Rideshorts

What makes a rideshort different

A rideshort is a short built for the water, not the beach. Regular board shorts soak up water, balloon when you fall and drag while you ride; a rideshort is cut and made to do the opposite — stay close, drain fast and move with you. Quick-dry and won’t balloon. The fabric sheds water and dries fast, and the cut stops the legs filling and ballooning on a fall. That means less drag behind the boat or on the jet ski, and nothing pulling at you when you’re trying to ride. Protection where it counts. Many rideshorts run a neoprene liner that protects the more sensitive areas in a big stack — the kind of hard, flat landing that catches you out behind the boat. It’s the main reason a lot of riders, women especially, won’t go out without a pair. The liner adds a little warmth through the colder months on top of that. Secure waist. A drawcord or elastic waist holds the shorts in place through hard falls and starts — the last thing you want is shorts shifting when you hit the water at speed. Womens styles include elastic-waist cuts for the same secure fit. Liner options. Some rideshorts use a light mesh inner for warm-water comfort and breathability; others have the neoprene liner for protection and warmth, and on some models that liner zips out so you can run the short either way. Pick the liner to match the water temperature and how much protection you want. Pockets. Zip pockets keep keys or a phone secure on the boat and won’t dump them in the water. Mens and womens. The range runs across mens rideshorts plus womens shorts, including neoprene ride shorts cut for women. Brands. Jetpilot makes the bulk of the range across its RX and Vault lines, from light lycra-lined shorts to neoprene-lined ride pants. Follow brings womens neoprene ride shorts. Care. Rinse the salt and chlorine out after every use and dry out of direct sun — the same routine that keeps any technical watersports gear lasting.