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Swappin’ Out My Shorts


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  • #1301293
    Jeff W.
    BPL Member

    @jcwhynot

    Locale: Northeast

    Okay, Gents. I've been hiking for years in lightweight, quick drying shorts with a sewn in bathing suit type liner. For the most part they've worked out great. However, in humid or wet conditions I can get some serious chafing from the liner, especially when walking a lot of miles. I think I'm going to move away from these shorts, but need some advice on what has worked well for you. I'm still focused on lightweight and quick drying…probably something with a built in belt (but not essential). Also, if you've had great luck with a particular type of wicking boxer briefs, do tell.

    Thanks

    #1972693
    Rick Reno
    BPL Member

    @scubahhh

    Locale: White Mountains, mostly.

    Kilt.

    Kommando.

    REI (is that a word?).

    #1972700
    Jeff W.
    BPL Member

    @jcwhynot

    Locale: Northeast

    I get sense I'll recognize you if I see you in the Whites!

    #1972715
    Adam Rothermich
    BPL Member

    @aroth87

    Locale: Missouri Ozarks

    Have you tried using Sportslick or Body Glide? I also hike in running shorts and get chafing in humid weather but find that Sportslick works really well for me. I just put a little bit on in the morning and it normally lasts all day.

    Another option you might not have considered is cutting the liner out of your shorts and wearing wicking underwear instead. Then you retain the part about the shorts that you like and get rid of the part you don't like.

    Adam

    #1972722
    Ike Jutkowitz
    BPL Member

    @ike

    Locale: Central Michigan

    I can't wear those either. Brooks makes a running short with a boxer brief style liner that is awesome though. Don't know the model name but I found it at REI

    #1972724
    Max Dilthey
    Spectator

    @mdilthey

    Locale: MaxTheCyclist.com

    I took the Mountain Hardwear running shorts (like 3oz) and cut the liner out, and I use Smartwool Briefs instead.

    The Smartwool wicks and never smells, and the MH shorts are thin, light, and comfortable.

    #1972725
    Phillip Asby
    BPL Member

    @pgasby

    Locale: North Carolina

    I've had good luck with the Target C9 performance boxer briefs (the 100% synthetic not the cotton blend); as well as the Terramar body sensors. I like the fit of the Terramar a bit better but the C9 are fine and easily available.

    Those with any lightweight synthetic shorts work just fine – I've never been overly fond of the mesh liners when working out or exercising or hiking for the same reason as mentioned and find the boxer brief/shorts combo to be the best option.

    #1972751
    Nico .
    BPL Member

    @nickb

    Locale: Los Padres National Forest

    I apply a little bodyglide down there.

    Also, like others said, cutting out the liner and instead using a pair of wicking boxer briefs can work well.

    #1972767
    Dale Wambaugh
    BPL Member

    @dwambaugh

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    Check out the prAna Mojo shorts. I'm surprised they don't get more attention with hikers. They have a long inseam, basic pockets, and a simple elastic waistband that keeps the bulk and complexity to a minimum. About 7oz.

    Ex Officio, REI, and the Champion C9 briefs work for me.

    #1972782
    Dustin Short
    BPL Member

    @upalachango

    +1 on exofficio give-n-go. They're expensive for a pair of boxer-briefs but around 95% of people that have tried them admit they're 5 star underwear and end up buying more pairs (on sale usually).

    #1972807
    Steven Paris
    BPL Member

    @saparisor

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    WWDCD = What Would Dave Chenault Do? After, ahem, "liberating" the idea from Dave, I bought a pair of Patagonia Stretch Wavefarers. These are great shorts. The design is simplicity: a little stretch, one simple small zippered pocket on the leg if needed, drawstring closure at the waist. They dry fast and are super durable.

    The cons are the initial expense (not cheap for shorts but these should last YEARS) and weight (compared to a running short w/ liner). I think mine are a little over 6 oz but the coverage is longer than running shorts. I'm usually wearing underwear and either long pants or these shorts (with shell layer and midlayer to match) depending on the trip. I know skin-out weight is important, but I'm never going to regret the 2-3 oz on my lower body for comfort.

    Btw, you can find these on sale (especially closeout colors) with patience.

    #1972818
    Justin Baker
    BPL Member

    @justin_baker

    Locale: Santa Rosa, CA

    I REALLY like the REI brand running shorts. They fit just right, above the knees but not short short. They dry fast and have held up very well to bushwacking and scraping on abrasive rocks.

    #1972865
    Jeff W.
    BPL Member

    @jcwhynot

    Locale: Northeast

    Thanks to everyone for your insight and opinions. As usual, it was another worthwhile discussion that helped out a lot.

    Jeff

    #1972880
    Tipi Walter
    BPL Member

    @tipiwalter

    I spend 80% of all my backpacking time in shorts and so I have a particular fixation on what works and what I need.
    ** It must have a drawstring tie and no belt loops or plastic NF style buckles to interfere with the hipbelt.
    ** It must have two front pockets for snacks, camera, watch, paper towel.
    ** Instep must be around 7 inches and no longer or shorter—regular size.
    ** Must have mesh liner like with swim trunks.
    ** Must be light and dry quickly.

    My old pair of North Face Flight shorts died a good death and then it turns out of course that NF discontinued the model. Instead they make the Agility which is as good or better and fits all the criteria.

    #1972884
    Jason Elsworth
    Spectator

    @jephoto

    Locale: New Zealand
    #1972894
    Josh Brock
    Member

    @needsabath

    Locale: Outside

    I usually wear a pair of under armor boxer briefs. If I dont I will have a rasberry on the inside of both my thighs. But its not like I wear them only cause I have to, they breath really well, I like to swim in them and the dry really really fast. Way faster than amy swim suits I've ever had. I wear those and a pair of exificiio(spelling?) pant short things.

    #1972899
    Max Dilthey
    Spectator

    @mdilthey

    Locale: MaxTheCyclist.com

    With odor management, silk and merino wool are significantly better than synthetics. Plus, what's actually happening there is the prevention of microbial growth, which means your sensitive areas stay healthier using these fabrics.

    Call me crazy, but I give Ex-Officio a 2/5 star review. The pockmarked surface was irritating if I had to sit in a bike seat or walk long distances, and they just wouldn't stop riding up. That could also be because I have cycling thighs… but they weren't comfortable at all. Much happier in Smartwool.

    #1972909
    Hiking Malto
    BPL Member

    @gg-man

    Liner-less lightweight shorts, boxer briefs, wipes to clean and powder. A couple of minutes of works, hour of pain free.

    #1973040
    Matthew Perry
    BPL Member

    @bigfoot2

    Locale: Hammock-NOT Tarptent!

    Lose the shorts, stay away from the girlie-looking MHW kilt/SKIRTS and just go old school with a Stillwater Kilts Thrify Kilt (under $50.00 and good from 10 degrees to 80 degrees IMHO):
    http://www.stillwaterkilts.com/swkthrifty-kilts.html

    And then you can afford a custom enLIGHTened Equipment hiking sporan!

    kilt

    #1973042
    Ken Thompson
    BPL Member

    @here

    Locale: Right there

    While I love the kilt idea. The problem for me is I don't want my wardrobe to be a source of conversation. You know,hearing the same stupid comments over and over. I just want to hike. I wear long pants all the time hiking anymore. Keeps my legs prettier.

    Some Pati boxer briefs to go with, I'm fine.

    #1973053
    spelt with a t
    BPL Member

    @spelt

    Locale: Rangeley, ME

    Spandex compression shorts of your choice. No chafe, no how, no way. Easy to rinse and don't smell terribly bad. Though if anyone has a line on merino compression shorts drop it here. I tried SW microweight boxer briefs a size too small and they still rode up and were useless.

    #1973059
    A W
    Member

    @lost_01

    "wipes to clean and powder"

    …what am I missing here?

    #1973079
    David Chenault
    BPL Member

    @davec

    Locale: Queen City, MT

    Mesh liners have never worked for me. Patagonia LW capilene (now Cap 2) boxer briefs have, going on a decade now. The Ex Officos are ok, but IME don't wick or dry as fast (nylon v. poly). Merino is fine but dries slower and doesn't give any substantive benefit (see below).

    Krud's post of chafing is an excellent one, especially the part about cleaning yourself daily. If the weather will suck, wet wipes are worth the weight here.

    If I'm hiking hard for more than 12 hours at a stretch I usually need some body glide to keep crack chafing at bay. This need goes away further into hiking season as things get leaned out and toughened up. The single use packets create more packaging, but are really convenient.

    I like the longer, Patagonia board shorts for hiking due to the extra sun and brush protection. The stretch ones are really nice, while the non-stretch ones are cheaper, a bit more durable and come in garish prints. Stocked up on these when they went on closeout this winter. The real king feature here is the low profile waistband and drawstring closure, which is very secure, comfy, stays put under all conditions, and most importantly doesn't create any pressure points under a waistbelt. Wish they made pants with the same design, though wearing the board shorts over tights is always stylish.

    #1973312
    Mike R
    Member

    @redpoint

    Locale: British Columbia

    Chafing has always been an issue for me too. Last year, I discovered trail running shorts. Basically, they're a slightly longer short with a semi-compression type liner [think boxer brief]. Super comfy and zero chafing. Solomon makes some good ones. I'm quite partial to the Arc'teryx Incendo – amazing short. It's lightweight and fine if you don't require large amounts abrasion resistance from rock or bush-whacking.

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