Superior Surf Shorts: Vissla

(For all of 2019’s Superior Surf Shorts, head here!)

Vissla came on the scene and made all the right moves. They sponsored those who deserved it, flooded the coastlines with affordable, quality wetsuits, and now they’re funding projects and artists alike. Can’t fault that. Their trunks are somewhere between performance and the shorter regions, but they’re consistently solid. The ’19 release features a quilted Thomas Campbell print of which we’re particularly fond, and some tasteful staples with the hint of something fresh.

Vissla boardshort designer Rob McCarty says the one thing that had to die and did, is the “23-inch super stretch Parko model” style trunks. And hey, we’ll swoon over Joel’s surfing from all eras until our dying day, but holy shit, those things were an outrage. “Good in their day,” Rob told us, “but it’s time for those shants to be retired.”

In the business of not waffling unnecessarily in the pursuit of filling space, let’s zero in on our (and Vissla’s) highlight from this particular offering. The Thomas Campbell designed “Quiltage” short is one of the rare occasions where “art” and surf trunks actually work in unison, and we’re rather fond of the guy that made them too. “The Quiltage was designed with all original art by Thomas Campbell,” Rob says. “The style is good for a beach party. Fun and unique.”

When it comes to the guiding principle of the Vissla mothership, Rob says it’s all about blending design and function in pursuit of trunks that look and feel equally as good. “It all goes hand in hand,” he says. “If it doesn’t look good you’re not going to wear it, then if it doesn’t feel good you’re not going to wear it either. It’s pretty simple.”

They came onto the scene hot and heavy, but it seems like Vissla have grown into themselves and found their aesthetic. The result is a lovely looking trio of trunks. We’ve already waxed lyrical about the Thomas Campbell’s, but the staples are everything that’s good about a no bull trunk, and the flamingo pinks really highlight a tan.

Try something new and step into some Vissla’s boardshorts here.