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Guide
Shorts & 3/4 Trousers
For summer hikes, choose shorts in polyamide with a little elastane: they dry fast and stretch with you on big steps. The length decides how much leg is exposed to sun and scrub.
Key points
- Shorts above, Bermudas at, 3/4 below the knee.
- Polyamide with elastane dries fast and stretches.
- UV Standard 801 also measures fabric wet and stretched.
Which shorts for which activity?
| Use | Choice | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Heat, hut approaches, crag | ChoiceShorts | LimitThighs unprotected from sun, scrub and ticks. |
| Hiking days, travel, town | ChoiceBermudas | LimitWarmer at the knee in great heat. |
| Cool mornings, spring and autumn, travel | Choice3/4 trousers | LimitWarmer than shorts in high summer. |
| Hikes with changing weather and tall grass | ChoiceZip-off trousers | LimitZips on the thighs, more weight. |
Types compared
Shorts (Above the knee)
For hot days, hut approaches and the crag.
- Advantage: Lots of freedom to move
- Drawback: Thighs exposed to the sun
Bermudas (To the knee)
For hiking days with sun and scrub.
- Advantage: Covers the thighs
- Drawback: A little warmer at the knee than shorts
3/4 trousers (Below the knee)
For cool mornings, travel, spring and autumn.
- Advantage: Covers the knee too
- Drawback: Warmer than shorts in the heat
What to check before you buy
| Question | In short | Why |
|---|---|---|
| What length do I need? | In shortAbove, at, below knee | WhyShorts end above the knee and give you lots of freedom. Bermudas reach the knee and cover your thighs against sun and scrub. |
| Which fabric dries fast? | In shortPolyamide with elastane | WhySynthetics such as polyamide and polyester dry fast; elastane makes the fabric stretchy. |
| Do shorts protect against UV? | In shortOnly under the fabric | WhyThe fabric only protects the skin underneath. How well is shown by the UPF: it tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun. Densely woven fabrics protect better. |
| EN 13758 or UV Standard 801? | In short801 measures wet too | WhyUnder EN 13758, UPF is measured on new, dry, unstretched fabric. UV Standard 801 also measures it stretched, wet and after washing, so the way you actually wear it. |
Frequently asked questions
What does UPF 40+ on the label mean?
Under EN 13758-2, a label may say UPF 40+ if the fabric exceeds factor 40 and lets through less than 5% UVA on average. It is measured on new, dry fabric.
Do dark shorts block more UV than light ones?
For the same model, usually yes: in one study, dark colours had a higher UPF than light ones. A densely woven fabric matters more.
What is a gusset?
A gusset is an extra piece of fabric sewn into the crotch. It gives you freedom to move when you step up high or squat.
Can I go on a mountain hike in shorts?
On trails in the sun, yes.
Last updated: October 2026
Hiking
Choose shorts or Bermudas in polyamide with elastane: they dry fast and stretch with you on big steps. For hikes with changing weather, zip-off trousers work.
- Polyamide with elastane
- Quick-drying
- Zip-off as an alternative
Running
Choose running shorts: they are light, often with a built-in brief or as 2-in-1 with short tights underneath. For cool mornings, 3/4 tights work.
- Light
- Inner brief or 2-in-1
- 3/4 tights for cool days
Climbing
Choose climbing trousers or climbing shorts with lots of stretch, often with a gusset. Then nothing pulls when you step up high or bridge wide.
- Lots of stretch
- Gusset in the crotch
- Freedom to move
Cycling
For longer rides, choose cycling shorts with a chamois pad. On the mountain bike, loose bike shorts work; many have padded inner shorts.
- Chamois pad
- Loose bike shorts
- Inner shorts
Brands we carry
- adidas Terrex
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- cmp - collective (of) moving people
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