Delta Cargo Short TRS

Years back, the PDW design team was captivated by a National Geographic account documenting an epic transect of the entire Amazon, a grueling, months-long lateral traverse by scientists and explorers pushing through dense, trackless jungle and nameless waterways. The question that stuck: what shorts would we actually want on a journey like that?

Something that would stand up to constant wear over many months in soggy, rough, utterly wild environments. Quick-dry. Abrasion resistant. Freedom of movement without the penalty of weight. Organized for the real-world EDC demands of remote, sustained adventure. After trialing numerous technical fabrics, PDW arrived at TRS (Technical Ripstop), a high-tenacity Nylon 6 yarn blended with Spandex, woven in a mini-ripstop pattern that dries fast, takes abuse, and moves with you in all directions without looking or feeling like field gear.

The result is the Delta Cargo Short TRS. Thirteen purpose-engineered pockets stash and organize as little or as many EDC items as the mission demands. Low-profile cargo pockets keep access clean without bulk. The dedicated EDC Tool Pockets are the direct evolution of a pocket clip reinforcement system Patrick Ma first developed in the early 2000s. Originally designed as a double layer of fabric to protect the garment from the constant wear and tear that pocket clips on folding knives, flashlights, and multi-tools inflict on lesser shorts, the current design does double duty: it reinforces the garment and functions as a fully dedicated pocket for storing or staging your EDC tool, ready to deploy when you need it. The high-mobility horseshoe gusset panel handles steep terrain and scrambles without restriction. A diamond double seat and industrial-grade triple needle stitching throughout means these shorts will outlast the adventure, not just survive it.

Most of us will never transect the Amazon. These shorts are ready if you do.

Find a Way or Make One

Specifications:

• Technical Ripstop: 6.13oz, 85% Nylon / 15% Spandex with C6 DWR Finish
• Poly Mesh
• YKK NylonCoil Zippers
• Nylon Hardware
• Poly Flat Lace
• Nylon Hook & Loop
• T40 Thread

• Regular Fit
• 10" Inseam

• High Tenacity Nylon with 4-Way Stretch
• Quick Dry
• DWR Finish
• Low Profile Cargo Pockets, with Laser Cut Hook & Loop Flap Closures
• Dedicated EDC Tool Pockets for Today’s Folding Knives, Multi-Tools, and Flashlights
• Hide-Away Pocket by Rear Waistband for Spare Cuff Key, Cash, Etc
• Horizontal Hand Pockets Inspired from Work Wear, Which Allow User Access Even While Wearing Pack, 1st Line or Tool Belts
• Coin Trap or Small Folder Pocket Inside Main Hand Pockets
• Custom No-Twist Delta-Ring Hardware
• Custom No-Loss Parasmock Type Slotted Buttons
• YKK Nylon Coil Zipper Fly with Locking Slider
• Diamond Double Seat Reinforcement
• Full "Horseshoe" Shaped Gusset Panel for Extra Mobility
• Loop Swatches on Each Cargo Pocket for Cat Eyes or Hiviz Markers
• Double, Triple Needle and Bar-Tack Reinforcement Construction Throughout

• California, USA

FAQ

What makes the Delta Cargo Short TRS different from other technical cargo shorts?

The Delta Cargo Short TRS was purpose-built around a clear question: what would you actually want to wear on months of continuous, high-output expedition in demanding environments? The answer drove every design decision: a 6.13oz Technical Ripstop nylon with 4-way stretch and DWR, thirteen purpose-organized pockets, dedicated EDC Tool Pockets evolved from a Patrick Ma original design, and quad no-twist custom Delta-Rings. The construction standard is the same applied across all PDW California-made apparel: industrial-grade triple needle stitching, proprietary hardware, and reinforcement at every stress point. These shorts are engineered to outlast the adventure.

What is TRS fabric?

TRS stands for Technical Ripstop. It is a high-tenacity Nylon 6 yarn blended with Spandex, woven in a mini-ripstop pattern. The weave delivers abrasion resistance and structural integrity under sustained hard use. The Spandex provides 4-way stretch without the feel of a stretch fabric. A DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish sheds water and speeds drying without adding weight or stiffness. Combined, these properties make TRS the right fabric for any warm-weather pursuit where durability, mobility, and quick-dry performance all matter at the same time.

How many pockets does the Delta Cargo Short TRS have?

Thirteen total. The pocket architecture is designed for organized EDC access rather than raw pocket count: low-profile cargo pockets, dedicated EDC Tool Pockets with double-layer reinforcement for pocket clip wear, workwear-style slash hand pockets accessible over a pack waist belt or first-line belt, a Hide-Away waistband pocket, and quad no-twist custom Delta-Rings for carabiner and keychain clip points. Everything has a place. Nothing adds unnecessary bulk.

Are the Delta Cargo Shorts submersible?

Yes. The Delta Cargo Short TRS is designed as a submersible field short. TRS fabric with quick-dry and DWR finish, triple needle construction throughout, and hardware selected for durability in wet environments mean these shorts are built for packrafting, river crossings, coastal operations, and any warm-weather pursuit where full immersion is a realistic and expected part of the day.

Are the Delta Cargo Shorts made in the USA?

Yes. Every pair of Delta Cargo Shorts is cut and sewn in California, USA. PDW applies the same industrial-grade construction standard to the Delta Cargo Short as to all its California-made apparel: triple needle stitching on all major seams, proprietary no-twist Delta-Ring hardware, and custom no-loss parasmock style slotted buttons. When PDW says "made in USA," it means designed, cut, and sewn by hand in California.

What is the PDW EDC Tool Pocket?

The EDC Tool Pocket is a direct evolution of a pocket clip reinforcement system designer Patrick Ma first developed in the early 2000s. The original insight was simple and accurate: the repetitive wear from a pocket clip on a folding knife, flashlight, or multi-tool will destroy an unprotected pocket over time. Ma's solution was a double layer of fabric in the pocket zone, reinforcing the garment precisely where clip wear concentrates. The current EDC Tool Pocket carries that solution forward and adds a second function: the reinforced zone is now also a fully dedicated pocket, sized and positioned to store or stage the EDC tool itself. The result is a pocket that protects the garment, keeps your tool immediately accessible, and keeps the rest of your pocket real estate clear.

What activities are the Delta Cargo Shorts designed for?

The Delta Cargo Short TRS is built for the full spectrum of warm-weather expedition: jungle trekking, packrafting, international adventure travel, multi-week backpacking, coastal operations, and overland use. The horseshoe gusset panel provides full range of motion for steep and technical terrain. DWR and quick-dry fabric handle rain, humidity, and full immersion. The 13-pocket layout keeps your EDC organized and accessible regardless of what you are carrying or how long you have been out.

How do the Delta Cargo Shorts fit?

The Delta Cargo Short TRS is cut in a regular fit. The horseshoe gusset panel provides unrestricted movement for high-step terrain and active pursuits. Workwear-style slash hand pockets are positioned to remain fully accessible when wearing a pack waist belt or a utility first-line belt, a deliberate functional consideration for load-bearing use. Refer to the PDW Sizing Chart for waist measurements. When between sizes, size up.