Been waiting a while for this release as I have a similar pair from another brand that many people I are probably familiar with. The other brand is solid and I wear just about every day due to its comfort and ability to be active in at the same time. But there are some things about them I don’t like - not organic cotton, the waistband is certainly not completely synthetic free and the drawstrings are cheap looking and feeling w plastic tips. So was really excited for the Maro version to try out and here are my impressions after finally getting a pair. And will draw a lot of comparisons to the other brand. First, on fit, I think the inseam is a half inch longer than the other brand. While I prefer shorter, the difference is essentially meaningless to me given it is so small. What I really like w the Maro brand is that the front rise is a half inch longer. This is big for be as a taller guy, I hate having low rise bottoms which I can’t sit above my hips without the crotch riding up. So very welcomed to have that extra half inch. Second, these are organic, high quality cotton (doesn’t look prone to pilling though I guess time will tell), score one for Maro here as well. Maro is just a tad lighter than the other brand, which I think is great. The other pair isn’t ’heavy’, but on hotter days and when I work out they can get a little sweatier and heavier and lighter is always better when it comes to this style short where I am going to be moving in them. Score a another for Maro. The ‘aro waistband is also slightly shorter and lighter than the other brand making it slightly less obtrusive. Again, the other brand isn’t bad, but Maro being lighter gives it the nod for me. And then the drawstring is no comparison - Maro is far superior. Made of cotton with no plastic tips. Has a more natural look which I prefer. As far as color, I also prefer Maro, the dye just seems higher quality. Stitching on the Maro was for the most part quality (w one exception I will get to later). For the most part very clean, minimal loose threads. The other brand is ‘okay’ in that regard but I have also received some pairs which have been a little sloppy in that department. The one exception I observed, with a bit of a caveat, was with the gussets on the outside leg that the Maro’s have that the other brand does not. I do appreciate the additional mobility and air the gussets provide but there was typically a loose thread or two on each pair I got. While the other brand, not having a gusset, just make it’s a clean straight line in the same area. I know putting a gusset in is a more technically demanding thing to do rather than having a straight hem so I do appreciate the effort to do that. I’m more superficial and basing it on look and so would prefer the clean, straight hem but I totally can see how others may have a different preference. If there is a way to clean up the stitch a bit on the gusset, or if just too hard to do, then make it a straight hem, this would be the perfect short for me. As it stands, it is still my favorite and I highly recommend to anyone else considering this style of short. Well done overall and will be following what this camping does in the future.
