Climbing-Inspired Easy Shorts - First Run

So, it's time for another long overdue blog post. I'd like to say I'll be more regular with these, but honestly, we both know how that goes.

A few of you following along on Instagram will have already spotted that I've been working on some sample pairs of climbing-inspired summer shorts. The idea was to create a lightweight, easy-wearing short, something you can actually move in.

The Design

They have an elasticated waistband with a plastic buckle adjuster on the front, keeping things simple and adjustable. The front pockets are pleated, which has been a real win during testing - when you sit down, the pocket expands rather than the shorts tightening up around your legs. It sounds like a small thing, but it makes a big difference in practice. They're not bulky either, it took a few versions to get the balance right, but I'm happy with where they've landed.

The back pockets are flat and classic. I did experiment with pleated backs too, but they looked a bit strange and added unnecessary bulk, so I went back to a more traditional approach.

The Fabric

The fabric is sourced from Collect Mills in Japan — a 10 oz cotton canvas with a really nice, soft texture. Lightweight but substantial. I've doubled up on a few key areas for durability.

I actually wore these in Cyprus last week in proper hot weather, and they held up well. For a British summer, they're going to be ideal.