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New York Times
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Times
I Don't Golf. But I Love These Surprisingly Stylish Golf Shorts.
For most of my adult life, I've resisted the urge to wear shorts in the summer months. The thought of traipsing around New York in shorts — my bare skin rubbing against the sweat of a stranger on the subway, the accumulation of city dirt kicked up by the heat of mid-July clinging to my legs — seemed unbearable. And then there are the social implications of wearing shorts — as a man, you're told that bare legs are somehow unacceptable in almost any scenario except when you're working out or playing sports, or that shorts are not for men at all, but for children. That, along with the annual salvo of think pieces about the office-appropriateness of shorts, was enough to make me and many others shy away entirely. 'A don doesn't wear shorts,' you tell yourself as you put on black jeans in the middle of summer. But after I endured several consecutive summers of heat waves with the temperature piercing the 100-degree mark, something inside me broke. Something needed to change. It was, finally, time for shorts. What I wanted seemed impossible to find: a pair of shorts that I would feel as natural in as I did in denim. After an exhaustive search and a lot of disappointment, the only shorts I now reach for all summer are Puli Men's Golf Shorts. I am not a golfer, but these affordable 7-inch shorts allow me to feel the summer breeze on my legs while also looking good in just about any situation. When I've looked for shorts in the past, many of them have, well, fallen short. Cotton-twill chino shorts look good, but they can retain sweat and wear really hot, defeating the purpose of shorts. Linen shorts are great for days of high heat and humidity, but quality linen can be expensive, affordable linen can wear out quickly, and linen wrinkles in ways that can make it look sloppy on day two or three. Patagonia Baggies have been particularly popular as of late, but they swish loudly, have little stretch, and look more like swim trunks than shorts with the thoughtful, deliberate styling of something like jeans. Puli's golf shorts are made from a blend of polyester and elastane and combine the best qualities of each of those other options without any of their pitfalls: The Puli shorts have the appearance of cotton twill, the fast dry time of Baggies, and the airiness of linen shorts. Puli's golf shorts have a cotton-like appearance that makes them suitable for wear in a variety of settings. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter The great thing about golf shorts is that by design they are made to abide by golf-course dress codes while also providing mobility and moisture management. Unlike most other golf shorts, however, which are often made from knitted elastic fabric, Puli's golf shorts look deceptively like woven cotton. That's what drew me to these shorts to begin with; I was looking for lightweight, twill shorts that still retained some features of athletic shorts to get me through the hottest days of August. And Puli's shorts were some of the very few I found in this category that did not have any water-repellent finish (which usually contains PFAS). They're also some of the most affordable golf shorts available. At roughly $25 on Amazon, these shorts are from half to a quarter of the price of comparable shorts from Bonobos and Lululemon, few of which hide their athletic nature nearly as well. In the right light, Puli's shorts have a subtle sheen that can betray their polyester composition, but in most settings they look indistinguishable from cotton. Their fabric creases like cotton, rather than forming fine wrinkles as athletic shorts often do. However, unlike cotton, which provides suboptimal sun protection, Puli's shorts are rated UPF 50+. Puli's blend of polyester and elastane gives the shorts a subtle flex. They are pliant enough that you can sit in them comfortably for long periods of time without feeling like you're wearing spandex. This fabric, in addition to the elastic-lined waistband, makes them suitable for more strenuous physical activity — I've worn them while kayaking and playing tennis. The shorts have a hidden zip pocket that keeps things like keys from falling out if you're moving around. The quick-drying material also makes them decent swim trunks in a pinch (though they lack a liner, so proceed with caution). The discreet zip pocket is large enough to store my iPhone 13. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter This smaller zipped pocket in the back is great for keys or small items. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter The elastic waistband adds a subtle stretch that keeps everything comfortable even over long days. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter The discreet zip pocket is large enough to store my iPhone 13. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter By far my favorite thing about these shorts is the pockets. Rather than going with the typical, fabric-lined pockets, Puli uses only mesh for its pockets. That creates a ton of airflow, keeping these shorts breezy even on the hottest of days. The mesh pockets keep these shorts airy. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter Puli's shorts have a higher, 10.5-inch rise and a relatively short, 7-inch inseam, which together make them look a little more stylish than standard-issue cotton chinos and athletic shorts. All of those features make Puli's shorts an excellent one-short for summer trips. Save for formal occasions, I have been able to use these shorts to put together a week's worth of outfits, and they look crisp even at the tail end of that week. If they ever get dirty, I can wash them in the sink, and they'll be dry by the next morning. Perhaps not all of my discomfort with wearing shorts has vanished, but thanks to these, I am hardly ever reminded of it. These shorts work just as well with loafers as they do with sandals by the pool. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter The poly fabric is breathable but still suitable for wearing on cool nights with layers. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter These shorts go well with outfits that are half a step above athletic. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter These shorts work just as well with loafers as they do with sandals by the pool. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter There are a few things I'd change about these shorts. First, the stitching is a bit wonky in places, and the thread seems to have little flex. That, in combination with the somewhat stretchy fabric, means the fabric can stretch beyond the elastic limits of the threads holding the garment together, causing those threads to pop. That hasn't happened to me yet, but I would not be surprised if it did. Second, although these shorts come in about a dozen colors, they don't come in a true, dark olive or any fun, gaudy colors you might want for a tennis court, like teal. Those two colors, along with the black pair I already own, would probably be the end of all the shorts I need. These shorts are also a little less beefy than some of their counterparts. You won't find silky-smooth and robust YKK zippers or hefty buttons here. That isn't enough to put me off them, but those small things accumulate and detract from the overall feel, and I would happily pay slightly more for something just a touch more substantial. That said, something about their cheapness makes me feel like I can freely wear them without any care for what happens. The shorts have a cheap, small-toothed zipper and a lightweight plastic button, neither of which feels durable. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter Loose stitches that weren't trimmed are visible here and there. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter The shorts have a cheap, small-toothed zipper and a lightweight plastic button, neither of which feels durable. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter I am no longer fussy about wearing shorts when the weather begins to peak. It is an easy decision for me now, one that I can make in full confidence that I will be comfortable and look good and not feel less myself. After next season, my original black pair will likely be due for a replacement — something will rip or tear or fade, and I will hardly be bothered at the thought of parting with another $25 for the only shorts that have ever felt as effortless as jeans. This article was edited by Hannah Rimm and Maxine Builder. The right running gear can help you make the most of your training. After extensive research and testing with passionate runners, here's what we recommend. How a magical, kind of ugly pair of undershorts forever cured my chub-rub woes. Here are all the apparel and accessories you need to get through spring, from rain boots to sneakers and from rain pants to hip denim.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Lounge, run, pool and sun: My go-to Patagonia shorts for summer are over 40% off
As someone who loves to be outside every second of the summer, Patagonia Baggies are my go-to pair of shorts almost every day. They've been around since the early 80s and not much has changed (if it ain't broke, don't fix it), and it's easy to see why they're so popular. They're lightweight, breathable, dry quickly and look good whether I'm out trail running, hiking, swimming or just walking around town. Like most Patagonia clothing, they come with a bit of a hefty price tag, that is, if you're paying full price. Luckily, you don't have to do that, because right now they're 43% off at Dick's Sporting Goods in a rainbow of colors. As someone who frequents secondhand clothing sites rather often, I often see Baggies around this price point — used! Being able to snag a pair brand new for under $40 is rather rare, and considering how long they will last (I have a pair from the early 90s that I still wear on the regular) and how often you'll end up wearing them, we're talking a very low cost per wear ratio for these shorts. These are the most versatile shorts you will ever own. Period. I've worn them with everything from Oxford button-downs to tank tops and they just work. They feature super deep pockets (almost too deep if you ask me) that will swallow up any size phone, as well as an elastic loop for your keys so you don't lose them on the trail (I use it most often when I go paddleboarding). The back pocket snaps shut to make sure your wallet and other valuables don't fall out either. They also do a bang-up job keeping you cool in the summer when the mercury starts soaring. Speaking of summer, when you have these shorts around, don't bother buying a bathing suit. The mesh lining is comfortable and the material dries quickly. I've used them as my swim shorts for over a decade now, with no plan on going back. I've got pairs that date back to the last century, and I can personally vouch for how tough they are. I've crashed on rocky trails while biking and taken tumbles running, fully expecting rips — yet they've come out unscathed. They'll last a lifetime. And if they don't? Patagonia will fix or replace them for free. I'm embarrassed to say how many pairs of these shorts I have in my closet. They're just so dang comfortable and you can wear them everywhere, and the reviewers seem to agree. Versatility is the name of the game with these shorts, according to one five-star reviewer: "Great fit and style for the summer. Love that I can wear them to swim and out in public." I also find the color options to be fantastic. They come in any color you can think of. Don't just take my word for it, this five-time customer also gives Baggies a perfect score: "This is my fifth pair in a variety of colors. You can wear them in the pool, to the gym or casually!" Another thing I love about them? In addition to their durability, they're made from recycled material, a win-win for the environment. While I have quite a few pairs, they're not completely perfect in my opinion. The giant pockets in the front are so deep that it can be rather hard to access things like your phone or keys when sitting down. They also tend to run a bit big. I am normally a medium in most Patagonia shorts, but in these, I reach for a size small. This happy customer (and their husband) agreed: "Bought these for my husband because I have a couple pairs and he was instantly obsessed. I feel like they run slightly big, but they are called 'baggies'." Is the five-inch inseam too short for you? 7-inch Baggies are also on sale in a variety of colors. The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
