Engearment

Kate Agathon

Patagonia 5” Baggies Shorts are my wear-anywhere, anytime casual shorts.

Running to the store? I wear them. Need a cover up before heading to the hot springs? I put them on. Taking the dogs to the dog park, camping, etc. you get the point.

The simplicity and comfort of the Patagonia 5” Baggies Shorts is why I choose them to relax at home or pack a couple of pairs when I go on vacation. I love taking these shorts traveling because they take up virtually no space.

These are your lazy shorts- they are comfortable to wear in the car. You can throw them on quickly if you need to run down to the hotel lobby, or decide to take a dip in the pool.

Fun and carefree, the regular rise Patagonia 5” Baggie Shorts also appeal to my nostalgic side as they are echoes of the ubiquitous loudly colorful Jams shorts of my 1980s youth.

Why I Like Them

For women who want short shorts that aren’t too short, the 5” inseam of these shorts are the perfect length. To me, compared to the Patagonia 2 ½” Barely Baggies Shorts, they are way more comfortable for two reasons: longer inseam so the crotch doesn’t creep up and more coverage.

Just the right width, the drawcord elastic waistband sits comfortably and doesn’t pinch or cause chafing as some elastic waistbands do.

By far my favorite feature are the deep hand pockets. They are there designed to be used, not as an afterthought to hold an ID or key!

Lined with 100 percent recycled polyester mesh for drainage, the pockets are large enough to accommodate my (largish) older Android phone and my hands (I have a tendency to frequently put my hands in my pockets).

Constructed from 100 percent recycled nylon faille with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish to shed light moisture, the Patagonia 5” baggie shorts are a good choice to wear to nearby Lake Dillon.

While they do have a tendency to wrinkle, they dry quickly after washing.

Finally, they come in an array of colors and patterns to keep the fun vibes going.

Eco-Friendly

And because they’re Patagoina, they’re eco-friendly. Key features include recycled material construction and a DWR finish made without perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs/PFAS).

Try Them On

Looks can be deceiving (at least hanging on a clothes hanger).

If you’re unsure of your size or if you’re in between sizes, try both sizes to make sure you get the right fit.

I initially skipped trying on the size small because of the way they looked on the clothes hanger. The size medium looked like my size on the clothes hanger, but after trying both sizes I ended up wearing the small size.

Final Word

The Patagonia 5” Baggie shorts are lightweight and comfortable; designed for the most casual of days. They have the effortless look and function of athletic shorts, but with pockets and Patagonia quality. They’re my lazy shorts!

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Sansa.

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers.

 

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.