Much of summer is likely too hot for your twenty-pocket cargo pants but you'll still need a place to store your expedition essentials. By expedition essentials, we mean your iPhone and wallet.
In place of camping store pants come advanced summer shorts. These are the shorts that do their primary job of keeping you cool but bring the extra tech, whether moisture-wicking fabrics, plentiful pockets, or climbing-ready features while doing so.
The brands you'd expect to see here are all present — The North Face, Arc'teryx, and Patagonia. However, the more unexpected likes of Jaaquemus and sacai have gotten involved in the extra-functional shorts action, too.
Scroll for advanced summer shorts.
Flagstuff Climbing Shorts
Climbing-inspired gear is popping up everywhere, leading us to predict that it's the next big niche sport to blow up in terms of style reference. This pair from Flagstuff was made in Japan from lightweight nylon and is fitted with yellow mesh cargo pockets that allow air to the phone you just dropped in the river.
The North Face Nylon Shorts
The North Face's Steep Tech line is inspired by the tech and functionality of skiing gear, something that might seem amiss when talking summer. But the ski-slope features, such as lightweight cotton jersey and D-ring keyholder, make perfect sense on shorts.
sacai Oxford Cargo Shorts
We recently wrote about olive green being everywhere again. sacai's shorts, in the military-rooted shade, bear six pockets and a removable belt.
Nike ACG Cargo Shorts
An advanced shorts list isn’t complete until Nike ACG is represented. The Swoosh’ outdoor-centric subdivision has been the source for heaps of rugged, tactical, and functional gear over the years. These cargo shorts are no different, offering the wearer more than enough space to stow away all of their snacks and whatever else you take on your outdoor adventures.
Jacquemus Laurier Shorts
Not all next-level shorts put on a hard face. Jacqemus' cute shorts are an example, and come with plenty of pocket space for all those new-age summer essentials.
1017 ALYX 9SM Tactical Shorts
Matthew Williams is a master of doing serious and sexy. Here, he applies that very combo to a pair of tactical shorts by his label 1017 ALYX 9SM.
Patagonia Quandry Hiking Shorts
Patagonia's 5-inch Baggies shorts have become a big part of the inseam debate which is strangely still raging on TikTok and Twitter. These 10-inch hikers are twice as conservative but just as, if not more, comfortable.
adidas Nylon Shorts
Shopping summer shorts for men can lead many to play it safe on things like color. If you're sick of doing so, a baby blue pair from adidas is perfect.
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