talked to the people from that viral Canary Islands localism video.

Dec 5, 2025

EAST With Mikey February, Episode Four

And the four finalists are...

Dec 5, 2025

Queensland Surf Coach Eligible For Parole In 6 Months After Pleading Guilty To 31 Child Sex Offences

The former WSL QS competitor could be released as early as June 2026.

Dec 4, 2025

Nate Florence On The Pipeline Board Matrix, His Superhuman Status & The Truth About Boats

“I got milked and did some milking, basically.” 

Dec 2, 2025

How West Oz Accidentally Built A Good Fucking Wave

“Apparently they were building this reef for beginners and intermediates, but with swell it's a…

Dec 1, 2025

Liam McNamara Raises Over $100K To Bring Back ‘Wave Of The Winter’

“This is not a private party, it's an open door party. Everybody's welcome.”

Nov 30, 2025

Stab Interview: Kolohe Andino Is No Longer For Sale

Brother on Steko, fatherhood, competition, and setting fire to the legacy brands.

Nov 30, 2025

Kelly Slater + Occy On Why The Returning World Champs Should Break Something

And why we’d love to see a Ryan Burch (or insert other psychedelic foam experiment)…

Nov 28, 2025

Roasted: Harry Bryant On The Edge Of A Typhoon In The East China Sea

Xi runs the state, Haz runs the rivermouth.

Nov 27, 2025

How To Order A Surfboard In 2025

Donald Brink, Chris Christenson, and Jon Pyzel on how not to piss off your shaper…

Nov 26, 2025

A New Rule For The 2026 CT Season Puts Carissa, Steph, + John John At An Immediate Disadvantage

The revamped CT format is gloriously cutthroat.

Nov 25, 2025

From The Indies Trader To Vela: How Boats Are Debunking Surfing’s “Crowded World” Narrative

Torren Martyn + the man who named Cloud 9 discuss the laziness of surf tourism…

Nov 23, 2025

“It’s A Gene Pool Of Cool, But It Comes With Every Bag Of Shit That Goes With It”

There’s a new Fletcher documentary you’ll probably want to watch.

Nov 23, 2025

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
Advertisement