I’ve had great luck with Free Fly travel apparel for men, and the Reverb Short is one of the staple products they make. These shorts are made from the Reverb fabric, which is a performance material that wicks moisture and odors, so they are fantastic for getting a little sweaty during travel activities.

This is my first impressions review of the Free Fly Men’s Reverb Short after testing them on recent travel days and active adventures.

What makes the Reverb Short special

The Reverb Short is designed as a jack-of-all-trades performance short. It’s part athletic short, swim short, and casual everyday short. The quick-dry, water-resistant construction means they dry super quick, so you can head straight to post-hike beers without an outfit change.

The fabric is a blend of 40% recycled polyester, 34% polyester, 17% cotton, and 9% spandex with PFAS-free DWR treatment. This gives you 4-way stretch for freedom of movement while maintaining that quick-dry performance you want in humid climates.

Fit and comfort

The 7” inseam is pretty average, so it’s not a super short style, but it’s more of an athletic short that can also be a casual/decent short. I actually intend to also wear them as pool shorts or beach shorts. I rarely go in the water, so I don’t need actual board shorts. These will be my go-to.

The fit on the thigh is a little bit tapered, which I like, because I don’t like wide leg holes that make shorts overly baggy and goofy. These do the trick for me in terms of flattery, as I have an athletic build.

The elastic waistband with drawcord gives you custom comfort, and the unlined construction keeps things simple and breathable. There’s a back patch pocket for keys or wallet, which is handy for travel.

Performance features

The Reverb fabric wicks moisture and keeps you comfortable during active travel days. The UPF 40+ offers sun protection when shade is hard to come by, which is crucial for tropical destinations.

Becca actually had the Reverb Shorts in the women’s version last year and was excited when I got them. First off, so that we could match, but second, because she knows they work great for humid- and tropical-weather travel.

The quick-dry performance is impressive. After getting caught in a sudden downpour during a hike, the shorts dried completely within about 20 minutes of walking. No more sitting around in wet shorts waiting for them to dry.

Care and durability

The care instructions are simple: machine wash cold with like colors and tumble dry low. The fabric weight is 150 GSM, which feels substantial enough for durability without being heavy.

After several wears and washes, the fabric maintains its shape and performance. The DWR treatment is holding up well, and the stretch hasn’t degraded.

The Free Fly Men’s Reverb Short has quickly become my go-to for any travel day that might involve activity, whether that’s hiking, exploring a new city, or just dealing with unpredictable weather.

Bottom line

The Free Fly Men’s Reverb Short delivers on its promise as a do-it-all performance short. The fit works well for my athletic build, the fabric performs in humid conditions, and the versatility means I can wear them from morning hikes to evening dinners.

If you’re looking for a travel short that can handle active adventures and casual wear without looking like you’re wearing gym shorts to dinner, the Reverb Short is worth considering.

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