The warm weather is upon us and if it’s a nice sunny day, more than likely you’ll find me on the beach. Whether it’s over the weekend or you happen to call in sick (cough), there’s definitive gear you need to take with you when hitting up the local [insert place with large body of water and girls in bikinis here].

Today I’m going to cover the board short, a summer gear essential. Read on to find out why.

Board shorts are a style of men’s swimwear that have long been associated with surfing but have grown in popularity outside of these sports in recent years. They’re designed to be quick-drying and are generally made from smooth polyester or nylon material. With that said, board shorts are meant to be worn commando, so wearing skivvies underneath defeats the quick drying factor.

Constructed to be durable and hold up to wear from contact with a surfboard, board shorts yet are comfortable and light-weight. Quick-drying, durable, and light weight…what else do you need? How about stylish? They’ve got that covered too. With the popularity of board shorts, there are many companies now that offer all types of styles and designs. Quiksilver, Volcom, and Billabong are amongst my favorites.

Prices range from $ 40 - $60, so grab you a couple of pairs. They’re versatile and can be rocked at the beach or just hangout.

What this means to you: If you consider cut off jeans or the shorts with the elastic band and the underwear “built in” as premium swim wear…you my friend are in need of some board shorts. If you sport the banana hammock, then I nor anyone else for that matter, can help you.

Volcom | Billabong | Quiksilver