REASONS TO BUY
Very breathable
Deep pockets
REASONS TO AVOID
Stiff material
Very basic
Patagonia Baggies Longs Shorts Review
A simple pair of shorts with a built-in liner that makes them great for trail runs
Credit: Patagonia
RELATED: Best Hiking Shorts of 2024
Our Verdict
The Patagonia Baggies Longs is a super casual pair of hiking shorts. They look very simple but they are up to the task of a full day of hiking. We love the thin and breathable but supportive interior liner that keeps things cool on a warm day. The super stretchy waistband makes them adaptable to a wide variety of body shapes and sizes. Though there are only three pockets, we really appreciate how deep the two front ones are. Though the exterior fabric is rather stiff and a little chaffy, the tightly woven nylon is water and wind-resistant. Because these shorts dry out quickly, they are a great option not only for hiking but for water sports as well.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Patagonia Baggies Longs Shorts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Hiking Shorts |  Best Bang for Your Buck | |||
| Price | $31.83 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $89 List $89.00 at Backcountry | $74.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $60 List $59.95 at REI | $45 List $21.83 at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Basic shorts with strong wind resistance and a super casual look | These practical shorts kept us comfortable on a variety of adventures | Quick-drying, breathable, and lightweight shorts with a zippered cargo pocket | A lightweight yet durable pair of shorts that won't break the bank | Shorts that are geared for trail-running and hot weather, sporting a design that mimics another pair we like better for the same purposes |
| Rating Categories | Patagonia Baggies L... | Patagonia Quandary... | Outdoor Research Fe... | REI Co-op Sahara Ca... | REI Co-op Active Pu... |
| Comfort and Mobility (35%) | |||||
| Features (25%) | |||||
| Versatility and Style (20%) | |||||
| Venting and Breathability (10%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance and Dry Time (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Patagonia Baggies L... | Patagonia Quandary... | Outdoor Research Fe... | REI Co-op Sahara Ca... | REI Co-op Active Pu... |
| Weight | 7.8 oz | 7.1 oz | 6.7 oz | 5.9 oz | 5.8 oz |
| Material | 100% recycled nylon | 95% nylon 5% spandex | 86% nylon, 14% spandex | 96% recycled nylon, 4% spandex | 86% polyester/14% spandex |
| Water Resistance | DWR finish | DWR coating | DWR coating | DWR finish | Not specified |
| Sizing (Waist, Length options) | W: XS - XXL L: 5", 7" |
W: 28" - 41" L: 8", 10", 12" |
W: 28" - 42: L: 7", 10" |
W: 30" - 44" | Size S - XL |
| Sun Protection | Not specified | UPF 50+ | 50+ | UPF 50+ | UPF 50 |
| Convertible, or option available | No | Pants available | No | Pants, convertible available | Pants, shorts |
| Pockets | 3 | 5 (plus right coin) | 2 hand, 1 zip hip, 2 back | 6 | 2 hand, 1 embedded zip |
| Waist Strap/Fasten | Elastic, drawstring | Button and zip fly | Button and zip fly | Button and zip fly | Elastic, drawstring |
| Other Features | Pockets have dry-and-dry mesh corners, quick-drying black mesh liner | Classic fit, curved waistband, gusseted crotch | Drawstring, lined waist band, harness compatable waist | Relaxed fit, Elastic on back waist, gusseted crotch | Ventilation holes, interior liner |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
These 100% recycled material shorts look fun and perform well. This model comes in a ton of different colors and patterns. These shorts are breathable and the fabric dries quickly.
Performance Comparison
The Patagonia Baggies Longs are a practical pair of shorts for hiking and days on the beach.
Credit: Sarah Van Cleve
Comfort and Mobility
These shorts have a mix of strong comfort features and stiff fabric. They have a built-in polyester briefs-style liner. Though we were initially skeptical, when it came down to hitting the trail, we were pleased with how supportive it ended up being. The waist is fully elastic. These shorts still come in different sizes but the elastic means they can still stay up if your waist shrinks over the course of a multi-week trip and can stretch back up when you return to the front country. The drawstring also enables you to fine-tune the fit.
An elastic waist and drawstring facilitate maximum adjustability.
Credit: Sarah Van Cleve
The legs are also nice and wide so they don't limit mobility on scrambles. On the downside, the main nylon fabric is quite stiff. It doesn't have any meaningful amount of stretch and it can also feel a little abrasive especially if there is a backpack hip belt over the top of it.
Features
The feature set is basic but practical. There are three pockets: two front hand warmers and one right rear. The front ones are the deepest of any model that we have tested. Though they don't have any kind of closure, even a large smartphone sinks deep into them so we were never especially worried about items falling out.
A rear pocket with a snap is useful for carrying small items that you want to make sure stay put.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The right front pocket has an elastic loop for keys. You need another key ring or small carabiner to be able to actually attach the keys to the shorts, which makes it a little less convenient than a clip. The rear pocket has a flap and snap closure that we found to be easy to open and close with one hand.
Versatility and Style
The Baggies are made for land and sea. In fact, they are pretty much a bathing suit. They are good for hiking, running, and water sports, including swimming.
The Baggies are equally at home on trail and on the water.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
As for their style, these shorts are made for chill vibes. They are really simple — effortlessly cool. The look has its merits and disadvantages. We love them for everyday summerwear on trail and off. However, we wouldn't necessarily choose them to go out to a nice sit-down dinner.
Venting and Breathability
This model is a mixed bag when it comes to ventilation and breathability. There are no active ventilation feature built in. Even the pockets are solid nylon — no mesh.
The thin mesh liner is supportive and super breathable.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Having said that, their breathability is excellent. The liner is super thin and airy. During testing, we also noticed that the larger leg holes really facilitated the flow of air up through the shorts to keep things cool.
Weather Resistance and Dry Time
These shorts are highly weather-resistant across the board. The nylon exterior has a DWR coating which beads water well. Even if they do start to wet through, the material dries very quickly. The liner is also super thin which means it also doesn't stay wet for long.
Water beads well on these shorts. They effectively behave like a bathing suit.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The tightly woven exterior is wind resistant. Having said that, the flip side to the breathability described above is that these shorts are short and the leg openings are pretty large so we definitely felt the effects of a stiff breeze on cooler days.
Should You Buy the Patagonia Baggies Longs?
These shorts are for the hiker who likes a casual style and appreciates good airflow. Their elastic waist adjusts to fit just right and the deep pockets are a big plus. If you aren't a fan of the built-in liner, then there are lots of other good options out there, but this model is a great choice for those who like their shorts to have great versatility for land and water alike.
What Other Hiking Shorts Should You Consider?
For another top-notch option with a built-in liner, take a look at the Patagonia Nine Trails. It has a compression-short-style interior and zippered pockets. For a stylish pair of shorts that look good and go well with a button-down, the Prana Brion II would be a phenomenal complement to these ones. If you like the Patagonia brand, the Patagonia Quandary offers an excellent array of features and strong functionality.
This basic pair of shorts is a classic go-to for hiking adventures.
Credit: Sarah Van Cleve
—
Ben Applebaum-Bauch
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