Rip Curl's men's performance board shorts are made for surfing, with four-way stretch, lightweight fabric, and welded seams. Shop Mirage and Search Series boardshorts in 19" and longer cuts.

Shop Men's Performance Boardshorts

Most decisions come down to fabric and length. Mirage boardshorts cover everyday surfing at lower prices, while the Search Series uses Stretch Cordura for surfers who spend most days in the water. Check the boardshort guide for how each length looks, or browse all men's boardshorts for volleys and hybrids.

Shop by range

Here's how the performance range breaks down:

1. Search Series Cordura: the Search Series 3-2-One Cordura 19" and Search Series Trip Cordura 20", made from Stretch Cordura Re/Cor fabric developed for surfing, plus the S.Series Panel Cordura Eddie Would Go 22".
2. Mirage Core and Classic: everyday performance shorts like the Mirage Core 20" in recycled Mirage Core fabric and the Mirage Classic Surf Stripe 19" with an elastic back waist.
3. Mirage Hawaii: mid fit prints like the Mirage Hawaii Wavy Tapa 20", Hawaii Pikake 19", and Hawaii Distort 20" in lightweight stretch fabric for warm water.
4. Mirage Archive: longer, looser cuts with classic surf proportions, including the Mirage Archive Mentawai 22" and Mirage Archive Split Logo 22".
5. Artist and collaboration prints: the Mirage Artist of the Search Gabe Cole 21", featuring exclusive artwork by Melbourne-based artist Gabe Cole, and the Mirage Core Eddie Would Go 21".
   

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best board shorts for men who surf a lot?

Look at the Search Series. Shorts like the Search Series 3-2-One Cordura 19" use Stretch Cordura Re/Cor fabric, which Rip Curl describes as tough yet stretchy, quick-drying, and chafe-resistant. If you surf a few times a month, a Mirage Core or Mirage Hawaii short gives you stretch and quick-dry fabric at a lower price.

What length boardshort should I choose?

A 19" short sits higher on the leg for the most freedom of movement. The 20" and 21" styles are the middle ground, and the 22" and 23" Archive cuts have a looser, classic surf look. The boardshort guide shows how each length looks side by side.

What's the difference between performance, volley, and boardwalk shorts?

Performance boardshorts are built for surfing, with four-way stretch, lightweight construction, and welded seams. Volleys have an elastic waist for swimming and beach days, while boardwalk shorts are multi-purpose hybrids for land and water. If you mostly surf, stay with performance.