Gramicci Shorts

Gramicci Shorts at Behind The Pines Amsterdam

The G-Short is the piece Gramicci was founded on. Mike Graham designed it in Yosemite in 1982 for climbers who were tired of jeans binding at the hip every time they high-stepped, and the two features he added — a diamond gusset at the crotch and an integrated webbing belt — are still the two reasons people buy them forty years later. Nothing about the design has been modernised for the sake of it.

We stock the shorts across the range: the original G-Short in cotton twill, the lighter Nylon and Shell versions for warm weather and travel, the Denim G-Short, and the seasonal prints. Below is what actually separates them, and how to pick a size, because Gramicci sizing is the single thing people get wrong most often.

What makes a Gramicci short different

The gusset

Instead of four seams meeting at one stress point in the crotch, a diamond-shaped panel is set in between the legs. That moves the load off the seam and lets the leg open fully when you lift a knee. It is why you can squat, step up, or sit cross-legged on the floor in these without the waistband dragging down at the back. If you have only worn chino shorts, the difference is obvious in the first ten minutes.

The webbing belt

Every G-Short comes with a webbing belt stitched into the waistband, closed with a slide buckle. No sizing loops, no notches — it cinches anywhere. In practice this means the waist has a usable range of several centimetres, which matters when you are between sizes, and it means you never need to pack a separate belt.

Fabric choice

Cotton twill is the original: it has weight, it creases, and it softens over a season into something that hangs properly. Nylon and Shell versions are around half the weight, dry quickly, and pack down to nothing — the better choice for hot weather, hut trips and anything involving water. The Denim G-Short behaves like the twill but breaks in faster.

Inseam length

The standard G-Short sits around mid-thigh. The Gadget and longer utility shorts run past the knee. There is no in-between in most seasons, so decide which end you want before you look at colour.

How to choose your size

Gramicci is a Japanese-market brand and much of the range is cut to Asian sizing. Practically: most people take one size up from their usual European or US size, and some take two. A 32-inch waist in a European chino is usually a Gramicci L, not an M. The webbing belt absorbs a lot of error at the waist, so the number that actually decides fit is the hip and thigh measurement, not the waist.

We have written this up in detail — see the Gramicci G-Short size guide before you order. If you are still unsure, message us with your usual waist and thigh and we will tell you which size we would send.

What to expect

• Cotton twill shorts arrive stiff and soften noticeably after two or three washes — this is normal and not a fault.
• The webbing belt is not removable on most models; it is stitched through the waistband.
• Sizing runs small. Order up unless you have measured against a garment you already own.
• Nylon and Shell versions have a different, looser drape than the twill even in the same size.

Why buy from Behind The Pines

We are an Amsterdam shop and we wear this stuff. We carry Gramicci year-round rather than dipping in for one summer drop, which means we know how the fabrics age and which sizes actually run true within the range. Orders ship from Amsterdam, and if the size is wrong you can exchange it.

Frequently asked questions

Do Gramicci shorts run small?

Yes. Much of the range is cut to Asian sizing — plan on one size up from your usual European size, occasionally two. The webbing belt gives you room at the waist but not at the thigh.

What is the difference between the G-Short and the Nylon G-Short?

Same pattern, different cloth. The original is cotton twill with weight and structure. The Nylon version is roughly half the weight, dries fast and packs small, but drapes looser and has less body.

Can I wear Gramicci shorts for hiking?

The nylon and shell versions, yes — they are light, quick-drying and the gusset gives you full range on steep ground. The cotton twill will work for a summer day walk but holds water and takes a long time to dry, so it is the wrong choice for anything wet or multi-day.

Is the belt removable?

On most models no — it is sewn into the waistband. A few seasonal styles use a separate belt; the product page states it where that applies.

How do I wash them?

Cold machine wash, hang dry. Do not tumble dry the cotton twill — it shrinks in the length. Nylon versions dry in an hour on a hanger.

Shop Gramicci Shorts at Behind The Pines Amsterdam

Browse the full Gramicci collection, or go straight to Gramicci Pants if you want the long version of the same idea. Reduced Gramicci is in Gramicci Sale, and everything else short is in Shorts.