Pilgrim + Birdwell 310 Checkerboard Board Shorts

What You’re Actually Buying (Beyond the Checkerboard)

A 310 cut that’s short, surf-ready, and intentionally old-school

The “310” isn’t just a random number slapped on a hangtag. It’s Birdwell’s short-length boardshort shapebuilt for
movement, built to last, and built to look the same in five summers as it did on day one (minus the better part:
the softening and break-in).

On the Pilgrim collaboration, the shorts are described as short-length with an outseam that varies by waist size,
landing roughly in the mid-thigh range for most people. Translation: you get freedom of movement without committing
to anything resembling competitive swim briefs. A win for surfers, paddleboarders, beach volleyball players, and
anyone who just wants their knees to see sunlight again.

Limited edition details, not limited edition practicality

It’s easy for collabs to go heavy on “collectible” and light on “wearable.” Here, the fundamentals stay intact:
a simple button fly, a tab closure that helps fine-tune fit, and the kind of contrast stitching that makes the
whole thing feel purposeful instead of precious. The checkerboard pattern brings the personality, but the
construction is what makes you keep reaching for them.

Materials & Construction: Why SurfNyl Still Has a Cult Following

SurfNyl: born from a practical problem, not a marketing brainstorm

Birdwell’s proprietary SurfNyl has a real origin storyone rooted in the basic fact that surf conditions are
rude. Salt, sand, sun, wax, board friction, repeated soak-and-dry cycles… traditional canvas shorts didn’t love it.
Birdwell’s founder looked for something tougher and landed on high-strength nylon with roots in military-grade
applications, then refined it into surfwear that resisted abrasion, dried quickly, and held its shape session after
session.

In plain English: SurfNyl is the “work boot” of boardshort fabrics. Not the stretchiest. Not the softest right out of
the box. But built like it has plans to outlive your favorite beach towel.

Double-layer build and reinforced seams

One reason Birdwell trunks get described as “heritage” without sounding like a museum plaque is the construction
approach: dense nylon, a sturdy feel, and reinforcement where it matters. Birdwell talks about double-layer
construction and triple-stitched seams as part of what made SurfNyl a breakthrough fabric for surfwear. The 310 model,
specifically, is positioned as the cut closest to the original Birdwell designmodernized lightly over decades of
real-world wear by surfers and lifeguards.

That matters for the Pilgrim collab because it’s not just a cool print on a flimsy short. The checkerboard sits on a
foundation meant to take a beatingthen come back tomorrow and do it again.

Features That Actually Matter When You’re Wet, Sandy, and Mildly Annoyed

The closure system: button fly + tab adjuster (and Birdwell’s lace heritage)

Plenty of modern swim trunks rely on elastic waistbands and a drawstring. Boardshortsespecially heritage-style
boardshortstend to favor a fixed waist, because it stays put when you duck-dive or get rolled. Birdwell’s 310 design
is known for a fixed-waist approach with an adjustable element (a tab closure) and a lace-style closure system on the
waistband in the classic Birdwell tradition.

Why does this matter? Because in the water, small annoyances become big ones. A waistband that shifts, stretches out,
or slips can ruin your day fast. The 310 style is built to stay secure without feeling like a tourniquet.

The pocket situation: simple, secure, and surprisingly thoughtful

Birdwell’s signature details include a back pocket setup designed for surf life, including a key loop and drainage.
That’s not glamorous, but it’s the difference between “fun beach day” and “I’m walking barefoot in a parking lot
looking for my keys like a raccoon.”

If you’re the type to keep a card, a key, or a small wax comb on you, the Birdwell approachsecure pocket, functional
closure, and an emphasis on durabilitymakes sense. It’s not trying to be a cargo short. It’s trying to be the
boardshort you trust.

Fit & Sizing: How the 310 Checkerboard Should Sit

Understanding the short-length profile

Boardshort length is a whole personality on its own. According to REI’s swimwear guidance, boardshorts can vary a lot
in lengthsome go short, some fall below the knee, often with the goal of protecting thighs from board rub or simply
matching your preferred coverage.

The Pilgrim + Birdwell 310 Checkerboard Board Shorts land on the shorter end of the boardshort spectrum. Think
mid-thigh coverage, built for range of motion. If you’re used to 20–22″ outseams, this will feel punchier and more
athletic. If you already live in 16–18″ territory, it’ll feel like home.

Real sizing examples (so you don’t have to guess)

Pilgrim provides garment measurements by size, which is helpful because “true to size” means different things to
different people. For example:

• Size 32: about a 15.5″ outseam and ~5.75″ inseam
• Size 34: about a 16″ outseam and ~6″ inseam
• Size 38: about a 17″ outseam and ~6.5″ inseam

Those numbers help you visualize where the hem lands. If you’re between sizes, Pilgrim recommends sizing uppractical
advice that tends to work well for fixed-waist boardshorts, especially if you don’t want a “painted-on” fit.

What “good fit” looks like in real life

A good 310 fit sits comfortably at the waist (not the hips), lies flat through the front, and allows you to squat or
step up onto a board without the waistband fighting you. You want security without restriction. If the waistband
feels overly tight on dry land, it’s probably not going to feel better after a salty dunk and a burrito.

In the Water: Performance, Comfort, and the “Break-In” Factor

Durability vs. softness: the honest tradeoff

If you’ve worn lightweight stretch trunks, SurfNyl can feel sturdiersome reviewers even describe Birdwell’s
classic nylon as a bit stiff at first. That’s not necessarily a flaw; it’s part of the heritage design philosophy:
dense fabric that resists wear, then softens over time without falling apart.

If your goal is buttery-soft lounge shorts on day one, you might prefer a modern four-way stretch boardshort. If your
goal is “I want one pair that holds up season after season,” the Birdwell approach is the right kind of stubborn.

Chafe, drying, and day-long wear

Many modern swim trunks include a mesh liner; boardshorts often skip it. That’s partly why boardshorts have a strong
crossover appeal: you can wear them in and out of the water without dealing with a liner that feels like a tiny
fishing net. Birdwell’s SurfNyl is built to dry efficiently and resist abrasiontwo traits that matter when you’re
going from water to sand to sidewalk.

Want the smoothest experience? Pair them with a rashguard during longer sessions, and keep an eye on fit: most chafe
problems are fit problems, not fabric problems.

Style: How to Wear Checkerboard Boardshorts Without Overdoing It

Let the shorts be the loudest thing you’re wearing

Checkerboard is a pattern with confidence. The easiest styling move is to keep everything else calm:
a plain tee, a linen button-down left open, a simple rashguard, or a neutral sweatshirt for cooler evenings.
Your outfit doesn’t need to compete with the geometry.

Color cues that work with the Pilgrim palette

The Pilgrim colorway is described in a way that suggests an outdoorsy, coastal palettethink gold-yellow, olive, aqua
tones. That opens up easy combinations:

• Off-white or natural tees for a clean, summery look
• Olive or navy tops to echo the deeper tones
• Faded denim shirts for “I might surf later” energy
• Simple sandals or minimalist sneakers for town

Bonus: checkerboard hides small stains better than solid light colors. Not that you’ll spill salsa on yourself, of
course. You’re a professional.

Care & Longevity: Keep Them Looking Good (and Getting Better)

Washing rules that help SurfNyl age gracefully

Birdwell’s care guidance for SurfNyl boardshorts emphasizes cold washing and hanging to drysimple steps that reduce
heat damage and help preserve shape. In practice, that looks like:

• Rinse after saltwater sessions when you can (salt is clingy and rude)
• Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle
• Skip bleach
• Hang dry (avoid high heat drying)

The “better with age” effect

Heritage nylon boardshorts have a different aging curve than stretch trunks. Instead of getting baggy and tired,
they tend to soften and relax while staying structurally solid. That’s the sweet spot: comfort increases without
durability disappearing.

Who These Shorts Are For (and Who Should Keep Shopping)

You’ll probably love them if…

• You want a made-in-USA boardshort with real heritage construction.
• You prefer a shorter outseam and freer movement.
• You like patterns but still want something that feels timeless.
• You’re into gear that’s built to last, not built to be replaced.

You might pass if…

• You want maximum stretch and ultra-soft feel from day one.
• You prefer an elastic waistband for casual lounging.
• You’re looking for a budget trunk (heritage construction usually isn’t cheap).

FAQ: Quick Answers Before You Commit

Are these “swim trunks” or “boardshorts”?

They’re boardshorts in the classic sense: built for surf use, fixed-waist construction, and a shape that works
best when you’re moving. That said, they’re perfectly usable as swimwearespecially if you like a more structured,
board-ready fit.

Do they have a liner?

Heritage boardshorts often skip the mesh brief liner you’ll see in many swim trunks. SurfNyl styles are typically
designed to be comfortable without that inner mesh, which is part of the appeal for all-day wear.

Is the fabric quick-drying?

Birdwell positions SurfNyl as water-resistant and quick-drying, designed to stay lightweight even after submersion.
It’s not a paper-thin tech fabric, but it’s engineered for repeated wet-to-dry cycles.

Is the checkerboard too loud for everyday wear?

Only if you style it like you’re auditioning for a beach-themed talent show. Keep the rest of your outfit simple and
the shorts read as playful, not cartoonish.

Extended “Experience” Notes (): What Wearing Them Is Like in Real Life

Let’s talk about the part product descriptions rarely admit: most of your boardshort “testing” won’t happen in
cinematic, slow-motion surf footage. It’ll happen in a parking lot, on a beach towel, in a corner store, and in that
moment you realize you’re still wearing them at 6 p.m. because changing feels like unnecessary paperwork.

Here’s a realistic wear arc for the Pilgrim + Birdwell 310 Checkerboard. Day one, the fabric feels
substantiallike it has opinions about durability. If you’re coming from stretch trunks, you’ll notice the structure
immediately: the waistband sits with intention, the legs don’t cling, and the shorts feel “designed” rather than
“thrown together.” The short length is the first comfort win. You can step high, crouch, or hop over a dune without
the hem grabbing at your knees like an annoyed toddler.

In the water, the fixed waist is the quiet hero. Elastic waistbands are great until they’re notusually at the exact
moment a wave reminds you who’s in charge. A secure closure system helps the shorts stay put when you’re paddling,
duck-diving, or getting tumbled. On land, the same structure makes them feel less like “only swimwear” and more like
“shorts that happen to go in the ocean.”

The checkerboard pattern does something sneaky: it makes the shorts feel like a statement, but it also plays well
with the basics you already own. Throw on a white tee and the look is clean. Add a faded sweatshirt and it’s
effortlessly coastal. Wear them with a linen shirt and suddenly you look like you planned the day (even if you
didn’t). And because the print has depth, it’s forgivingsalt marks and minor splashes don’t show up the way they do
on flat, solid colors.

After a few wears, the fabric starts to soften in a way that feels earned. That’s the classic heritage-nylon story:
it doesn’t beg for attention on day one, then it slowly becomes the pair you trust most. You’ll likely notice the
pocket design on the days you actually need itwhen you’re carrying a key, a card, or a small essential and don’t
want to play “where did I put that?” in the sand. And if you’re the type to go straight from beach to errands, the
lack of a scratchy liner and the structured fit make them surprisingly easy to live in.

The best compliment you can give any boardshort is that you forget about it. Not because it’s boring, but because it
doesn’t cause problems. These are built to be that kind of reliablejust with a checkerboard twist that keeps things
fun enough to feel like summer, even when your calendar says otherwise.