O'Neill started the Performance Boardshorts revolution with the O'Neill Superfreak Boardshorts about 6 years ago. Since then O'Neill has been consistently pushing boundaries for innovative boardshorts. Currently O'Neill has 6 different kinds of Boardshorts made specifically for surfing. All the O'Neill performance trunks end with Freaks, and the 2 Freaks we will be looking at are the Hyperfreak's and the All new HyperFreak 2.0.
Lets take a look at some of the key elements featured on O'Neill Performance Boardshorts...
O'Neill Hyperfreak Boardshorts Key Features:
Hyperprene: O'Neill's Hyperprene marterial is mega lightweight. All panels of the Hyperfreak Boardshorts are made of Hyperprene except for the waistband which needs to be firm for functionality. One extra benefit to the Hyperprene is that it is backed with a metalite finish. Metalite looks a bit transparent and feels really smooth and buttery soft.
Hyperstretch: Hyperstretch is a 4 way stretch that snaps back to place after a tug or pull. Testing this feature is not very easy being that if you constrict the Hyperstretch composition and release (kinda like a rubberband) the boardshorts snap back well beyond their original position. With that being said, boardshorts with Hyperstretch are definitely Hyper Stretchy.
Anti-Rash: O'Neill takes a basic approach to no rash technology: No Inseam, No Rash! Both Hyperfreak Boardshorts feature NO inseam and only have one seam from the back of the boardshorts to the front.
Super-Fly 2.0: the superfly is a fly that only has one small strip of velcro as well as a non-button non-zip closure. The entire fly is made of ultra-light Hyperprene and is beyond comfortable when surfing and especially when paddling.
Locking Drawcord: this feature is pretty neat. O'Neill has placed "thermo-plastic urethane pods" on the drawstring of their performance boardies so that when tied the string locks in place. The plastic coating is somewhat sticky and feels like the texture of Spiderman's Web. This feature actually comes in handy and is something you don't typically think about needing when surfing.
Here is a little video on the Hyperfreaks:
On to the Boardshorts:
Hyperfreak 2.0 - the Hyperfreak 2.0's are out of this world. The outer seam is sealed together with a stretchy glued seam that is similar to how seams are welded on O'Neill's wetsuits. One thing different from the wetsuit seam is that the boardshorts are buttery smooth on the inside and the welded seam has almost as much stretch as the Hyperprene panels. There is a secret pocket on the back right leg of the 2.0's that is hard to notice at first glance. We are big on little to no pockets on boardshorts, when is the last time you surfed with your wallet or change in your pocket? They Hyperfreak 2.0's also come with a locking drawcord and a Superfly closure, just the extra features that really make surfing in these that much more enjoyable.
With stretch beyond belief and and features in all the right places, the Hyperfeak 2.0 boardshorts are hard to top.
We dont have any official Hyperfreak 2.0 footage for you, but here is a video of Jordy pulling a Rodeo Flip that looks nearly impossible...
Hyperfreaks - the O'Neill Hyperfreaks are the most lightweight boardshorts available. Hyperfreaks are so light you occasionally forget you are wearing anything at all. No Joke! For some (including myself) ultra-lightweight feel weird to walk around in public in.
O'Neill built the Hyperfreak's with one thing in mind, SURFING. The Hyperfreaks may not have all the bells and whistles that some other more expensive boardshorts have, but they are certainly the best in the water. The Hyperfreak's are stripped down to the basics. They are made entirely of lightweight Hyperprene material, have one almost unnoticeable pocket, no inseam, a superfly enclosure, and are great for surfing.
