I first saw Birddogs when they premiered on Shark Tank back in 2018. They asked for 250k for a whopping 1.5% stake in their fledgling company. All for gym shorts with a built-in underwear liner. "We combine the feel of nudity with the function of a fanny pack."

They didn't get a deal that day, but plenty of people like myself took notice. Their marketing strategy is a bit ridiculous and in-your-face, but in a digital world dominated by startup apparel brands, you have to find a way to stand out.

Their signature gym shorts promise a comfortable, underwear-free experience combined with a versatile style. They've got tons of designs ranging from basic colors to outrageous.

Alas, they're just shorts. If any of you regularly go on Facebook or Instagram, you are likely targeted by a bunch of direct-to-consumer companies. They all claim to reinvent things like socks, t-shirts, and every other essential item. Many times, their products fall short of their claims.

After wearing Birddogs for several weeks, I am impressed by their product. You can wear them when you're lounging around the house, working out, and even on the golf course.

My Impressions of Birddogs

Shorts are essential to me. Over the years, I've built a stockpile for every situation - working out, lounging, golf, and for casual outings. In more recent years, I've honed in on several companies that do an excellent job of making crossover shorts. For example, I wear Linksoul's Boardwalkers on the golf course or even out to dinner.

While I liked the idea of Birddogs' versatility, I was a little skeptical because of one thing - I am not a fan of built-in liners. Comfort and support is a big deal for me, and I've found that most lined shorts I've purchased in the past do a poor job of providing that. Usually, I've ended up cutting liners out and just worn my regular underwear. I own a bunch of 2 UNDR boxer briefs. In my opinion, they are some of the best underwear out there, so I am very hesitant to ditch them in favor of something else.

For several weeks I wore three pairs of Birddogs pretty much everywhere - even swimming. I chose some of their more traditional colors so they could work for different activities. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, and in fact, I'd say I am a convert now.

My main hangup before I tried them was the liners. However, they changed my mind quickly. They are very comfortable and provide plenty of support. You feel a lot of freedom down there at the same time; it's almost like you're wearing nothing since the material is so light. So whether I was wearing them at home or playing golf, I grew to enjoy that feeling.

I think Birddogs' strongest feature is their design versatility. Interestingly, I got a lot of unsolicited feedback. Since I went with more neutral colors, people assumed they were different kinds of shorts based on how I was dressed. For example, I showed up to a haircut wearing a t-shirt and sandals, and my barber asked me if I had come from the beach. When I wore them with a golf polo and a belt, my playing partners had no idea they were technically gym shorts.

The khaki and navy color didn't give them away. While not all of their shorts can do it, a lot of their colors have "chameleon" possibilities. Also, there are three inseam lengths to choose from - I went with their longest option of 9 1/4" which kept them a distance from my knees that I was comfortable with (not a fan of short shorts).

I found the material to be very soft and comfortable. You can sweat in them while working out or playing golf on a hot day. You also can take a dip in the pool (though they did take a long time to dry off). It doesn't seem to be cheap either, as it held up nicely in multiple washes.

Lastly, Birddogs also built some subtle functionality that I liked. One thing that has always slightly bothered me about wearing any shorts is the weight of my phone, keys, and wallet. I keep them all in my front pockets. There are two zippered pockets in the Birddog gym shorts, which allow you to keep those items closer to your hips.

Instead of weighing down the front of the shorts, it was nice for the weight to be evenly distributed towards my sides. Another small feature that caught my attention is that the drawstring did a better job of adjusting the tightness around my hips than other shorts I've had. I found that the more weight I put in the shorts, the tighter I needed the string.

Birddogs may lack seriousness in their branding, but they've built an excellent pair of shorts that you can wear to play golf or plenty of other activities.

The Pants

Birddogs recently branched out into pants. They've got many of the same features as their shorts with the built-in liners and extra pockets - their goal is to give a chino look but with more comfort.

For a long time, men were resigned to boring, uncomfortable pants, that never fit just right. Now it seems like 50+ companies are looking to solve this problem with performance work clothing. Over the past few years, I've gravitated more towards these designs because I genuinely dislike traditional work pants. I own a pair of Rhone Commuter pants which I've worn both on the golf course and even dressed them up with more conventional work attire.

My favorite part of the Birddogs pants is the cut. I struggle to find golf pants that aren't too baggy or too tight - there is a happy medium here. They are comfortable around the waist because there is elastic built-in. Most importantly, they taper them in the right places. I don't like tight pants because they are uncomfortable. Birddogs give you some more room around your thighs, and taper in around your lower legs. So if you want a more modern look, but don't want your lower half to be strangled, I think you'll enjoy them.

If you wear them to work or on the golf course, no one would ever think they weren't specifically intended for either situation because of the fabric and design. If you're in an office and struggle with comfort, they solve that problem nicely.

Wrapping It Up

Overall, I'm giving the Birddogs shorts and pants a big thumbs up. They're comfortable, versatile, and functional. Despite having my concerns about the built-in liner, I dig them.

The shorts range from $54.95 - $59.95 and the pants are $89.95. They're not cheap, but also not insanely expensive like some of the other premium direct-to-consumer brands. Because you can wear them in so many different scenarios, I think they can simplify your closet. For golfers, I think they add another layer of value.

Birddogs does offer free shipping and returns, so you're able to try them on a risk-free basis. One thing I did notice is that some of their styles get sold out, which is something I've seen from a lot of growing apparel brands. I would love to get some other colors of their pants, but many of the sizes and colors I want are back-ordered - something to keep in mind.

You can learn more about Birddogs and purchase their products directly on their website.