Light unlined hiking shorts

Under Armour Men’s Raid Team or HeatGear Training Shorts, both with a 9″ inseam.  I own several pairs of the military version both with and without the liners and they are unbelievably comfortable, light and pretty durable.

I wear an old version of the 8″ Patagonia Nine Trails shorts that I cut the liner out of.  I like the hand pockets and the zippered back pocket.  Under 6 ounces without the liner.

http://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-nine-trails-shorts-8-inch/57600.html?dwvar_57600_color=NVYB&cgid=sport-trail-running#tile-3=&start=1&sz=24

First I’d start by looking at shorter inseam shorts in the 4-6″ range as they would be lighter since they have less material. Unfortunately, in this era of half pant shorts (that I saw someone recently referred to as woman capris :p), they can be hard to find since they fell out of fashion after the 1980’s. Occasionally one of the gear companies makes them. I still use a light pair I use for hiking that Mtn Hardwear use to make a few years ago but unfortunately stopped. LL bean has a few as does Patagonia.

But no matter what, athletic shorts that normally come with the liner are going to be the lightest. You can always cut out the liner near the waist band and just wear your underwear. I admit to doing so to a pair of 4″ Soffee’s that a friend from the USMC gave me.

Back in the day (before I bought shorts with pockets and a liner) I used to buy cheap nylon shorts from Big 5. I’m pretty sure they still offer them. My guess is most low end sporting good stores offer something similar. The trend is for longer shorts (blame the modern basketball players) but you should be able to find running shorts (which are light and shorter). They also shouldn’t cost much.

Mail order is also an option. Edit — the shorts I found do have a liner. Kind of surprising, really — I figured most running shorts don’t have liners. I guess some do, so you will just have to hunt around. Here is one from Nike, but way too expensive in my opinion.

I also like the Patagonia Nine Trails shorts, with liner cut out. Also, if you get black Underarmor and dark shorts, it is not the worst thing to have the underarmor peeking out a bit. Very common. Some shorts are even designed that way. No one will look twice at you.

Unfortunately good shorts like this are really hard to find. I was searching a lot back in 2014 and ended up making my own. It seemed like any short with a decent length was really heavy. I sewed up my own pair with 30D nylon, 9″ inseam and they came in a 56g (2oz) and I think they’re pretty sweet. The light fabric can be less than modest without underwear, but they’re generally great for hiking and laundry day. I’m still using the now for my second summer long thru-hike.

Luke’s Ultralight has been offering “laundry shorts” that are similar to this but even lighter. However they aren’t taking orders right now:

https://lukesultralite.com/thru-hiker-laundry-shorts

I like the linerless Lululemon Surge shorts.  I have the 7″ inseam version but they have 5″ as well.  There is a small key pocket in the back just below the waistband but no other pockets.  There is also an elastic waistband loop in the back from which you can hang a t shirt or a bandana…a little weird and not something I’d use, but it doesn’t bother me.  Just under 4 ounces.

So use the running short of your choice and cut out the liner?