The North Face Boys' On The Trail Short
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Boys' On The Trail Shorts
Hike · Trail · Circular Design
Ideal for hiking or any outdoor adventure, the Boys' On The Trail Shorts are built with moisture-managing FLASHDRY™ materials and a water-repellent finish to keep them comfortable while they're exploring. As a Circular Design style, they're constructed to minimize waste and are recyclable when you get them back to us. We've updated our youth sizing — please use our sizing guide to find your best fit.
Benefits
Moisture Management
Engineered FLASHDRY™ fabric dries quickly to keep them comfortable on high-output hikes and playground adventures.
Recycled Material
Body fabric made with 100% recycled polyester — diverts plastic bottles from landfill.
DWR Water Repellent
Non-PFC DWR finish beads light rain and morning dew without perfluorinated chemicals.
Reflective
Light-reflective detailing for low-light visibility on dawn and dusk adventures.
UPF Protection
Fabric provides UPF protection in direct sunlight — built into the weave, not coated on.
Fit & Construction
Regular Fit
True-to-size regular fit — easy on, easy to move in, comfortable for all-day wear on the trail. Layers well over a baselayer in cooler weather.
FLASHDRY™ Moisture Management
FLASHDRY™ materials offer enhanced moisture management to keep them comfortable during active play. Pulls sweat off the skin and spreads it across the fabric surface for fast evaporation.
Non-PFC DWR Finish
Non-PFC DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish helps keep them dry through light rain, morning dew, and stream crossings — without the perfluorinated chemicals found in traditional DWR treatments.
100% Recycled Polyester Body
Body fabric made with 100% recycled polyester — diverts plastic bottles from landfill and reduces dependence on virgin petroleum fibers. Same durability and moisture performance as virgin polyester with a better end-of-life story.
Encased Elastic Waistband
Encased-elastic waistband with an internal elastic drawcord for adjustability — comfortable for all-day wear, accommodates growth spurts, and the internal drawcord keeps the shorts from slipping during active play without the risk of an external toggle catching on things.
Faux Fly
Faux fly — looks like a traditional zip fly but without the zipper or button. Easier for kids to pull on and off, fewer parts to break, faster bathroom breaks on car trips.
Drop-In Hand Pockets
Drop-in hand pockets at the hips — sized for small hands and a few rocks, sticks, or other trail treasures kids collect on every adventure.
Secure-Zip Back Pocket
Secure-zip back pocket — sized for a small snack, a trail map, or a bug-catch container. The zipper keeps contents from falling out when they're running, climbing, or rolling down hills.
Reflective Heat-Transfer Logo
Heat-transfer logo on left thigh (or reflective heat-transfer logo on select colorways) — passive low-light visibility for early-morning hikes, late-evening playground sessions, or school-walk commutes.
Sizing
Size Range
XS (6), S (7/8), M (10), L (12), XL (14/16), XXL (18/20) — youth sizes with age labels
Inseam
5"
Fit
Regular fit
Sizing Note
Updated youth sizing — please use TNF's sizing guide to find the best fit
Materials
Body Fabric
136 g/m² 100% recycled polyester with FLASHDRY™ and non-PFC DWR finish
Recycled Content
100% recycled polyester (body)
Construction
Moisture Management
FLASHDRY™ (engineered into fabric)
Water Repellency
Non-PFC DWR finish
Sun Protection
UPF protection built into the fabric
Waistband
Encased elastic with internal drawcord
Fly
Faux fly (no zipper or button)
Pockets
2 drop-in hand + 1 secure-zip back
Visibility
Reflective heat-transfer logo on left thigh (select colorways)
Sustainability
Circular Design
✓ Constructed to minimize waste and recyclable when returned to TNF
Recycled Materials
100% recycled polyester body fabric
PFC-Free
Non-PFC DWR finish (no perfluorinated chemicals)
Profile
Category
Boys' Trail Shorts / Outdoor Shorts
Activity
Hiking, trail play, camping, school, everyday wear
Season
Spring, summer, early fall
Washing
Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with like colors. Use a mild detergent — skip the fabric softener (it can coat the FLASHDRY™ treatment and reduce moisture-wicking performance over time). Turn inside-out before washing to protect the heat-transfer logo and zip up the back pocket to prevent snagging.
Frequency
These shorts will get dirty. Don't over-wash if it's just a small spot or smell — spot-clean first with a damp cloth and let them air out between wears. Less washing = longer-lasting DWR finish, better fabric performance, and less environmental impact.
Stain Treatment
Grass, mud, juice, marker, ketchup — kids will get everything on these shorts. Pre-treat stains with a dab of liquid laundry detergent or a kid-safe stain remover before washing. Avoid chlorine bleach — it breaks down recycled polyester fibers and can degrade the DWR finish.
Drying
Tumble dry low or hang to dry. The 136 g/m² recycled polyester body dries quickly. Skip high heat — it can damage the FLASHDRY™ treatment, shrink the recycled polyester slightly, and weaken the encased-elastic waistband.
DWR Refresh
The non-PFC DWR finish will wear off with use and washes. When water stops beading and starts to soak in, refresh with a spray-on water repellent specifically labeled PFC-free or non-PFC. Apply to clean, dry shorts and let cure for 24 hours before wearing.
UPF Care
UPF protection is built into the fabric weave, not coated on top. It won't wash out — but stretching the fabric can temporarily reduce coverage where the fabric is stretched thin. Avoid hanging heavy items on the waistband.
Drawcord & Elastic Care
The internal elastic drawcord can get tangled in the wash if left loose. Tuck it inside the waistband before washing, or use a mesh laundry bag. If the drawcord slips over time, it's usually the elastic losing tension — replaceable, but a sign the shorts are nearing end of life (kids outgrow fast anyway).
Storage
Store folded in a drawer or on a shelf. Hanging shorts long-term can stretch out the waistband, especially with the weight of wet or sweaty fabric. Refresh between wears by hanging on a hook overnight — the moisture-wicking fabric will air-dry quickly.
Reflective Logo Care
The reflective heat-transfer logo (on select colorways) is applied directly to the fabric. Avoid ironing directly on the reflective area — high heat can melt or delaminate the transfer. If ironing is needed, use a pressing cloth between the iron and the reflective zones.
♻️ Circular Design Take-Back
As a Circular Design style, these shorts are designed to be recyclable when returned to TNF. Check TNF's Renewed program (thenorthfacerenewed.com) or your local store for take-back options when the shorts reach end of life — the all-recycled-polyester construction makes them eligible for textile-to-textile recycling rather than landfill.
Outgrown? Hand-Me-Down Ready
Once your kid outgrows these, the reinforced construction and recycled polyester body make them a great candidate for hand-me-down to a younger sibling or neighbor. The fabric holds up to multiple wearers and wash cycles better than cotton alternatives.
Shipping Policy
Components:
All component items (wheels, drivetrains, suspension, brakes, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days of purchase.
Bicycles:
Complete bikes typically ship within 2–3 weeks due to build, tuning, and inspection times. You will receive tracking information as soon as your order is ready to ship.
Riding Gear & Apparel:
Riding gear and apparel orders (helmets, jerseys, gloves, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days.
Returns & Exchanges:
If you received the wrong size or wish to exchange an item, it must be returned in original condition—unused, uninstalled, and with all packaging intact.
For full details, please see our Refund Policy before initiating a return.
