Three pairs of Bearbottom Stretch Denim Short in Dark Wash, Light Wash, and Black, suspended mid-air against a blue sky

They look like heavy denim.
They don't move like it.

4-way stretch you can't see, only feel.

Shop the Stretch Denim Short

4.8 · 573 reviews Orders before 12pm EST M-F ship same-day

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Short en jean extensible

$78

4.8 · 573 reviews

Inseam

5.5"

One length. Built right.

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Order today, wear them this weekend. Orders before 12pm EST M-F ship same-day

Proof in motion

How they move.

How the disguise works

Real denim parts. Behind-the-scenes engineering.

Close-up of the 99% cotton, 1% spandex denim fabric of the Stretch Denim Short in Dark Wash

01 — Fabric

Looks like denim. Acts like spandex.

99% cotton gives you the real denim look, weight, and texture. 1% spandex is the trick; engineered for 4-way stretch in every direction. You won't see it, but you'll feel it the second you put them on.

Flat lay of Stretch Denim Short in Dark Wash showing the elastic waistband, zipper fly, belt loops, and front pockets

02 — Hardware

Zipper fly. Belt loops. Elastic waist.

Real denim hardware where you can see it: zipper, belt loops, buttoned back pockets. You get the structure you want with the give you didn't know you needed from the elastic waistband.

A man standing on grass wearing dark wash Stretch Denim Short, showing the 5.5 inch inseam length above the knee

03 — Length

5.5" inseam. Good luck finding that anywhere else.

Most men's denim shorts start at 7" and only get longer. We made ours shorter on purpose. 5.5" sits cleanly above the knee and hits the right proportions.

Where we land

Look of heavy denim. Move of stretch.

Comparison of Stretch Denim Short against Heavy Denim Shorts and Polyester "Denim" Shorts.

Heavy Denim Shorts

  • What it looks like

    Real denim.

  • What it feels like

    Stiff. Heavy. Fights you.

  • What happens when you sit

    You feel every seam.

  • Inseam options

    7", 9", 11".

  • What you wear them to

    A concert. Once.

Stretch Denim Short

  • What it looks like

    Real denim.

  • What it feels like

    4-way stretch. Doesn't fight you.

  • What happens when you sit

    Nothing happens. That's the point.

  • Inseam options

    5.5". One length, done right.

  • What you wear them to

    Anything.

Polyester "Denim" Shorts

  • What it looks like

    Painted-on jeggings.

  • What it feels like

    Soft, but too thin.

  • What happens when you sit

    Bunches weirdly.

  • Inseam options

    Usually 7"+.

  • What you wear them to

    The gym. Maybe.

  • Scoreboard of Stretch Denim Short attributes.

  • What it looks like

    Real denim.

  • What it feels like

    4-way stretch. Doesn't fight you.

  • What happens when you sit

    Nothing happens. That's the point.

  • Inseam options

    5.5". One length, done right.

  • What you wear them to

    Anything.

A man in a red Bearbottom t-shirt sprinting across a grass field in dark wash Stretch Denim Short, with a white dog running alongside

Yes, these are denim.

Will they fit?

A relaxed fit that works across body types.

The elastic waistband is key. The same fit will work whether you're slim, athletic, or built bigger.

What guys are saying

4.8★ from 573 reviews on this product.

A man sitting comfortably on a striped Mexican blanket, legs extended, wearing dark wash Stretch Denim Short

Denim isn't usually this comfortable.

Shop the Stretch Denim Short - $50

Orders before 12pm EST M-F ship same-day

One purchase. One meal.

Every Bearbottom item ordered donates a school meal to a child. 1.5 million meals and counting.