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The Vuori Ponto Short has created a strong following due to its soft material and comfortable fit. After hearing only good things about Vuori’s DreamKnit™ fabric, I was excited to put the Vuori Ponto Short to the test.
I’m constantly on the lookout for the best men’s shorts for both working out and casual wear, I was interested to see how the Vuori Ponto Short compared to other Vuori shorts like the Kore Short and Banks Short.
Overall, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Vuori Ponto Short for casual wear, and they’re one of the softest shorts I’ve worn in the last few years. Despite liking the Ponto Short, there are a couple of cons to note about them which I’ll discuss below.
In this Vuori Ponto Short review, I’m going to discuss key details that you should know before investing in these shorts.
Table of Contents+
Who Should Invest In the Vuori Ponto Short?
The Vuori Ponto Short is a great option for anyone needing daily wear shorts and shorts for lounging. They’re a good short option when you don’t feel like thinking about what to wear and they look casual, too.
I primarily like this short best for casual wear because of Vuori’s signature DreamKnit™ material. This material gives this short an incredibly soft feel and it stretches well so it’s easy to wear for short and long durations.
On that note, I’m also a fan of the classic “dad” style of shorts, which at least for my dad, was typically an old pair of sweats cut into shorts. This short is essentially that but modernized with better materials and a more casual look.
I think if you’ve been looking for a short that is comfortable, soft, and mobile for daily wear and recovery days, then the Vuori Ponto Short is a viable option to explore.
Vuori Ponto Short
$74
Best For
- Casual Wear
- Lounging and Comfort
- 4-Season Wear (for the most part)
Falls Short
- For Working Out
- For Hotter Days
Vuori Ponto Short Pros
Throughout my testing and review process with the Vuori Ponto Short, I’ve found multiple pros to enjoy with this pair of shorts.
- Good and Easy Option for Casual Wear
- Dreamknit Fabric Is Super Comfortable and Soft
- Deep Pockets Are Nice for Carrying Valuables
The first thing to like about the Vuori Ponto Short is that they do exactly what they’re designed to do, which is work really well for casual wear. At a price point of $74 USD, I could definitely see others being hesitant investing in this pair of shorts.
After all, I have training shorts that I use for literally everything that cost less than the Ponto Short. Fortunately, I do think that price point can be justified especially if you really want a pair of shorts that you can easily toss on and wear for casual settings.
This short is soft, stretches well, and they have deep pockets. They give me a vibe of the classic “cut sweats” shorts style but have a more modernized fit with construction details like a zip back pocket and front zip key pocket to cater to a variety of contexts.
The drawstring on the front and the waistband also provide a nice degree of security and the minimalist branding is a nice perk, in my opinion.
Another perk of the Vuori Ponto Short is the DreamKnit fabric. After feeling the DreamKnit fabric in my girlfriend’s Performance Jogger, I was super intrigued by how this material would feel in a pair of shorts.
Compared to traditional cotton and polyester blends in apparel, the DreamKnit fabric, which is composed of recycled polyester (89%) and elastane (11%) has a softer fit and feel and it doesn’t compromise stretch in doing so.
I also haven’t run into any pilling issues yet with the Vuori Ponto Short, which was something that bothered me about the Lululemon Licence to Train Short. These are different styles of shorts, but for the higher price point, pilling shouldn’t be an issue that arises quickly.
The final perk of the Vuori Ponto Short is the pocket system that comes with them. They have deep left and right pockets with a zipper back pocket for wallets and a small zip pocket on the right side of the shorts.
If you’re carting around your wallet, phone, and keys, then a pair of shorts with a good pocket system is a must and the Ponto Short delivers pretty well on this front.
Vuori Ponto Short Cons
Overall, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed wearing and testing the Vuori Ponto Short. However, there are a couple of cons to note about this short.
- Functionality Can Be Limited
- Can Be Pretty Warm On Hot Days
The first drawback to the Vuori Ponto Short is that its functionality can be a little limited. This short’s performance will be best served for its specific uses and it doesn’t do the best having carryover to other activities.
For example, these are not going to be the shorts that work well for lounging and working out. They’ll fall short for the working out context and if you want a short that can excel in both worlds, then you may want to look into something like the Vuori Kore Short.
I could also see this lack of functionality as even more problematic for those that already find this short’s price point high. If you want a “best of all worlds” style of short and you don’t want to spend a ton, then the Vuori Ponto Short may not be your best bet.
Another drawback that I’ve noticed with the Vuori Ponto Short is that they can run pretty warm on hot days. It’s interesting because the DreamKnit fabric is fairly light and I think it works well for most seasons, but there is definitely a temperature threshold where I noticed these getting warm.
For context, when testing and wearing these in New York City on days above 85 degrees I would notice that the back of the waistband would start to hold and accumulate sweat. I have the “black heather” colorway so visibility was never an issue.
If you opt for lighter colorways and plan to wear the Ponto Short in the summer, then be warned that you may see some sweat in them. When I wear these on hot days, I go commando and that helps and their anti-odor does a good job at preventing a stink in them.
Performance
To test the performance of the Vuori Ponto Short, I assessed how this short did in a couple of key contexts. Below, I’m going to discuss how these shorts work for casual and all-day wear.
Note, since these shorts are not designed for working out and training, I didn’t really test them in that context. I used them once for a shorter workout and I wasn’t a fan of their temperature and how they would ride up when squatting.
Testing the Vuori Ponto Short for Casual Wear
If you’re looking to invest in the Vuori Ponto Short, then you’ll definitely want to limit their use for daily and casual wear. This short is not a pair of shorts that can be a good cross-performer in settings outside of casual wear.
For casual wear specifically, I think there are three key perks that come along with the Ponto Short. First, the DreamKnit fabric in this short is definitely the star player of this model and is the make or break, in my opinion.
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Compared to other lounge-focused shorts, the DreamKnit is super soft and on Vuori’s site they say they’re “smooth like butter”. I’d have to agree with this statement and when it comes to comfort it’s tough to beat the DreamKnit’s feel on the legs.
Second, I like the 7.5-inch inseam on these shorts. When it comes to daily wear, short shorts are not for everyone and this includes me so having a slightly “longer” inseam compared to other <7-inch-inseam shorts is a nice touch on the Ponto Short.
I think for most guys, the 7.5-inch inseam will align well with their anatomies. I have long(er) femurs and I think the inseam on the Ponto Short walks a nice line between being short enough to show some tasteful quad but long enough to not feel overly short.
Third, the stretch and pockets of these shorts are nice subtle perks to have. This short is mobile so you never feel limited when going upstairs or doing things like a deep squat to pick things up.
The pockets, which I mentioned above in the pros, are also nice for securing your valuables like your wallet, keys, and phone. The additional zip pockets on these shorts are a nice touch for additional security outside of the traditional pockets on these shorts.
Vuori Ponto Short Sizing
In the Vuori Ponto Short, you should be safe going true to size based on your normal waist size and Vuori’s sizing recommendations. Similar to my other Vuori apparel, the sizing recommendations are pretty on point for the Ponto Short.
The Vuori Ponto Short has an inseam of 7.5″ and there are no additional inseam options for this short. Personally, I feel like the 7.5″ inseam is a good happy medium between being short, but also long enough for those that like longer inseams.
The waistband in these shorts also hugs the waist securely so I think if you get your sizing right, then you shouldn’t have to tie the drawstring every time you wear them even when there are things in your pockets.
In this review, I’m wearing the “Black Heather” Vuori Ponto Short in Medium. I’m going to provide my dimensions below so you can cross-reference my sizing with yours and see how the Ponto Short fits on me.
- Height: 6′ 0″
- Weight: 181 lbs
- Waist: 32-33″
- Inseam: 32″
- Hip (circumference around butt): 40″
- Mid-Thigh: 23.5″-24″
To be honest, before investing in the Vuori Ponto Short, I was a little nervous that the medium short would be a little too snug despite my waist aligning with the medium and large’s sizing recommendation.
Overall, I definitely feel as though the medium was the call for sizing and I’m happy I didn’t go large. This short’s legs are loose enough for my slightly thicker quads and tight enough to prevent them from looking “parachute-like” and too loose.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions on the Vuori Ponto Short or have questions on the fit compared to other shorts, drop a comment below and I can help you out accordingly.
Price Breakdown
For the Vuori Ponto Short, you can expect to pay $74 USD. This is a price point that I’m pretty hit or miss on and I think considering your context and budget will be important before investing in these shorts.
I think if the price point doesn’t bother you and you want shorts specifically for casual wear, then the Vuori Ponto Short is worth it. They provide a nice modernized fit and their 7.5″ inseam will work for a wide variety of guys.
Conversely, if you find this short’s price high, and if you’re wanting a short for training, lounging, and casual wear, then you’ll want to explore other options. You can definitely find a better “best of all worlds” style of shorts and then invest in more cost-efficient lounge shorts on top of that.
Vuori Ponto Short
$74
Best For
- Casual Wear
- Lounging and Comfort
- 4-Season Wear (for the most part)
Falls Short
- For Working Out
- For Hotter Days
Construction Details
The construction of the Vuori Ponto Short is fairly simplistic in nature. Below, I’ve outlined some of the key details to note about the Vuori Ponto Short’s construction.
- Waist Size Options: XS (28″), S (30″), M (32″), L (33-34″), XL (36″), XXL (38-40″)
- Inseam Options: 7.5″
- Materials: 89% Recycled Polyester, 11% Elastane
- DreamKnit Fabric
- Left/Right Pockets
- Back Zipper Pocket, Small Right Zipper Pocket
- External Drawstring
- Quick Drying
- Anti-Odor Tech
If you have additional questions about the Vuori Ponto Short’s construction, drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:How do you wash the Vuori Ponto Short?
Q:Can you work out in the Vuori Ponto Short?
Takeaway Thoughts
The Vuori Ponto Short has been a nice and subtle surprise. I was a little skeptical at first about if I would like these shorts because I thought they were pretty expensive.
After feeling and enjoying the softness of my girlfriend’s Performance Jogger I decided to invest and I’m happy I did. The Ponto Short has become one of my go-to casual shorts and they’re an easy option to wear in a variety of settings.
That being said, this is not going to be the best short to invest in if their price point is a turnoff and you need a short for both training and casual wear. The Vuori Ponto Short’s functionality will be a little limited.
If you have additional questions on the Vuori Ponto Short, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
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