HomeHikingLadies's Patagonia Quandary Shorts | CleverHiker

Ladies’s Patagonia Quandary Shorts | CleverHiker


a women hiking in dry desert fields in orange patagonia shorts
The Patagonia Quandary Shorts. – picture credit score: alice hafer (cleverhiker.com)

Backside Line

The Ladies’s Patagonia Quandary Shorts are a strong selection for hikers who need technical shorts with in-town fashion. They stand out for his or her light-weight and stretchy material. They dry tremendous quick and are so snug we forgot about them whereas testing for miles on the Pacific Crest Path. They’ve cool options: an inner drawcord for conserving the shorts securely in place for those who’re in between sizes, a loop to your keys, and a flat button closure that received’t press in your pores and skin. The short dry material holds up nicely.

The one draw back is a subjective style in fashion. It’s both for you, or it’s not! These shorts provide good worth for individuals who need a snug technical material however in shorts that look extra like streetwear. They’re an ideal possibility for those who’re in search of a dependable, trendy pair that balances perform with an off-the-cuff look. For extra high picks in ladies’s mountain climbing shorts, try our information to the greatest ladies’s mountain climbing shorts.

Fast Specs

Stock image of rust colored Patagonia Quandary shorts on a white background

Ladies’s Patagonia Quandary

Sturdy Mountain climbing Shorts with a Mid-Rise Match


Rating:

83/100


Value:

$75


Weight:

5.5 oz.


Inseam:

5 in, 7 in


UPF Score:


Material:

Stretch-woven 96% NetPlus® / 4% spandex plain weave

Execs

  • Comfortable
  • Sturdy
  • Good worth
  • Stretchy
  • Versatile
  • Light-weight
  • 4 pockets

Cons

  • Easy fashion
  • Higher for shorter hikes

a close up of a pair of patagonia women's quandary shorts.
These shorts are an ideal possibility for dynamic motion, resembling mountain climbing to a bouldering crag for a night session. – picture credit score: Alice hafer (cleverhiker.com)

Consolation

The Patagonia Quandary Shorts excel in consolation for each city and path settings. Throughout our testing, we barely felt them on even throughout sweaty and intense hikes, due to their well-considered match and the helpful inner drawcord. Forgetting about your clothes is all the time a superb signal to us that it’s functioning nicely within the backcountry.

The size is excellent, although they do generally tend to trip up on longer hikes, which is likely to be annoying for some individuals. The material is smooth, stretchy, and versatile, stopping chafing even when sweating. Nevertheless, the fabric’s cosy match may change into uncomfortable over time, significantly for those who choose a looser match whereas mountain climbing. In comparison with earlier fashions, these shorts provide a extra customary match and are true to dimension. They steadiness consolation with perform, making them appropriate for prolonged put on however doubtlessly much less ultimate for individuals who choose a brief design with much less skin-on-skin contact.

a hiker on a hike in a high desert with juniper trees in the background. She is wearing the patagonia quandary shorts
A modernized match, metallic button closure, and inner drawcord present a comfortable, town-worthy look. – picture credit score: alice hafer (cleverhiker.com)

Sturdiness

This pair holds up remarkably nicely beneath tough situations. We subjected them to rigorous testing, together with rubbing in opposition to rocks and thick brush. Regardless of accumulating grime, climbing chalk, and searching like they wanted a wash pretty rapidly, the material confirmed no indicators of tearing or extreme put on. They managed to face up to numerous miles of mountain climbing and frequent washing with out wanting like they had been carrying down. Their sturdiness is spectacular for his or her weight, making them a dependable selection. They provide good longevity and may deal with difficult environments. They continue to be a strong funding.

 A hiker putting her hands in her hiking shorts back pocket
The again pockets have a pleasant Enclosing seam to forestall runaway necessities and supply an added layer of safety. – picture credit score: alice hafer (cleverhiker.com)

Options

The Quandary Shorts are outfitted with 4 pockets – two deep entrance pockets and a again pocket. Whereas the again pockets are considerably ornamental and fewer purposeful, the entrance pockets and a small key loop present extra helpful storage choices. The belt loops, although not significantly trendy, let you add a belt for those who want it. They have already got an inner drawcord, helpful for conserving the shorts in place, particularly in the event that they don’t match completely or for those who’re carrying a heavy backpack. Although we would like barely extra purposeful again pockets, total, the options are sensible.

 a close up of the front of the patagonia quandary shorts with the women holding the drawstrings to tighten the waist
The metallic button closure offers these shorts a street-worthy enchantment whereas the interior drawstring offers a customized match for a extremely purposeful pair of shorts. – picture credit score: alice hafer (Cleverhiker.com)

Dry Time

The Patagonia Quandary Shorts shine of their quick-drying efficiency. They’ve a DWR coating that successfully beads away water and dries quickly, usually inside minutes, making them ultimate for unpredictable climate or moist situations. They’re your trusted good friend for those who get caught in a downpour. After we soaked them totally, although, the shorts dried out rapidly and had been among the many quickest to dry in our lineup.

a women with her hands in the waist pockets on a dirt road
The sturdy water-repellent end made with out perfluorinated chemical compounds resists gentle moisture and dries in a flash in the event that they go for a dunk. – picture credit score: alice hafer (cleverhiker.com)

Weight & Packed Measurement

These shorts are impressively compact and light-weight. They fold simply and pack down nicely, making them ultimate for stashing in a backpack or suitcase. Regardless of their light-weight design, which contributes to a snug expertise, they rank within the mid-range for weight in comparison with others. The material makes them really feel lighter than they’re. Whereas they received’t weigh you down, they don’t match the ultralight choices accessible in weight, however they’re actually adequate.

a side view of the patagonia quandary shorts
At 5.5 ounces, you received’t sweat packing these right into a backpack. – picture credit score: alice hafer (cleverhiker.com)

Ought to You Purchase the Patagonia Quandary Shorts?

The Ladies’s Patagonia Quandary Shorts are an ideal match for hikers who need a technical quick that appears like streetwear. Designed for day hikes and informal put on, these shorts provide a mix of softness, are light-weight, have good stretch, and are created from a long-lasting material. They’re ultimate for individuals who need a versatile possibility that doesn’t sacrifice fashion for perform. The short-drying material and considerate options like the interior drawcord and a number of pockets are helpful. Additionally they have the Quandary in a 7″ inseam for those who’re in search of extra protection.

a side view of the patagonia quandary shorts with the model placing her hand in the back patch pocket
We put on these shorts all summer time, from approaching crags to backpacking within the sierra. – picture credit score: alice hafer (cleverhiker.com)

What Different Mountain climbing Shorts Ought to You Contemplate?

PrAna Halle II: These shorts are good for individuals who need a mix of fashion and sturdiness for day hikes and concrete outings and need one thing much less technical than the Quandary. 

Outside Analysis Ferrosi Evaluate: A best choice for total mountain climbing efficiency, the Ferrosi shorts are decently light-weight however don’t cling to the physique. They give the impression of being good on nearly anybody and have helpful zip pockets. They’ve a strong elastic waistband and are an ideal all-rounder.

Houdini Wadi Shorts Evaluate: The Wadi has a good softer, ultralight, breathable material and is great for decent, humid situations. Nevertheless, it has higher pockets and extra protection. It gives a barely-there really feel and spectacular consolation however could lack options like built-in UPF safety. 

a person walking away from the camera on a sandy trail in sunset
We love Patagonia’s dedication to creating garments constructed to final years, not seasons. Additionally they made these shorts with recycled fish nets to assist cut back ocean Plastic air pollution! – picture credit score: alice hafer (cleverhiker.com)