Gear Review: Isis Active Boy Shorts

Flexible and supportive: Isis Active Boy Shorts also double as spontaneous swim gear.

[underwear]

Initially, our Seattle tester was a bit skeptical about these 96-percent nylon, 4-percent spandex hipsters—the fabric feels heavier than average for a synthetic pair, and the 4-inch inseam provides more coverage than she was used to. Now, they’re the first thing she puts on before a hike. “Their snug yet unrestrictive fit won me over—bonus points for cuteness and backcountry swimming potential,” she says. A sticky strip of silicone across the top of your quads keeps the shorts in place, so there’s no annoying riding up or rolling like you get with some boy short models. And they do a remarkable job of wicking away sweat, even under challenging conditions (50s, rainy, humid). Ding: They might be a bit warm for temps above 80°F. $22; 2.3 oz.; S-XL; isisforwomen.com

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