Passenger are a British brand that have quickly gathered pace, gaining a reputation for making good kit at decent prices, and with strong environmental ethics grounding what they do.

I’ve been wearing these shorts, the Passenger Drifter Netplus Linerless Short, virtually every day since I received my pair earlier in the summer, so that should give you a quick idea of my opinion of them. They’re comfortable, functional, quick drying and pretty fairly priced too. But it’s the sustainability aspect that drew me to them in the first place – and that qualified them for our Greener Gear Guide too.

The fabric they’re made from is called Netplus. It’s a synthetic fabric made from 100% recycled materials – more specifically, it’s made from discarded fishing nets. Often called “ghost nets,” these are tough plastics that can drift for years, continuing to trap and kill marine life, breaking down into harmful microplastics and damaging habitats like coral reefs and seagrass. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as much as 640,000 tonnes of this waste ends up in the world’s oceans each year.

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Bureo is the pioneering company behind Netplus. They work directly with coastal communities to collect these discarded fishing nets and recycle them into durable pellets. These pellets are then used by brands, turning ocean waste into high-performance, eco-friendly materials that help close the loop on plastic pollution while supporting livelihoods.

Passenger Drifter Performance and Fit

I’m 5 foot 10, I have a 32 inch waist and the pair I have is a size Medium. It’s a spot-on fit for me, with the elastic holding comfortably and then the lacing for when I want a secure hold for swimming or water sports. Length-wise, for me, they come down to just above the knees. The articulation is excellent with no stride restriction. I’ve been wearing them for everything from beach days to mountain hikes and they’ve been great.

The material has a small amount of stretch to it and it feels durable. I’ve been impressed with its drying time too. They’re the kind of shorts that, on a standard summer’s day, will dry up reasonably quickly after you’ve taken a dip.

There are open handwarmer pockets which are mesh lined and there’s an open pocket on the backside. Sadly, there are no zipped or button-down pockets – so no secure place for a car key or wallet.

This pair is unlined, which makes them feel fresh and cool to wear on hot days. Passenger do also sell a mesh-lined version if that’s your preference.

All in all, the Passenger Drifter Netplus Linerless Shorts strike a great balance between everyday comfort, practical performance, and strong environmental credentials. At around £40 and weighing just 220 grams, they’re lightweight and fairly priced, making them a smart choice whether you’re hitting the beach, paddling out, or just enjoying a sunny day – and knowing they help tackle ocean plastic pollution makes them an even better buy.

Pros
✔ Comfortable
✔ Quick-drying
✔ 100% recycled
✔ Reasonably priced

Cons
✘ No secure pockets

Price: £40
Weight: 220g

Buy the Passenger Drifter Netplus Unlined Short:  £40 at Passenger-clothing.com