Patagonia Retro Grade Short - Men's - 2010 BCS

These shorts are excellent I would say that you get what you pay for. They are durable and very comfy, I bought these because I really don't like nylon, and these are one of the few long short that aren't nylon. I do have to say something about the sizing I am a 34 waist so I got the size large and they fit fine but they are really closer to 33-34 inch waist not a 34-36 inch waist, so they run just a bit small but that wasn't a problem for me.

So, for years I've been on the hunt for the perfect climbing pants. Everything I come across is either too baggy and light, or too tough and restrictive, or if they manage to find a decent balance they're often so ugly I don't even want to wear them outside of my house.

Then I picked these up. I'm in heaven. They have the amazing construction you expect from Patagonia, I'm never worried about busting a button off, or the threading coming apart (coughNorthFacecough), and are simply bomber all-around.

They stretch in this magical way that I'm still always shocked about, from the feel you imagine they wouldn't budge an inch, but I could do the splits in these (if I could do the splits). Perfect for gnarly stemming or desperately flailing about on Vhard problems.

The length is just right too, they come down a little past my knee to protect it from getting too busted up by the granite or whatever else I'm jamming my poor legs into.

Sizing, I got a medium and it was a bit too big (I'm about a 31>?) but one good hot wash and they shrunk down just enough to fit me perfectly.

Buy these. Trust me.

There is so much good about these shorts, it is hard to find a place to start... Lets start with the fabric. It is a near perfect blend of tough, breathable cotton and stretchy spandex. It holds up very well to anything; falling on your ass all day bouldering, crack climbing and chimneys, lounging at the beach, or partying hard on the dance floor. It moves with you, allowing full range of movement, even though it covers down to past your knees. And the knee has a double hit of fabric, ala Carhartts.

The construction of these shorts is phenomenal, everything I have come to expect from Patagonia, which is becoming increasingly my go to company for softgoods. The button, I know this seems like a small detail, but it is very well thought out, using a ribbon to hold it instead of the standard thread, which pretty much everyone has had problems with at one time or another. The stitching is holding up very nicely, all doubled up.

The rest is well thought out, the security pocket holds an iPod, camera, cell phone, wallet, or any combination. And it is located right under where your leg loops ride so you can stash and climb all at once. The other pockets work very well with my harness too, but that might be just how I wear it.

The styling is pretty chill, fits in pretty much everywhere. I never feel like Im the dirty climber when Im kicking around town like some of the knicker style pants make me feel. Definitely something that not just climbers should get, they are my favourite, and so comfortable. I have the Large (34-36) and it fits very true to size. I am 6'1" and 205, and it's below the knee and awesome in the waist.