Matuse vs Florence Marine X: Who Makes the Better Board Shorts?

Are you the type of person that has “favorites?” Favorite t-shirt, favorite whiskey, favorite watch, favorite car? While there’s beauty in appreciating aspects of everything you encounter, there’s something to be admired for having favorite things — you know what you like, and aren’t afraid to express it.

For the uninitiated, having a favorite board short may seem a little granular, on the surface. Aren’t they all essentially the same thing? The short answer is no, the slightly longer answer is hell no, and the longest answer is of course not. While they have similar aspects and qualities, no two board shorts on the market are the same.

A recent trend in board shorts is to infuse the hard-working item with tougher fabrics, meant to withstand the wear and tear that comes from surfing, swimming, travel and everyday life. At first glance, you may think the new options from Matuse and Florence Marine X that capitalize on this trend are more similar than different…but that’s where you couldn’t be more wrong.

Both brands came out with new, more durable options meant to address the needs of a performance-oriented surfer: in 2022, Matuse launched the Neptune Pro, and Florence Marine X released the Cordura Board Short. We decided both board shorts needed testing, and only one could come out on top.

Scott Seiver

Our tester spent months wear-testing both options in a variety of activities — surfing, swimming, hiking, practicing jiu jitsu and playing pickleball, to name a few. He also wore the board shorts during everyday activities like running errands, fixing things around the house and doing chores. After hundreds of wears, here’s what he thought.

The Florence Marine X Cordura Board Short Is Insanely Comfortable

Scott Seiver

Scott Seiver

The Florence Marine X Cordura Board Short is the hard-wearing, hard working board short built for days in and out of the water. Cordura fabric is known for its longevity and durability, and although it may seem counterintuitive for use in a board short, the combination turns out to be a win.

The Cordura Board Short is easy to get on and off, and although the cordura fabric is denser and scratchier feeling than traditional board shorts, it’s lightweight and roomy enough to counter any friction caused by the material. The fabric dries twice as quickly as its competitors, and thanks to the C0 DWR treatment, the shorts don’t get waterlogged.

Florence Marine X’s performance board shorts are comfortable in the water and allow for a wide range of motion — our tester wore them all day long, trained in them, played pickleball in them and picked them for everyday wear. These are more than just a board short.

Scott Seiver

The roomy fit of the board shorts comes with its own benefits and drawbacks — the comfortable fit is great out of the water, and counters the scratchiness of the cordura fabric. However, that same roominess means in the water, the shorts hike up your waist quite a bit, and require constant adjustment. In small surf that’s fine, but if you’re in double overhead waves messing with your shorts, you’re not going to have a good time.

Another drawback of the Florence short is the front pocket; the triangle shape is odd, and although the placement on the hip is comfortable, you really can’t fit anything bigger than your keys in it, so consider that when wearing these out of the water.

Florence Marine X Cordura Board Short Specs:

• 4-way stretch
• 17.5 inch outseam length falls above the knee
• C0 DWR treatment
• Durable, triple-needle construction
• Side zip pocket for easy storage
• Key cord loop included
• Bluesign certified

The Matuse Neptune Pro Prioritizes Performance

Scott Seiver

Scott Seiver

Matuse is known in the world of surfing for making high-quality wetsuits and apparel, and sets the standard for performance in the water. The Neptune Pro board short is the brand’s performance surf option, and has been built to outperform competitors in the water.

The Neptune Pro — named for the Roman god of the sea — is one of the brand’s most iconic pieces, rebuilt with a focus on performance and durability. The welded, four-way stretch nylon is sewn with a tight enough weave to repel water, eliminating the need for a water-repellent coating and keeping the board shorts from getting waterlogged.

Scott Seiver

The Neptune Pro has a much slimmer fit than Florence’s, which is a huge advantage in the water: the board shorts stay put, no questions asked. The three-eyelet lace system can take a little getting used to (and is hard to get undone if you’re in a hurry) but it cinches in the waist much more effectively than its competitor.

The Neptune Pro is much more of a performance surf trunk than an everyday option, and is much less comfortable out of the water. Welded seams typically break apart over time and use, so our tester’s prediction is that through time and use, this pocket won’t stand up to abuse like Florence’s Cordura Board Short will.

Matuse Neptune Pro Specs:

• Ultra-durable, water repellent 4-way stretch nylon
• Three-eyelet lace system for added security in larger surf
• Welded zip pocket, hems and inseam
• Scratch-free labels
• Reflective heat transfer icon
• ICHIBAN infused

Hayley Helms

Which Board Short Rules?

After months of testing, the Florence Marine X Cordura Board Short is undoubtedly the more comfortable option for a variety of activities and everyday wear. Our tester found himself reaching for the Cordura Board Short time after time. The cordura fabric is more comfortable, utilitarian in the myriad activities it can be worn for and doesn’t fade, wear or pill. Florence Marine X’s option is easier to pull on, and harder to take off (because it’s just that comfortable). If you’re looking for a board short to wear all summer and then some, buy this one.

There’s just one caveat, though. If you’re a surfer who’s chasing big waves, traveling the globe to find the perfect left and you can afford to pack an extra pair of shorts to change into one you’re done chasing waves, choose the Matuse. It’s better in the water, and a more capable performance trunk, hands-down. Sure, it’s not as comfortable for anything else, really…but if you’re not asking it to do other things in the first place, that’s a non-issue.

Most of us aren’t professional surfers, so I’m sticking with my guns naming the Florence the winner. But damn, it was a close call.

Courtesy

Florence Marine X Cordura Boardshort

• $80.00 at florencemarinex.com

Courtesy

Matuse Neptune Pro

• $92.00 at matuse.com

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