HomeOutdoorMales's Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Quick Overview

Males’s Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Quick Overview


A man hiking in a pair of shorts.
The Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo shorts are a strong utilitarian mountain climbing possibility. – Photograph Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Backside Line

The reasonably priced Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo is a trimmed-down tackle a utilitarian type, which is why they make our record of the greatest mountain climbing shorts

These bottoms have a safe pocket on every thigh – one with Velcro, the opposite zippered – that we discover actually helpful for storing necessary small objects like a key or an ID. For a day hike on the path, these are an incredible possibility and serve their objective. Whereas the hand and again pockets are mesh, the cargo pockets on the legs are constructed into the shorts. This offers a bit extra help for heavier objects. 

Fast Specs

Males’s Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo

Good Reasonably priced Climbing Shorts


Rating:

66/100


Value:

$50


Weight:

10.4 oz.


Inseam:

10 in. / 12 in.

Professionals

  • Reasonably priced
  • Breathable
  • City-to-trail look
  • Good pockets
  • Constructed-in belt
  • Inclusive sizing

Cons

  • Not as sturdy as some
  • A bit heavy

A hand a the side pocket on a pair of shorts
The zippered thigh pocket is handy for securing small objects. – Photograph Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Consolation

These utilitarian mountain climbing shorts are snug and transfer freely with you however are much less snug than others on the record as a result of quantity of fabric they embody. Even with the cargo pockets they’re nonetheless very light-weight mountain climbing shorts. 

Nevertheless, when you begin including objects to the pockets they will get weighed down simply, and you may be glad that these shorts include a built-in belt. The consolation varies relying on how a lot you determine to hold. We discovered on day hikes {that a} protein bar or pair of sun shades labored effectively, however extra weight corresponding to keys or telephones have been an excessive amount of for the pockets to carry comfortably. 

The shorts even have a gusseted crotch seam to make them extra versatile and cozy when mountain climbing. The built-in belt and waist are snug and work effectively with a hipbelt on a backpack. The shorts are snug on and off the path. They transfer freely with you and supply good protection in your legs as they’re longer than another mountain climbing shorts.

Males’s Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Quick Overview
The Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo shorts have a looser match to facilitate mobility. – Photograph Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Sturdiness

In terms of put on and tear the Silver Ridge Cargo shorts held up simply superb to our testing, nevertheless, the material isn’t very sturdy or breathable in comparison with another shorts, and the pockets will sometimes be the primary to indicate indicators of wear and tear. That stated, we predict the burden tradeoff is well worth the small sturdiness penalty because the Silver Ridges don’t really feel as frumpy as different cargo shorts we’ve worn.

Made out of 100% recycled polyester, we hiked with these for primarily day hikes and round city walks carrying further objects corresponding to sun shades, wallets, keys, and a few snacks like bars or chews. For longer hikes or long-term use, the sturdiness of those shorts is the query. They could not final so long as different shorts on the path.

A pair of shorts flexing.
The Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo shorts have thinner material that’s rather less sturdy than different choices. – Photograph Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Options

These are a feature-rich pair of mountain climbing shorts. It’s what we love most about them – how a lot you get in your cash. They arrive with a belt, which is a pleasant addition together with a smooth felt-lined waistband that enhances consolation. 

The pockets are the massive function of those cargo shorts. There are two hand pockets, a zippered again safety pocket, and cargo pockets, for ample carrying choices. In addition they have Columbia’s signature Omni-Shade Broad Spectrum UPF 50 that protects towards the solar’s rays.

A hand grabbing sunglasses from the side pocket on a pair of shorts
The Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo shorts can maintain sun shades and kit within the velcro thigh pocket. – Photograph Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Dry Time

These shorts are about common with regards to drying time. They’ve Columbia’s patented Omni-Wick know-how that pulls moisture to maintain you dry and funky whereas mountain climbing. After we examined these, each on the path and submerging them in water, the light-weight material did dry rapidly – in round 10 to fifteen minutes. Climbing and airflow will assist with that course of. 

The truth that these shorts are a bit heavier and bulkier than others means that there’s extra material to dry, and consequently, it could take a bit longer than smaller lighter-weight mountain climbing shorts.

The side pocket on a pair of shorts
The fabric dries about common for a pair of mountain climbing shorts. – Photograph Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Weight & Packability

At 10.4 ounces these are a few of the heavier mountain climbing shorts on our record. The mesh pockets make them a bit lighter, however they begin heavy and get heavier as you add objects to the cargo pockets.

These don’t pack down or dry as rapidly as some mountain climbing shorts, however they do embody Columbia’s UV-blocking material that gives UPF 50 safety. These are possibility for day hikes or lower-mileage journeys. However for longer multi-day backpacking journeys contemplate one thing a bit lighter weight and fewer cumbersome.

A back pocket on a pair of shorts
The Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo shorts are stretchy. – Photograph Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Ought to You Purchase the Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Shorts?

Hikers who’re in search of numerous storage are certain to like the Silver Ridge Cargo shorts. They’re greatest for day hikes and shorter journeys. Whereas they are going to work for longer backpacking adventures, in case you are involved in regards to the weight of your shorts then these wouldn’t be for you. Extra minimalist light-weight hikers would need to have a look at different mountain climbing quick choices.

Hand pulls belt tight on shorts.
The included belt is a pleasant function for dialing within the match. – Photograph Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

What Different Climbing Shorts Ought to You Take into account?

REI Sahara Cargo Overview: The REI model of those cargo shorts is one other favourite for storage, whereas nonetheless wanting streamlined. These are related in perform and elegance to the Silver Ridge however don’t include a belt, so you would need to present your personal right here.

prAna Stretch Zion II Overview: Just like the Silver Ridge’s the Stretch Zion II shorts are an incredible utility possibility.  They provide a ton of safe storage with out feeling or wanting frumpy. They’re snug, and so they have a built-in belt for dialing within the match on lengthy hikes, they are often worn for just about any event.

Man hiking with a backpack.
The Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo shorts are an honest utilitarian possibility for day hikes. and backpacking. – Photograph Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)