Patagonia Baggies Shorts Review
The Patagonia Baggies are a lightweight pair of shorts that can be used casually, hiking, biking, water sporting, or really anything that doesn’t require any specific legwear.
The Baggies are available in a 5″ and 7″ inseam, but there’s also a 2.5″ version for women and children’s versions as well. With an elastic waist, internal drawstring, built-in mesh liner, two hand pockets, and a single rear pocket (on the wearer’s right side) with a button closure, the Baggies have become a staple of Patagonia’s lineup.
They come with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish and are made from 100% recycled nylon. Here’s everything you need to know before picking yourself up a pair.
Testing Conditions
In addition to shorter hikes and as casual wear, I wore a pair of Patagonia Baggies for the entirety of the Arizona Trail. I’ve worn them hiking, biking, climbing, swimming, sitting around watching television, and more.
The Specs
- Weight: 7.8 oz / 221 g
- Fabric: 100% recycled nylon
- Inner Liner: Yes
- Liner Fabric: Polyester tricot mesh
- Inseam (in): 5 or 7
- Inseam (cm): 12.7 or 17.8
- Waist: Elasticized
- Drawstring: Yes
- Pockets: 2 front/hand, 1 rear
- Rear pocket closure: Button
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Colors: Black, Navy, Grey, Pink, Orange, Green, plus a variety of prints
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
- MSRP: $55
The Features
- Quick-drying recycled nylon fabric with durable water-repellent (DWR) finish
- Front pockets have self-draining mesh corners
- Rear pocket has snap closure
- Drawstring, elasticized waist
- 5 in inseam
Photo Gallery
The Good
The Versatility: If you’re hiking, biking, playing in the water, or not taking yourself too seriously, the Patagonia Baggies are a great activewear choice. They may seem more like a pair of board shorts than anything else (and I think they may have been designed as such), but having a pair of shorts made to be around the water makes for a great piece of clothing while undertaking a variety of activities.
The Pockets: The Baggies have three pockets – two hand pockets (on the sides, you know, regular pockets) and one snap rear pocket. The awesome pockets we’re talking about here are the hand pockets. The pockets are sewn into the snort and reach all the way down to the bottom. Not only are they high-volume, but they don’t swing around when you’re active.
The Options: The Baggies come in an amazing variety of prints and colors. I have two pairs, and I plan on getting more. I can’t wait for that pink to finally be back in stock. I’ve got the yellow ones, which I have finally decided are papayas (not rockmelon as initially suspected), and a pair I’m going to call “ocean-inspired” (the ones in the photo gallery above).
The Okay
The Sizing: Usually, I am torn between a medium and a large when purchasing clothing. However, the Patagonia Baggies, with which I decided to go with a medium, feel strange. Maybe it’s because they’re baggy, or maybe it’s because I am oddly shaped, but I feel like I could almost have gotten a small – a size I haven’t worn, maybe ever. The elastic waist and the drawstring are necessary for these shorts.
The Liner: Like it or not, the Baggies have a mesh liner. It took me a while to come around to a liner, but now I’m a huge fan. I didn’t know, and sometimes don’t know, how I felt about the mesh liner, but since they were initially designed to be used as more beachwear than anything else, I suppose it makes sense. It makes swimming (in the ocean, rivers, or lakes) an easy choice.
The Bad
The Pocket Angle: The Patagonia Baggies pockets’ (a lot of this review is revolving around the pockets) openings are along the seams which means they’re straight up and down. This means that getting your hands, but more importantly, getting things out, can be tricky. I don’t know that I ever really noticed the angles of my pockets before spending an extended period with my first pair of Baggies.
The Back Pocket: The fact the Patagonia Baggies have a back pocket is great, but why just a snap? I really appreciate having a zipper pocket – especially if I’m going to be active or in the water. The snap is secure and gets the job done, but a zipper would be better (but knowing Patagonia, I’m sure there’s a good reason for the snap instead of the zipper).
Popular Alternatives
Shorts | Weight | Price | Materials | Pockets | Liner | Inseam |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brooks Sherpa | N/A | $64 | 89% polyester, 11% spandex | 2 hip / 1 zippered phone | Boxer brief | 5" |
Mammut Aenergy | 2.5 oz / 71 g | $69 | 92% polyester / 8% spandex | 2 hip / 1 zippered rear / 1 phone | Boxer brief | N/A |
Mammut Aenergy TR 2 in 1 | 6.14 oz / 174 g | $99 | 87.5% polyester / 12.5% spandex | 2 hip / 1 zippered rear / 1 phone | Boxer brief | N/A |
Patagonia Baggies | 7.8 oz / 221 g | $55 | 100% recycled nylon | 2 hand / 1 rear | Brief | 5" or 7" (or 3" women's) |
Patagonia Strider Pro | 3.7 oz / 105 g | $69 | 100% recycled polyester | 4 stretch side / 1 zippered rear | Brief | 5" or 7" (or 3" women's) |
The North Face Lightstride | N/A | $65 | 86% recycled polyester, 14% elastane | 2 hand / 1 zippered side | None | 7" or 9" |
Wrap Up
Whether you’re hiking, biking, water sporting, or spending time at the park taking pictures of geese, the Baggies are an excellent choice.
Don’t like the liner? Ignore it or cut it out. I wore a chamois under my Baggies (liner intact) for the entirety of. the Arizona Trail and didn’t find it at all an annoyance. Honestly, these may replace my Patagonia Strider Pro shorts as my official hiking shorts (especially if I can get those pink ones).
Questions, comments, or personal experience with the Patagonia Baggies? Leave a comment below and let me know! Check out the Patagonia Baggies here.
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