Who Wears Short Shorts? The Story of UDT's

The length of men’s shorts has become a surprisingly hotly debated topic in recent years.

The 9 inch inseam, which was pretty standard for a while, gave way to a 7 or even 5 inch length, before backlash arrived with articles championing over-the-knee jean shorts instead.

Even so, everyone’s summer inspiration reel on instagram includes photos of Tom Selleck and Harrison Ford in shorts that barely reach the mid-thigh.

While not everyone feels like they can wear them, it’s undeniable that there is a fascination with short shorts, and some of the shortest designs date back to the 1940s.

During the Second World War, a small but vital requirement was discovered for soldiers to attack from the sea, raiding, reconnoitering, and sabotaging before escaping the way they had come.

The British created the Special Boat Section, the Italians had Decima Flotiglia MAS, and the American Navy had their Underwater Demolition Teams.

The UDT’s were created using recruits from US Navy Construction Battalions and were trained with a focus on shoreline reconnaissance and the demolition of beach obstacles in preparation for amphibious landings.

In the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, the UDT’s were the first on the beach, clearing the way for invasions and often leaving behind cheeky signs welcoming their comrades in the Army or Marines before they slipped back into the sea.

The UDT’s usually wore private-purchase swim shorts or Navy-issue exercise shorts, both of which followed the style of the period with high waists and very short inseams - just about two inches.

The Navy shorts sported a patch back pocket, button fly, and a half-belt with double d-ring closure for adjusting the fit at the waist.

These shorts remained a part of the UDT’s kit through the 1960s, and when they were folded into the newly-created Navy SEALS the shorts came with them.

Even by that time the design was an anachronism, with civilian swim trunks and exercise shorts sporting a lower rise, but the SEAL’s shorts, now commonly named UDT shorts, persist to this day.

Since UDT shorts remain in production for the Navy, they’re easily available from their official manufacturer, TRU-SPEC, at remarkably low prices.

I originally picked up a pair for swimming laps at the pool, and their cotton-poly blend construction made them quick-drying and practical for those purposes. In mid-summer, I found myself wearing them out in the garden or at the beach, and despite their lack of pocket space I became hooked on these ultra-short shorts.

For those looking for a fashionable alternative in colors other than the standard khaki, makers like Mister Freedom, Brycelands, and Papa Nui have created their own versions of UDT’s in camouflage patterns and workwear materials.

These short shorts may not be for everyone, but they have devoted fans and are a distinctive look for hot summer days.