Board shorts

Beach Shorts and Board Shorts: How to Buy at a Better Price

Updated 20 October 2026

For the beach, swimming or surfing

The name “beach shorts” hides several different things. Board shorts are made of tough, quick-drying fabric with a Velcro or drawstring fastening; they do not restrict movement in the water and do not ride up under a wave. Swim shorts are lighter and shorter. Linen or cotton shorts for strolling on the beach get heavy in water and dry slowly, but they are nice in town. Separately there are shorts worn over a swimsuit.

The length also affects comfort: short shorts do not get in the way when swimming, mid-thigh ones give more coverage, and knee-length ones look more like street wear and are handy for surfing because they rub less.

What to put in your request

• Type of shorts — board shorts, swim shorts, shorts over a swimsuit, beach shorts for walking.
• Purpose — just the beach, the pool, surfing or other water sports.
• Material — quick-drying fabric, polyester with elastane, linen or cotton.
• Length — short, mid-thigh, knee-length.
• Size — letter size, or waist and hip measurements.
• Colour and print, and brand, if you have already chosen.
• Budget, if you want to name one.

Example: “I am looking for women's quick-drying surf shorts, size S, mid-thigh, with a drawstring waist, blue. Delivery to Al Ain, budget up to AED 44.”

How it works in BlaBlaPrice

You do not have to open sports and beachwear shop sites one by one. Describe what you need in a single request, and sellers reply in the chat with offers that include photos, price and terms. The site compares them and shows the best one first, while sellers see their position and can lower the price or add delivery. Nobody sees your phone number until you choose a seller. It is free for buyers; details are on the “How it works” page.

How not to go wrong

Ask sellers to confirm the composition: real board shorts are usually polyester with some elastane, not cotton. Check whether there is an inner mesh or lining: some models have none, and for swimming that is uncomfortable. Ask about pockets: open ones fill with water, while ones with a Velcro flap or drainage work better. For surfing, look at the seams: flat seams rub less.

Do not choose the size out of habit: in swimwear, brands' size charts differ. Take your waist and hip measurements and compare them with the seller's chart.

To put the whole look together, see swimsuits and beach dresses and tunics.