These Boardies Have Enough Tech to Warrant an Elon Musk Acquisition - Stab Mag

Dakoda Walters wins Surf100 presented by Pacifico.

1044 Views
All photos by Zak Bush

These Boardies Have Enough Tech to Warrant an Elon Musk Acquisition

Check Out Billabong’s Best Boardshorts of 2023

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

If you’re into techy, stretchy, high-performance, and light, these are for you.

Product: Billabong D Bah Airlite Performance 19″ Boardshorts

Price: $66

With flexibility in all the right places and seams that feel like they don’t exist, the latest D Bah Airlite Performance boardies from Billabong look and feel like peak performance. A fitted cut without any bulk whatsoever and an understated black colorway make these ideal for infiltrating foreign lineups without catching attention.

Although personal colorway biases tend to lead me away from anything super bright, the fact that these sit in the “clean” (minimal) category with just a dash of flair, really gets me going. But aesthetic preferences aside, if you’re looking for performance, look no further.

These sit a bit low at the waistline and run a speck large (making a 32 fit like more of a 33) so I’d order a size down for a superior fit while knowing there won’t be a mid-session full moon.

X-Factors:

  • Made from recycled PET, these feature a high-tech, three-fabric makeup that marries a soft hand feel with superior stretch and eco-conscious efforts.
    • 4-Way Strech (Comfort/Stability)
    • 4-Way Twill Stretch (Flexibility + Movement)
    • 4-Way Perforated Stretch (Breathability + Anti-Cling)
  • A water-repellent “Micro Repel” coating results in a lightweight, quick-drying material.
  • No-fuss tie fly closure.
  • The rear zipper pocket with an internal key loop keeps all your goods safe and secure.

Verdict: These are charged up with a flashy strike of neon, and feel great on the body and in the water. If you’re looking for a pair of performance boardshorts, look no further.

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

Surf100 Winner Now Wealthy Enough To Think About Interest Rates

Dakoda Walters enters the next phase of adulthood, while 2500 Pacificos get drained at pace.

Sep 11, 2026

Yago Dora Is Undefeated At Lowers — Does That End This Week?

The cut is here, the bubble is stacked, and one Aussie is two L's away…

Sep 10, 2026

The 2026 $100k Surf100 Finale, Presented By Pacifico

Parko, Noa, Dakoda and Dimitri face off in our audience judged, 100-minute surf exhibition.

Sep 9, 2026

Can Parko Beat The Kids For $100k?

Watch our Surf100 warm-ups.

Sep 8, 2026

Nathan Florence On Why The 10,000 Hour Rule Does Not Apply To Surfing

And how tubes cost him $12,000 per minute.

Sep 8, 2026

How To Watch (& Judge) The $100,000 Surf100 Finale

Everything you need to know before September 9 (PST).

Sep 7, 2026

Go To Lakey Peak For Two Weeks, Accidentally Leave With SEOTY Entry

Watch a dozen or so A+ airs in Makana Franzmann's 'Off Axis.'

Sep 5, 2026

How Zeke Lau Became Surfing’s Villain | StabMic Ep. 30

“Am I happy with the way things played out? Not really.”

Sep 5, 2026

How Will This Weekend’s Hurricane Marie Stack Up Against 2014’s?

We asked Surfline's senior forecaster to discern fact from lineup chatter.

Sep 4, 2026

And Our $12k Kandui Resort Giveaway Winner Is…

Hosing down wildfires in Big Sur.

Sep 3, 2026

Watch: Two Underdogs, One Very Expensive Bone

Dakoda and Dimitri’s thoughts on facing Parko and Noa for a $100K payday.

Sep 3, 2026

Cloudbreak Saves Goofs From Challenger Series Horrors

Cole Houshmand and Erin 'Don't-Call-It-A-Title-Run' Brooks win in Fiji.

Sep 3, 2026

Karma Just Sent Kauli Vaast A Lump Sum

Perfect 10s, ankle sprains, and a rising swell in Fiji

Sep 2, 2026

Watch: EAST Starring Harry Bryant, Episode Two

This is not a fin test.

Sep 1, 2026

Fiji Lately: World Champs Out, Bar Tabs Up, Swell Inbound

Eight heats in 96 hours; or the glorious doldrums of Tavarua laydays. 

Aug 31, 2026

Harry Bryant On EAST, Big-Wave Psychology & Fin-Gate | StabMic Ep. 29

"I went off my own judgement thinking that was a thruster, and I was proved…

Aug 30, 2026

Watch: Uncut Gems On Africa’s Forgotten Coast

Eli Beukes stars in 'Rough Diamonds' by Now Now Media.

Aug 29, 2026

Hossegor Beach Cocaine Episode 4: What Goes Up

“Sometimes I’d go and see how much was left and go, ‘Oh god, there’s still…

Aug 28, 2026
Advertisement