Funky Summer Shorts

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Shorts can be boring. They’re just short pants, often made out of a lightweight but durable polyester blend—which makes them great for warm weather running, hiking, gardening, lounging, biking, camping, or just about any outdoor activity—but predictable. Earlier this summer, however, I discovered the pure joy of pulling on a pair of terry cloth shorts. After long days of wearing a wet bathing suit, they felt like slinking into a plush, terry cloth bathrobe in a fancy hotel, or the best beach towel on the planet.

Terry cloth isn’t the first material that comes to mind when I think “summer shorts,” but the stellar experience made me wonder: Are there other out-of-the-norm, funky summer shorts out there that are equally great, for other reasons and applications? I went on a short shorts quest, and here’s what I found:

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For Post-Water Sports Lounging And Harkening Back To Days Gone By

OuterKnown Hightide Sweatshorts 

$88 at Outerknown

These terry cloth shorts that inspired my quest remind me of classic OP shorts I wore as a kid in San Diego. I dig the retro yet updated styling and the blend of organic cotton and recycled polyester that feels great against the skin. I’ve loved these so much for putting on after a soggy bathing suit that I bought my Encinitas, California-based sister a pair. She is a big fan, too, and says she changes into them after shedding her wetsuit and swimsuit after surf sessions. I also appreciate that OuterKnown, founded seven years ago by surf legend Kelly Slater and creative director John Moore, is committed to fair trade, fair labor, circularity, organic practices, and preferred materials.

For Breaking The Mold On Trails and Courts, Or Wearing To Casual Offices

Ripton Performance Denim Jorts

$60–$70 at Ripton

You read that right: “performance denim.” Imagined in ex-ski racer Elliot Wilkinson-Ray’s Aspen, Colorado apartment (the legendary Skier’s Chalet, to be specific), this denim is stretchy and lightweight. The company’s range of jorts—jean shorts—spans from classically baggie DTJ (which stands for “Down to Jort”) Skate Jorts, which my 16-year-old son loves, to the super-thin, super-stretchy Smoke Jorts made for mountain biking and bike packing with a gusseted crotch but no chamois for simplicity (and versatility, and style).

Then there are the Court Jorts, which I’ve been living in. The 7.4-ounce denim with a generous cut, elastic waist, and mesh side panels make the Court Jorts as comfortable as boxer shorts, and function for hiking and even running (for real). The pockets could hold a couple tennis balls, should I start playing tennis again instead of just obsessively watching Majors. I’ve been spending entire weekends in the Court Jorts, on-trail and off. And those DTJ’s my son’s wearing? Since they’re made of performance denim, I told him he had to mountain bike with me to test them—and that worked. So did the jorts, both on the bike and around town.

For Hanging Out, Hiking, Paddling, and Shenanigans

Columbia Painted Peak Shorts

$70 at Columbia $70 at DICK’s Sporting Goods

These baggy, loud, interestingly pocketed, funky summer shorts were made with festival-goers in mind. The oversized side pockets can hold a can of beer, even with the top popped. (I checked.) The mesh pockets on the frontside with an easy access, but secure Velcro closure hold a phone, lip balm, or other essentials. The shorts are made out of durable nylon that stretches enough to allow you the range of motion to stand on a picnic table for no reason or hike the steeps of a Colorado mountain trail. I’ve worn these paddleboarding for their quick-dry qualities, camping for their pocketing, durability, and length (5-inch inseam for women, 7-inch inseam for men), and hiking just because. They’re airy and comfortable and have an elastic waist with a drawcord to keep them up, even with loaded pockets. Bonus: The nylon “Omni-Shade” fabric is rated 50 UPF. 

Honorable Mentions

The following shorts are also fun, funky, and functional. I’m just not as in love with them as the above three. 

The Arc’Teryx Gamma Utility Short 5” Woven ($120) has proven comfortable and functional both camping and hiking. Its highly water-repellent, soft shell, recycled nylon fabric is stretchy and durable while the generous cut and 5-inch inseam provide coverage in camp and feel airy on the trail. Front cargo pockets join standard side pockets for storing a phone, can opener, or other trail/camp goods.

The Passenger Way Out All Purpose Shorts ($75) are made out of a stretch cotton blend that feels great against the skin but is a bit thick for active pursuits in hot temps. The front zippered pockets secure a phone so it has no chance of falling into a pit toilet at a campsite or trailhead (this is important), and the waist toggle is both functional, and funky fashion. The England-based company plants a tree for every purchase made of these “way out” funky summer shorts.

The only thing “funky” about the Patagonia Stretch Planing Micro Shorts ($59) is their micro inseam (it’s a mere 2 inches)…that, and the fun and funky print options. That short inseam, and hint of stretch in the 100% recycled polyester fabric, has me reach for these a couple times a week whenever I play beach volleyball because they allow full mobility and don’t hinder my body-flailing-into-sand range of motion. The shorts provide just enough coverage over a bathing suit bottom, and have a baggy fit—the combo helps keep me cool and comfortable. These are the shorts I lived in for six days on a hot Colorado River rafting trip, and the ones I will be packing for a California beach trip.