The idea for the Airtex 2-in-1 Boardshort began in 2022. On a remote boat trip testing the Hydratights, Nathan and John Florence spent entire sessions surfing in just the base layers. The result surprised them.

“They came back saying, ‘This is the best thing to surf in ever—but I don’t want to look like I’m surfing in biker shorts,’” recalls Bruce Moore, Director of Innovation and Sustainability at FLORENCE.

That moment sparked the design challenge: create a short that performed like a base layer but looked like a board short.

John Florence testing an early prototype in 2023.

“The goal was to make something that surfed like a base layer,” Bruce explains, “but with a single, comfortable waistband and no double layering. We wanted full stability and rash protection without restriction, so you feel like you’re surfing in a base layer—but it looks like a clean, functional board short.”

Nathan Florence testing version two of the prototype in 2024.

“Our goal with the Airtex 2-in-1 Boardshort was to merge two essential layers into one seamless piece,” Bruce explains. “The outer short needed to be light and fast-drying, while the inner liner had to provide comfort, support, and anti-chafe function—something that could go from hours in the water to miles on land. We designed it to perform anywhere movement happens.”

John Florence approved the prototype for Test Pilot Cycle [ 014 ] in 2025.

Test Pilot Cycle [ 014 ] recruited a diverse group of athletes and watermen—from prone paddlers and surfers to divers, runners, and fishermen—to wear, train, and live in the prototype for six weeks. Each pilot’s environment was different, but the goal was the same. Here is what they reported back. 🚩

Gregg Stueber – Waterman / Hawaii

For Gregg, a true all-terrain waterman, the shorts became part of his everyday uniform.

“I wore the shorts every day—surfing, diving, fishing, farming, hiking, walking the dogs, everything. My first impression didn’t really change; they’re light, they fit well, and over time I got more hooked on them. I’ve tried other shorts, and while I like the durability of Cordura®, I’d rather wear these. They feel like you’re not wearing anything. No chafing, they don’t ride up, and I don’t have to adjust them—I just put them on and forget about them.”

Charlie Verco – Ironman / Australia

From across the Pacific, Charlie tested his pair through a mix of surf and day-to-day activity. His feedback centered on refinement and user experience.

“When I first pulled them out of the box, I just thought, how have they not made boardshorts out of this stuff before? I couldn’t believe how comfortable they were. The outer material feels like it disappears in your hands, and the inner liner is soft in a way that performance swimwear usually isn’t. I do a lot of racing and training in the surf where we wear compression jammers—those are fast but not comfortable. This was different—it actually felt enjoyable to wear something fitted around your legs.

What stood out most through the testing was how lightweight and versatile they were. I’d go from a morning pool session to working during the day, to a gym workout, then straight to the beach for a prone paddle, and finish with a run—all in the same pair of shorts. They’d be dry by the time I started the next thing. That’s pretty impressive for a two-layer design.

The biggest game changer is that outer fabric—it’s so light you feel like you’re not wearing anything. Removing the double waistband made a lot of sense, too. It’s that perfect blend of performance and simplicity. I think this design really captures the idea of freedom of movement—just getting out there and feeling like you’re surfing naked.”

Aaron Iha – Fisherman / Hawaii

Aaron lives most of his days offshore, fishing and diving. The Airtex 2-in-1 was tested under salt, sun, and the kind of repetitive motion that destroys average gear.

“That feeling of not knowing whether they’re on or not pretty much sums it up—they’re that light and breathable. I did a lot of kayak fishing in them, spending long hours offshore in the sun, getting wet, covered in salt and blood, then drying off again. They dry out super fast and never feel slimy, which makes a huge difference when you’re in the sun all day.

Personally, I always like having a liner. Even for diving, something a little thicker helps because thin material can suction to your skin. If I could choose, I’d always go with a liner. Having that option built into a standard boardshort would be huge—I’d pick those every time.”

James Lewis – Surfer / Australia

James approached the test from a pure surf perspective, logging hours in cold and warm conditions.

“The only small issue I noticed was with the pocket—it was a bit tight, and the zipper would catch on the lining. Having a place to secure a car key would be key for surfers; it’s something we all need when heading to the beach. Otherwise, the shorts are spot on—minimal, functional, and performance-focused.”

Cheyne Magnusson – Surfer / California

Cheyne’s life revolves around water and testing—in this cycle he was testing for Florence and the wave pools he helps design. His sessions are brutal on equipment, but the 2-in-1 held up.

“At first, I was a little worried. The outer shell was so lightweight I thought I’d blow through it. But after putting them through hundreds of waves, I was shocked at how well they held up. I surf wave pools for a living—sometimes eight hours a day, four days in a row—and these things stayed put the whole time. The liner never rode up, even during wipeouts, and the outer shell barely absorbed water. Sometimes I’d stand up and honestly wonder if they were still on.

I’ve tried a lot of boardshorts with built-in liners before and they’ve never worked—these did. My only critique was that the pocket zipper caught on the lining a bit. But overall, they’re some of the lightest, best-performing shorts I’ve ever worn.”

Ron Van Winkle – Paddler / California

Ron tested the shorts through a range of ocean sessions, focusing on comfort and durability during long hours in prone position.

“The shorts performed really well across everything I tested—surfing, paddling, and just general wear. They’re light, durable, and dry fast. I appreciated that they stayed comfortable in and out of the water without sagging or chafing. It’s one of those designs where you can tell there’s real thought behind how they move with you rather than against you.”

Lockwood Holmes – Waterman / California

Lockwood’s testing aligned closely with open-ocean movement—paddling, diving, and multi-sport crossover.

“The first thing I noticed was how refined the build felt. There’s no unnecessary bulk—it’s all about function. I liked how they dried fast and moved naturally with the body. After multiple uses, they held up well and didn’t lose shape. For me, they struck the perfect balance between performance and comfort.”

Mike Voegtlin – Surfer / California

A long-time Florence collaborator, Mike’s testing focused on surf performance and travel versatility.

“I used them in a range of water conditions—from surf to paddling—and they felt dialed. The compression layer made a huge difference in comfort during long sessions. I liked that they didn’t absorb much water and that the waistband stayed secure without feeling restrictive. They’ve got that ‘barely-there’ feel but still perform like a serious piece of gear. If you didn’t tell me they were prototypes, I’d assume they were production-ready.”

Uluboi – Lifeguard / Hawai'i

From long rescue shifts to after-work surf paddles, Uluboy put the Airtex 2-in-1 Boardshorts through the realities of daily ocean life.

“I’ve been working ocean safety on the west side of Hawai‘i Island, so I’m in and out of the water all day—surfing, diving, rescuing, whatever the ocean brings. My first thought pulling these shorts out of the box was how light they were. When I put them on, I realized that lightness actually translated to performance. They dry fast, don’t cling, and move with you no matter what you’re doing.

The liner was the real difference. It’s supportive without feeling tight, and it stayed put even after hours in the water. Most boardshorts either get heavy or start to ride up after a while—these didn’t. I used them on long rescue-training sessions and after-work surf paddles, and they handled both perfectly. You don’t think about them when you’re wearing them, which is kind of the point. For me, that’s what makes a piece of gear great—it just works.”

Cycle [ 014 ] Test Pilot Clement Roseyro, France.

After six weeks of testing and gathering intel, Test Pilot Cycle ] 014 ] reinforced the design theory for the final piece. Now the boardshort is in it's final stages of development.

“What we learned in this cycle,” Bruce says, “is that less really can do more. When you build something that adapts instead of resists, it becomes an extension of the athlete. That’s the goal.”

COMING SOON

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