The Med didn't fit my 34" waist. Too snug.

For me, the fact that these run small works wonderfully; I typically can't wear a men's 30, (usually a 27-29 waist) but these fit perfectly, and unlike so many of the "short shorts" that are made for women, these are a great length for those of us who want a longer inseam. The cotton/nylon material is durable, yet light and cool when you are hiking or backpacking. I liked my first pair so much, thanks to Backcountry's great prices, I have at least one pair in every color. Oh yeah, I wear them for swimming too, and the velcro pocket kept my money clip safe even when I forgot and dived off the boat into the lake . . .

I have a 36" waist and the Large size was too small. It is certainly not the 36" to 38" listed on the size chart.

These shorts are sturdy, yet light enough for warm weather. They are very comfortable and work great for hiking, camping, climbing, whatever. Comfortable and easy to move around in, and the built-in belt works great too.

(I have a 34" waist and the Large fits fine.)

I beat the shit out of these, and they keep coming back for more. I wear them hiking, biking, river running, disc golfing, working, to the park, on road trips, on plane trips, to barbecue, and more. In the last year, I wore these shorts on the majority of days that it was in any way reasonable to wear shorts, and they have held up great, and performed flawlessly every time. (Even if your idea of flawless is being able to wipe barbecue sauce off them when grilling). Great pair of shorts, I'm planning to get a few more pairs for the summer. The only pair of shorts I've ever had that was this versatile are my Dickies shorts, which are a bit heavier than these, and not quite as easy to move in. I'm a big fan, I'll wear these until Mountain Hardwear stops making them.

I have been wearing these all summer and really like them. There are a few nice features that make these different. The cotton/nylon material feels and looks like cotton, but is thin and lightweight. The cargo pocket has velcro closure, so my cell phone doesn't fall out. And the integrated belt design is pretty slick.