Best Men's Board Shorts for Summer 2026 — And Why Hawaii Picks HIC Every Time
Posted by PHUC TRUONG
If you're shopping for men's board shorts online right now, you're looking at the same three problems everyone hits: flimsy fabric that bags out after two washes, prints that look nothing like the photos, and sizing that assumes every man is built like a 2007 surf catalogue model.
HIC board shorts don't have those problems. They never did.
Hawaiian Island Creations has been making board shorts on the islands since before most mainland brands figured out that "Hawaii-inspired" was a marketable phrase. These aren't imported goods with a palm tree stamped on them. They're the shorts Hawaii's surfers, lifeguards, and beach regulars actually wear — available right now at AlohaClothes, shipped same-day from Maui.
What Makes HIC Board Shorts Different from Everything Else
The answer is in the fabric — specifically, the 8-Way Octo Stretch construction that HIC uses across their line.
Most board shorts stretch in two directions, maybe four. HIC's Octo Stretch moves in eight — diagonal, horizontal, vertical, and every angle in between. Put them on in a changing room and they feel like athletic gear. Put them on in the water and they move with you instead of fighting you. That's why surfers wear them. It's also why they're equally comfortable walking from the beach to a restaurant without changing.
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90% Polyester, 10% SpandexMaximum stretch without losing shape — the ratio matters.
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SPF 50 Sun ProtectionBuilt into the fabric weave, not a coating. Doesn't wash out.
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Quick-Dry ConstructionDry within 20 minutes of coming out of the water in most conditions.
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Lycra Fly WaistbandComfort where it counts. No chafing at the drawcord.
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Wax Comb StringAttached inside pocket — a detail that tells you who these were designed for.
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Sizes 28–60Including plus and big sizes. Rare in performance board shorts.
The wax comb detail is the one that says everything. Nobody puts a wax comb string on a board short unless they're designing it for people who actually surf. That's the difference between HIC and every brand that prints a palm tree on polyester and calls it Hawaiian.
The 2026 HIC Board Shorts Collection — What's Available Now
These are the current prints in stock at AlohaClothes. Each is a limited run — when a print is gone, it doesn't come back. Prices range from $63.99 to $79.99.
HIC 21" Kanaha — 8-Way Octo Stretch
Bestseller. The longest inseam in the current lineup at 21 inches — firmly in performance territory. Enough coverage to surf in, short enough not to drag in the water. The Black Sky colorway is the one that moves fastest. If you're a 32 or 34, don't wait on this one.
HIC 21" Kona Tiki — Limited Edition
The Kona Tiki runs all the way to size 54. Classic Polynesian tiki pattern in Black. Bold without being loud.
HIC 20" Digital Coast — Limited Edition
The 20-inch inseam is the sweet spot for most guys — works in the water, doesn't look like surfwear at dinner. Navy Blue geometric coastal print that reads clean from a distance. Sizes 28–44.
HIC 20" Ua Huka — Limited Edition Tahitian Print
Named after one of the Marquesas Islands. Bold, dense Polynesian print that's genuinely rare in mainstream board short lines. If you want something that doesn't look like every other pair on the beach, this is it. Sizes 29–44.
HIC 19" Mahi Mahi Palms — Limited Edition
Bold tropical fish and palm print. The 19-inch length is genuine surf length — inseam clears the knee, nothing to interfere with paddling. Black colorway, sizes 28–44.
HIC 19" Fineapple — Limited Edition Pineapple Print
Allover pineapple and floral design. The name is a pun — the print earns it. Available in Black and Blue, sizes 28–44. Going fast.
HIC 19" Kammieland — 80s Floral
Retro floral pattern, 19-inch surf inseam. If you want surf length and a lower-key print, this is the pick. Black, sizes 28–44.
HIC 19" Suck Em Up — Extended Sizing
The most size-inclusive 19-inch option — available up to 54 Big in Blue. If you're shopping in extended sizes and want the shorter surf inseam, this is where to look.
How to Pick the Right HIC Board Short
Three decisions. Make them in this order.
Above the knee, minimal drag. For paddling, surfing, water sports.
The sweet spot. Works in the water and walks straight into dinner.
More casual wear coverage. Also the range with widest size runs.
Use case second. If you're actually surfing or paddleboarding, 19 or 20. If you want something that transitions from beach to lunch without looking like you just came out of the ocean, 20 or 21.
Print availability third. The collection changes. If you see your size in a print you like, that's the signal to buy. There's no "check back later" with HIC limited editions.
What to Pair Them With
Board shorts without the right shirt are just swim trunks.
- Any men's aloha shirt in a solid or smaller print — the HIC prints are bold enough that the shirt should be quieter.
- A rash guard if you're spending real time in the water.
- Cotton or rayon casual shirts from the men's collection — reads island casual without being overdressed for a beach day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are HIC board shorts true to size?
Yes, with one note: HIC uses waist measurements (28, 29, 30, etc.) rather than Small/Medium/Large. Measure your waist and order that size. Don't size down.
Do HIC board shorts have a liner?
No. HIC board shorts don't include a mesh liner, which is standard for performance board shorts designed to work with board short underwear or worn solo. Most surfers prefer it that way.
How fast do they ship from AlohaClothes?
Orders placed by 2 PM HST Monday through Friday ship same day. The Maui time zone matters — 2 PM Hawaii time is 5 PM Pacific, 8 PM Eastern. If you're on the East Coast placing an order late afternoon, it likely ships the following morning.
What's the SPF 50 protection from?
The SPF 50 rating is built into the fabric construction — a tight polyester weave that blocks UV. It doesn't wash out the way SPF coating on cotton does. That said, it only covers what the fabric covers. You still need sunscreen everywhere else.
Do the prints restock?
No. HIC limited edition prints are produced once. When the stock at AlohaClothes is gone, that print is gone. The brand may release new prints in the same style, but not the same colorway.
Shop All HIC Board Shorts
Shipped same-day from Maui. Free shipping to the continental US — use code FREE at checkout.
Browse the Full Collection →30-day returns · Sizes 28–60 · Based in Maui, Hawaii
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