Thanks to clearance sales, I have too many of them, good insurance for the clothing crisis this summer.

I swim a lot, so clothing that slows down in the water isn't fun. Probably the best in the collection is an Outerknown, which was probably a mistake price, around $30 and free shipping! So there's several more in the drawer. (It looks like Outerknown is taking advantage of brand turmoil to get into real surf shops). Hansen's brand list reads like a retail honor roll, if you get rid of the recent bankruptcies that are mostly coming back to life under new management.

A high end Patagonia Hydrolock (clever lacing/waist system and bonded construction) was expensive even at half price, but will get worn as soon as thing warm up. Hobie had some good prices for their store-brand (typically traditional and made in US) and even Florence, but right now very little at the sale section.

Balsa Bill's shorts and shirt maker retired, so his boardshorts may now be collectible. Hawaiian shirts are available. They seem as good as any I've seen. at balsabill.comonline.

Vissla and others are embracing lace ties that extend all the way around the waist, in their own mid-waistband tunnel. I think it's an old design for volley trunks, but might be spreading now. I picked up a "flight satin nylon" version

Watermen, which caters to lifeguard programs, has long had shoelaces-in-the-waistband shorts, but recently added a 17" outseam version. The "shoelace" is flat, so no waistband bulge, fly is no-velcro, seams sturdy, big pocket. Poly/elastane. Kind of expensive at $60, but seem capable of being worn all day.

An expensive oddity is Driftline. 0.5 mm lined shorts, helpful for Californians. Made in China, so they like others are sweating the tariff.

Finally, "durable water resistant" spray for cloth is available at Lowe's and HD. Most boardshorts are now treated with it (or old-type nylon dries fast anyway) but wearing a pool-type swimsuit under a wetsuit leads to the realization that the polyester clings to water.

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wavewatcher - >ww - >wavewatcher, again

Edited: 04/18/2025 at 08:40 PM by Wavewatcher