MODERN DAYFARER SHORTS: REVIEW
FOREWORD
Modern Dayfarer is a relatively new brand in the carry scene. Mostly known for the 2 quite successful Kickstarter campaigns, launched in January and October of 2018 for the Dayfarer Backpack and Dayfarer sling respectively.
Combined, these campaigns attracted nearly 900 backers and the products themselves quickly made the headlines, appeared in Carryology and were even shortlisted as one of the best products in the Annual Carryology Carry awards. These are no small feats, especially for a new player on the market.
David Simon Hundertmark is the person behind the brand, a one man army based in Cologne, Germany, who makes these new and exciting products come to life.
I was very excited to see Modern Dayfarer expand their product line with apparel items and doubly so when David kindly provided me the Shorts and the Cap for a review.
Today, I’d like to talk about the Shorts and what makes them special.
WHO IT SUITS
Anyone who is seeking a quality garment to use for years to come
Minimalists who wish to reduce the clutter and streamline their wardrobe
Those who value comfort, mobility and durability of their garments
Are you rocking thunder thighs? This is not a problem for Modern Dayfarer Shorts
WHO IT DOESN’T
Those on a budget might need some convincing, but if you want to have 1 excellent pair of shorts instead of 5 mediocre ones, I’d say this is a perfect example of “less is more”
ABOUT THE SHORTS
* PRICE: 99 EUR
* COLOR OPTIONS: NAVY
* COMPOSITION: 76% PA, 18% PA (Micro), 6%EL
The tactile experience of using these shorts is superb. The fabric is soft yet not too thin, the color is beautiful and fits different outfits well.
What I have is a 3rd edition of the Dayfarer Shorts in Navy, size 33. For reference I am 176cm, 90 kg and 33 years old. :)
The goal with these shorts was simple: take the classic, timeless design of the shorts and make it from the best possible materials.
The cut is quite modern with the shorts sitting on the waist and the length being a few inches above the knee.
The main star of the show is the fabric the shorts are made of. David has used one of the leading textile companies, Schoeller, which has been manufacturing specialized fabrics and materials for more than 150 years at its mill in Switzerland.
Schoeller has been one of the main textile innovators on the market, driving the technology forward and helping create garments that offer outstanding performance whilst feeling warmer, drier and lighter. This is my first experience with this fabric and I have been very impressed with the tactile experience and durability the shorts have offered.
Yes, you can totally rock the Dayfarer Shorts with button down shirt.
COMFORT
The shorts are extremely comfortable and do not restrict movement thanks to their 4-way stretch. I was a bit concerned that my thunder thighs might make wearing these shorts less pleasant and would limit mobility but I am happy to report that this was not the case.
I was even able to do some yoga asanas without any issues!
Forget about any movement restrictions. These shorts are awesome
DESIGN & FEATURES
While the shorts look simple and quite minimal they are jam-packed with cool innovations and quality of life features.
As already mentioned, the 4-way stretch makes them ideal for any active lifestyle and simply enhances the day-to-day comfort of wearing them.
Simple, modern cut makes these shorts timeless and versatile for any occasion
I also felt that the shorts molded to my shape with use, making each consecutive wear more comfortable and pleasant than the previous ones. To further elevate the comfort a gusseted crotch was used to keep your precious body parts safe and secure.
The Ecorepel® finish helps against water and dirt. In no way are these shorts waterproof, but the coating helps prevent liquids from seeping in. As a father of a 1-year old, I very much appreciated this feature, because flying bits of food and spilled liquids are common occurrences any young parent can relate to.
The shorts feature a premium, high quality button from the renowned Italian brand RIRI. This was my first experience with their buttons and I loved it for its durability, looks and ease of use.
All zippers are YKK, which has become a default option for any high-quality gear or apparel brand.
The shorts feature a zippered hidden pocket which was handy to secure possessions such as credit card or coins. I did notice that I needed to be mindful to not slide my phone into this pocket as the zipper can scratch the screen if placed without care. This is probably the only consideration I had when using the shorts and the overall experience was just superb.
Awesome hidden pocket. Just be mindful not to scratch the screen of your phone if placing against the zipper.
During my use I did not feel the need to iron the shorts. They looked good immediately after I put them on, a big plus in day-to-day use.
Navy is the only color offered at the moment (not clear if more color options will follow) and I noticed some sort of patina developing on the fabric after a while. A quick splash of water however, made them look as new.
Not ironed once and never felt the need to. It’s easy to appreciate these low-maintenance features
WHAT’S HOT
Schoeller fabric is outstanding in look, feel and performance, whilst also offering a pleasant tactile experience complemented with water resistance. All of this comes in a light form factor.
4-way stretch and a gusseted crotch result in supreme comfort while wearing these shorts day in and day out.
The modern fit and absent flashy branding make these shorts extremely universal. They can be worn to the gym, during travels, to the beach or during a casual meeting. The versatility is excellent.
WHAT’S NOT
Be mindful when placing objects in the pocket with the zipper as it might scratch them, for example the screen of your phone.
The price is premium and not easy to swallow considering the simplicity of the garment.
VERDICT
After using the Dayfarer Shorts for about 8 weeks I have to say I am smitten. These shorts simply destroyed all other shorts in my possession, making them obsolete and redundant. The premium price tag was well worth it, considering the fact that I can now forget about looking for other shorts and tick this box of my wardrobe as ‘completed’. Barring any drastic changes of my body of course.
The only part that saddens me is that with winter upon us, these outstanding shorts will be resting in my closet most of the time instead of being used daily. I honestly can’t wait for warmer days or a vacation in a tropical country (one can dream during these trying times) to have an excuse to wear these shorts and show them off day in, day out.
I will be keeping a close watch on future apparel releases from Modern Dayfarer and can highly recommend these shorts to anyone who seeks a versatile, comfortable and good-looking garment to take their wardrobe to the next level.
Disclaimer
Dayfarer Shorts were provided by Modern Dayfarer as a sample for review purposes, the content of this review was not shared with Modern Dayfarer before publishing.
My goal is to share an honest, unbiased review that is not tailored to keep the brand happy.