2009 Surfing Boardshort Review

2009-07-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

When it comes to laying out in the sun and trying to get a tan, the main function of almost any boardshort is to look great. While enjoying a recreational co-ed swim by the pool, the boardshort needs to look great. Going out on a summer night? Again, the boardshort has to look great.

Now try to take just any boardshort out into a surfing lineup, or out on the lake for a few days, and we guarantee that some part of your precious man-land will be paying the price for the lack of knowledge. Fortunaltely for the contemporary boarder, there are companies that are savy to this perdicament, and have created various technologically advanced boardshorts to both advance your riding and keep your regions safe and secure while managing to keep you from looking like a tool in the meantime. These are our boardshort picks for this 2009 season, and a look into a few of the things that make them a step above the rest.

Billabong - Vapor X

The Taj Fit, Zero Gravity Stretch boardshort has an embossed quad 4-way stretch material that moves in any way the rider moves. This short features a seamless outleg that prevents rashes, Flexy-Fly construction, and an eye-catching laser cut welded vapor mesh logo and zip pocket combo. With 96% polyester and 4% spandex, the Vapor X has helped bring Billabong above the simple polyester contruction of everyday trunks.

For the Greenpeace lover in all of us, Billabong has also released a “Recycler Series” of boardshorts made from 100% recycled polyester material. Now we can all feel comfortable knowing that one man's trash can help cover another man's junk. Featured here is the “Land Shark” model.

Hurley - Phantom 120

Rob Machado said that the Hurley Phantom 120 Boardshort is “hands down, the best boardshort ever.” In our minds there is much to say about the opinion of Rob Machado, and the Phantom boardshort backs it up. The Pinnacle p 120 Phantom fabric means that this freak cloth can stretch to 120% of size and will stay completely waterproof for about a month of heavy use. The thin, quick-drying material allows for extremely fluid body movement, and very few seams, keeping each rider rash free and comfortable. The Patented EZ fly closure has no Velcro to dig into your lace or stomach, and while the Phantom 120 will stretch as you move, it won’t loosen up at the waist. To top it off, the embossed icon pattern back yoke, signature foil branding, and embroidered waistband icon give the Phantom 120 a high popularity rating from anyone lucky enough to see you pass by.

Volcom - Bruce Annihilator

What have the "Proving Grounds" on North Shore's Real Estate goldmine done for us lately? Take a shot at the Bruce Annihilator Mod Boardshorts. On the fashion side of things Volcom has always brought a strong presence, but functionality has taken a strong step forward. With a huge Volcom detailed system of mesh panels on the side of the legs, and a pocket worked into the design, water is free to quickly flow out of these boardshorts as the rider begins to take-off. New to this year's line is the "zip-off" fly closure, that allows for ease of use as well as surprising protection from chafing.

These shorts have a combination of 4-way stretch lightweight water resistant materials throughout, that allow the rider to think more about surfing and less about comfort.

Rip Curl - STL Technologies Pixelate

Stitches create friction, friction creates rashes....no stiches = no rashes. Rip Curl has taken its liquid taped seams from wetsuit construction and applied it to boardshorts. The Taylor Knox signature line offers STL Technology as well as 2-way stretch material and lightweight fashion that will get plenty of attention on the beach and not hold you back in the water.

Quiksilver - Diamond Dobby Series

Like four points of a diamond, Quiksilver has focused on four design points for this year's titan of a boardshort.

No Rash – Cushy Diamond Dobby pattern means that 30% of the material never touches your skin.

Quick Dry – Diamond Dobby Technology pattern allows more air flow and water drainage. Dries 2X faster than the average boardshort.

Perfect Stretch – Quiksilver balanced a 33% horizontal stretch with fabric memory to maintain shape.

Ultra Lightweight – “Virtually Weightless” materials said to be so light that these boardshorts feel like silk boxers.

After all of that, now add on the sick retro designs of this line, and we have to take our hats off to Quiksilver for making an amazingly innovative functional boardshort that supplies plenty of steez.

Lost - Stretchmo

One of the many surf companies to come out of South Orange County, Lost has done an amazing job offering boardshorts that slam out eye-popping graphics and keep you comfortable. The "Stretchmo" boardshort is part of their Performance Stretch line that boasts the combination of a neoprene inseam and 4-way stretch fabric. While not holding back on quality, Lost has produced techno-vanced boardshorts with sick graphics for years. The Performance Stretch line also includes the "Mayhem" and "Fire&Water" designs.

Lost also features a “recycled from trash” boardshort named "It’s All There" that should tickle the backbone of everyone looking to keep it green.

O'Neill - Hyperfreak

Possibly the most advanced boardshort to date, the Hyperfreak brings a long resume of features to the table. A non-stretch waistband is used to stabilize the shorts and ensure that they don’t come off in the waves, while a drawcord with thermoplastic urethane laminated pads helps the drawcord lock in place when tied. The Superfly 2.0 design with lycra on the interior drawcord provides tons of comfort, and the Lycra gusset of the fly was shortened to minimize bulkiness before adding a small velcro tab to keep the fly from opening your treasures to the pirates of this world. O'Neill used its Durable Water-Resistant (DWR) coated Hyperstretch Fabric made of 79% polyester and 21% spandex to ensure complete freedom of movement while riding. An S-Shape Ergonomic Sideseam ties into your wetsuit jacket and allows for 50% more stretch than a straight seam, and the Hyperfreak uses a flat-stitch (like a wetsuit seam) which allows for more stretch and less irritation. Finally, the Hyperfreak considers all members of the "Anti-Rash" society, and has provided its "no inseam" construction with stretch hem-sewn leg openings that use a triple needle cover stitch to get as much stretch as the fabric will allow without the hem restricting the movement.

Welcome to Obsidian Boarding Company!

2009-07-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here we go. Obsidian Boarding Company is launching its comment factory for all thoughts and ideas within the boarding world. Our goal is to meet the interest of any level of boarder. From beginners to life long servants that have had every injury along the way (and are encouraged to talk about it). What are we about?

Reviews of seasonal gear for wake-snow-surf (ie bindings, boards, boats, wetsuits, leashes, jackets, goggles, glasses, ropes, clothes, etc.)

Ride SPi Binding O'Neill Psycho II Fullsuit

Pro Tour results and Overview. Who is on top of, or coming up through, the pro rankings? How were the conditions/vibe of the last competition?

Biography interviews with important people from every corner of the boarding world. Historic or contemporary, rider or shaper/designer. If they have changed the way that the industry has gone about its business, then we are interested in their story.

Duke Kahanamoku Jake Burton Shaun Murray

Weekly blogs/discussions about trips, conditions, and trends in our sport and lifestyle.

We are passionate about boarding, and see it as more than a hobby or recreation. Boarding is a way of life that effects each of us in a unique way, and gives us all an avenue to enjoy this amazing world.

We look forward to the trip.