Why do you find them more comfortable?
Simple. Hiking in the hills is an aerobic activity, generates lots of heat. Most of that heat is generated in the muscles doing most of the work hauling me up the hills, namely the muscles of the legs. So shorts allow the cool mountain breezes to carry away the the excess heat that would otherwise be trapped by long pants.
Same for the straw pith helmet I hear. Keeps the sun off the noggin while allowing the breeze to wick heat off the scalp.
So ridicule away if it brings joy to your heart. Making others laugh aids my Karmic balance. <Big Evil Grin>