Chubbies Everywear Review

What sets the Chubbies Everywear shorts apart are their shorter inseam and extreme stretch. Die-hard hikers looking for simple clothing that stays cool and moves with ease will love these shorts.

Comfort & Mobility

Thanks to their airy, four-way stretch fabric, the Everywear shorts earned nearly perfect scores for comfort and mobility. All of our crew were on cloud nine with the feel and function of the Everywear's fabric blend of silky polyester (89 percent) and spandex (11 percent).

Walking, hiking, bending, or squatting was super easy in our Chubbies. During our testing process, we made all of these movements, both at home and on the trail. Honestly, we could barely feel the shorts on our torso and legs. Their thin fabric made them superbly well-ventilated and lightweight. They're also accommodating to a wide range of body types and leg sizes. Our Chubbies had a 6-inch inseam, but despite being short shorts, they never bunched, grabbed, or stuck to our thighs. We have no doubt that the 4-inch or 8-inch shorts would perform just as well.

High stepping bleachers to test their stretch. We loved how they moved with our body.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The four-way stretch fabric even performed well when we push it to the max.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Tons of stretch at the hem line, making them a bind-free option for most thighs.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Cooling off from the heat of the day. Squatting in these shorts was a breeze.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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During a month of testing, we hiked weekly in our Chubbies and loved every step we took. Although their overall design is simple and minimal, the Chubbies offer a decent amount of pocket space. Two deep front pockets, a zippered leg pocket, and two back pockets (one zippered, one buttoned). Our testers agreed that both legs should feature a zippered pocket, but on the whole, that was our only complaint.

Fabric Performance

One thing is for sure: the Chubbies Everywear shorts wick away moisture as well as any shorts we've tested over several years. The fabric also dries quickly after being saturated.

Our Chubbies didn't repel moisture very well. Generally, their fabric absorbs water rather quickly. We saw this both in our at-home sink tests and while hiking in the rain. If you're looking for shorts that shield you from water, these probably aren't your best option, but some of our testers felt their fast-dry capability almost makes their so-so water-resistance somewhat of a moot point.

A random water test while wearing our Chubbies for the first time. This was the first time we realized that they tend to absorb water.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Our Chubbies after just two minutes of hiking in light rain.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Dunking the bottom half of our shorts in a sink of water to see how they hold up against saturation.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The became very saturated in about 40 seconds.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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All of our test hikes were conducted during Utah's hottest summer months. In total, our lead tester hiked a combined 10 hours in his Chubbies and never reported discomfort, moisture retention, or chafing. Everyone's body is different, but based on our experience, these shorts wicked exceptionally well and kept us cool and dry, even on days when the mercury topped 100 degrees.

Hiking in the heat of the day to see how they handled sweat. We feel they passed the test like a champ.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Showing the texture and thinness of the Chubbies's fabric. This, and their synthetic fabrics, are key components to their wicking properties.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Versatility & Style

Despite its name, we wouldn't recommend the "Everywear" shorts for every setting. Their minimal design makes them a bit too basic for a luxury golf course or a blind date at a swanky cafe. However, what these shorts lack in style points is certainly counterbalanced by their solid versatility.

We didn't just hike. In fact, we often wore our Chubbies to the gym, yoga class, and while mowing the lawn. They doubled nicely as swimming trunks, and we enjoyed their comfort daily while getting our 10,000 steps in at the park. These shorts have versatility in spades. Their basic style makes them less conducive for more formal settings, but they're definitely tailored for everything else. The features we loved the most were their innie-outie drawstring and their belt loops.

Construction Quality

The trade-off for being thin, airy, and fast-drying is the potential for less durability. We're certainly not throwing shade at the Chubbies Everywear shorts — they're well-made. And honestly, we're perfectly happy forfeiting a little toughness for comfort and function.

These shorts are securely stitched, but they aren't overly reinforced. That said, during our testing we counted roughly 12-14 stitches per inch. While not perfect, this is still an above-average stitch count that is normally noticed in better quality outdoor clothing. The polyester-spandex fabric is thinner, which could cause it to snag on tree stumps or rocks; however, we never experienced this during our hikes (and we sat down several times on both). The only real negative we noted was the single stitching on the hems of the shorts. This allows for more flex, but it also is less secure when compared to double stitching.

Showing the single stitched hems.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Taking advantage of an old log to take a seat, but also to test how well the Chubbies handle direct contact with more abrasive surfaces like prickly dead bark.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Counting the stitching along the front pockets. They averaged 12 stitches per inch. Other areas averaged 14 stitches.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The paperclip test. It's a simple but effective way to see how fabrics hold up against abrasion. If you look to the right of the clip, you'll see a slight trail or scratch. Although not ideal, we did like that the fabric did not tear or snag.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Should You Buy the Chubbies Everywear?

If you like shorter shorts that can flex, breathe, and wick away moisture, the Chubbies Everywear are awesome. We think they'll appeal to avid hikers who like to cut out frills in turn for a product that can provide consistent comfort and freedom over long distances and varied terrain. These shorts are also great for backpacking and thru-hiking. Hikers who prefer more rugged fabrics, lots of pockets, and longer inseams may not like what the Chubbies Everywear shorts have to offer (although you can get them in a longer 8-inch inseam).

What Other Hiking Shorts Should You Consider?