i'm perusing for a pair of lightweight, functional pair of running/hiking shorts to replace my worn out p.i. of ten years. (weep, weep). is it me, or is it trying to find something AFFORDABLE, yet simple? either it's dirt cheap and lacks a liner (for the time and materials needed to add my own, likely i'd be better off paying up front?), it's neon pink or two-tone something or other (one color covers it for me), or it's arc'teryx for 75 beans. technical is cool, yes, when warranted. how technical need it be? all i want is a liner, a zip pocket and a style that lets me bend, stoop and wear in town with some uhum, coverage-- all without breaking the bank.
gone are the days of ...well i must be getting old :)
suggest, please. thanks.

go to yr nearest thrift store or outlet ... or hit up the sales at the gear sales online

any decent running/outdoorsy nylon/softshell shorts will do, cheap hiking shorts on sale usually have DWR as well .... i personally use a lighter pair of columbias and a heavier pair of NF that i picked up for < $20 each

either way all shorts will eventually end up like this ... yes these are $$$$ dead birds with the flattering logo, i had 2 pairs go within a year ... unfortunately what was revealed to my belay partners was less than flattering, so i needed to get some new shorts =(

Edited by bearbreeder on 03/14/2012 12:43:04 MDT.

I bet you can find perfectly fine and functional and inexpensive running shorts in any of the big box stores -- Wally World, KMart, Target, etc., etc. Even Old Navy, perhaps?

Sports shops tend to be brand oriented. But they are not the entire universe.

What size?

Sometimes you gotta look at dollar cost averaging. If it lasts 10 or 20 years, then a seemingly expensive pair of shorts is really an inexpensive pair.

For 20 years I used 5" inseam Patagonia shorts and similar shorts made by Columbia. Alas, I wore these shorts almost every day and eventually they died. I am on my last two pair of Columbia shorts, the elastic waists are history.

So I have been on the search too. So... Patagonia has brought back the 5" Baggies, but after extensive search efforts (hard to find anyone who even carries them), I bit the bullet and order 4 pairs directly from Patagonia. They should be here Friday. And I expect them to last until the year 2032, when I turn 82 (should I live that long).

I have calculated that each pair will cost me $2.45 per year not factoring in the future dollar buying power over the years.

dale-- size med.
nick-- aren't the baggies liner-less?
perhaps i should suspend my search and perhaps then, shorts will find me?
ben, i too dig thrifts. urgh---sometimes/always/never hit it right.
definitely agree with the quality thang tough, and yes nick, average cost is
cheap when you do the math, however seems to me like the overall quality of gear these days has noticeably declined, yet overall prices have alarmingly inflated?
lt

What about boys/mens swimsuits?

i bought two pair of running shorts at Target (Champion C9 branded) that almost fit your bill. i think they had some with a zip pocket. they were on-sale for $17.99 each.

Edited by asciibaron on 03/15/2012 08:39:10 MDT.

Patagonia Baggies have a liner. I opted to cut mine out as I prefer wearing seperate underwear.

Patagonia Baggies, the short version, love them . Picked mine up at a thrift store for $2 a pair locally, in red and blue.

Yeah, but lower case Eric is going to object to this brand.

Not UL, but Ultra Cool.

http://www.militarysupplyhouse.com/wool_combat_pant_01.htm

The Pat. Baggies are lined. I like the 7" myself. But I am leggier than Nick.

many thanks to those who PMed me with links to the go-lite sale shorts.
much appreciated. :)
lt

Hi again Leslie,
It Was me Anna that sent you the golite links yesterday. Well I just received an email this morning that they have mediums and they are 30% off so they are $20 for their latest model

http://www.golite.com/Ws-Mesa-Trail-6-Run-Short-P46789.aspx

Anna