It's now nearly 40 years later and the Baggies are as popular as ever. Fans have praised them for their simplicity and durability, wearing them in a variety of activities, from grueling hikes to surfing to simply hangin’ out. I recently had a chance to test out Patagonia’s newest addition to their women’s shorts line, the Barely Baggies. I’m sure most people in the hiking world have heard of their predecessor, the Baggies, Patagonia’s quintessential hiking shorts line. But Barely Baggies… what could this be? Are they barely there? Are they the misfit baggies that they can’t sell and therefore can’t have the almighty Baggie title? The world may never know! But actually, they will…’cause I’ll tell ya! Patagonia Barely Baggies Specs I had a chance to try the Barely Baggies out for a couple of months on long hikes, sweaty runs, swimming in alpine lakes, and also just in overall lounge mode, and they proved to be quite versatile and comfortable in all the activities. Even going commando-mode was quite enjoyable as long as you don’t mind a little breeze in your undercarriage. The Baggies are airy and vent well. The nylon is treated with a water-resistant finish, however, which might diminish breathability a tad, particularly on sweaty hikes. Still, having a five-inch inseam and wide legs make it super easy to air out. This is one of the metrics this pair scores high. Versatility The main difference between the Patagonia Barely Baggies and the original Baggies is the shorter inseam length of 2.5″ for women’s sizing compared to 5″ for the Baggies. As a person who constantly struggles with feeling like practically every pair of “outdoor” shorts I try on goes down to my knees, making my quads feel quite claustrophobic, I can definitely appreciate a short inseam when I find one.