The Recon AC Short from Triple Aught Design

Triple Aught Design is a brand dedicated to creating tactical inspired gear and clothing that works in the real world. Truth be told, for some of their customers that world may very well be a covert mission somewhere in the darker reaches of the planet. However, for the rest of us it typically hovers somewhere around our kid’s soccer practice, the daily commute, or heading out for a weekend hike.

We are fans of Triple Aught’s ability to marry the cool factor of something truly designed to handle SEAL-worthy adventures with the practicality of everyday use. Bags that work for everyday commuting – at least for casual commuters – and outerwear that’s urban adventurer functional without being overly commando looking. There is a fine line between appreciating a product’s military inspiration and looking like you’re playing dress-up. Forgiving the sometimes over-top-product narratives, Triple Aught walks that line especially well.

A great example of this blend of styling and practicality is present in the Recon AC Short. It’s still shorts weather out there, and these have become a favorite when dressing up is not a requirement. Placed somewhere between casual wear and outdoor gear, the Recon Short is comfortable, practical, unstructured, and endlessly functional.

The dense yet remarkably soft material is called Amphibious Cloth, hence the “AC,” and is a durable and lightweight nylon fabric. The shorts feature inset zippered cargo pockets with internal attachment points, with a total of nine pockets all together; signature bar tack reinforcements at stress points, triple-needle stitching for increased durability, and a gusseted crotch that provides freedom of motion.

With a stylishly neutral and comfortable design, these are indeed shorts that can hit the road or the trail with equal aplomb. But, we also think they work just fine for sailing on the Cape, a heavy day of yard work, or simply hanging out with your dog.