Passenger Clothing continues to refine its eco-conscious essentials with the 365 Organic Cotton Short — a year-round staple designed to blend casual comfort with practical utility. Whether you’re planning a low-key trail walk, camping weekend, or just need something breathable for warm-weather travel, these shorts deliver on simplicity, softness, and functionality.
Built from a sustainable 98% organic cotton / 2% elastane blend, the 365 shorts offer a peachy-soft hand feel, moderate stretch, and classic fit that suits everything from backpacking stopovers to coastal town strolls. This review dives deep into their material build, fit characteristics, field usability, and long-term durability based on over six weeks of real-world testing across mixed conditions.
Materials and Construction
Passenger has long championed organic materials and the 365 Shorts exemplify this ethos:
- Fabric: 98% GOTS-certified organic cotton, 2% elastane
- Finish: Brushed peach skin texture for enhanced softness
- Weight: Medium — not ultralight, but comfortable for warm climates
- Stitching: Twin-needle seams throughout for reinforcement
- Fastening: Zip fly with metal button closure
- Pocket lining: Lightweight cotton blend with consistent stitching
The fabric is noticeably soft out of the box — there’s no break-in period required. It breathes well in warm conditions and offers just enough elastane stretch to keep movement comfortable on climbs, crouches, and saddle mounts.
From a sustainability standpoint, the use of organic cotton and minimal synthetic additives ticks the box for eco-conscious users. The shorts are PVC-free, and Passenger includes recyclable packaging with biodegradable garment tags and paper wrapping.
Fit and Sizing
Passenger categorises the fit as “regular” — and based on field wear, it suits a wide range of body types:
- Waistband: True to size, with a gentle rise that sits comfortably below the navel
- Inseam: ~7″ on standard sizes — short enough for breathability, long enough for coverage
- Leg taper: Straight cut — neither skinny nor baggy
- Stretch factor: Mild — enough for walking or light scrambling without restriction
Testers found sizing consistent with UK norms. If you’re between sizes, going up offers more drape without feeling oversized. For bikepacking and hiking, the short gives good freedom of movement, especially paired with a breathable brief or cycling liner.
Storage and Pockets
While not designed as cargo shorts, the 365 offers enough pocket space for everyday tasks:
- Two hand pockets: Deep enough for wallet, phone, or multitool
- Two rear pockets: One buttoned flap, one open — suitable for maps or lightweight accessories
- Coin slot: Discreetly stitched into right-hand pocket lining
None of the pockets feature zips — meaning they aren’t ideal for high-risk item storage — but for casual outings, the design is practical and unfussy. Everything sits flat, avoiding bulk under hip belts or pack waist straps.
Sustainability and Ethics
This is one of Passenger’s strong suits, and the 365 Short carries its credentials well:
- Organic cotton: GOTS-certified, significantly reduces water usage and pesticide reliance
- Climate-neutral packaging: Each garment arrives in recyclable materials
- Supported reforestation: One tree planted per order via Passenger’s environmental initiative
In a world of synthetic-heavy outdoor apparel, the 365 stands out for using natural materials without compromising comfort or durability. It’s ideal for users who value sustainability but still want performance-level basics.
Field Performance
Warm Weather Hiking
Light and breathable during 18–25°C hikes. No sweat buildup, no inner chafing. Breathes well under daypacks.
Bikepacking
Works with padded liners or lightweight bibs. No restriction on saddle movement. Quick to dry after stream crossings or summer showers.
Campsite and Travel
Ideal for lounging, cooking, or post-ride café visits. Clean enough in appearance to pass in urban spaces while remaining trail-functional.
Climbing and Scrambling
Shorter inseam allows knee articulation. Not as robust as technical shorts — better suited to light scrambling or low-grade bouldering.
Care and Durability
After 6 machine washes:
- Shape retention: No shrinkage, seams held true
- Colourfastness: Minor fading in high-wear zones, consistent with cottons
- Fabric pilling: None detected
- Dry time: ~2 hours air dry after standard wash, ~35 minutes on low tumble
Passenger recommends washing at 30°C and avoiding fabric softeners. The shorts maintain integrity even after soaking and sun exposure — handy for wild swimming or creekside camp use.
Style and Colour Options
The 365 Shorts come in a range of neutral and earth-tone colourways:
- Dusty Olive
- Washed Navy
- Sand
- Ash
- Slate Grey
- Various seasonal drops (e.g. burnt rust, eucalyptus)
Each colour is subtle and versatile, making them easy to match with camp shirts, technical tees, or urban layers. Branding is tasteful and minimal — a small woven tab on rear pocket, with nothing loud or screen-printed.
Comparisons: 365 Shorts vs Similar Cotton Adventure Shorts
| Brand & Model | Material | Fit Style | Sustainability Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger 365 Short | 98% Organic Cotton | Regular | Excellent | £44–£54 |
| Patagonia Stand Up Shorts | 100% Organic Cotton | Heritage fit | Excellent | £65 |
| Finisterre Drift Shorts | Organic Cotton / Recycled Poly | Slim tapered | Good | £65 |
| Howies Work Shorts | Organic Cotton | Relaxed | Good | £60 |
Passenger’s offering is affordably positioned, especially considering its sustainability credentials and comfort. It may lack technical bells and whistles (DWR coating, reinforced gussets), but for casual and all-day adventure wear, it competes extremely well.
Pros
- Supremely soft from day one — no break-in required
- Ethically made with organic materials and sustainable packaging
- Versatile fit — works from camp to café
- Reasonable pack weight and quick dry capability
- Ideal for travel, bikepacking, walking, and downtime
Cons
- Lacks zipped or secure storage — not ideal for valuables on the move
- Slight fade over time on darker colourways
- Minimal stretch may limit utility on high-output scrambles
- No belt loops — relies on fitted waist
Final Verdict
The Passenger 365 Organic Cotton Short is a refreshingly low-impact, high-comfort option for outdoor users who value simplicity, style, and sustainability. It’s not a technical mountain short — and it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it slots neatly into bike touring, campsite life, gentle trails, and travel wear, offering breathable softness and honest durability.
For eco-conscious riders and ramblers seeking off-bike comfort or weekend-ready wear, the 365 Short is easy to recommend. It won’t replace your stretch cargo or climbing shell — but it’ll become your go-to as soon as the sun’s out and your schedule includes both movement and downtime.
Rating: 9.2/10
Best For: Casual adventures, camp life, bikepacking downtime, warm-weather walking
Avoid If: You need technical climbing features or secure pockets
