Okay, I've been needing some commuting shorts for a few years now, but absolutely cannot find short shorts that fit the bill. Seems like ALL the cycling shorts have some ungodly inseam, like 12". I don't want board shorts (hate when shorts get caught on your knee as you swing you leg over the bike). I want shorts.

My current ones are actually women's hiking shorts, as they actually stop above my knee. But, they are getting threadbare and lack enough pockets.

I'm not that tall, so really don't like long shorts. I even saw a friend in really nice shorts (Giro) I think and they had a perfect length, he's my height. I asked him the make and about the length, "My wife shortened them!" (she sews panniers professional for a new-ish hot shot company). So how insane is that? He had to have his cycling shorts shortened by a pro.

I'm looking for a fit/inseam along the lines of a classic hiking/cargo short, where they stop where your quad muscle meets the top of your knee. I wear a 32/medium and want like a 6" inseam.

Specs I'm after:
- around 6" inseam
- light/fast drying material
- a few pockets, not necessarily cargo shorts, but not against them
- don't have to have a "chamois liner" can just be shorts.

All I can ever find are really darn long ones. I don't feel like I'm asking too much of this world

I'm 5'9" and I find 10" inseam to be much too short.

Just go to a big department store and check out all the hundreds of shorts they have available? Check the golf section, check the swimming section, etc.

It's also not that expensive to go to your local seamstress and have your shorts custom-shortened. Hell, buy some cheap cargo pants and have them just cut off as much as you want.

Are you talking about cycling shorts or any kind of shorts? For the former, just get a liner and wear it with whatever regular shorts you want.

Oh wait I see you just can't find the right inseam at all. Maybe vintage basketball shorts off ebay!



ps-> I am also old so prefer shorts that are not confused w/ capris but I think the world has just moved on.

I'm looking for some sort of light, fast drying material. Don't have to have a liner. I'd like ~3 pockets as well. I have some cargo shorts from Cabelas that are great, have a 5" inseam...but are heavy and would be a nightmare if it rained on the commute.

My current favorites are Sierra Designs women's hiking shorts, but not enough pockets. Seems like all the men's active/cycling shorts have really long inseams.

Oh, and grew up loving basketball and Larry Bird. Ha, I actually miss short shorts in both basketball and soccer. You used to be able to see how impressive their physiques were, now they're all in capri pants

just plain googling '6" inseam" or '8" inseam' might actually yield just a small enough batch of hits that you can look at them all.

I use these when I run and they are what you describe ... check out the user photos.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/run-dry-...d_8325702.html

also only £4.99 and precent decent quality.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

^Not sure if I stated it, but I'm looking for shorts that will look normal off the bike as well, going around town in and stuff. Those running shorts are a bit too casual. For most commuting, I just prefer to wear regular clothes - collared polo shirt, some regular looking shorts, etc.

I agree with that as I don't have cycling specific clothes but short shorts will look anything but normal even in metrosexual/flamboyant/do-your-own-thing Europe.

If you want to attempt that I'd recommend:

LJUNG (SE)

Tiger of Sweden

Bruuns Bazzar (DK)

Ted Baker (UK)

I've gotten some good stuff at REI, but that isn't cheap. Nashbar does have some pretty good prices though...

Ah ha ha. I try to look respectable, but I don't like to stand out

I guess I meant "short" in regards to the insane lengths of mtn. and free ride and board shorts. I want them to be long enough to just reach the upper part of my knee/bottom of quad muscle. So not exactly short, but just not long.

Nobody wants to see the pale upper thighs of guys with a cyclist tan

Good suggestion, especially since there is one near my office. To be honest, I don't mind paying for quality stuff, especially if it's well made and will hold up.

I still have shorts I got at EMS in the mid 1990s!

I'd say around $50 USD for shorts is my limit, especially since my current favorites were found and free!

what do cops on bikes wear? those seem like good shorts

Are we talking like Lt. Jim Dangle-type shorts?

Pretty sure he hems his own, which has already been suggested

just wear trousers and a hoodie like the rest of us respectable pillars of the community.

But Cycling shorts have been refined to work to not have crotch chafing.. bare skin against the saddle can do that.

Nothing says you cannot put cargo shorts over the bike shorts, if the ride is a .long one..

Short trips and me old and fat, I got polyester fleece warmup .. Track Suit trousers and wear suspenders..



....

Boy I'm with you on this. It seems like the trend is for shorts that have absurdly long inseams, even with mountain biking shorts and I've almost given up trying to find a pair that don't look ridiculous on me. I did luck out and found a pair of Columbia shorts at a local Winners, sort of cargo style but a "normal" length inseam, lightweight synthetic material and comfortable for riding even though they are not specifically designed for that.

I just wear a chamois liner underneath for longer rides and they are good for both riding and wearing around town without looking like I'm wearing capris.

Otherwise I find road cycling wear (i.e. lycra) tends to have inseam lengths that are perfect: it's only the looser mountain biking shorts and other non-cycling specific shorts that have gone for this weird long inseam trend. I think it looks ridiculous and isn't all that practical, but what can you do?

No.

My one pair of cycling shorts (Novara) goes from the bottom of my quads to my belly button. The top rolls itself down as I ride. Granted I'm a schlubby M wearing an L, but jeez, can I get something that fits?

You could try women's volleyball shorts.

If they aren't short enough then the women's beach volleyball uniforms might work for you.

LL Bean has a few that probably fit your needs. I like the shorts from Rivendell, but they're a bit more than your price limit.

These are my favorite shorts. I don't like shorts that go below the knee either. They are quick drying with about a 6" inseam.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I have a pair of the same RR Backcountry shorts. I really like them. Not too long. Durable. Quick drying. Look decent enough with a regular collared shirt.

Comfortable on the bike.

Thumbs up.

Men's fashion has become some kind of bloomer length shorts. I hate 'em myself. I recently picked up a couple pair of Reebok training shorts, bought them a size small since they are baggy and have a forgiving waist band. They're not bad and the styles they have are not terribly "jocky."

Ha, a lot of funny comments here. Thanks for the smile. Also, thanks for all the suggestions. AND glad I'm not alone in wanting shorts that actually fit like...shorts! Something in between volleyball shorts and clam diggers would be nice I'll look into some of these shorts you've recommended.

Which model of Columbia shorts? I've checked out some of them, look pretty good.

Pants and a jacket? Woah. I'm from upstate NY so am used to some pretty serious winters. I now live in central NC. We usually have blazing bright sun and upper 90sF for 3-4 months a year. It's not that fun. I actually can endure the heat, but I think I'm really photosensitive and can't handle bright sun for months on end.

I think I have reverse seasonal affective disorder. Give me low 50s and clouds and I'm a happy guy.