Black Diamond Men’s Dirtbag Shorts

I’ve never worn Black Diamond clothes before.  I use a Black Diamond Rope, I have several Black Diamond headlamps, and I’ve collected a literal ton of Black Diamond protection (not literally).  Black Diamond has never let me down in terms of gear, so I thought venturing out into some Black Diamond drip could be the move.

I didn’t own a single pair of shorts that would constitute a style beyond what I would call Adam Sandler chic.  That style is great if you’re just hanging around, or trying to catch a game of pick-up, or going bouldering, but sometimes the mores of society call for something more than minimal effort.  Usually in circumstances such as these, I would transition from Adam Sandler chic to climbing pants of some variety.

Climbing pants are amazing.  They are soft, stretchy, durable, they’re everything one could ever want from a pant.  I look at non-climbers in in their dungarees or knit khakis and just feel bad for them, that is just no way to live.  Going out in climbing pants is a game changer in terms of comfort, but the one problem with climbing pants, is that they’re pants.

At the time of this writing, I think we’ve hit a stretch of 30 consecutive days of 100°F/38°C weather.  Pants are no longer cutting it.

So, with pants out, and my current selection of shorts bordering on criminal, it was time to go shopping.  I landed on the Black Diamond Men’s Dirtbag Shorts.  I went with the CORDUROY Bark Brown option and couldn’t be more pleased!  If you’re thinking that bark brown was a typo and what I meant to type was dark brown, you’re wrong, these shorts are bark brown, which as it turns out are more like light brown.  The name of these shorts wouldn’t have been my first choice, but I’m no fashionista, so bark brown it is.

I’m not sure there is a better pair of shorts out there.  Probably there are better shorts out there, but if there were a shorts hierarchy broken down into levels where the worst shorts were on the lowest level of the hierarchy and the best shorts were on the highest level, then the Black Diamond Dirtbags would be among the greats on the highest level for sure.  (They also have color options other than bark brown)

These shorts have all the stretch a climber could dream of.  Full splits, drop knees, and knee bars would be no problem for the Dirtbags.  They have side and back pockets, with a sleek modern cut.  One would have no issue transitioning from crag day to date night, from route to romance, from moves to movies, from gym to swim (I haven’t swum in these, I just wanted a rhyme, but I think they would be fine to swim in).  The point is…these shorts are comfortable to climb in and stylish enough to fit in.

Now I’m not trying to brag, and I’m not claiming that the Black Diamond Dirtbag shorts will have this effect on everyone, but the first time I wore these shorts I did win a water balloon toss.

Style, comfort, durability, in the end, these shorts have it all.  So much so that even Adam Sandler would be proud to rep the rizz.  Above everything else, there is the real possibility that the Black Diamond Dirtbag shorts could even help you win a balloon toss.

Recommendation: Great For Everything

Specs: Elastic self waistband with drawcord, Drop in front and rear pockets, Harness compatible, Fit: Regular, mid-rise, Inseam: 8”, Leg Opening: 11 ¼”, Twill 343 g, Corduroy 371 g

MSRP: $90

Website: Black Diamond