So You Want Boardshorts That Actually Work on the Beach
American Eagle's longboard shorts have been around long enough that most people who buy them already know what they're getting into before they even read a review. They're not designed for surfing competitions. They're designed for someone who wants shorts that look decent at a coffee shop and hold up after a few hours in saltwater. The gap between those two purposes is where most people get surprised. The shorts themselves use a woven polyester blend, usually around 65/35 or similar depending on the season and exact style. That's the quick-dry standard for lifestyle boardshorts. It moves water out fast enough that you won't be sitting around soaking wet for an hour after a swim. The real differentiator compared to cheap dollar-store options is the stitching and lining. AE puts a mesh or nylon liner in most of their longboard cuts, which prevents chafing on longer sessions and keeps the shorts from clinging in an embarrassing way. I bought a pair of the 24-inch inseam longboard shorts a few summers ago and wore them for everything: beach days, boat trips, running errands in town, and honestly just lounging. The first time I took them swimming, I noticed the internal drawcord wasn't secured anywhere near the waistband. That's a design choice I didn't appreciate. After my second swim, the drawcord had bunched up and shifted completely inside the channel, which made the waist feel uneven and slightly loose. I solved it by threading a small safety pin through the cord at two points near the waistband and then re-tucking it. Takes about forty seconds and fixes the problem permanently. I've never had it shift again.
The fit runs slightly generous in the thigh area, which is intentional. These aren't meant to be compression shorts. If you have muscular thighs from cycling or heavy squatting, size down one increment. The elastic waistband with the external drawcord gives you maybe an inch and a half of adjustment range, which is standard but not particularly generous. People with larger waists relative to their hips sometimes find the rise sits a bit high, creating that awkward boardshort tent effect when you sit down. The pockets are where budget-friendly boardshorts usually reveal their true quality level. AE includes side seam pockets that go reasonably deep, plus a zippered back pocket. The back pocket zipper is adequate but not robust. I've seen the zipper teeth separate after about six months of heavy use if you overstuff it with anything heavier than a phone. Keep that pocket light or skip it entirely and use the side pockets for cards and cash. One thing beginners consistently overlook: the length matters more than people think. The 24-inch inseam hits around mid-calf on most average-height guys. That's the sweet spot for boardshorts. Anything shorter starts looking like swim trunks from 2008. Anything longer and you're dragging fabric in the water. If you're under 5'8" or over 6'2", the 24-inch length will feel off regardless of waist fit. The 21-inch option is worth considering if you're shorter, though it skews more toward casual short than actual longboard style.
Color-wise, the solid earth tones and muted patterns tend to look more intentional than the bright graphic prints, which date quickly and read as novelty items after a couple of beach seasons. The olive green and navy versions I own have held up visually for years. The lighter colors show salt residue more noticeably, so if that bothers you, stick with darker shades or be prepared to rinse them after ocean use.
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Practical Care That Actually Extends the Life
Machine washing cold and line drying is the only reliable approach. Tumble drying on any heat setting will progressively degrade the quick-dry coating and shrink the fabric unevenly. I've run them through the dryer once on accident and the waistband elastic lost about twenty percent of its recovery within a month of that single exposure. Cold wash, hang dry, repeat. That's it. If you're in a hurry, towel dry them first to remove excess moisture, then hang. They'll be wearable within an hour in most weather conditions. Salt buildup in the stitching lines is another issue that goes unnoticed until it's too late. If you've been in the ocean regularly, rinse the shorts with fresh water after each session, even if you plan to wash them later. Salt crystals form in the thread and slowly abrade the fabric from the inside out. This is what causes those tiny holes near stress points like the pocket openings and fly area. Rinsing takes three minutes and adds years to the garment's lifespan.
When These Shorts Don't Make Sense
If your primary activity is actual surfing, paddleboarding, or any water sport where you'll be on a board for extended periods, these aren't the right choice. The fabric lacks the reinforced panels and articulated knee design that technical surf shorts provide. The lining also isn't designed to prevent chafing from a wax-coated board against your legs. For that, you'd want something from Billabong, O'Neill, or Quiksilver's higher-tier lines. AE longboard shorts occupy the space between swim trunks and actual surf gear, which means they compromise on both ends of that spectrum. They're functional for casual water activities but won't outperform purpose-built options if you're doing anything strenuous in the water. The price point around $40 to $55 is fair for what they are, but if you find them on sale for under $30, that's the real value zone. At full retail, you're paying partly for the brand name, and the construction quality is solid but not exceptional. The double-stitched seams and bar-tacked stress points are present, but the fabric weight sits at roughly 4.5 to 5 ounces per square yard, which is lighter than serious surf shorts that typically run 6 to 7 ounces. That weight difference is what gives them the relaxed drape and quick-dry performance, but it also means they're less abrasion-resistant than heavier options. Where to buy them: American Eagle's website carries the full current lineup, including exclusives that don't appear in stores. The in-store experience is fine if you need to check the fit yourself, but the online selection is broader and prices sometimes differ between channels. Third-party retailers like Amazon and Target stock them too, but verify the seller to avoid counterfeit versions that have appeared periodically, especially around peak summer seasons. A genuine pair will have consistent stitching, a properly attached AE label inside the waistband, and the characteristic drawcord aglets that are molded rather than crimped.
