Hands-On Bearbottom Clothing Review (Shorts and T-Shirts)

Need some new shorts? Thinking about trying Bearbottom? Read this detailed, hands-on, unbiased review before you buy.

Discovering new and upcoming brands like is very exciting to me. There are truly some hidden gems out there, many of which are smaller businesses that focus on quality at more affordable price points.

Related: Looking for shorts? Here are the best chino shorts you can buy right now.

I do my best to be stylish yet remain frugal; it’s a game of balance that is greatly satisfying when I come out on top.

So when the Florida summer rolled around I naturally began my online shopping for shorts. On the hunt for a new company, I searched for alternatives to the ever popular Chubbies, and my curiosity was piqued when Bearbottom Clothing appeared in my results.

Bearbottom Clothing is a casual wear brand that specializes in shorts, including Chino shorts, workout shorts, lounge shorts, and swim trunks.

They design their products to be built for everyday adventure and with an emphasis on durability, style, and affordability.

Additionally, they hold their business to the highest level of ethically sound practices, and for every pair of shorts they sell, another pair is donated to a child in need.

Sound too good to be true? Let’s find out!

I have gotten my hands on five items from Bearbottom Clothing. In this review I will be going over the following:

• The Stretch Shorts (97% cotton / 3% Spandex – $35)
• The Rec Shorts (90% polyester / 10% Spandex – $45)
• The Easy Shorts (discontinued) (60% cotton / 40% polyester – $35)
• The Stretch Swim Trunks (92% polyester / 8% Spandex – $45)
• The Tech Tee (96% polyester / 4% Spandex – $24)

All of the items are a size Small, and all the shorts have a 7″ inseam. For reference, I am 5’6″ and ~160 lbs.

The clothes appeared on my doorstep in a nice box, and each item inside was individually packaged. The fabrics felt of high quality, and my first impression was that these items would last more than just a few seasons.

Bearbottom Shorts Length

Being a man of modest stature, the 7″ inseams fall right above the knee, which is arguably the best overall length for any gentleman under 5’9″, as anything longer will throw off one’s proportions and make his legs look shorter than they already are.

For those who want to show off a little more of their quads (especially if you lift weights), Bearbottom offers their shorts and trunks in a 5″ inseam, too! Let those babies bask in the sun!

Shorts Width

The shorts run slim in the seat and thigh, unlike most shorts that I have tried in the past. If you are a fan of a more fitted look, these shorts will be perfect for you!

With the added stretch, the more slim silhouette will not hinder your movement or feel tight in any way.

The Functionality

The Stretch Shorts are easily the most versatile pair in the collection. I got mine in the neutral color Mud Slide, and they are offered in many more with similarly original names.

The shorts are made of soft twill cotton and can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on the occasion. These are Bearbottom’s bread and butter.

You can wear them any place where the dress code is casual, from the movies to the mall, and they are extremely soft and comfortable.

The Rec Shorts are a part of Bearbottom Clothing’s active line. I have gotten more than ten workouts with these so far, and they hold up admirably.

They feature a no-bunch waistband, so my lower-body movements like the squat and deadlift never feel restricted when wearing these, and the moisture-wicking polyester keeps my sweat at bay, unless I am really going at it. If you are prone to sweating more than usual, I would opt for a pair in a darker color.

I personally chose Green Camo, and the combination of the color and pattern conceals moisture very well! A side zip pocket for a ‘phone is built in, and it proves to be effective at preventing any accidental ‘phone drops during exercises like the bench press.

The Easy Shorts are without a doubt designed for lounging. They are made from a cozy, knitted French Terry cotton that is so warm and comfy that I put them on every night before going to bed.

The drawstring keeps these fairly casual, but despite being created with leisure in mind, the shorts are exceptionally practical for running errands, going to the grocery store, or spending a day in the park.

Although a step down from the Stretch Shorts in terms of formality, I never felt out of place when wearing them to hang out with friends.

The Stretch Swim Trunks are like the others: fitted and stylish, and the jellyfish print on mine adds a lot of nautical pizzazz! Though what really separates these trunks from others I’ve worn is the liner.

It’s not your typical mesh brief-style liner; it has stretch, too! You’d think that would be a minor improvement, but it makes a big difference when you realize your swim-trunk-induced wedgies are cut to a bare minimum.

These trunks also repel water considerably well! They dried super quickly after taking a dive in the pool!

The Bearbottom Tech Tee

In addition to their vast collection of shorts, Bearbottom Clothing offers their fair share of men’s t-shirts, and I had the pleasure of testing out their performance Tech Tee.

If you asked me to describe this shirt in one word, that word would be ‘soft.’ Two words? ‘Buttery soft.’

You get the picture. This shirt is ridiculously soft! It is also very well-fitted and flattering on the body (my girlfriend gave me compliments as soon as I put it on).

I have worn this shirt to the gym on five separate occasions, and it performs as one would expect; it doesn’t get heavy with sweat, and the stretch allows for optimal range of motion.

These properties don’t make the shirt special when compared to other performance tees, but the silky feel coupled with the fact that it is tagless is definitely a bonus.

One more detail that I really enjoy is the stitching at the hem and sleeves. The stitching is tight, and this significantly ups the seam strength, which in turn increases the longevity of the garment itself.

It’s the perfect shirt for training!

What Would I Change?

As incredible as the Bearbottom Clothing products are, there are some minor tweaks that I would like to see in the future.

The Rec Shorts were one of my favorite pairs in the bunch; however, I wish that the elastic waistband had a bit more give to it because at times I find difficulty in putting them on. The elastic waistband on the Stretch Shorts is spot-on, though!

I am also a big fan of 5” inseams, so it would be very cool to see the Easy Shorts offered in that length!

Finally, let’s see even more colors and patterns! Variety is the spice of life!

Final Thoughts and Recommendation

Bearbottom Clothing is an excellent company that places its customers, products, and doing good for the community above all else. Their apparel is of top-notch quality and is less expensive than some of the more mainstream competitors out there.

Their shorts are some of the best pairs that I have ever worn casually, actively, and leisurely, and their shirts are of the same caliber. If you like more fitted clothing, shorter inseams, and supporting small businesses, then this company is right for you.

So all in all, do I recommend this brand? You bet your bare bottom I do!