Surf trip on the horizon? Upgrade your beach game with these stylish boardshorts that look great, perform well, and won’t break the bank. We found five pairs of gorgeous trunks from trusted brands that are on sale right now for under $50. Happy surfing.
United by Blue Sea Bed Scallop ($47)
Weird name, but we dig the eighties sunset pattern on these above-the-knee shorts, which are made from recycled poly, cotton, and spandex. Side pockets and a back zipper pocket help you stash keys or wax, and United by Blue promises to remove one pound of trash from the ocean for every product sold.
Vissla Congo ($45)
Vissla weaves upcycled coconut fiber with recycled polyester and spandex to create a four-way stretch material that’s kinder to the planet. It’s built to move easily in the water and dry quickly out of the water, but don’t expect a lot of bells and whistles—just comfy, stylish boardshorts for surfing and swimming.
O’Neill Lennox ($27)
Chicken legs? You need a longer short, like these Lennoxes, which have a 21-inch outseam that hits right at the knees. The poly material has a soft, almost suede feel, and the shorts have a single cargo pocket on the thigh.
Prana High Seas ($48)
Prana mixes recycled poly with a lot of spandex for a particularly stretchy boardshort, which means you can roll from the beach to yoga without changing. The retro hemming and bizarre print are fun, while the back zipper pocket comes in handy and the UPF 50+ rating is just smart.
Hurley and Pendleton Yellowstone Beachside ($48)
We love a good collab, so we have to include these shorts, which are the brainchild of surf brand Hurley and heritage brand Pendleton. The shorts are made from a stretchy cotton/poly blend with a Yellowstone National Park–inspired colorway. A portion of the proceeds goes to the park.