Shorts and Skirts

Reviewed by Andrew F.

The gravel shorts are made for mountain biking and double as a good pair of hiking shorts. Some cycling-related features and adjustments make these a good choice for biking. The shorts have no padding, so I liked these better with a padded undershort for longer and rougher rides. For hiking and cycling, these shorts are a winner.

BASIC INFORMATION The gravel shorts are made for mountain biking. They are made from a 95% nylon/5% spandex fabric that has a nice bit of stretchiness that cyclists will appreciate. They have two big front pockets and one smaller, rear pocket, all with mesh liner material that helps with ventilation. The rear pocket is actually a dual pocket - it’s an open pocket, but within that, there’s a section that’s secured by a zipper.    The shorts have a number of design elements that make them particularly good for their mountain-biking purpose.

Read more: Showers Pass Gravel 10" Shorts review (1)

Featured review by Ashleigh

Patagonia's Baggies are my go-to, do it all shorts. They are lightweight, breathable, packable, abrasion-resistant, water-resistant, quick drying nylon shorts. The DWR treated Baggies sport a 5" inseam, two quick drain pockets with mesh in the bottom, and a stretchy elastic waistband with tie. I hike, kayak, wakeboard, play tennis, jog, work out and do just about everything in these shorts! If I had only one pair of shorts, these would be the ones. Patagonia has been making these for years and are made for babies on up to men's and women's.

My Patagonia Baggies have been through it all. I love these shorts! I would literally wear them every day if I could. I bought them primarily for hiking because I had heard so many great things about them. They are perfect for hiking because they have pockets (but they are not big baggy cargo pockets), they resist abrasion and water, they are breathable and comfortable, and they do not chafe. Nowadays, ladies' shorts tend to be rather short (3" inseam), but the 5" inseam in these is the perfect length for me.

Read more: Patagonia Baggies Shorts 5" reviews (5)

Featured review by T.J.

Outdoor Research's updated Ferrosi fabric delivers big on comfort, stretch, and durability, but sizing and features should be considered with the Ferrosi Short.

Having previously reviewed an older version of the Outdoor Research 10-inch Ferrosi Shorts, that had a strong but not particularly long life, I was excited to try their latest fabric update in the newest 7-inch model they’re offering (see my original Ferrosi Shorts review below). After a season of very frequent California trail use, including moist Redwood forests, High-Sierra backpacking trips, desert overnights, and frequent use near my home next to a national forest, I’d say there’s a whole lot of good with these shorts, but a couple of things to consider if you’re thinking about pulling the trigger.

Read more: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Shorts reviews (3)

Featured review by Jakuchu

Light but protective short that gets out of the way, yet lets you carry tons of stuff.

Fit I will say it up front, I love the Strider Pro shorts. When trail running or hiking up steep hills I love the fit of them. The 5" inseam means they do not pull on your quads when going up steep terrain. They have a split on the side to give you extra freedom of movement while covering you up well enough. For me a 5" inseam is perfect. The waistband is a good elastic, but also has a lace that you can tie in case they would sag on you. I can't speak for everybody of course, but the fit on me is great, and the adjustability makes me think it would fit most people very well..

Read more: Patagonia Strider Pro Short reviews (3)

Reviewed by OutdoorKelly

The Patagonia women's Dirt Roamer Bike Shorts pack a host of straightforward, well thought out features into a simple pair of shorts. The material and seams stretch together, offering an unrestricted range of motion, and the lightweight fabric wicks moisture, repels water, and dries rapidly. They were hands down my favorite shorts to ride in this past season.

Testing Conditions: I tested the Patagonia women’s Dirt Roamer Bike Shorts as a member of the Trailspace Review Corps. I wore the shorts mountain biking in and around the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire from June through October 2018. I also brought them with me on an October road trip, mountain biking in Bentonville, Arkansas, and around Asheville, North Carolina. Temperatures during testing ranged from about 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.                                                       Out for a spin Fit and Comfort: I’m 5'4" with a fairly curvy lower body (35" hip, 27" waist).

Read more: Patagonia Dirt Roamer Bike Shorts review (1)

Reviewed by David Link

A super comfortable hiking short for hot and dry conditions. Excellent fit and breathability, when you’re just trying to stay cool. A good-looking pair of shorts which transition from trail to town with ease. I wear them most every day during the summer.

We’ve all had it hammered into us: “Cotton kills on the backcountry.” When it gets wet, it lacks few insulating properties, and can lead to hypothermia. But I would like to propose the idea, that in certain hot and dry conditions, where there is no chance of precipitation, cotton can be just right. I originally bought these because I was looking for a cool pair of casual shorts for wine tasting, hanging out on the patio, you get the idea. But one very warm summer’s day, I had planned a long day hike in the Sierra Foothills near my home, and I decided to give these a try (the decision was also aided by the zipper blowing out on my nylon Arc’teryx shorts).

Read more: Mountain Hardwear J Tree Short review (1)

Featured review by Lester M

Comfiest shorts I've owned. Probably too good to waste on everyday wear—but here in the frozen north, how will I ever know?

I bought my first G pants in 2005 and picked up a pair of shorts, in the sale at REI, in 2008. $22 for a pair of shorts? When there were perfectly serviceable and hardy ones, at Target, for three bucks? Gramicci design good stuff. The shorts are made of soft touch, burly cotton, with generous and careful stitching, three roomy pockets, a diamond panel crotch insert, and simple waist adjustment, via some elastic and a webbing belt. They don't look baggy but are roomy where it counts for climbing and other strenuous activities.

Read more: Gramicci Original G-Shorts reviews (3)

Reviewed by Burke MacLeay

Patagonia's Dirt Craft Bike Shorts are a lightweight, breathable mountain bike short for everyday riding on the singletrack. Made with a nylon/spandex outer short for full range of movement and a removable inner padded liner, they're soft, stretchy, don't chafe, and are super comfortable whether climbing or descending. I've worn my Dirt Craft Bike Shorts for two seasons of riding—cross-county, enduro, and lift-assisted—and have found them incredibly comfortable for long days of riding and reasonably durable, though not impenetrable. They're expensive, but they're well-made and essentially you get two shorts, which can be paired up with other bike shorts and liners for versatility.

Construction The Patagonia Dirt Craft Bike Short is the most comfortable pair of shorts I have ever worn mountain biking. The outer shorts are made mainly from a stretchy nylon (95%, 65% of which is recycled) with some spandex (5%) and have a DWR (durable water repellent) finish for longevity. The breathable padded liner short (72% polyester, 28% spandex) is separate and has a 3-D engineered Italian chamois for cushion. It's also treated with HeiQ Fresh for odor control. The padded liner is removable, so people like myself who prefer to ride without one can do so.

Read more: Patagonia Dirt Craft Bike Shorts review (1)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

Sturdy 7-ounce organic cotton shorts build a nice bridge between casual wear and hiking/outdoorsy pursuits. They have a double fabric seat and generously-sized pockets front and back, metal zipper, belt loops. Highly abrasion-resistant, they last for years. On the downside, the fabric is heavy for people who want a lighter-weight pair of shorts, and they take a long time to dry.

INTRODUCTION Patagonia’s Stand Up Shorts have been around for a long time. I bought my first pair in the mid-1980s and have since worn out three pair; I currently have two other pair of these, both several years old. I’m reviewing the most recent pair, which are about a year old, so the specifications are current.  Front view. Note the wide leg openings—if you don’t like that, these aren’t your shorts.  Rear view shows belt loops, double fabric seat, and rear pockets.  BASIC DETAILS The men’s shorts come in waist sizes 28-40 (step up every 2 inches) and have a 7-inch hem; they’re made of organic 7-ounce cotton that is relatively heavy but fairly soft, even after repeated washing.

Read more: Patagonia Stand Up Shorts 7" review (1)

Featured review by Twig

The Purple Rain Adventure Skirt has become one of my all-time favorite pieces of clothing for its functionality, versatility, comfort, and durability. What sets it apart from all other hiking skirts are the functional cargo pockets and a stretchy yoga-style waist band. It is the kind of garment you can eat, sleep, bathe, swim and walk thousands of miles in, never once having needed to take it off. This versatility makes it an ideal candidate for long-distance hiking and other endurance activities. It gets my highest honors by being a part of my ultralight equipment for multiple thru-hikes/section-hikes this year. It’s so good, I couldn’t resist buying a second one (even though the first still has many years left in it).

Hiking skirts: a brief background and intro (please scroll down for just the skirt  review): My interest in hiking skirts was first sparked by a Review Corps product I received for testing, the Sierra Designs Silicone Trail Skirt. Despite the skirt being a little too short and large at the waist, I really grew to like it. Here are some of the many benefits of hiking skirts for women (many apply to men too!): Ventilation is supreme. Pair with a set of merino undies for odor-free bliss. Freedom of movement…no restriction around the knees and no annoying swish/swish around the ankles, as commonly experienced in pants.

Read more: Purple Rain Adventure Skirt reviews (4)