Nylon Shorts Question Answered

A question from a member wants to know where to get nylon shorts--especially older style Umbros. Now that the Golden Age of Nylon Shorts (primarily the 80's and early 90's) has passed, because there were so many more of them made (and are still being made), they are out there in thrift stores and online in used clothing sites and ebay.

I don't even remember the last time I saw a nylon Speedo, brief, or shirt in a thrift store, but there are almost always a pair or 2 of nylon shorts at most thrift stores. ebay is probably the best source if you don't mind joining, opening a paypal account (it really is safe) and dealing with sometimes difficult sellers (ebay is really on the buyers side so don't worry). Don't waste your money buying nylon off of some buff dude because you are going to pay 3 or 4 times more because you are competing with guys who want to see the guy who is wearing it first. Nothing wrong with that, but not always worth the extra money especially if you are going to wear it, wash it, and not worship it! You can download his picture (only as a pdf and can convert it to a jpeg later) for free and so is the jerk off.

I do advocate buying the older nylon shorts (and anything else) just because they mostly used better nylon back then. Antron III nylon ruined nylon for a lot of guys because it's so flimsy and more intended for underwear than outerwear. Plus, it is hotter to think that some other guy wore it before you did. Going to the grocery store now in a short pair of nylon shorts will probably get you arrested unless it's Halloween and you are going as a Hooter's girl.

The biggest problem with buying anything nylon unseen (and unfelt!) is a lot of people can technically call something nylon and it's nothing like the soft and silky nylon we like. So if someone is selling a "nylon shirt" and it's made by Columbia or North Face (or a dozen others), it's really TACTEL nylon that looks and feels more like cotton. It's the same with all military PT shorts now as well. However, Soffee does still make Green Silkies. If you are buying a Speedo and the seller says it's nylon or even vintage nylon (and you don't know your Speedo patterns to know when they started adding lycra), make sure they say it's 100% NYLON or all nylon and no lycra mixed in. If you don't care, keep in mind that lycra deteriorates just sitting there and you can wind up with a slimy, sticky, saggy suit. Amazing how much even a 15% lycra mix can totally destroy the other 85% nylon. That's also the idea so you have to buy them more often!

I do see some clothing sites that are selling new nylon shorts and gear but I haven't had any experience with them. I actually have so many shorts (and everything else) now, and having watched the TV show "Hoarders", I'm having to watch my intake! Most sporting good stores are now the big chain stores that only carry what the masses want and buy. Smaller specialty stores tend to have more just sample merchandise and then will order what you want but at least you may get to feel the actual merchandise ahead of time.

Something else to mention, too, the older type of Umbro shorts really are super silky smooth and are closer to my preferred nylon tricot. Because they tend to be longer than track shorts, I do wear them out in public over some form of nylon underwear. Many track/soccer related shorts now are more of a cross between satin and taffeta--which is a little more like rip-stop nylon or even parachute silk. Again, nothing wrong, it's still nylon and still is smooth but it's just not the same as nylon tricot when it rubs and slides. I'm just pointing out the difference between track pants or other brands of soccer shorts and say Munsingwear tricolon pajama pants or Sub-4 nylon shorts. There are so few nylon guys out there I don't dare discriminate against anyone!