Board shorts are a must-have for beach lovers, surfers, and activewear brands alike. If you’re planning to launch your own line of board shorts or need a trusted partner to produce high-quality custom designs, choosing the right manufacturer is key. In this article, we’ve rounded up the 10 best board shorts manufacturers in the USA—each offering reliable production, customization options, and quality craftsmanship to help bring your brand to life.
In this guide, we will review the 10 best board shorts manufacturers in the USA and what makes each one unique.
1. Board Shorts World – Best for Custom Sizing
2. Birdwell Beach Britches – Best for Durability
3. Mangrove Monkey – Best for Made-to-Order Shorts
4. Vitamin Blue – Best for Handcrafted Production
5. Watermen Brand – Best for Lifeguard Performance Wear
6. Badass Garment Factory – Best for Technical Fabrics
7. Fair Harbor – Best for Eco-Friendly Materials
8. Mack Weldon – Best for Everyday Comfort
9. Duvin Design Co. – Best for Retro Designs
10. Katin USA – Best for Surf Heritage
1. Board Shorts World– Best for Custom Sizing
Board Shorts World is a California-based board shorts manufacturer specializing in customizable board shorts made in the USA. Since 1998, they have focused on short-run production, oversized fits, and fast turnaround times. The factory produces all garments in-house, offering flexibility for unique patterns and fabric types. They are well-known for their ability to cater to small businesses and niche markets.
They specialize in custom board shorts for resorts, brands, schools, and private labels. Their services include size customization, pocket placement, custom colors, and prints.
Key Products:
Custom Board Shorts
Elastic Waist Board Shorts
Velcro Closure Shorts
Big and Tall Board Shorts
Youth & Men’s Surf Shorts
Sublimation Printed Shorts
Uniform & Event Shorts
Pros:
USA in-house manufacturing
No minimum order quantity
Custom pattern and print options
Cons:
Limited fashion-style variety (focus on utility, custom)
2. Birdwell Beach Britches– Best for Durability
Birdwell Beach Britches is a heritage board shorts brand founded in 1961 in Santa Ana, California. All their products are hand-cut and sewn in their California factory, maintaining traditional craftsmanship and durability. Birdwell shorts are built with a signature two-ply nylon construction, making them some of the longest-lasting surf shorts on the market.
Their core identity is centered on quality, longevity, and timeless West Coast surf style, serving lifeguards, surfers, and lifestyle brands.
Key Products:
Classic Surf Board Shorts
Lifeguard Shorts
Custom Handcrafted Trunks
Heritage Nylon Shorts
Quick-Dry Nylon Shorts
Lined Board Shorts
Pros:
60+ years of craftsmanship
Handmade in California
Lifetime guarantee
Cons:
Higher price point for premium construction
3. Mangrove Monkey – Best for Made-to-Order Shorts
Mangrove Monkey is a Florida-based manufacturer offering small-batch, handmade board shorts. Their products are made-to-order, and they specialize in giving customers full control over sizing, inseam length, waistband style, and even pocket placement. Their production takes place in the U.S., and they emphasize ethical labor and coastal lifestyle authenticity.
This brand is ideal for surfers, beachwear startups, or lifestyle brands seeking artisanal quality and full customization.
Key Products:
Handmade Board Shorts
Custom-Fit Swim Trunks
Lightweight Surf Shorts
Limited-Edition Prints
Mid- and Long-Inseam Options
Pros:
Made-to-order in the USA
Highly customizable sizing and details
Sustainable & ethical practices
Cons:
Longer production time due to made-to-order model
4. Vitamin Blue (Wild Records) – Best for Handcrafted Production
Vitamin Blue crafts men’s board shorts by hand in their Costa Mesa, California factory. They take pride in being one of the rare surf brands that both designs and sews their own board shorts entirely in the USA .
Key Products:
- Men’s board shorts (e.g., “Wild Records”, 18″ inseam)
- Polyester microfiber construction with triple-stitched seams, Velcro fly, and zippered side pocket
- Specialty prints and customized runs
Pros:
- Full in-house production in Costa Mesa, CA
- Durable triple-needle construction
- Artisan attention to detail
Cons:
- Limited product line (primarily men’s classics)
5. Watermen Brand – Best for Lifeguard Performance Wear
Watermen Brand, based in the USA, specializes in board shorts and trunks tailored for lifeguard and swim-instructor use. Designed by lifeguards to meet professional needs, their manufacturing emphasizes durability, function, and organizational volume pricing.
Key Products:
- Lifeguard board shorts & custom uniform shorts
- Pro board shorts with chlorine-resistant microfiber, anti‑microbial liners, Velcro/zip pockets
- Elastic waistband hybrid shorts (10″ inseam)
Pros:
- Built tough for lifeguard/pro use
- Organizational pricing & bulk order support
- US-manufactured sizing and style focus
Cons:
- Concentrated on professional rather than fashion wear
6. Badass Garment Factory – Best for Technical Fabrics
Badass Garment Factory manufactures board shorts, rash guards, paddle shirts, and swim shorts in the USA. They emphasize top-quality fabrics—including four-way stretch and UPF 50+—to help brands stand out.
Key Products:
- Board shorts (quick-dry, stretch fabrics)
- Rash guards & paddle shirts
- Swim shorts for men and women
Pros:
- Wide technical fabric choices
- In-house factory production in the U.S.
- Experience with small and medium brand lines
Cons:
- May have higher fabric-MOQ requirements due to specialty materials
7. Fair Harbor – Best for Eco-Friendly Materials
Fair Harbor, a certified B Corp based in New York, creates board shorts from recycled ocean plastics. They design, cut, and organize production in the U.S., with a strong sustainability ethos and onshore oversight
Key Products:
- Recycled polyester/spandex board & swim shorts
- 7″ inseam performance trunks with chafe-free liners, multiple pockets
Pros:
- Eco-conscious, ocean-friendly fabrics
- Stylish and functional fits
- Ethically produced with U.S. control
Cons:
- Overseas-based recycled materials (though assembly/design is U.S.)
8. Mack Weldon – Best for Everyday Comfort
Mack Weldon designs quick-dry, anti‑chafe swimwear in New York and fulfills it via U.S. facilities. Their swim trunks and board shorts feature 96 % polyester/4 % spandex stretch fabric with interior mesh liners, zip pockets, and Velcro fly options.
Key Products:
- Swim trunks (6″ inseam) with mesh liners & zip pockets
- Board shorts (lengthened, same performance fabric)
Pros:
- Stylish everyday swim designs
- High-performance stretch fabric
- Entirely U.S.-designed & distributed
Cons:
- Not traditional surf-style board shorts (more lifestyle-focused)
9. Duvin Design Co. – Best for Retro Designs
Founded in 2010 in Florida, Duvin blends retro ‘80s surf culture with modern production. They produce the majority of their line in-house—some in CA—offering quick-dry, 100 % polyester trunks with boxer‑brief liners.
Key Products:
- Swim trunks (14.5″ out-seam / 5″ inseam) with upgraded liners
- Bold prints: tie‑dye, animal, florals, limited editions
Pros:
- Distinctive, vibrant aesthetic
- High U.S.-made quotient
- Easy liner removal and quick-dry fabric
Cons:
- Trendy designs may date seasonally
10. Katin (Kanvas by Katin) – Best for Surf Heritage
Founded in 1954 in Surfside, CA, Katin is one of the oldest continuous surf-trunk manufacturers in the U.S. They produce original canvas and durable nylon surf trunks, upholding traditional West Coast craftsmanship
- Heritage canvas surf trunks
- Hybrid & modern surf trunk lines
- Volley and heritage trunks with classic construction
Pros:
- 70+ years of surf heritage
- U.S.-made authenticity & quality
- Official supplier to USA Water Polo (historic)
Cons:
- Less technical stretch fabric compared to modern alternatives
Our Criteria for Selecting Board Shorts Manufacturers
Selecting the top board shorts manufacturers required a careful evaluation of several key factors—especially quality, sustainability, and customization.
Quality was our top priority. We selected manufacturers that consistently deliver board shorts made with durable materials, reinforced stitching, and excellent craftsmanship. These companies are known for producing swimwear that performs well in real-world environments, from the beach to the pool to everyday wear.
Sustainability was another major consideration. We looked for manufacturers that embrace ethical and environmentally responsible practices. This includes using recycled or eco-friendly fabrics, reducing production waste, and supporting fair labor policies in their facilities.
Customization was also critical. Many businesses, brands, and teams rely on personalized board shorts to represent their identity. We selected manufacturers that offer flexible customization options—including custom cuts, pocket styles, sublimation printing, waistband types, and private label services—to meet a variety of branding needs.
In addition to these main pillars, we also considered transparency and communication. The manufacturers we chose provide clear information on their websites and are r
esponsive to customer inquiries—making them reliable partners for both startups and established brands.
What to Consider When Picking Board Shorts Manufacturers
Choosing the right board shorts manufacturer isn’t just about who offers the cheapest price—it’s about finding a partner who aligns with your product quality, brand values, and long-term business goals. Here’s what we suggest you consider:
1. Customization Capabilities
Can they tailor the inseam length, waistband, pockets, liners, or print your custom patterns? Look for factories that offer flexible cut-and-sew services rather than just logo printing on stock items.
2. Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
Startups often struggle with high MOQs. Check whether the factory offers low-MOQ options or small batch production—especially if you’re testing the market or launching a new design.
3. Fabric and Trim Options
Performance board shorts need quick-dry, stretchable, or eco-friendly fabrics. Does the manufacturer offer technical textiles like 4-way stretch, mesh liners, or recycled materials?
4. Experience & Reputation
Factories with a strong track record tend to deliver more consistent quality. Look for companies with industry experience, verified clients, and transparent operations.
5. Lead Times & Reliability
Can they meet your deadlines? A reliable factory will communicate clearly and stick to production schedules—especially important for seasonal items like board shorts.
