Why are Boardshorts more Expensive than Wetsuits?

A while ago now we wrote a review on a Need Essentials wetsuit. In short we loved it, great quality, great price.

Need Essentials are now selling board shorts. The price is 48 euros not including shipping. That's under 50 bucks. They have the "dobby 4 way stretch thing" and are all one solid colour. There are a few colours to choose from and look functional and comfortable. They also allow a person to enter the water and surf in them (which is the most important thing). They don't have a television in them. They don't have a phone in them. That's why they are an affordable price. (38 GBP, 50 USD)

Quiksilver have also just brought out a new model of boardshort. The Highline. Theirs are 'laser cut' , they have 'Quiksilver Dry Flight water repellent hydrophobic coating' and 'F'N Lite neoprene: Packed with air cells for lightweight warmth' along with other stuff to. They also allow a person to enter the water and surf in them. They don't have a television in them. They don't have a phone in them. They do however have to pay Jeremy, Leonardo, Ezekiel, Wiggoly (Elite Surfing Athletes) some cash. That's why they cost 159 euros (125 GBP, 199 USD)

The water is wet, the sky is blue and we know how the surf world works. The big companies like Quiksilver, Billabong, Rip Curl and Hurley have shareholders, a massive sponsor arm and to sum, up, a lot of things to pay for, or should I say a lot of things for you to pay for. That's the real difference between the two products, price. Oh and of course Quiksilver have to pay someone to think up all the 'hydrophobic laser cut' jargon.(What a cool job)

Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that the guys from Need Essentials are walking around not being able to afford a pair of shoes just so you can have more reasonably priced boardies, no. Maybe if they had the market presence that Quiksilver has they would be no different but we can only deal in the universe of facts. The facts are the products are not wildly different apart from the price tag.

Just to put things in perspective, for 200 USD / 140 GBP / 169 EUR (the same price as a pair of 'Laser Cut' trunks from Quiksilver) you could purchase this Need Essentials 3/2 Steamer.

Sure, there are no flashy colours, logos and heros (sponsored riders) but if you just want a good quality wetsuit that works, this is it. The choice is yours. I know which one I would go for and it would not include funding the relaxing, plinky sounds of a young man from Reunion Island.