Hurley is largely responsible for the Performance Boardshorts Revolution. What once started as a simple sleek black performance boardshort (the Advantage), has now become 9 different styles of performance trunks from Hurley. Hurley has popularized performance boardshorts, and rightfully so. In 2008 Hurley won the SIMA Image Award for Boardshort of the Year with the Hurley Advantage Boardshorts. Again in 2009, Hurley won Boardshort of the Year for the Phantom 120's, and in 2010 Hurley is sure to be on top of the list of nominees for Boardshort of the Year with the Nike Flywire.
We will be looking at 2 different Boardshorts from Hurley: The Puerto Rico 60 and the all new Nike Flywire Boardshorts. First lets take a look at and breakdown the different features of Hurley Performance Boardshorts.
Hurley True Performance Boardshorts Key Features:
Phantom Fabric: There are 3 different phantom fabrics: Phantom 60, Phantom 120, & Phantom 140. What these fabrics translate to are really stretchy, insanely stretchy, and even stretchier than the insanely stretchy one. The higher the Phantom Number, the stretchier and lighter the fabric is. All phantom fabric is 4 way stretch and all perform exceptionally well when surfing.
Water Repellent [DWR]: Only the Hurley Phantom 120's and Nike Flywire boardshorts come equipped with Water Repellent technology. The Water Repellent [DWR] feature will probably have no effect on your surfing skills. However, if you like your boardshorts to be dry within minutes of getting out of the water, then this feature is for you. Water Repellent boardshorts dry incredibly fast. To test this feature we poured water on some Phantom 120's. At first pour the water just beads up and falls right off. After the beading test, we strategically positioned the boardshorts to hold water. After about a minute of puddling not much soaked through. We wiped the puddle off and the spot where the water was felt almost completely dry. Incredible!
Seamless Technology: the Hurley Phantom 120's and Nike Flywires both come without any inseam (the flywire has no seams at all). What this means is the chances of chaffing and rashes are far far less. Without an inseam the only thing rubbing against your leg is pure phantom 120 fabric. So unless your ultra sensitive, there should be no more after surfing discomfort.
EZ Fly: the EZ Fly is a velcroless closure for Hurley Phantom Boardshorts. The EZ fly is a basic concept and is one of the most essential features on Hurley Boardshorts. The fly area is critical for paddling. Any excess material like zippers, velcro, and buttons can certainly lead to chaffing and discomfort. The EZ Fly closure system is composed of only Phantom Material and fastening laces. Paddling with the EZ fly is comfortable and necessary for surfing extended sessions.
A video clip on Hurley Phantom Boardshorts...
2 Hurley Boardshorts Breakdown:
Hurley Phantom Nike Flywire Boardshorts: Lets get right to the point. These boardshorts retail for $199.99. They are by far the priciest boardshorts on the market. With that being said, The Nike Flywire Boardshorts are incredible! The Flywire's are comfy and easy to walk, run, surf, and pretty much do anything in. With no seams and a welded seam construction, chances of getting chaffed are practically zero. The Flywires are made of Phantom 140 fabric, which translates to the lightest and stretchiest boardshorts around. If you want to feel like your surfing in the final at Trestles during every session, get a pair of the Flywire's and enjoy.
Here's a little video on the Nike Flywire Boardshorts featuring Rob Machado...
Hurley Phantom Puerto Rico Boardshorts: Hurley's Puerto Rico Boardshorts have been a staple of Hurley for a couple of years. However, it's just now that Hurley has introduced the Puerto Rico Boardshorts available in Phantom 60 Fabric. The Puerto Rico's come with Phantom 60 fabric that provide for plenty of stretch when surfing. The Phantom Puerto Rico's are a lightweight boardshort, but a little bit heavier than any of the 120 series boardshorts. Sometimes it's nice to feel like you are wearing something with substance, especially in highly populated beaches. The Phantom 60 Puerto Rico's are made of 84% Polyester and 16% Spandex. There's a velcro pocket on the right panel, which is not ideal for surfing, but is certainly convenient for things like cash, credit, wax, waxcombs, wallets and more.
Hurley didn't have a video specifically for the Phantom Puerto Rico's so here is a video from Hurley to get you amped to surf...
Thats it on Hurley Boardshorts. Keep an eye out for our next post in Performance Boardshorts
