These $95 sweat shorts are my go-to summer uniform
The French terry Onias are some of the coziest bottoms I've ever worn.
Credit:
Onia
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Every year when summer arrives, I bid a final farewell to my favorite pair of joggers and pack them away until it’s time to return back indoors. But why sacrifice that wonderful comfort if I don’t have to? What if I could find a pair of shorts as cozy as my sweats? After hearing rave reviews from friends, I decided to try Onia, a leisurewear brand with some seriously sharp looks suitable for summer.
I purchased the brand's French terry shorts. Made from soft cotton, the shorts come in five muted colors and in unisex sizes from XS to XXL. After putting them to the test on a recent trip to Arizona, I can say these shorts are as versatile as it gets—but are they worth $95?
What I like about Onia shorts
The Onia shorts served me well during my travels.
I got my pair in heather grey in my usual size small men's and found they fit as I'd expect. The elastic waistband has an internal drawstring cord that you can tighten if you find they need cinching. With an inseam of just over 6 inches, they hit a couple of inches above my knee (for reference, I'm 5 feet, 10 inches tall).
The French terry cotton is some of the softest fabric I've ever experienced in a pair of shorts. Unlike regular cotton, French terry has a moisture-absorbing weave on the inside and a smooth appearance outside. It's more flexible than standard terry cloth and makes for a slimmer yet cozy feel. The shorts are also garment-washed during their construction—this is a process that involves adding softeners to the fabric during production. It claims to make the shorts softer and prevents shrinkage or stretching out.
Something I quickly learned in Phoenix is that I sweat a lot in 100-degree weather, even when sitting still. Having opted for the shorts in light grey, things could have easily gone downhill for me and my new shorts. However, I was amazed I didn't find any noticeable sweat stains on the shorts after spending hours outside in the blazing heat. The material wicked away sweat and prevented any chafing even while walking around all day outdoors in the desert.
The shorts are equally wearable inside. The mid-weight fabric isn't too thick or heavy, yet feels cozy against the blasting AC. The terry cotton makes them less crisp and more amorphous compared to a cotton-and-polyester blend, but after laying around on the couch all afternoon, they retained their shape and didn't wrinkle or crease.
The two front slit pockets are small, but they're flexible and can stretch out to hold keys or a smartphone. Thanks to the drawstring, the shorts also didn’t sag off of my waist when I put these things in the pocket, which is a plus in my book. I also like the small Onia logo detail on the bottom right leg, which adds some flare to their otherwise minimalist design.
What I don't like about Onia shorts
As noted, the pockets are small. They're big enough to hold a few things but they're small and snug enough that I couldn't comfortably tuck my hands into them. There's also no back pocket, which I found annoying because I like to put my wallet there. On the bright side, it made sitting on airplane seats more comfortable. That said, it was a turn-off for me.
You also can't just toss the shorts in the washing machine and call it a day. According to the care instructions, it’s recommended that the shorts be hand-washed and left to air dry. I don't really mind this but it does make the shorts more inconvenient to wash.
Are Onia shorts worth buying?
Onia's French terry shorts come in neutral and pastel shades.
I do not regret my purchase. These shorts as appropriate and comfortable for traveling and trekking around a city as they are for lounging around. They're great quality, very soft, and fit like a cozy, sweat-wicking dream. However, while I was willing to pay the $95 for my first pair—and recommend them to anyone—the high price makes me hesitant to stock up on these. In other words, they aren't a basic I'd buy in multiple, but they are something I'd splurge on as a wear-anywhere, higher-end short.