“Feels Too Big for Size 8 and Too Short”

“I wear a size 8 but the M (size 8-10) was too big for me. Also the shorts don't come to my knees like I thought they would, nor do they come up to my waist. They are a lot wider than the width of my leg. A lot of heavy weight from a backpack would cause these shorts to slide down my waist because they are only attached at the top by velcro. Basically I take a backpack everywhere I go, as it is an essential tool for my job. The fabric is really thin, so I wonder if the shorts would be sturdy enough to not tear if I caught them on a branch or thorny bush. I work as an environmental educator outdoors. I like the color and I think it would keep me cool and dry if it actually fit me. There are too many cons, though, to try to see if another size might fit.”