But there are a few key differences we see with these. The first is that the fabric, though it boasts UPF 50+ sun protection, isn’t quite as sturdy-feeling as the Patagonia Baggies. The second is that the rear pocket is a welted velcro pocket—not as nice nor as secure. But most importantly, these are considerably cheaper. At just $40, they’re easily the best budget hybrid shorts on the market and a no-brainer if you’re looking to save as much dough as you can without sacrificing quality or style.
Best Upgrade Hybrid Shorts: Gramicci Nylon Packable G-Shorts
As one of the legendary Stone Masters and a product developer for the Yvon Chouinard, Mike Graham’s seat at the table is rock solid. That fact only gets more indisputable when you consider his outdoors brand, Gramicci. He introduced his iconic Gramicci pants and G-shorts in the early ‘80s and they’ve become a staple of the climbing gym ever since. Made with a signature gusseted crotch for comfort and range of motion, a built-in webbing belt that can be adjusted with one hand, and super secure zip pockets, the G-shorts are purpose-built for scaling rock faces.
They come in a range of materials, but the truest hybrid short among the lineup is Gramicci’s Nylon Packable G-shorts. They’re burly, lightweight, water-resistant, and take more than a few bumps and bruises. Plus, they’re svelte enough to pack into themselves and throw in your bag to have in case of emergency bouldering. Admittedly they do look more like something you’d wear on an outdoor adventure, more so than other options on this list. While that slight hit to versatility is worth noting, it doesn’t hurt the fact that the overall quality and smart design details make it a better performing short.
Best Hybrid Shorts for Getting Active: Satisfy PeaceShell Standard Climb Shorts
Satisfy
PeaceShell Standard Climb Shorts
Pros
- Top-notch quality
- Chock-full of utilitarian details
- Cult-loved status
Cons
Materials: 94% Nylon, 6% Elastane | Fit: Relaxed | Details: Articulated fit, Mini-S carabiner, integrated belt, harness-compatible
Cult brand Satisfy has found the center of the Venn diagram between running enthusiasts and fashion obsessives. And these climbing-focused shorts may not be what you’d expect from the Paris-born brand, but they’re exactly what you need if you’re trying to maximize functionality and style. They’re made from the label’s PeaceShell material which is comprised of nylon and elastane that has 2-way stretch, odor control, water-resistance, and quick-drying capabilities—everything you want on the rock and in the pool.
They’re built with a bevy of climbing-focused design details like an integrated belt, gusseted crotch, articulated seams, zip pockets, and a Mini-S carabiner in the front right pocket. While all that sounds painfully useful, the result is something undeniably cool. Think of it like a good pair of Red Wing boots: super functional and super stylish in equal measure.
Best Hybrid Shorts for Design Gods: Veilance Indisce Shorts
Pros
- Ultra sharp design
- High quality construction and materials
- Articulated patterning
Cons
- Worth a little over four (4) pairs of Patagonia Baggies
Materials: 126gsm 95% Nylon, 5% Elastane | Fit: Wide Leg | Details: Double pleats, clean waistband
Normally, hybrid shorts that try to mask the fact that they’re hybrid shorts end up looking terrible, as if the design team’s prompt was to “make chino shorts out of space materials”. They’re the sort of shorts you’d expect to see on the golf course, a tech-leaning pair concocted by Silicon Valley. These are not those. Veilance, the Japanese-designed sub-label of outdoors brand Arc’teryx, blurs the line between tailoring and gorpcore and does it better than anyone out there.
They feature a clean, Hollywood-style waistband, double front pleats, articulated seams for an ergonomic fit, and taped seams throughout. They’re made of a lightweight, water-and wind-resistant nylon-brend fabric that includes a smidge of elastane for an ultra-comfy feel.
More Hybrid Shorts We Love
What to Look for in a Great Pair of Hybrid Shorts
There are several qualities to look for when shopping for hybrid shorts. The good ones blend the the best parts of boardshorts, gym shorts, hiking shorts, and chino shorts like an end-of-year Top 40 mashup, but in a good way.
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