Choosing the Correct Boardies / Pro Ski Coach Water Ski Forum

Deke · #1 Thu, Jan 14, 2010 2:20 AM

I want to choose the correct boardshorts... but I don't know how to determine the correct boardshorts.

WadeWilliams · #2 Thu, Jan 14, 2010 2:24 AM

Things to consider

1) Sickness factor
2) Length (as it directly relates to sickness factor) of shorts
3) Tightness -- Not shooting for the Mike Morgan effect, but too baggy gets in the way, too
4) Uniqueness (can't have the same shorts as your buddy)

I'm sure there are more... these factors just off the top of my head.

tjo · #4 Thu, Jan 14, 2010 5:22 AM

If the word, "Quicksilver" appears on the shorts, then you've chosen well.

kstateskier · #5 Thu, Jan 14, 2010 6:53 PM

there's nothing worse than rollin up to your local slalom course and some other dude is rockin your boardies... Thats why I always keep a backup pair in the Mastercraft!

HO410 · #6 Thu, Jan 14, 2010 7:36 PM

Agree. It's all about looking good. Function comes second.
Unless you're cool enough to rock the $10 solid color, elastic waist,
mesh liner, mid-thigh running shorts/swimsuit. In which case go
run a PB and be the biggest bad a*$ at the tournament.

I've spent most of the last few years skiing in one of several pairs of $15 O'rageous (read generic) board-shorts. Wash them 3 or 4 in fabric softener (for starters) and allow to wear for a year or two and they feel great and allow water to pass pretty well. Although I've never had a problem with sea-anchor shorts.

Lately I've been keeping up on Deal of the Day, or deal of the hour sites. Dodtracker.com will encompass tons of sites. I keep a closer eye on whiskeymilitia.com. Boardies don't come up super often, it's mostly skateboard apparel, but a week ago I got a nice pair of shorts from Analog for $15 (off from $60). No clue how they'll ski but at that price I don't care.

tsixam · #7 Thu, Jan 14, 2010 7:51 PM

My favourites are pair of black Sundeck shorts with a gold seam. They are not too baggy and have the right length, just above the knee. I think I paid about $35.
Tsixam

Sam · #8 Thu, Jan 14, 2010 8:30 PM

mesh shorts liner = displaced anatomy

Jhughes · #9 Thu, Jan 14, 2010 8:44 PM

FWIW I love the Abercombie and Fitch board shorts/trunks/whatevertheyare. They are basically indestructable, don't drag in the water, and look good. I don't know if they look "sick" but they look good. I get them on sale in the fall for around 30 bucks. I still ski a pair from 2002 (the red and yellow pair) and they are still in perfect shape. Again, maybe not oozing with "sickness" but definitely tough and functional.

mad4slalom · #10 Sun, Apr 25, 2010 8:14 PM

quite often i get an inch or more taken out of the leg diameter ,,i find this helps with the wedgie effect as i pull up, in the past i have had so much water dragging i have twinged my back'

horne38 · #11 Mon, Apr 26, 2010 1:26 AM

I agree you have to have a good looking pair of shorts plus you need your own look. Right now i am looking for a pair with some great neon colors on a black back ground.

h20dawg79 · #12 Mon, Apr 26, 2010 11:55 AM

WadeWilliams wrote:
Things to consider

1) Sickness factor
2) Length (as it directly relates to sickness factor) of shorts
3) Tightness -- Not shooting for the Mike Morgan effect, but too baggy gets in the way, too
4) Uniqueness (can't have the same shorts as your buddy)

I'm sure there are more... these factors just off the top of my head.

I think Wade Nailed it for me! "Hail to Sickness"!

I'm deliberate about my purchase. So, I do like what I've got and "think" I be Lookin' Good out there! The funny thing is, I rarely notice what anyone else was wearing that day and can't help but think that not too many people probably ever take notice of mine...

Pl0tz · #13 Mon, Apr 26, 2010 1:10 PM

yes to sickness!!!! and also, just make sure they're you're style and you can pull them off don't get something that's not you even if it looks "cool"

AndersonSkiTeam · #14 Mon, Apr 26, 2010 2:56 PM

I bought some shorts and they looked great. First time in the water turns out they have two inflatable pockets in the front that run the size of my thigh. I thought this might be helpful but it definitely wasn't. I ended up having to cut holes in the pockets and then wrap the short around my thighs to stop the parachute effect. I don't wear them anymore but was on a trip and the options were those shorts or the backup elastic waist, mesh lined, mid thigh shorties so I stuck with the cool looking poor use shorts. Sometimes I am to vain.

philgood · #15 Mon, Apr 26, 2010 3:34 PM

ok guys there is this store called TJ MAXX and not only do they have sick namebrand board shorts (o'neil, burnside, ripcurl, hurley, etc) for around $5-$10 they also have wet suits from time to time. i got a billabong foil 403 for 45 bucks and a billabong platinum 302 for $15 you cant beat that! and i have never seen anyone rockin my boardies! knock on wood lol

danbirch · #16 Mon, Apr 26, 2010 5:40 PM

Wade has some great points on his post. I would add to it...

ONEILL HYPERFREAKS!

They are light, dry fast, made of 4 way stretch, and have vibrant colors. Last summer I tried a bunch of different board shorts, and these definately won out on the basis of performance. When you get into that "lean" behind the boat, the stretch fabric definitely is noticeable in the butt.

Check 'em out...
http://www.oneill.com/hyperfreak

Last edited by danbirch (Mon, Apr 26, 2010 5:42 PM)

miski · #17 Tue, Apr 27, 2010 12:13 AM

I left my fav pair of Billabong at SkiTec March 2009 and thought they were long gone – but, was hanging up my vest in the garage this spring and there they were! 12 months later & 1" of dust, but I was ripping lake 2 in them that afternoon

Not sure how sick a pair of solid black boardies are (w/ white stitching & cool logo…), but as long as I impress myself, I am happy!

Then again, maybe I have the optimum level of sickness - no one snatched them for 12 months...

lagdawg · #18 Tue, Apr 27, 2010 12:10 PM

I have quickly become a convert to the 4-way stretch board shorts. Currently I will only purchase board shorts that feature 4-way stretch and a neoprene fly. I still wear some quicksilvers and kirra (PacSun brand) without the stretch but I will be phasing these out as I purchase new shorts. That once limited me basically to only the O'Neill Freak line of board shorts. Recently though I found some Hurley and Quicksilver (Cypher line??) shorts with 4-way stretch. I do most of my board short shopping at TJMaxx, they have the best deals but you've got to look thoroughly for what you want.