Skyline Trail Shorts

The Perfect Balance Of Protection, Versatility, & Mobility

$74.97
Membership Pricing: $67.47

The Skyline Trail Shorts are specially crafted for on-trail functionality without sacrificing weight or mobility.

  • 8-inch inseam for better protection & coverage
  • Enhanced ventilation with mesh crotch gusset and hip vents
  • Quick-drying & odor resistant fabrics
Size
Color: Black
Style
What's My Size?

Description

The Skyline Trail Shorts are built for high-output movement in hot conditions, combining ultralight weight, breathability, and unrestricted mobility in a single design. Weighing just a few ounces, they use stretch-woven fabric and mapped mesh panels to maximize airflow and keep you comfortable whether you're hiking, running, or covering long miles on the trail. By focusing on mobility and heat management, these shorts help you stay cooler and move more efficiently in demanding environments.

Designed to replace both traditional hiking shorts and basic running shorts, the Skyline offers performance without unnecessary bulk. The streamlined fit reduces drag and excess fabric, while the lightweight materials dry quickly and move with your body. Whether you're backpacking, trail running, or tackling steep terrain, these are the shorts built to keep up.

Specs
  • Main Fabric: 4 way stretch woven polyester - 96 gsm, DWR treated
  • Secondary Fabric: jersey knit mesh
  • Brief Liner: jersey knit mesh
  • Pockets: 2
  • Inseam Length: 8 inches (men's)
  • Color: black/black, stellar blue/black
  • Variants: no liner, brief liner
  • Gender: Male
  • Warranty: Outdoor Vitals Performance Promise
Key Features

2 hip pockets - internal key/card pocket inside right side hip pocket

Full crotch gusset made with highly breathable jersey knit mesh

Side mesh panels for breathability

Elastic waistband with drawstring

Highly breathable jersey mesh brief lining

Angled leg opening profile - hem is slightly higher above the knee in the front, and is lower at the back of the leg

What Makes The Skyline Shorts Different?

Fit That Moves With You

Built To Keep You Cool On The Move

What Makes The Skyline Shorts Different?

The Skyline Trail Shorts are designed specifically for backcountry performance. Unlike standard athletic shorts, they combine durable woven fabric with breathable mesh panels, optimized fit, and quick-drying materials built for long days outdoors.

They’re designed for hiking, backpacking, and high-output movement — not just casual wear — giving you better performance where it matters.

What Makes The Skyline Shorts Different?

The Skyline Trail Shorts are designed specifically for backcountry performance. Unlike standard athletic shorts, they combine durable woven fabric with breathable mesh panels, optimized fit, and quick-drying materials built for long days outdoors.

They’re designed for hiking, backpacking, and high-output movement — not just casual wear — giving you better performance where it matters.

Fit That Moves With You

The Skyline Trail Shorts feature a streamlined fit to reduce bulk and improve airflow, but the 4-way stretch fabric allows full freedom of movement. Whether you're climbing, scrambling, or covering miles, the shorts move with your body — not against it.

This fit is designed for performance, not restriction, giving you mobility without excess fabric.

Fit That Moves With You

The Skyline Trail Shorts feature a streamlined fit to reduce bulk and improve airflow, but the 4-way stretch fabric allows full freedom of movement. Whether you're climbing, scrambling, or covering miles, the shorts move with your body — not against it.

This fit is designed for performance, not restriction, giving you mobility without excess fabric.

Built To Keep You Cool On The Move

The Skyline Trail Shorts use mapped mesh panels in high-heat areas to maximize airflow where your body needs it most. Combined with lightweight fabric and quick-drying materials, they help regulate temperature during high-output activity.

Instead of relying on a loose fit alone, these shorts are designed to actively manage heat and moisture so you stay comfortable on long, hot days.

Built To Keep You Cool On The Move

The Skyline Trail Shorts use mapped mesh panels in high-heat areas to maximize airflow where your body needs it most. Combined with lightweight fabric and quick-drying materials, they help regulate temperature during high-output activity.

Instead of relying on a loose fit alone, these shorts are designed to actively manage heat and moisture so you stay comfortable on long, hot days.

Key Features

Designed For The Trail

Unlike traditional running shorts or gym shorts, the Skyline Trail Shorts are specifically crafted for backpackers and trail runners. Offering durability without the weight and functionality without sacrificing mobility, they're perfect for covering miles in comfort.

Protective & Mobile

The 8-inch inseam provides protection from the sun and trail hazards, while still allowing for ample mobility above the knee.

Designed For The Trail

Unlike traditional running shorts or gym shorts, the Skyline Trail Shorts are specifically crafted for backpackers and trail runners. Offering durability without the weight and functionality without sacrificing mobility, they're perfect for covering miles in comfort.

Protective & Mobile

The 8-inch inseam provides protection from the sun and trail hazards, while still allowing for ample mobility above the knee.

Quick-Drying and Odor-Resistant

Thanks to their quick-drying ability and moisture-wicking fabrics, these shorts prevent odor buildup, allowing you to stay fresh and comfortable even after long days on the trail. This will also help you avoid chafing.

Enhanced Ventilation

With targeted diamond pattern mesh placement, the Skyline Trail Shorts offer excellent ventilation in the crotch and hips. The carefully honed fit allows for airflow without feeling overly roomy, ensuring comfort even during the most intense activities.

Quick-Drying and Odor-Resistant

Thanks to their quick-drying ability and moisture-wicking fabrics, these shorts prevent odor buildup, allowing you to stay fresh and comfortable even after long days on the trail. This will also help you avoid chafing.

Enhanced Ventilation

With targeted diamond pattern mesh placement, the Skyline Trail Shorts offer excellent ventilation in the crotch and hips. The carefully honed fit allows for airflow without feeling overly roomy, ensuring comfort even during the most intense activities.

Ideal For

  • hot weather
  • high-output movement
  • ultralight backpacking
  • thru hiking
  • trail running
  • backpacking / running crossover
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Design Story

Performance Metrics Relative To OV Products

Outer Layer

Warmth

Breathability

Water Resistance

Wind Resistance

Durability

Stretch

Packability

Skyline Trail Shorts

1/10

9/10

1/10

1/10

5/10

5/10

8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Product, Shipping, & Warranty Info

Full Description

The Skyline Trail Shorts are engineered with a perfect balance of protection, versatility, and mobility. These shorts are designed for extended trips in the backcountry and all your outdoor adventures. 

  • Designed For The Trail: Unlike traditional running shorts or gym shorts, the Skyline Trail Shorts are specifically crafted for backpackers and trail runners. Offering durability without the weight and functionality without sacrificing mobility, they're perfect for covering miles in comfort.

  • Protective & Mobile: The 8-inch inseam provides protection from the sun and trail hazards, while still allowing for ample mobility above the knee.

  • Ultralight and Breathable: Weighing just ounces, these shorts are impressively comfortable and breathable. 

  • Enhanced Ventilation: With targeted diamond pattern mesh placement, the Skyline Trail Shorts offer excellent ventilation in the crotch and hips. The carefully honed fit allows for airflow without feeling overly roomy, ensuring comfort even during the most intense activities.

  • Quick-Drying and Odor-Resistant: Thanks to their quick-drying ability and moisture-wicking fabrics, these shorts prevent odor buildup, allowing you to stay fresh and comfortable even after long days on the trail. This will also help you avoid chafing.

Whether you're hiking, running, swimming, working out, or simply relaxing, these shorts are built to perform during your active lifestyle. Add them to your gear arsenal and conquer your adventures with confidence.

Product Care

Your Skyline Trail Short is a high performance piece of gear. It needs some extra attention to keep it performing at the highest level.

Please read through the care instructions below to ensure that you care for it properly:

Before Washing

Never wash your Skyline Shorts in a washing machine that has an agitator.
If you cannot follow the prior instructions you should hand wash your product

The Wash & Dry Process

  1. Common laundry detergent is fine.
  2. Normal wash cycles are fine.
  3. Choose Cold Wash & Cold Rinse (add extra rinse if possible).
  4. Dry on low heat.


For more information on caring for your gear please visit https://outdoorvitals.com/pages/care-guide-faq

How long does shipping take?

Orders for in-stock items will begin processing 1-2 days after your online purchase is completed. Please note that business days are Monday through Friday, excluding holidays in the United States. Once processed, Priority shipping generally takes 1-3 days to arrive. Note that USPS Priority shipping is a time estimate and not guaranteed. You will receive an email notification once your package leaves our warehouse.

If you place an order that includes a backordered or pre-sale item, we will hold the entire order until the pre-sale item is in stock. If you would like to receive the in-stock items sooner and split your order into two shipments, please place two separate orders or pay an additional shipping fee to have the order divided into two shipments.

Do you ship to addresses outside the US?

Some countries may be excluded from our shipping options due to extremely high shipping costs, unsafe conditions for US carriers, or unreliable delivery services. To check if we can ship to your country, please go to the Checkout page and enter your shipping address.

Customers have the option to prepay duties and taxes for certain countries. If these fees are not prepaid, customers may be responsible for them upon delivery, depending on the import laws and regulations of their respective countries. We recommend checking with your local customs office to see if these apply in your area. APC Economy Shipping

Please note that the situation regarding duties and taxes is constantly changing. We are working to stay updated on the varying shipping costs as they evolve. Also, Live Ultralight Members and Peak tier members do no get free shipping to international addresses.

What is your returns/exchange policy?

Shop with Confidence: OV's Simple Returns Policy

  • Free First Exchange:* Enjoy your first exchange at no extra cost with each order (USA only).
  • 60-Day Return Window:** You have 60 days to return items; this is extended to 90 days for purchases made in November and December.
  • Easy Return Shipping:* We provide return labels or QR codes for your convenience (USA & Canada only). 

For more information, please visit our Warranty/Returns page. 

https://outdoor-vitals.loopreturns.com/#/

*Please note: Clearance items are final sales and are not eligible for returns or exchanges. Items such as soft flasks (included with our Skyline Fastpack) cannot be returned due to sanitary reasons. If you choose to return your fastpack, a $15 charge per bottle or flask will be deducted from your refund, unless the bottles or flasks are returned with their original packaging still intact.

Do you have a product warranty?

Our gear is made with the goal in mind of balancing ultralight weight, performance, comfort and durability. We believe in the “Live Ultralight” mantra so we focus on ultralight weight and performance while maintaining durability thresholds established for each product.

Our warranty covers manufacturing & workmanship defects for the Expected Lifespan of our products. Expected Product Lifespan is determined by OV Gear Specialists using the following criteria:

  • Product design intent & materials specifications
  • Intended use of the product
  • The specific issue encountered with the product
  • The age of the product (based on Manufacture date)
  • Brand Story

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  • Design Philosophy

    We don't just go for the lightest design. Find out what makes OV different & what "Performance-First" actually means.

  • Live Ultralight Membership

    Essentially a free savings account for gear that gives you year round discounts...