The Board Shorts Guide / Fabric and build
Quick dry board shorts: why they dry fast
Performance Shorts, MauiShirts.com, Inc. · Wailuku, Maui · Updated October 20, 2026
Quick dry board shorts dry fast for two reasons. They are made of polyester and spandex, and polyester absorbs almost no water, so there is little to dry. And a water-repellent (DWR) finish makes water bead up and roll off instead of soaking in. Cotton shorts hold many times more water and stay wet much longer.
How much water does the fabric hold?
Textile makers measure this as moisture regain: the water a dry fiber takes up from the air. The difference between cotton and polyester is large.
That is why cotton shorts stay damp long after a swim, while polyester board shorts let go of water fast.
What is a water-repellent (DWR) finish?
DWR stands for durable water repellent. It is a coating on the outside of the fabric that makes water bead up and roll off. Less water soaks in, so the shorts feel lighter when you walk out of the surf and dry faster on the sand.
Our HIC Kanaha, Generals, Ua Huka and Digital Coast list a quick-dry, water-repellent finish, as do the Go Barefoot Kick Back and AM/PM.
Are quick dry board shorts waterproof?
No. Water repellent is not waterproof. The fabric still gets wet when you swim. The finish just keeps it from soaking up as much, so it lets go of water quickly once you are out.
How do you dry board shorts faster?
- Rinse them in fresh water. Salt and chlorine left in the fabric wear it out.
- Squeeze, don’t wring. Press the water out gently so you don’t stretch the fabric.
- Hang them in moving air and shade, inside out, so the pockets and seams dry too.
- At home, line dry. If you use a dryer, pick low heat and take them out early.
They dry quickly, so just pulling them out of the washer and line drying works well. If you do dry, low heat, and take them out early.
Kharden, owner, MauiShirts.com
Does the quick-dry finish wear off?
Water-repellent finishes wear down over time, and high heat and harsh detergents speed that up. Wash cold with a mild detergent, skip bleach and fabric softener, and line dry to keep the finish working longer. The fabric itself stays quick drying, because polyester never holds much water.
Do lined shorts dry slower?
A mesh liner is a second layer, so it holds a little more water than an unlined board short. If drying speed matters most, go unlined. If you want built-in support, a lined pair like the Go Barefoot NO Worries is the trade-off.
Quick dry board shorts we stock
Frequently asked questions
Are board shorts quick dry?
Most are. Board shorts are usually polyester and spandex, which hold very little water. Ones with a water-repellent finish dry even faster.
Why do cotton shorts stay wet?
Cotton fiber absorbs water. Its moisture regain is about 8.5 percent, compared with 0.1 to 0.4 percent for polyester, so cotton has far more water to give up.
Can you put quick dry shorts in the dryer?
Line drying is best. If you use a dryer, choose low heat and take them out early. High heat wears out the stretch and the water-repellent finish.
Do quick dry shorts work for travel?
Yes. Rinse them in the sink at night, hang them up, and they are ready to wear again in the morning.
Stop sitting in wet shorts.
HIC Generals are quick-dry, water repellent and UPF 50+, in waist sizes 28 to 60. Free US shipping and same-day shipping from Maui on weekday orders 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.