St. John's Bay Comfort Stretch Shorts for Men
Our Comfort Stretch Shorts are built for the guy who refuses to choose between style and ease. We engineered a cotton-blend twill with just enough stretch to move when you do — whether you're grilling in the backyard, running weekend errands, or enjoying a round of golf. The classic flat-front silhouette keeps things clean, while the flex waistband eliminates that pinch you get from rigid shorts after sitting for an hour.
We blend 98% cotton with 2% spandex to deliver structure and stretch in equal measure. The cotton base breathes naturally and holds color through repeated washes, while the spandex core ensures the shorts snap back to shape after a long day of wear. Our enzyme wash treatment breaks down excess dye and softens fibers before the shorts leave our facility, so you skip the cardboard-stiff phase that plagues most new twill.
Sizing and fit guidance
These shorts follow our relaxed fit pattern, which sits comfortably at the natural waist without riding low or cinching tight. The rise measures 11 inches from crotch seam to waistband, offering coverage without the baggy look of cargo styles. If you typically wear a 34-inch waist in jeans, order a 34 here — we cut true to size with a half-inch ease allowance already built in.
The 9-inch inseam works for men between 5’8″ and 6’2″; shorter builds may find it skims the kneecap, while taller frames will see it land an inch above. We do not offer unhemmed or extended inseams in this style. The leg opening measures 22 inches in circumference on a size 34, tapering slightly from hip to hem without creating a slim or athletic taper.
Care and maintenance
Machine wash cold with like colors — the enzyme finish is permanent, so the shorts won’t stiffen after laundering. We recommend turning them inside out to protect the outer twill surface from abrasion in the drum. Skip the fabric softener; the cotton blend already carries a soft hand, and softener can coat fibers in a way that reduces breathability.
Tumble dry on low heat or hang to air-dry. High heat can degrade the spandex over time and cause the waistband to pucker. If you choose to iron, use a medium setting and press on the reverse side to avoid shine. Expect minimal shrinkage — about one percent lengthwise after the first wash, then stable dimensions thereafter.
What makes these shorts stand out
Complete your casual summer rotation
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Common questions about St. John's Bay Comfort Stretch Shorts
You’ll see about one percent shrinkage lengthwise after the first wash, then the dimensions stay stable. We pre-wash the fabric during production to minimize surprise shrinkage. Wash cold and tumble dry on low to preserve the fit. High heat can cause the waistband to pucker over time, so stick with gentle drying.
Both use the same cotton-spandex stretch twill and share the same waistband construction. The cargo shorts add two side utility pockets with flap closures, which increases the leg width slightly and adds about an ounce of weight. If you don’t need the extra pockets, the flat-front Comfort Stretch style offers a cleaner silhouette.
They work in relaxed business-casual environments where chinos are acceptable — pair them with a polo or short-sleeve button-down. They’re not formal enough for offices that require dress pants, but they’re a step above athletic shorts or cargo styles in terms of polish.
The Comfort Stretch Shorts come in one inseam: 9 inches. This length hits just above the knee for most men between 5’8″ and 6’2″. If you prefer a longer cut, check out our Bermuda Shorts with an 11-inch inseam. We don’t offer custom hemming on this style.
The stretch fabric and secure back pockets make them fine for light trails and casual outdoor activity. They’re not technical hiking shorts — no moisture-wicking liner, no UPF coating — but the cotton twill breathes well and the flat seams won’t chafe. For serious backcountry use, consider a synthetic performance short.
We carry waist sizes 32 through 48 in even increments. The rise and inseam are consistent across all sizes. We don’t offer a dedicated tall or big-and-tall fit in this style, but the relaxed cut through the seat and thigh accommodates most builds comfortably.
We stock four core colors: khaki, navy, charcoal, and stone. All shades are garment-dyed and enzyme-washed to lock in color. You’ll see very minimal fading after repeated washes — the navy may lighten slightly at stress points, but the overall tone stays true. Wash inside out to extend color life.