Every company has a unique name for the fabric that they use, but they all fall into just a few main categories. All of today's boardshorts are made from quick drying fabrics and almost all of them will handle long sessions in the water. The biggest advantages of one fabric over another are weight and tendency to chafe. No body wants a pair of boardshorts that are going to rash. It seems like you don't really know your trunks until you walk long distances in them while they are wet. Here is a rundown of the key fabrics:

• Polyester Microfibers: Currently these are the most common fabrics used. They are lightweight, dry quickly, and have a nice buttery feel to them. They are variously known as supreme suede, psychosuede, walrus skin, ultrasuede, and supersuede. In general this is a non-chafing fabric because the inside of the fabric is usually smooth. Those styles that have a sueded interior (i.e. fuzzy) can be a little nasty. Probably the most comfortable material for wearing when not surfing. About 75% of all boardshorts made today are made from these materials.
  
  
• Nylon & nylon blends: Originally, most boardshorts were made from Supplex nylon. Today's nylons are more advanced and in my opinion are the fastest drying, most breathable fabrics available for boardshorts. Unfortunately, pure blend nylon trunks can also be somewhat rough for key rash areas because they have more texture than other boardshorts. To combat this problem, several blends have been introduced which generally reduce or eliminate this problem. Among those fabrics are Dynasty Nylon, Baja Nylon, and Waterman Nylon. This are very soft fabrics and some of my favorites. Baja Nylon in particular has enjoyed incredible success because of its durability, light weight, and comfort.
  
  
• Stretch fabrics: The newest generation of fabrics are mostly blends of polyester and spandex which provide a slight amount of stretch. These fabrics are variously known as superstretch, psychostretch, factory stretch, stretch nylon, and stretch light. Most of them have very slight stretch, although the psychostretch material from O'Neill has noticeably more than any other fabric of this type. The stretch fabric is extremely comfortable due to the slight bit of give, great in the water and very quick drying, and also seems to be the least likely to chafe. This is the fastest growing segment of the market today.
  
  
• Additional Fabrics: There are also some fabrics called "pigment prints" which are usually poly fabrics that have been injected with a lot of dye for a worn in look. While these are good for cruising, they are not usually the best in the water as they can be a bit stiff. Neoprene panels are also now being used - namely by O'Neill - to produce additional flexibility in their trunks. Finally, different kinds of mesh are also used either as panels or lining in today's boardshorts. Mesh linings are mostly found in white boardshorts to prevent show through. This is a comfortable fabric, but it can add quite a bit of weight to your trunks and slow down drying time.
  

Your boardshorts need to last, so it is crucial that they are well made. Additionally, there are a host of special features that can add to the comfort of your trunks. Some of these features, while sounding good, may be less important than others. Here we look at the main areas of interest in boardshort construction

• Seams: The majority of the boardshorts that are made today are sewn with triple needle constrcution on at least the outside seams. Double needle sewing is still common on the inseam because it is more comfortable and still plenty durable. With today's sewing machines, even double needle construction is adaquate. Many print and color block boardshorts may not even have a outside seam which actually makes for a pretty good looking pair of boardshorts. Taped & liquid seam technology - in which the material is more or less glued together rather than sewn - has gotten a lot of play, but in my opinion is overkill. While boardshorts with this technology are functional and really nice to wear, they are not substantially more flexible than regular seam boardshorts.
  
  
• The Fly: While I have never had a problem with rashing from velcro, lots of other surfers have been bothered by this. As a result, many of today's boardshorts feature a velcro-free fly. This usually means that the velcro has been replaced by either neoprene or lycra. As a result, you can't pull the two parts completely apart (say to take a leak), but you won't have any abrasion or discomfort from the velcro. Another option currently in use only in Volcom trunks, is the zipper fly. This is a realy nice feature because you have the comfort of velcro-free, but the convienence of a fly you can open.
  
  
• Stitchless inseam: A lot of the chafing that surfers incur while wearing boardshorts is the result of seams, not fabric, rubbing against tender flesh. One solution to this is to build a boardshort that does not have stitching in the crotch. This is accomplished in a variety of ways - all of which have proven very effective. Activewear companies in other sports - like biking and hiking - have been at this for a long time and it really works. If you find that you frequently get rashed by your boardies, look for this feature.
  
  
• Hem Binding & Waistband linings: In general, this is just something that gives boardshorts a little extra bit of flash. Basically, a contrast color material - usually the same kind of material used in the body - is sewn into the waistband and into the leg hem. There are a few instances of the leg binding being made from lycra. This is actually nice because the lycra is really soft when wet, so you won't get any abrasion from the hem. However, in general, this is a purely asthetic element.
  
  
• Pockets: Because boardshorts are now all-around use items, almost every pair has at least one pocket. Almost all pockets are constructed with drainholes and come with a key lanyard which is a piece of fabric or elastic which will hold your key while you surf. The biggest addition to boardshorts are welt pockets. A welt pocket is one that is on the inside of the trunk. The opening is outside, but the pocket sack is inside the garment.  Many welt pockets - indeed the best ones - are lined with mesh so they don't hold water. Mesh is known for being less durable than other materials however.
  
  

Depending on your age and height, length can be a very important part of your satisfaction with your trunks. Also a pair of trunks that a perfect for surfing, may be too short for casual land usage. One thing to remember when looking at length is that the stated length is for a size 32" (waist size) garment. Lengths are 1/2" longer or shorter for each 1" of waist on either side of 32. So for example, a trunk that is called 22" long is actually that length at 32" waist so a 34" waist would be 23" long and a 30" waist would be 21" long.

• Regular lengths: The standard boardshort length today is 22" although the 21" length is also very popular. Both of these will be just above the knee on the average surfer.
  
  
• Shorter lengths: These are making an enormous comeback and are extremely popular with older surfers. Anything 20" or shorter is considered a shorter length. To our knowledge, nothing currently is offered shorter than 18" by any of the brands we sell. These lengths are going to sit mid thigh on most surfers although shorter surfers may find them longer.
  
  
• Longer lengths: Anything over 22" - which basically means 23" and 24" - is considered a longer length. These will come to or just below the knee. This length is great for wearing around, but can get to be a bother in significant surf situations.