Are These the Jason Bourne of Boardshorts? - Stab Mag
1662 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

“Everyone Knows I Was A Motherfucker At One Time. I’m Not Afraid To Own Up To That.”

Makua Rothman on catching the wave of his life while high on Oxys, the issues…

Feb 25, 2026

Stab In The Dark X Predictions From Mason Ho, Jake Paterson, Joe Turpel And More

“Some good history there. If it happens we are truly in the year 2026.”

Feb 25, 2026

Filmmaker Andy Woodward’s Front-Row Seat To The Aftermath Of El Mencho’s Death

"There's cars on fire everywhere. It's war zone shit."

Feb 25, 2026

Watch: Yago Dora, Eithan Osborne & Shane Borland Bless New Saudi Wavepool With NBDs

Where billionaires get their wings.

Feb 24, 2026

Could We Please Ask A Significant Favor?  

SITD X requires more literage.

Feb 24, 2026

What Surfing Should Learn From The Winter Olympics

Thank fuck that’s not us!

Feb 22, 2026

World Champs And WSL President Reject Surfing’s New Olympic Qualification System, Demand Revisions From ISA

Yago Dora, Caity Simmers, Ryan Crosby and more take a stand.

Feb 21, 2026

Hemp In The Athlete Zone, Pipe Master On Hypto Kryptos, Freesurfers Monetize Loneliness

This is the new order of operations — a Q1 industry report.

Feb 20, 2026

“It Was Like the Fourth of July. The Kitchen Sink’s Shattering. The Curtains Are On Fire. I Was Just Swimming Though Black Smoke.”

Kolohe Andino recalls the Gold Coast apartment fire that almost took everything.

Feb 20, 2026

Watch: Dane Reynolds Quizzes The Reigning World Champ | StabMic Episode 02

Yago Dora on his title year, the Volcom x Dad split, EAST over SITD, CT…

Feb 19, 2026

What I Learned Shooting Stab in the Dark with Kelly Slater

These innocuous observations from 11 days working with the greatest surfer of all time. 

Feb 18, 2026

Why Aren’t There More European Freesurfers?

Charly Quivront's new film, 'Who Is Charly?,' helps explain it.

Feb 18, 2026

Ferrari Boyz: Mikey Wright’s Apocalypse-Proof Ram 3500 Mega Cab

A daily driver with a 9-ton towing capacity.

Feb 17, 2026

Kurt Van Dyke, Renowned Californian Surfer, Brutally Murdered in Costa Rica

The 66-year-old was discovered under his bed with multiple stab wounds and a knife nearby.

Feb 17, 2026

Ferrari Boyz​

Something we often discuss at Stab is how we’re the conduit, not the story. I…

Feb 17, 2026

Rebuttal: Never Stop Watching Surf Movies 

Social media makes us anxious and depressed. Surf content does not.

Feb 16, 2026

How Italo Ferreira Bought His Way Into Nike, The Reality Of Fatherhood, And Embracing Global Scrutiny

The Stab Interview with the most sleep-deprived man in surfing.

Feb 13, 2026

Will A GOAT Bite On Gnaraloo’s $17 Million Price Tag?

World Champs and Hollywood circle a red-dirt kingdom that can never truly be owned.

Feb 13, 2026
Advertisement