Board shorts are a popular swimsuit style for both men and women. In the past, women had to buy men’s board shorts and deal with a length that was too long, but manufacturers now make them specifically for women. You can also find styles suitable for teens and boys/girls. Many people have asked us, do board shorts have mesh lining?
This isn’t an easy question to answer, as manufacturers can do whatever they like when it comes to designing and creating them. However, we are here to answer this and other questions you might have about board shorts.
Do They Have Mesh Lining?
Traditional board shorts do not have a mesh lining. Board shorts are a swimwear style, but they can also be worn as casual wear. They are usually long in length (to the knee), and they are loose-fitting shorts.
Many times, they have a variety of features, such as drawstring/elastic waistbands, quick-drying technology, smoothness, and durability. They’re usually made of nylon or polyester, which gives them that smooth, soft feeling and promotes quick drying.
In the past, board shorts were just like regular swim trunks, but they were longer. They did tend to have a mesh lining. However, surfers chose the board-short style because it looked cool, gave them the freedom of movement they required, and more. As such, they complained that traditional board shorts had the lining and, over the years, manufacturers removed the lining.
What Is the Mesh Lining For?
Most people don’t understand why swim trunks have a lining at all. This is one of the reasons why board shorts have become so popular with men, women, and children, regardless of what they do at the beach or pool.
Mesh linings are designed to act as underwear. It keeps the man’s private parts together and contained so that they don’t peek out of the swim trunk bottoms.
However, mesh linings aren’t necessary for board shorts because they tend to be longer. Even if they do ride up slightly, there is no risk of exposing your private areas.
Why Most Board Shorts Don’t Have Mesh Linings
Board shorts are designed to be used by surfers and those who do things on boards, such as short-boarding, water-boarding, and the like. When surfing, you are constantly shifting on your board, and you may have to make quick, agile, precise movements which surfboard fins help with. The lining can bunch up or gather in a particular area, making it harder to move quickly and with precision.
Of course, some manufacturers do include a mesh lining in the board-short design. If you prefer to have the lining because you swim in the board shorts and don’t surf, you may prefer this design. If you like surfing and other water activities that include boards, you may want to look for products that don’t have linings.
Manufacturers have found that some people like the mesh linings while others do not. Therefore, you’ll find a variety of options online and in stores, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your needs.
What to Wear Under Board Shorts
Most people, especially those in surfing towns, frown upon wearing underwear with board shorts. The shorts themselves are designed for comfort, so there is no need to wear underwear. If you’re one of those people who can’t stand to go commando in any type of shorts, board shorts might not be right for you.
If you must wear undies, consider buying boardshorts with mesh linings. You’ll feel more comfortable when you’re walking on the beach and in the water. If you don’t like the feeling of the mesh lining, you can also consider purchasing Speedo bottoms to wear under the board shorts.
Styles and Types of Board Shorts
You’ll find seemingly endless styles of board shorts on the market, making it hard to find the right pair for you. However, it is possible to find the right style and look cool while sporting it. You just need to know what board shorts look like and what they’re designed to do.
Board shorts are designed to be form-fitting at the waist and baggy everywhere else. They usually come in numbered sizes and include a drawstring waist closure. You can find other fly closures, including zippers with buttons and elastic waistbands.
These are not the traditional board-short style. If you want something more authentic, you need to go with the form-fitted drawstring option.
Board shorts are made for surfers. Surfers are always active, which means they aren’t likely to have issues with body weight fluctuation. They tend to have flat, washboard-ab stomachs, as well.
Therefore, they tend to keep fit and stay active, eating healthily, so they can wear the same pair of board shorts throughout the summer without fear of gaining weight. If you want to look like a surfer, it’s best to consider the traditional style with the drawstring and lose the elastic waistband.
The Bottom Line
It is important to understand what board shorts are, how they’re made, what designs are available, and what makes them a traditional option for surfers. If you have found yourself asking, do board shorts have mesh lining, you now know that they can, but traditional styles don’t. This will help you choose the right pair based on your particular needs and preferences.
We also covered other questions people tend to have. We talked about what to wear under the board shorts, what styles there are, which ones are more traditional, and why you should go with the ones you like most and feel most comfortable wearing.
With all that being said, you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable in your board shorts. If you like the elastic waistband because it is more comfortable and you’re used to it in your swimwear, go for it.
If you feel comfortable wearing undies, there is no harm in buying board shorts with a mesh lining. You’ll feel better about yourself, you’ll have more fun, and you won’t really care what anyone says when you get to the beach and start playing or surfing.
