Probably the ultra shorts, but if the DWR on the nine trails shorts does its job that's not really an issue because they won't get wet. Brand new you can stand in the shower and the water just rolls off, but after a few washes the coating starts to wear.I think whether you should buys these or the ultra shorts depends more on what you want to use them for. Think of the ultra shorts as a pair of baggies shorts with more pockets. I've got a pair of these and a pair of the long haul runners (which are a little shorter, lighter, and have fewer pockets than the ultra shorts) and I like them both a lot, but I prefer the nine trails shorts...mostly because the nine trails don't make a swishy noise whenever I move.I tried on a pair of ultra shorts and didn't like them because they felt (to me) too long and too awkward. If you're planning on backpacking go with the nine trails, unless you absolutely need the extra pockets of the ultra shorts. If you plan to do a lot of swimming get the long haul runners- I live in mine when I'm constantly in and out of the lake (and they dry faster than both the nine trails and ultra shorts).