The Board Shorts Guide / The basics
What are hybrid shorts?
Performance Shorts, MauiShirts.com, Inc. · Wailuku, Maui · Updated October 20, 2026
Hybrid shorts are shorts made to go in the water and on land. They use quick-dry stretch fabric like board shorts, but they look more like everyday shorts and usually have real pockets, so one pair covers a swim, lunch and the walk home.
What makes a short a hybrid?
- Quick-dry fabric. Polyester and spandex that sheds water and dries on the walk back, not cotton that stays soaked.
- Stretch. 8-way stretch moves when you swim, climb rocks or sit in the car.
- Real pockets. Side and back pockets for your phone, keys and wallet on land.
- An everyday look. Solid colors and a clean cut that work with a T-shirt or an aloha shirt.
Some hybrids add a mesh liner for swimming; others leave it out. Quiksilver calls hybrids the Swiss Army knife of shorts, which is about right.
From water to land: where each pair fits
Tap a pair to see what it does best. Left is built for the ocean, right is built for dry land.
Solid black, navy or teal with no loud print, so they surf like board shorts and pass for everyday shorts. 20 inches, waist 28 to 60.
Hybrid shorts vs board shorts vs walking shorts
| Board shorts | Hybrid shorts | Walking shorts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swim in them? | Yes, made for it | Yes | Dry land first |
| Pockets | Usually one leg pocket | Side and back pockets | Full pockets, often cargo |
| Waist | Fixed, tie front | Tie front, some elastic | Button, zip fly, belt loops |
| Looks like | Swimwear | Everyday shorts | Everyday shorts |
| From us | HIC Kanaha, Kona Tiki | NO Worries, Kick Back, Generals | Go Barefoot AM/PM, HIC Mauna Kea |
Can you swim in hybrid shorts?
Yes. That is the point of them. Our hybrids use the same 8-way stretch polyester and spandex as our board shorts, so they go straight from the sand into the water. Rinse them in fresh water after the ocean or the pool.
Do hybrid shorts have a liner?
Some do. The Go Barefoot NO Worries has a built-in mesh liner, so there is nothing to wear underneath. The Kick Back and the Generals have no liner, like board shorts.
How do you wear hybrid shorts?
Treat them like regular shorts. A T-shirt works at the beach and the store. An aloha shirt works for dinner or a luau. Solid colors are the easiest to dress up.
Generals solid colors can act as a hybrid short, and look good paired with any T-shirt or even a Hawaiian shirt.
Kharden, owner, MauiShirts.com
Our hybrid picks
Frequently asked questions
Are hybrid shorts the same as board shorts?
Close, but not quite. Both go in the water. Hybrid shorts add pockets and an everyday look so they also work on land. Board shorts are built first for surfing.
Are hybrid shorts good for travel?
Yes. One pair covers the beach, the pool and dinner, and quick-dry fabric means you can rinse them at night and wear them again the next day.
Do hybrid shorts dry fast?
Ours use polyester and spandex, which hold far less water than cotton, so they dry much faster. Why quick dry fabric dries fast.
What size hybrid shorts should I get?
Your usual waist size. HIC Generals run 28 to 60, the Kick Back 31 to 48, and the NO Worries S to 3X. If you are between sizes, email jz@mauishirts.com and we will measure a pair for you.
One pair from the first swim to the last stop.
Free US shipping, free size exchanges within 30 days, and same-day shipping from Maui on weekday orders placed by 1 PM Hawaii time.
Sources
Product facts come from our own spec sheets. See also board shorts vs swim trunks and The Board Shorts Guide.