6 Best Comfortable Shorts For Summer Camping That Last Season After Season

You’re three miles into a humid, buggy hike to a backcountry lake when you feel it: the dreaded chafe. Your heavy cotton shorts are soaked with sweat, rubbing with every step and turning a beautiful day into a grind. The right pair of shorts can be the difference between blissful comfort and trail misery, making them one of the most underrated pieces of summer camping gear.

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Why Durable, Comfy Shorts Matter for Summer Camping

The wrong shorts can end a trip early. Cotton holds moisture, leading to chafing and even hypothermia when a surprise evening chill rolls in. Flimsy fabrics tear on the first scramble over a fallen log, leaving you exposed and frustrated.

Think of your shorts as a critical piece of equipment, not just clothing. They need to move with you, breathe when you’re working hard, dry quickly after a sudden downpour or a spontaneous swim, and withstand the abuse of sitting on rough granite and brushing past pokey branches. A good pair disappears, letting you focus on the experience, not your discomfort.

The key is balancing three things: durability, comfort, and weight. A super tough, canvas-like short might last forever but feel restrictive and hot. An ultralight running short will feel amazing but might not survive a week of hard camp life. The sweet spot is a synthetic blend that gives you the best of all worlds for the kind of camping you do.

Patagonia Baggies: A Timeless, Versatile Classic

Imagine setting up your tent, then immediately jumping into the lake to cool off without a second thought. After your swim, you sit by the fire, and within minutes, your shorts are practically dry. That’s the magic of the Patagonia Baggies, an undisputed icon of outdoor simplicity.

Made from NetPlus® 100% postconsumer recycled nylon, these shorts are surprisingly tough for their weight. The fabric has a DWR (durable water repellent) finish that sheds light moisture and helps them dry in a flash. They feature a simple elastic waistband, a built-in mesh liner (which you’ll either love or hate), and deep pockets that are perfect for stashing a pocketknife or a handful of trail mix.

Baggies aren’t technical climbing shorts; their lack of stretch makes them less ideal for high-stepping scrambles. But for all-around camp life—lounging, swimming, day-hiking, and paddling—their rugged, do-anything nature is unmatched. With 5” and 7” inseam options, they’ve been a staple in gear closets for decades for a very good reason.

prAna Stretch Zion II: Ultimate Stretch and Comfort

You’re navigating a steep section of trail that requires some awkward, high-step moves over roots and rocks. In a restrictive short, this is a struggle. In the prAna Stretch Zion II, you don’t even notice, thanks to their incredible freedom of movement.

The secret is prAna’s ReZion fabric, a blend of recycled nylon and spandex that provides fantastic four-way stretch. This material is also treated with a DWR finish and offers UPF 50+ sun protection, making it a true performance fabric. They move with your body, whether you’re setting up a complicated tent, doing camp yoga, or scrambling to a scenic overlook.

Beyond the fabric, the Zion II is packed with thoughtful features for the active camper. The integrated webbing belt is low-profile and comfortable under a backpack’s hip belt, and a ventilated inseam gusset adds both mobility and breathability where you need it most. These are the shorts for dynamic days when your itinerary is more "go" than "slow."

Outdoor Research Ferrosi: Lightweight & Breathable

It’s one of those sticky, oppressive summer days where the air feels thick and you’re sweating before you even leave the car. On days like this, heavy-duty shorts feel like a trap. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi shorts, however, feel like a cool breeze.

The Ferrosi fabric is legendary for its supreme breathability and light weight. It’s a woven blend of nylon and spandex that is so air-permeable and soft, it almost feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. This makes them an absolute dream for hiking in hot, humid climates where managing sweat is the top priority.

This incredible comfort does come with a tradeoff. While durable enough for most trail use, the Ferrosi fabric isn’t as abrasion-resistant as the burlier options on this list. It’s the perfect choice for long-distance hikers counting every gram and for anyone whose main enemy is heat, but maybe not the best for extensive bushwhacking or sharp, rocky terrain.

KÜHL Renegade: Durability for Demanding Campers

Think about all the abuse your shorts take: kneeling in the dirt to start a fire, sitting on splintery picnic tables, and scraping against rocks while gathering firewood. If you’re tough on your gear, you need shorts that are tougher. The KÜHL Renegade is built for exactly that kind of work.

The Renegade is crafted from KÜHL’s DURALUX™ softshell fabric, a nylon/spandex blend that prioritizes abrasion resistance without completely sacrificing comfort or stretch. It feels substantial and protective, shedding water, resisting snags, and standing up to the grit and grime of camp life season after season.

KÜHL is known for its smart, ergonomic design, and the Renegade is no exception. A gusseted crotch allows for freedom of movement, and a suite of well-designed pockets—including their signature stealth cell phone pocket—keeps your essentials secure. If you see your shorts as a tool, the Renegade is your multi-tool.

Arc’teryx Gamma Quick Dry: For Technical Performance

You’re on a multi-day trip in the mountains where conditions can change in an instant. You need gear that performs flawlessly, from a hot, exposed ridge walk to a chilly, damp morning. The Arc’teryx Gamma Quick Dry is a piece of technical equipment designed for these demanding environments.

The magic lies in the TerraTex™ stretch nylon fabric. It’s engineered to be extremely lightweight, highly air-permeable for temperature regulation, and to dry with incredible speed after a stream crossing or rain shower. The fit is articulated and clean, designed to move with you during athletic pursuits like climbing or fast-packing without any excess material to get in the way.

Features are minimalist and purposeful. The adjustable webbing belt fits cleanly under a climbing harness or a backpack hip belt, and the zippered thigh pockets are placed for easy access. This is a premium short for users who demand the highest level of performance and for whom every detail matters. It’s an investment in comfort and reliability for serious mountain adventures.

REI Co-op Trailmade: Best Value for All-Around Use

Maybe you’re just building your camping kit, or you just need a solid, reliable pair of shorts for weekend trips without a high-end price tag. The REI Co-op Trailmade shorts are the answer. They deliver 80% of the performance of premium shorts at a fraction of the cost.

The Trailmade shorts use a dependable blend of recycled nylon and spandex, providing the quick-dry performance, sun protection, and comfortable stretch you need for the trail. They have a simple pull-on style with a drawcord, functional hand pockets, and a zippered pocket to secure your keys or a wallet.

You won’t find the highly specialized fabrics or hyper-articulated fit of a brand like Arc’teryx here. But for day hikes, car camping, and enjoying a sunny afternoon at the lake, they have everything you need and nothing you don’t. They are a testament to the fact that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get quality gear for your adventures.

Key Features: Fabric, Inseam, and Pocket Design

When you’re comparing shorts, it helps to focus on three core elements. First is fabric. Most performance shorts use a nylon/spandex blend. Nylon provides durability and abrasion resistance, while spandex (or elastane) provides stretch. Look for features like a DWR finish to shed water and a UPF rating of 30+ for sun protection.

Next, consider the inseam length. This is largely a matter of personal preference and activity.

• Shorter inseams (5-7 inches): Offer maximum range of motion and ventilation. Great for hot weather and high-output activities.
• Longer inseams (9-11 inches): Provide more coverage, protecting your thighs from sun, bugs, and scrapes. Better for bushwhacking or if you just prefer a more modest fit.

Finally, evaluate the pocket design. Are you a minimalist, or do you like to keep things handy? Zippered thigh pockets are excellent for securing a phone or map, as items there won’t fall out when you sit. Deep, open hand pockets are great for casual use. Just be mindful that bulky cargo pockets can interfere with a backpack’s hip belt, causing uncomfortable rubbing over a long day.

Ultimately, the "best" shorts are the ones that feel comfortable on you and fit the adventures you have planned. Don’t let the quest for perfect gear stop you from getting out the door. Grab a pair that works, pack your bag, and go make some memories.