Mountain Hardwear Traxion Trail Men's Hiking Short – Stretch Fabric with Gusseted Inseam and Moisture-Wicking Mesh Waistband

The gusseted inseam is a game changer. High steps, scrambling, deep knee bends on sketchy terrain — nothing binds or pulls. Stretch fabric feels great and the mesh waistband keeps things breathable on hot climbs.

I use these for both mountain biking and hiking and they excel at both. No chafing on long rides, and they dry out fast after sweaty ascents. The stretch is generous without feeling loose. Probably the most versatile short in my closet right now.

Movement is unrestricted and the fabric quality is what you'd expect from Mountain Hardwear. My only nitpick is the thigh pockets sit a little low, so my phone shifts when biking. Still wear them multiple times a week.

Second pair already ordered. These are it.

The stretch and gusset are genuinely excellent for scrambling and bike pedals. My complaint is breathability in 90-degree weather — the fabric is a bit heavier than I expected and I ran hot on a humid day hike. Great for spring, fall, and shoulder season though.

Put about 400 miles on these during a section of the PCT this spring. No blowouts, no chafing, and the mesh-lined waistband wicked sweat like a champ. Fabric shows some pilling near the seat after weeks of pack straps, but nothing structural. For the sale price I'm not complaining one bit.

I'm 58 and have had knee replacements, so shorts that let me move freely matter a lot. The gusseted crotch and four-way stretch mean I can step over logs and crouch to examine trail plants without any pulling. My daughter recommended these and she was spot on. They wash beautifully too. Wish I'd found them years ago.

Wore these on a 14-mile day hike with 3,000 feet of gain and forgot I had them on. That's the highest praise I can give any short. The waistband doesn't dig, the stretch is real, and they look sharp enough to wear around town afterward.

Fit is decent and stretch is nice, but the inseam seam rubbed my inner thigh raw by mile 8. Tried them twice with different underwear, same result. Might work better for different body types, but I can't recommend from my experience.