Patagonia Baggies Shorts Review

Overview

The Baggies are the short-short that outgrew its niche. Patagonia’s 5-inch pull-on is built from recycled nylon faille with a mesh brief liner, and it has become a default pick for hikers who also swim, wade and wander into town without changing clothes. At 180 g it is not a grams-shaving piece, and its versatility is the real draw: one pair can cover trail, river crossing, camp and resupply stop.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	180 g
Inseam	5 in
Shell fabric	4-ply, 4.9-oz NetPlus® 100% postconsumer recycled nylon faille
Liner	100% recycled polyester mesh
Water repellency	PFAS-free DWR finish
Waistband	Elastic with drawcord
Pockets	Two side pockets with mesh drainage panels, one buttoned back pocket
Certification	Fair Trade Certified™
Style no.	57022

Performance

Durability. This is where the Baggies earn their reputation. One long-distance walker has logged more than 5,000 miles across three pairs, in conditions from the Scottish Highlands to the Bolivian Altiplano to summer in the Australian Alps, and reports all three still going strong. The faille weave resists abrasion from brush and rock, and owners who have used them for years on backpacking trips, festivals and swims describe the fabric as close to indestructible.

Drying and water use. The nylon sheds water and dries fast, and the pocket bottoms are mesh so they drain rather than hold a pint of creek. Owners say the shorts work as swimwear and trail shorts in the same day, and one traveler on a Croatian backpacking trip simply rinsed them in a sink and kept walking. The caveats are specific. Chlorine is hard on the dyes, with REI buyers reporting bright colors fading to near-white after repeated pool sessions. And one reviewer found the shorts excellent in rivers and lakes but quick to fill with sand at the beach.

Liner and comfort. The mesh brief is the most polarizing feature. Fans say it breathes, doesn’t chafe, and lets them skip underwear, which saves a few more grams in the pack. Detractors say it clings when wet, rides into awkward places without underwear, and wish Patagonia sold the 5-inch with no liner at all. Some hikers report chafing over longer days. Testers at CleverHiker, assessing the women’s version over Pacific Crest Trail miles, found the fabric a bit stiff when stepping high and the ribbed waistband uncomfortable once sweat piled up. Outdoor Gear Lab’s testers of the women’s version similarly flagged the waistband and the loose, shapeless cut, though they noted a softer waistband in the newest revision.

Pockets and fit. The side pockets run all the way to the hem. That keeps a phone or snacks secure for hands-free walking, but shorter wearers report keys and phones swinging against the knee, and several buyers call the pockets too long. None of the pockets zip, so a phone can escape during a scramble or a dunk. The elastic-and-drawcord waist is easy to adjust, but some men report the shorts slip down and say sizing down helps, especially for swimming. The leg openings are wide and the cut is not tapered, which suits big thighs and hot days and doesn’t suit anyone chasing a trim silhouette.

Style. The 5-inch length sits well above the knee without being a running short, and reviewers say the Baggies look fine with trail runners, sandals or sneakers. That is a real advantage for thru-hikers who want one pair that doesn’t mark them as hikers in a grocery store.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very durable recycled nylon, with long-term owners reporting thousands of miles
• Dries quickly and drains well, so it doubles as swimwear
• Mesh liner removes the need for underwear for those who like that
• Wide, adjustable waist and unrestricted leg movement
• PFAS-free DWR, recycled fabric and Fair Trade Certified™ sewing
• Passes for casual clothing in town

Cons

• At 180 g, heavier than purpose-built running or ultralight hiking shorts
• Liner can cling, bunch or chafe, and cannot be removed
• Deep pockets sit low on the leg and have no zipper
• Waistband and slightly stiff fabric bother some hikers on long, sweaty days
• Colors fade in chlorinated pools
• Sand collects readily

Who Should Buy This

The Baggies suit section hikers, weekend backpackers and thru-hikers on warm routes who want one durable short for walking, wading and swimming, and who like a casual look. They also work for travelers building a minimal wardrobe. Hikers who cover big daily mileage in humid heat, who dislike liners, or who want zippered storage for a phone should look at a dedicated trail short with a zip pocket and no brief. Beach-goers who spend time in sand should consider something with a smoother liner.

Verdict

The Patagonia Baggies 5” is a tough, quick-drying, do-everything short that has earned its following through years of use rather than marketing. It’s not the lightest or the most comfortable short for 25-mile days, but as a one-pair solution for warm-weather trips that include water, it is hard to beat. Buy it for versatility and longevity, not for ultralight bragging rights.